Finally success with the 357 max

Will

Will

Well-Known Member
Year before last I ordered a 18" MGM encore barrel in 357 maximum and put it on a frame that I bought from eabco with a trigger job. I love the handiness of the rifle in the woods and have always been a fan of the cartridge.

I have shot around 500rounds through this rifle without much success at all. I have tried 296, H100, 2400 and 300 MP powder. Some shot decent but nothing I trusted to hunt with.

I came across some AA1680 the other day and decided to give it a try. I was really surprised with the results. It shot both the NOE 360-180 GC and NOE 35-200 HP GC well. Bullet were 50/50 WW/sheet lead water dropped. These bullets have aged almost a year (not sure if that didn't help too)

These groups were shot at 85yds instead of 100 because that keeps me under a shade tree here on the farm.
I am not responsible for the powder charges given here they are over some listed maximums. I personally believe you can't get enough AA1680 in the case to cause problems though.

If I went a half a grain higher or lower with either charge the groups suffered a lot.

I hope this helps anyone struggling with a max.
 

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Glen

Glen

Moderator
Staff member
Yes, 1680 is a great powder for the .357 Max. Another very good powder for the .357 Max is 4227. Nice groups!
 
Brad

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Very nice groups. I think those are good enough for deer.
 
Will

Will

Well-Known Member
I still have to test for a first shot flyer.

I had six different powder charges for each bullet. I was shooting five then letting the rifle cool for 15 or 20 minutes then going to the next charge. Those two were the best with each bullet.

I was using hornady checks, bullets sized to .360 in a Lyman lubrasizer, and using mike's 6-6-6-1 lube (aka satans lube)
 
J

JSH

Active Member
Will, excellent results!
What was you COL with that bullet?
I am curious as I am still looking for "the" load for wheel gun.
I have one load that was worked up by the previous owner and a mentor of mine. The 358429, deep seated crimped over the front driving band, powered by SR4759. It is a tack driver out to 100 and a soft shooting load it is barely OK at 150, worthless at 200.
I have an ok load using the RCBS 180 Sil and a dose of imr 4227. I have yet to try any of the 1680 as it is spotty to find in these parts. Though I have seen more of it in the last year than the past 10-15.
David Bradshaw mentioned a load a while back to me using imr4198 compressed if I recall. Said it was the most accurate he had ever shot in the 357 max in a revolver with cast. But,the shooter better have the follow through of a dead man.
This cartridge has a good following. Problem is that it is not a large following.
I think magnum research is missing the boat by not offering this in one of their guns. Along with the other super mags, especially the .414. If the were to offer the the 375 super mag I would camp at their front door until I got one. I have thoughts on having a 375 built on a donor 357 gun.
What I need is another project lol.
Jeff
 
Rick

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Bradshaw is right but not only this load, follow through as well as grip are beyond critical with any long range revolver shooting.
 
Will

Will

Well-Known Member
Dad shot some 4198 loads through his 357 max encore. Accuracy was good but the velocity was low.

I crimped all these bullets in the cannelure but the throat in my rifle was cut to fit the bullets.

Also use Remington 7 1/2 small rifle bench rest primers. My accuracy improved with all powders when using these primers.
 
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