Know of any good accuracy loads for the Ruger No.1 in 357 mag.? Thanks.

357Mag is not known for accuracy, but 38special is, and they are practically the same cartridge. The 38 sp high accuracy ammo is wimp loaded swaged soft lead 148 gr bullets shoved up inside the case. That is not what you want from a rifle.

I am going to build a single shot 357 mag, I have everything I would need, I just have not done it yet.

The first thing I would do is cut the chamber at .380" and then throat it until a dummy chambers.

Then re size the loaded ammo in a carbide die.

That will get concentric ammo in a small chamber.

I would find the longest and best bullet that will stabilize.

I would try H110 and experiment with roll crimps.

Long ago there was an article in Rifle or Handloader about this. I believe the result was that it had to be loaded like a rifle cartridge, with the bullet seated out to as near the lands as possible. Deeper seated bullets to fit a revolver cylinder were inaccurate.

Bruce

It has been a long time since I shot this rifle configuration, but can tell you that the 180 Speer SP was dynamite with a large amount of Winchester 296, and small RIFLE primers, yes small rifle primers. I later had the barrel rebored to .357 Maximum, and then to .358 Winchester, which was the most accurate configuration. I really miss this rifle, and wish I had left it in the original configuration.

I concur with 308Sako that the Speer 180gr semi-flatpoint is a good choice. I have also had good luck with other 35 cal. rifle bullets in this weight range (i.e. the Hornady 180gr SP). The 170-180gr silhouette-type pistol bullets can work very well too. The powders that have worked best for me are Reloder 7 and 800X. I haven't played with my #1 357Mag for some time and some of the newer powders like Lil'gun, etc. may prove very useful for this purpose. Good luck.

From what I have seen with mine is that the throat may be a tad too long. I was going to have it reamed to 357 Max. but have never gotten around to it. Right now I am planning a 357 Max bolt gun. It would be nice to find a good load for the No.1 just as it sits. I know there are plenty of them out there that are being shot...as they should be.