Ruger # 1 , 357 MAX, Range Report

[Ben]

Heat and humidity outside here is torturous.
I made a quick run to the range to fire a few rounds
with my new ( to me ) Ruger # 1, 357 Maximum.

JES said that my best performance should come with .357",
,3575" or .358" cast bullets. ( Turns out that he was correct ! ) I tried a .3595" dia. cast bullet in a MAX case in a dummy round and it wouldn't chamber.

I fired the 358156 with 7.5 grs. of Unique in Max. brass.
Nothing to write home about today on that load.............

I'm so new to loading the Max., that I have nothing to fall back on in my mind on loads that have a lot of potential for accuracy.

I decided to make up 10 rounds of a mild load in Max. brass
5.2 grs. of Titegroup, Lyman 358242, sized .3570", Win. small pistol primers, OAL 1.958" Shot these at 50 yards. BTW, this is a very mild load in the MAX, the outside of the necks were sooted.

Moved the target stand on out to 75 yards.
Next load to try is the RCBS 200 gr. , G/C, HP sized .3575"

I'm impressed !!!!!!!!!

This one has got dead deer written all over it.
A pretty potent load out of my light weight rifle.
Looks like I need to get about 300 ea. of these cast, gas checked, lubed and sized.

Here is a pic of the IMR 4227 loaded 357 Max. cartridge :

The heat was getting to me, I cut the range session short and
headed home. I'll be back on another day and have more fun with my new MAX .

BTW, I fired about 35 - 40 rounds today out of my new rifle.
Brought it home, pushed a single cotton dry patch through the bore. Spotless. JES did a fine job on my Ruger # 1. I'm very happy with the rifle.

Ben

 

[Brother_Love]

Ben,
I have found that is far more difficult to get good groups with sweat running in corners of my eyes! Groups seem to shrink a little on cooler days. Our heat index was 114 yesterday, maybe only 105 today (cold snap).
Malcolm

Ps: nice shooting regardless and you have given me the Max itch (sounds kinda bad like that don't it)

 

[Ben]

Malcolm,

I have a pretty good $$$ chunk of change $$$ in this one, however with performance like I saw today, I don't regret a penny of the money right now.

There are some many load combinations for this caliber, I'll be busy with this one for some time to come..............

Ben

 

[gman]

My experience with the Max is only with the two Ruger SBH's I have. I would really like to have a single shot rifle chambered for it. 4227 has proven to work very well in my Ruger's with the two bullets I have used so far. They both tip out right under 190 grains. Hard to beat that Ben. 1680 may work better in a rifle length barrel if you plan to push her any harder. Remington 7 1/2 primers work well also. I'm a little jealous!

 

[RicinYakima]

Ben, nice shooting. My only experience was with a NEF that had been re-chambered and was asked to develop loads. None were as good as yours. JES does a nice job doesn't he. Ric

 

[Ben]

JES is a VERY talented fellow.
He called me this morning, I had just walked into the house from the range, I reported on the rifle's performance.
He seemed pleased to hear the good news.

Ben

 

[35 shooter]

Looks like you came up with some nice loads right off the bat. I understand about the heat and humidity...it's tough here in MS. right now too.

I think your going to have a lot of fun working with the Max!

 

[freebullet]

Nice going, Ben.

Between the heat & humidity I'm shocked the bullets didn't slump. Brutal here yesterday.

Very nice hollow points.

 

[John]

Mine is a H&R rechamber and it does it's best with 200 gr NOE RCBS clone. I have also had acceptable work with the 358627 and have gone to as light a bullet as the 180 fn but never tried 160 gr or lighter. I have also used slow powders only, 296/110, AA9/WC820 and 1680. Have a lb of 300 MP I am going to play with if time permits.

 

[Ben]

I can already tell it is going to like the SLOW POWDERS !
The only powder I don't have in your list is the 300 MP.

 

[RicinYakima]

IMR 4227 is good for me. As was 3031.

 

[Tom]

1680 under a 180 gr jhp Remington worked well in my 12" contender.

 

[Eutectic]

The only powder I don't have in your list is the 300 MP.

There's a fella many of us know that could very well be the .357 Maximum guru. Mike's handle is even "357Maximum". Some of his last comments I read on the Maximum toted 300MP as a 'new' likely candidate for his favorite. Mike seems to work with 14" barrels and over; mostly rifles... He has Whelen's, .358's, .35 Remington's..... but every year seems to get his venison with the .357 Maximum and cast!

Just a bee for your bonnet.....

Pete

 

[KHornet]

Great start Ben! Range heat is detrimental to anything resembling
accuracy. Impressed with what you did accomplish. We hit 100 degrees
this week.

Paul

 

[Ben]

Just a bee for your bonnet.....

Pete

Thanks Pete,

Ben

 

[35 shooter]

Looks nice Ben! Should be a good match for the max.