Any reason this wouldn't work?

[fireball168]

In no particular order.

Your .357 Handi Rifle barrel has nominal bore/groove dimensions of .346/.355. A "true" .358 barrel is nominally .350/.358. You are proposing sending thin walled appropriately sized projectiles down this "inappropriate for chambering" barrel. If one would stuff a true .358 projectile down an inappropriate barrel, things could change in a hurry.

Is your .357 Handi Rifle barrel mounted on a SB2 rifle frame?

You would need to find/order/rent an appropriate pilot for the a removable pilot chamber reamer for a .346" bore diameter, after you bore/drill enough of the old chamber out for the pilot to even find purchase.

I've plinked with the various 358 WSSM's, Gremlin, Hoosier, Grants and various other .30, .35 and .40 rifle cartridges with pistol projectiles before with generally uninspiring results. It is a dandy way to fireform brass though.

If I were going to rechamber a .357 Handi Rifle barrel sitting on a rifle SB2 frame it would likely be for .357 Herrett.

I do seem to remember some data floating around for 150g Remington .358 projectiles in the Hoosier though.

 

[ctbreitwieser]

I guess I should have clarified in my post. I was only thinking about rechambering the handi. It is already reamed to .357max. I'm probably not going to do it though, even though I do have an SB2 receiver I could put the barrel on.

I'm more curious about shooting this through my rebarreld Marlin XS7 with a Green Mountain 1:14 twist .358 barrel.

 

[dugsagun]

Can you shoot it ? yes. Theirs all kinds of loads back in the olden day (loading manuals from lyman manual#47) and older about shooting 357 mag bullets in a 35 Remington. And I believe their may be some for the 358 win also. Since yer 358 hoosier is splitting the difference it shouldn't be a problem, as long as u stay away from max loads. I have shot some 158g out of my dads 35 rem using 180g data, but I only used the starting load, as it was basically just something to shoot for fun at da range.

 

[Broom_jm]

You could absolutely do this...but it's not nearly as good of an idea as it may have seemed, at first. You would be driving a bullet meant for pistol velocities out of a rifle. Even the 180gr SSSP (Single-Shot Specialty Pistol) bullet was made for the 35 Remington, as fired from a 10" or 14" Contender barrel. Driving that bullet from a 358 Hoosier is already pushing the envelope of good terminal performance.

Is your motivation to get the most velocity and flattest trajectory out of a 35 caliber bullet? If so, don't mess around with an XTP out of the 358 Hoosier. Step up to the 358WSM 1.8 and shoot the 180gr TTSX bullets. Go big or go home.

If you want to be cost effective, there is absolutely no choice that is better than the 35 Remington trimmed to 1.800".

 

[ctbreitwieser]

So if I'm understanding correctly, it would work for a plinking load, but wouldn't be an effective hunting load?

 

[ctbreitwieser]

I'll also say that so far, the 180gr SSPs have been awesome terminally. The chest cavities of both deer I've shot with it we're nothing but jelly soup inside, with pasd throughs on both. One was at 125yds, the other at 175. Neither of them went more 5yds before they dropped. So far, I've been very happy with their performance.

 

[Broom_jm]

So if I'm understanding correctly, it would work for a plinking load, but wouldn't be an effective hunting load?

Yes, that's what it boils down to.

I'll also say that so far, the 180gr SSPs have been awesome terminally. The chest cavities of both deer I've shot with it we're nothing but jelly soup inside, with pasd throughs on both. One was at 125yds, the other at 175. Neither of them went more 5yds before they dropped. So far, I've been very happy with their performance.

Don't take this wrong, but that's a sample size of two. Shoot 10 more, with a couple of them at 25 yards or less, before forming a final opinion. Note: I've shot just 3 deer with the 180gr SSSP out of a 358GNR, which is about like a 35 Remington. The ranges were 100 yards or less, with one at around 40 yards. The bullet passed through in each case, but that's still not enough to say for certain it's going to be consistently effective. It's definitely accurate, though.

