The .357 Max revival....

[cajuntec]

For many years now, one of my favorite cartridges had become nearly impossible to find, reload, etc... I hoarded every piece of brass I could find. I held onto pieces that probably should have been thrown out (I didn't load them... I just held on to them. I don't know why... )

But this year, Starline breathed life into the cartridge by producing a run of brass. I immediately bought 250 pieces. Suddenly, I'm seeing .357 Max barrels being talked about again on specialty forums (Contender and Encore related). In the past few months, I've picked up two more .357 Max barrels - one Contender pistol, and one Contender carbine, to complement my Encore rifle one (my son's rifle) Both came with brass. Then someone gave me some brass. Then I found more brass at a good price.

Now, I have more .357 Max brass than I ever though I'd have. Compared to 9mm, .40, .38 Special, and .357 Mag, it's not much. But to have over a 1000 pieces of straight wall high quality brass to load for three single shot firearms feels great. It should last me a long time.

Now I just need to work on the bullet manufacturers to bring back my favorite bullets.

All the best,
Glenn

[cwill]

Fine cartridge for sure! Did you see the Blackhawk for sale in the classifieds a little while back? I know there was some serious strap cutting issues with some of them, but It would be an awesome addition to your 357 Max collection and they are getting super rare!

[cajuntec]

I drooled over that Blackhawk. Would have loved to own it. But I think the T/C platforms really allow that cartridge to shine without the associated issues the revolvers had. I'm surprised someone didn't come out with a fix to that issue. But I don't know how much of an uphill battle with a new cartridge, compounded with associated costs to do so, would have been to solve the problems. But I'm glad T/C jumped on it when they did.

All the best,
Glenn

[bluelund79]

Glad you found some brass Sir. Saw some for sale yesterday and thought of your WTB requests, it sold out before I could pm you. Some day after my son outgrows it, I ream the chamber on our H&R hands rifle, but it's too accurate to mess with right now. I may try and scrounge a box of brass too see if it helps motivate that change. I'm too hooked on 44mag right now though

[cajuntec]

Eric,
I've wanted a .44 Mag rifle barrel for a while now too, and finally picked up a nice braked 16.25" Contender barrel the other day. I haven't shot it yet, but I'm looking forward to checking it out.

Then I remembered... I don't load for .44 Mag (or Special).... YET. Gives me an excuse to place another Midway order soon. Any suggestions on hunting bullets for the .44 Mag?

All the best,
Glenn

[bluelund79]

My son and I use 240gr JSP. We are 10 for 10 on 1 shot, dead right there, kills. I found a great deal on Winchester bullets, and still have about 255 loaded. For plinking, we use 240 lead SWC bullets. We use Unique for general use and 2400 or w296 for hunting, and Trailboss for when my wife wants to ring out the Model 69 and Super Blackhawk. I prefer the mid range Unique loads in my M92 Trapper, but the Ruger 99/44 gets jacketed bullets only due to the gas system. A 77/44 is on the list for myself since my oldest claimed my 99. With straight A honor roll, who am I to argue? We do have some 300gr XTP loaded if we ever draw a KY Elk tag, but the 240gr JSP work awesome on decent sized KY whitetail. On the plus side, 240gr XTP fly great with 50cal TC sabots out of Encore, kids REM700 ML, and the Traditions ML we use here on post.

[txpitdog]

250gr Keith bullet is all you'll ever need for the SBH. 11-1200fps went lengthwise through a deer. The bullet is too long for the Marlin 1894 as 44mag but if you load it in a 44sp case with Unique you have a low recoiling deer rifle that's great for kids and will still punch through a deer. The 44sp Keith load in a rifle is equal to a mild mag load in the SBH.


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[cmh2007]

I haven't started loading for my max but I'm going to keep this thread. My little 5 foot 1 wife liked to shoot full power loads out of mine

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[cajuntec]

It was a reloading type of day today, and while .357 Max was on my mind, I thought I'd load up 50 pieces. First time using my new Redding trickler. Loved it! Wish I had bought it a long time ago.

180 grain Hornady SP, SSP bullets over some W296. Hope these work well. 10 rounds of 5 different steps.



All the best,
Glenn

[bearintex]

You mentioned Contenders, so I know you're familiar with Mike Bellm. Do you get his emails? Lots of good Max info in them, as he pushes it real hard as a hunting round to get around the stupid cartridge rules in his home state.

[cajuntec]

You mentioned Contenders, so I know you're familiar with Mike Bellm. Do you get his emails? Lots of good Max info in them, as he pushes it real hard as a hunting round to get around the stupid cartridge rules in his home state.

I don't get his emails, but I'm very familiar with Bellm and their excitement regarding the cartidge. All of my Encores have his trigger, hammer, and barrel locking bolt springs in them.

All the best,
Glenn

[257]

I had talked with Mike a week ago and he talked about the starline brass and also he has someone working on hunting bullets so you may check with him.

[Texas Grown]

It was a reloading type of day today, and while .357 Max was on my mind, I thought I'd load up 50 pieces. First time using my new Redding trickler. Loved it! Wish I had bought it a long time ago.

180 grain Hornady SP, SSP bullets over some W296. Hope these work well. 10 rounds of 5 different steps.



All the best,
Glenn

Glenn, let me know how those 180s work for ya. I might be interested in them for my Super 14 in 35Rem. I've been trying out some 150gr spire point Soft Point factory loads by Rem. And would like something with the potential for accuracy at longer ranges with plenty more punch left. I've shot a lot of 110gr .356 up to Speer's .358 250gr Spire Point from that barrel just for kicks (pun intended ). That 250gr has a bit of drop at 250 yards. But it's fun watching a 5 gallon can roll around.

[cajuntec]

Will do Michael. Unfortunately, this is one of those bullets that was discontinued. I've got a decent stock of them for now, but when they are gone, I'll be starting all over again looking for another hunting bullet.

All the best,
Glenn

[geezer56]

I had a Handi rifle in Max. It started out as a 357 and got reamed to Max. Killed a couple of deer with it. Traded it away because of the brass problem. Mine liked a bullet I cast in a Night Owl Enterprises mold. It is a 180 gr. gas checked bullet with large flat on it, sized to .359 or .360. Shoot that bullet now in a 35 Rem.