Deer legal guns

[michaelrichardson]

Anybody want to build a rifle for deer season but want something different but not exotic. Check this out:.357 Maximum. Great information. Just got finished building one out of an H&R 357 mag and love. Only down side, you basically have to order ammo online from Reeds Ammo or handload. This little rifle has me excited to get to deer season for the first time in a few years. Thought somebody may be able to use the info.

 

[ambushunter]

I'm just counting the days till the DNR makes the "rifles" caliber specific to production pistol cartriges.

 

[rhart]

Wow, that is a lot of good information. Very nicely done. I just finnished buildning my MGM 445 Sup Mag with an Encore frame. After much deliberation, I decided that that would be a great Indiana deer gun for me. There is little loading data for it though so I wish someone would share more of that on the web somewhere. What I do find is for pistols mostly. It came down to the 445 SM or the 357 Max for me but I went with the 445 because I already have stuff in 44 caliber and I like the capability of useing up to a 300 grain bullet. One guy posted he used a 360 gr bullet but I have yet to confirmed that. I use 44 mag for my back up deer pistol and I can shoot 44 mags in the 445 SM also. I have to admit, your info has me second guessing a bit but I will run it through the gauntlet and share what I learn.
Also I have high hopes for the new gun at 200 yards but Im not sure the gun can pull off the groups like you posted.
Thanks again for sharing

 

[dave29]

I have a brand new one. It's reamed for Max and I have 200 pieces brand new brass and a few different bullets to try. I can't wait to get some time and work up a load for it. I also have an H&R .44 mag that shoots 1-1.5" groups at 100 yards with LeverEvolution ammo.

 

[kludge]

FWIW, if you're going to make a .357 Max rifle, you owe it to yourself to read Mike Bellm's web page about using a proper reamer.

Mike Bellm TCs - .357 Rem. Max. Chamber Throats

And if you want more out of the H&R, check out the .358 GNR.

GNR Wildcat Cartridges

 

[melensdad]

I'll stick with my new AR15 chambered in 458 SOCOM.

Fun, not too exotic, hard hitting, and available.

 

[parson]

I just reamed my 357 Handi to max. Only got to Wilbur Wright range for a short time. I got fair accuracy with 170 grain gas checked cast over 2400 powder. 158 grain bullets didn't shoot nearly as well. From what I read they seem to prefer heavier bullets, 180 grain & up. I'm going to try to find some Hornady 180 SSP to try.

 

[gglass]

If you don't want to go to the trouble and expense of reaming your barrel, you may just want to load the hottest production .357 Magnum load made. Buffalo Bore makes a particular .357 Magnum load that is in the same ballpark as a .357 Maximum or even the low end of .30-30 loads.

Buffalo Bore
Heavy 357 Magnum Ammo - 158 gr. J.H.C.

Special note of the Marlin 1894, 18.5 inch barrel velocities. Item 19C/20, supercedes 30-30 energies!!!

18.5 inch Marlin 1894

a. Item 19A/20-180gr. Hard Cast = 1851 fps
b. Item 19B/20-170gr. JHC = 1860 fps
c. Item 19C/20-158gr. Jacketed Hollow Point = 2153 fps---- Can you believe this?!!! Nearly 1,700 ft./lbs of energy.

Heavy 357 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

 

[michaelrichardson]

Glad other people have moved passed the whole notion that it is needed. I looked at the 445 supermag. Maybe in a couple years. Also looked at RRA .458 socom. On my list, maybe next year. As far as reaming a chamber, the handis chamber took about 5 minutes to do by hand. Reamer cost $25 to rent. Cheap and easy.

 

[Bucky623]

I had been looking into a .357 max carbine barrel for my Contender or building one of these. <-clicky

I love the idea of a short sub-carbine like this one.

The other day I got a Rossi Puma 454 so the 357 max will be on the back burner for a while.

~Bucky~

 

[rimfire_crazed]

.357 Max has appeal to me in a Revolver. Ruger made them for a while. In a carbine, .44 Mag is king for me. My Rossi .44Mag now shoots 1.25" 3 shot groups at 100 yards from the bench with my handloads. Can't get any more accurate for the money.

 

[dbd870]

I had a 20" MGM 357Mag Encore barrel that just came back today rechambered to the Max - play time!

 

[mjones]

i know a guy who has been hunting deer with a 357 max in a thompson contender says it does a deer dirty

 

[dudley0]

I had been looking into a .357 max carbine barrel for my Contender or building one of these. <-clicky

I love the idea of a short sub-carbine like this one.

The other day I got a Rossi Puma 454 so the 357 max will be on the back burner for a while.

~Bucky~

I test fired a.454 Puma. Was worried about mounting optics if needed and not sure what the accuracy vs a .44 mag would be. I have the .44 in a couple pistols.

What's your take, now that you have a .454? Also, have you shot any .45 LC thru it? I hear you can.

 

[hntrdav]

If you don't want to go to the trouble and expense of reaming your barrel, you may just want to load the hottest production .357 Magnum load made. Buffalo Bore makes a particular .357 Magnum load that is in the same ballpark as a .357 Maximum or even the low end of .30-30 loads.

Buffalo Bore
Heavy 357 Magnum Ammo - 158 gr. J.H.C.

Special note of the Marlin 1894, 18.5 inch barrel velocities. Item 19C/20, supercedes 30-30 energies!!!

18.5 inch Marlin 1894

a. Item 19A/20-180gr. Hard Cast = 1851 fps
b. Item 19B/20-170gr. JHC = 1860 fps
c. Item 19C/20-158gr. Jacketed Hollow Point = 2153 fps---- Can you believe this?!!! Nearly 1,700 ft./lbs of energy.

Heavy 357 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition[/quo


Hornaday 110 grain XTP's loaded with 23gr H110 travel at 2398fps

 

[Bucky623]

I test fired a.454 Puma. Was worried about mounting optics if needed and not sure what the accuracy vs a .44 mag would be. I have the .44 in a couple pistols.

What's your take, now that you have a .454? Also, have you shot any .45 LC thru it? I hear you can.

I haven’t shot the .454 much yet. The rifle came with a few rounds of factory .454’s but I’m trying to round up .454 and .45 LC brass for it. No luck yet.

As for sighting, I’m going with a rear peep and front bead sites, if my eyes will allow. If not, then I’ll put a scope on it.

From what I’ve read, the .454 Casull fired out of a rifle barrel can be affective to 200 yards on deer. If that’s the case, I would most likely need a scope to get it’s full potential. I can only hope the Rossi is more accurate than I am.

The way things are going, it may be a while before I get a load worked up so I can see what kind of groups it can shoot.

~Bucky~

 

[308skinner]

The 458 socom is a mean round and plats hell on deer. They dont run at all.