What sucks about Indiana's cartridge restrictions for deer hunting is that you have to drive a 35-caliber bullet pretty hard before you get an effective range that is appreciably better than a slug gun or muzzle-loader. If you decide you want ~300 yards worth of energy and trajectory, you have to push the envelope and wind up dealing with a fair amount of recoil again. For my family and myself, we've decided that 150 yards is plenty, if you hunt where deer actually LIVE, so we've stuck with medium-power cartridges like the 358GNR, 44RM and 44/40.

 

[ctbreitwieser]

Thanks for your advice. I know 2 deer, with both beyond 100yds isn't much to base off of, and I hope to add a few more to the list this year, just saying that do far I have been impressed. I do try set myself up so that my shots will be around the 100yd mark, but I know things don't always work out like that. I am going to try and load some of these with a minimum charge and see what they do. Hopefully it will allow me to shoot it more affordablily. Might even make a good groundhog load!

 

[vernw]

Unfortunately the 180 SSP in't made any longer. I'm having to research something different to use in Pop's 357 Max Contender cartbinem, which is a real shame....

FWIW I'm using the 180TTSX in a 358BFG Encore very successfully and trying to get it set up in my Rem 700 35 WSM 1.8"

 

[Broom_jm]

Unfortunately the 180 SSP in't made any longer. I'm having to research something different to use in Pop's 357 Max Contender cartbinem, which is a real shame....

FWIW I'm using the 180TTSX in a 358BFG Encore very successfully and trying to get it set up in my Rem 700 35 WSM 1.8"

You just scared me half to death, Vern!

Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Bullets :: Handgun :: Choose by Caliber :: .358 38 CAL :: 35 Cal .358 180gr InterLock® SP Single Shot Pistol

Hornady has "temporarily suspended" production of the 180gr SSP. Given what I've seen in AR sales falling off and various powders/bullets being produced again, I think it's just a matter of time before they turn out another run of these excellent bullets.

 

[vernw]

You just scared me half to death, Vern!

Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Bullets :: Handgun :: Choose by Caliber :: .358 38 CAL :: 35 Cal .358 180gr InterLock® SP Single Shot Pistol

Hornady has "temporarily suspended" production of the 180gr SSP. Given what I've seen in AR sales falling off and various powders/bullets being produced again, I think it's just a matter of time before they turn out another run of these excellent bullets.

Net result is "about" the same. I was told they haven't made any for over 3 years and have nothing planned for the future either. Real bummer. Pop has about 75 rounds left loaded up then I've got to come up with something else for him. Probably going to the 140 Flex since 75 yds is a long shot for him and his little Contender Max.

 

[Broom_jm]

Net result is "about" the same. I was told they haven't made any for over 3 years and have nothing planned for the future either. Real bummer. Pop has about 75 rounds left loaded up then I've got to come up with something else for him. Probably going to the 140 Flex since 75 yds is a long shot for him and his little Contender Max.

If the barrel shoots them well, a 187gr hard-cast LBT-style bullet would be an excellent choice. Gary Reeder recommends them highly for his various 35-caliber revolvers and single-shot pistols for critters as big as elk. They may not expand much at the velocity you get from a 357 MAX, but they penetrate like crazy. Anything with a .358" hole going in and .360" coming out is going to expire, forthwith, and leave a good blood trail while doing so.

For the record: I hope you're wrong about how soon Hornady makes more of the 180gr SSP bullets, but you're probably not.

 

[ctbreitwieser]

I haven't loaded any of these up yet, but I'm thinking of trying the 180gr XTPs instead of the 158s. Hornady lists their max velocity at 1700fps. Which is still plenty fast to kill a whitetail if I chose to hunt with it. Or maybe I'll just try again at finding a 200gr FTX load.

 

[vernw]

I think I'll try the 140 FTX first

 

[SSGSAD]

It's a .358 Hoosier case loaded with a Hornady 158gr .357 XTP. I seated it so the base of the bullet is the same depth as my 180gr SSPS.

Now I am a novice reloader, but in my head. This would work just fine, and allow me to load a hotter charge and really make that bullet zing through the air.

Some questions I have are, if this will work...

Can I seat the bullet deeper and still be safe? JMHO, no..... anytime you seat a bullet deeper, you INCREASE pressure..... What powder are you using?

Can I bump up the powder charge and stay safe? SEE ABOVE .....

