Converting .357 Mag to .357 Max

[rickhem]

One of the ranges that used to run the National Sectional each year in my area also had an outdoor range where they held a wide range of other fun competitions. One of the regular shoots they held, was a Hunter Pistol Silhouette shoot, but they limited everyone to straight wall pistol cartridges to keep from having their silhouette targets get too beat up. They shot the standard animal targets at 25, 50, 75, and 100 yards, and had two categories, irons and glass. I shot with my DW .44 mag for irons, and with a 686 and a 4x scope for "glass". There was a guy that shot all the time with a TC Contender, 10" barrel, in .357 Max. I have never felt concussion from a handgun like I did from that. With four banks of targets, there would be four shooters on the line at a time, and when I was next to him, and I caught the sight of him raising his contender to take a shot, I just lowered mine until he shot. You could feel the shock wave with every shot he took. That round from a rifle would probably eclipse a 30-30 in performance, and a single shot opens the door to a whole different selection of bullets.

Post up your experience with it, I'm interested to hear what you can do with it.

[docscott]

Working up some loads:

180grainMaxLilGun.jpg (146.39 KiB) Viewed 3540 times

158grainmaxH110.jpg (111.73 KiB) Viewed 3540 times

[5shot]

It looks like you're off to good start!! Was it easy to find brass?

[rickhem]

Working up some loads: 180grainMaxLilGun.jpg158grainmaxH110.jpg

Holey Schmoley, that's one hot load! I load 6 grains less Lil Gun for my 158 XTP FP and that is a stout load for .357 Mag. The rifle sure likes it though.
I'd be interested to see what that does at a little further distance, and if you hunt, how that works on game.

[docscott]

It looks like you're off to good start!! Was it easy to find brass?

I was able to find some loaded ammo. Starline is on backorder and haven't looked too hard anyplace else for brass.

[docscott]

Working up some loads: 180grainMaxLilGun.jpg158grainmaxH110.jpg

Holey Schmoley, that's one hot load! I load 6 grains less Lil Gun for my 158 XTP FP and that is a stout load for .357 Mag. The rifle sure likes it though.
I'd be interested to see what that does at a little further distance, and if you hunt, how that works on game.

Going to try 28 grains of Lil'Gun under the 158 XTP. Once I find something I like, will try at 100 yards. Plan on using it this upcoming deer season.

[docscott]

158 Grain Hornady XTP w/ 28.0 gr Lil' Gun (wanked the last shot to the upper right)

28grainlilgun158XTP.jpg (102.56 KiB) Viewed 3489 times

[docscott]

100 yard test w/ 158 Grain XTP w/ 28.0 gr Lil'Gun ( group was ~2 inches X ~1 inch)
10 shot average muzzle velocity 2488

100yd158gr.jpg (215.12 KiB) Viewed 3365 times

158gr100yd.jpg (171.72 KiB) Viewed 3365 times

[BigAl52]

It looks like you're off to good start!! Was it easy to find brass?

Saw some used 357max brass for sale on another forum 5shot. Kinda pricey at .50 ea.

[rickhem]

100 yard test w/ 158 Grain XTP w/ 28.0 gr Lil'Gun ( group was ~2 inches X ~1 inch)
10 shot average muzzle velocity 2488

WOW
You're knocking on the 2500 door with the 158, that is a whole lot of knockdown power.
And you're still getting great groups.
Nice!