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.
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.