357 Magnum vs MAXIMUM

renaissance7697 · January 16, 2007, 09:37 AM

Just got a .357 MAXIMUM Barrel for my TC contender carbine.

It of course will take: 357 MAX, MAG, and/or 38 Spl

Loaded up some MAXIMUM Cases ( new Remington Brass) with 180 grain HP Semi Jacketed and 21 grains of H110
Dont have a Chrony, but the data says it should fly at ~ 1900 fps @ the muzzel.

I also built some 357 MAGNUM ( 158 grain SP semi-jacketed and 6.1 of Tightgroup)

Sighting the Contender in at 25 yards with the 357 Magnum, I found that the MAXIMUM printed ~9 inches LOW.

I am guessing that the slower 357 Magnum, stayed in the barrel longer and got more "lift" from the recoil driven rise of the barrel

BUT........

NINE Inches !!......???

sanson · January 16, 2007, 09:47 AM

I handload 38's & 357's for my carbine. bullet weight seems to be what makes one shoot low or high. surprisingly the powder charge(unless extremely hot)seems to not make much difference im my impact height at short range

Hobie · January 16, 2007, 10:38 AM

I've had some experience with MY .357 Max barrel. I wrote a short article of my personal experiences.

renaissance7697 · January 16, 2007, 11:19 AM

Yes !
I've read it...............
That is where I got my 180 grain (21 of H110 ) from.

I also built some:
158 grain Semi Jacket SP over 22.5 grains of H110
They shot to the same POI as the 180 & 21

BOTH were:
~Nine (9) below the 357 Mag Load ( 158 & 6.1 of Titegroup )

I had some 158 grain & 4.0 of CLAYS in a 357 Mag case
and
125 grain (do not recall the powder charge as I write now) again in a .357 Mag case

Bottom line is:
1) Two different weights of bullets ( with near top end charges) in 357 MAG
Shot to the same POI ( @ 25 Yards)

2) Two different weights of bullets at near the top range of H110 in 357 MAX
{ I've seen cautions NOT to load down more than 3% of top for H110)
shot to the same POI ( @ 25 Yards )

3) The POI for the MAXIMUM loads were:
Nine (9) inches below those of the MAGNUM ( @ 25 Yards in a 21" barrel)

James A. Mullins · January 16, 2007, 02:25 PM

You will most likely do the same thing with 44 mag. or 44 special. If you use a scope print out your settings and tape to gun. Friend who shoot metalic silowets. (spelling) make 25 to 50 meters during a match. Just record the clicks up or down for each load. All my contenders shoot the way yours are.
James

January 16, 2007, 09:37 AM	#1
renaissance7697 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2001 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 203	357 Magnum vs MAXIMUM Just got a .357 MAXIMUM Barrel for my TC contender carbine. It of course will take: 357 MAX, MAG, and/or 38 Spl Loaded up some MAXIMUM Cases ( new Remington Brass) with 180 grain HP Semi Jacketed and 21 grains of H110 Dont have a Chrony, but the data says it should fly at ~ 1900 fps @ the muzzel. I also built some 357 MAGNUM ( 158 grain SP semi-jacketed and 6.1 of Tightgroup) Sighting the Contender in at 25 yards with the 357 Magnum, I found that the MAXIMUM printed ~9 inches LOW. I am guessing that the slower 357 Magnum, stayed in the barrel longer and got more "lift" from the recoil driven rise of the barrel BUT........ NINE Inches !!......???

January 16, 2007, 11:19 AM	#4
renaissance7697 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2001 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 203	4 Hobie Yes ! I've read it............... That is where I got my 180 grain (21 of H110 ) from. I also built some: 158 grain Semi Jacket SP over 22.5 grains of H110 They shot to the same POI as the 180 & 21 BOTH were: ~Nine (9) below the 357 Mag Load ( 158 & 6.1 of Titegroup ) I had some 158 grain & 4.0 of CLAYS in a 357 Mag case and 125 grain (do not recall the powder charge as I write now) again in a .357 Mag case Bottom line is: 1) Two different weights of bullets ( with near top end charges) in 357 MAG Shot to the same POI ( @ 25 Yards) 2) Two different weights of bullets at near the top range of H110 in 357 MAX { I've seen cautions NOT to load down more than 3% of top for H110) shot to the same POI ( @ 25 Yards ) 3) The POI for the MAXIMUM loads were: Nine (9) inches below those of the MAGNUM ( @ 25 Yards in a 21" barrel)

January 16, 2007, 09:47 AM	#2
sanson Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2006 Location: FL panhandle Posts: 547	I handload 38's & 357's for my carbine. bullet weight seems to be what makes one shoot low or high. surprisingly the powder charge(unless extremely hot)seems to not make much difference im my impact height at short range

January 16, 2007, 10:38 AM	#3
Hobie Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2005 Location: Staunton, VA Posts: 100	I've had some experience with MY .357 Max barrel. I wrote a short article of my personal experiences.

January 16, 2007, 02:25 PM	#5
James A. Mullins Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2006 Location: Vancouver Washington Posts: 124	You will most likely do the same thing with 44 mag. or 44 special. If you use a scope print out your settings and tape to gun. Friend who shoot metalic silowets. (spelling) make 25 to 50 meters during a match. Just record the clicks up or down for each load. All my contenders shoot the way yours are. James