Can I do both simultaneously? ABSOLUTELY NOT..... SEE above

What type of accuracy might be expected from a 1:14 twist barrel? I have NO IDEA .....

I love "wildcats", but please be careful..... it is NOT worth one lost finger, eye, or life .....

 

[vernw]

It's a .358 Hoosier case loaded with a Hornady 158gr .357 XTP. I seated it so the base of the bullet is the same depth as my 180gr SSPS.

<snip>

I love "wildcats", but please be careful..... it is NOT worth one lost finger, eye, or life .....

I CAN'T STRESS OR AGREE WITH THIS MORE!!!!

 

[6mm Shoot]

I have shot 357 bullets out of a 358 Winchester. The loads for such bullets are listed in the Sierra loading book. Now they are not pushed as fast as a rifle bullet. In the 358 Winchester I push a 357 bullet , 158 gr to 2000 FPS. That produces 1400 FP of energy. A 358 rifle bullet at 200gr is pushed at 2400 FPS and produces 2550 FP of energy. Why would you want to use a 357 bullet and get half the needed effect.

With a full out 180gr 357 bullet pushed at a max load you get only 2200 FPS and 1700 FP of energy.

Now I know you are working up loads for a 358 Hoosier. The thing of it is that the 358 Hoosier can produce about the same results as the 358 Winchester. Most of the loads I have worked up for the 358 Hoosier I started with 358 Winchester starting loads and worked them up slowly and keeping a check on signs of pressure.

Now if you want to go with lower weight bullets then cast some hard lead ones in the size you need and push them with gas checks. You still will not get to rifle bullet speeds but you can get close.

According to the books you will not get the results you are looking for out of pistol bullets.

Good luck with your reloading and I hope you heed the information you have been given.

 

[ctbreitwieser]

I have shot 357 bullets out of a 358 Winchester. The loads for such bullets are listed in the Sierra loading book. Now they are not pushed as fast as a rifle bullet. In the 358 Winchester I push a 357 bullet , 158 gr to 2000 FPS. That produces 1400 FP of energy. A 358 rifle bullet at 200gr is pushed at 2400 FPS and produces 2550 FP of energy. Why would you want to use a 357 bullet and get half the needed effect.

With a full out 180gr 357 bullet pushed at a max load you get only 2200 FPS and 1700 FP of energy.

Now I know you are working up loads for a 358 Hoosier. The thing of it is that the 358 Hoosier can produce about the same results as the 358 Winchester. Most of the loads I have worked up for the 358 Hoosier I started with 358 Winchester starting loads and worked them up slowly and keeping a check on signs of pressure.

Now if you want to go with lower weight bullets then cast some hard lead ones in the size you need and push them with gas checks. You still will not get to rifle bullet speeds but you can get close.

According to the books you will not get the results you are looking for out of pistol bullets.

Good luck with your reloading and I hope you heed the information you have been given.

Thanks for the info. I'll have to take a look at that sierra manual. My main reason for wanting to try this is because .357 bullets are half the price of .358 bullets and Hornady has suspended the 180gr bullets is shoot for a long time. It would let me be able to shoot my gun for for fun without using all of good bullets for deer hunting.

I'll do some research on .358 winchester loads with .357 bullets. And yes, I will heed all of the warnings. I always start low and never go past max. I am a cautious reloader, but that doesn't mean I shouldnt be able to experiment. All wildcats came from someone experimenting, so I think it's silly for people to act like it's such a sin to try new things. I am confident enough in myself to know if I'm doing something really stupid. I will be safe. But I just haven't had time to try it yet.

 

[ErickW]

When in doubt, try it out...........very, very, very, carefully! In all seriousness though, this is a fascinating concept.

 

[ctbreitwieser]

I found some interesting info in the Sierra manual today.

It shows load data for their .357 158gr JSP for the .35 Rem and .358 Winchester. The velocities look good so I'm going to assume the bullet will hold up those velocities if it's posted in the manual. It also said in the manual that that bullet is designed for high velocities on medium sized game. I'm going to try the .35 rem data first since I have a few of those powders on hand already. I'm going to play with the seating depth to find a good COL, and hopefully if I start low, I can find a safe and accurate load with this much cheaper bullet. I'll be sure to chrono my loads and update with the results. Wish me luck!