357 MAXI, LOOKING GOOD

[sixshot]

I've been running a lot of rounds down the tube of my Ruger 357 Maxi, its the 10 1/2" version & since I put the Ultra Dot red dot scope on top its really proving to be a shooter.
A few weeks ago I posted a photo of a 5 shot group that measured 1 3/4" at 50 yds with it & since that time I've tried a number of loads trying to beat that group. My earlier load was the 205 gr LBT GC slug pushed by 18 grs of IMR 4227 & a CCI small rifle mag primer. I was really trying to get the velocity us 100 fps or so, I could gain the velocity with other powders but the accuracy wasn't there so today I went back to the original load & after missing the target with the first 3 shots (left) I got on the paper with the 4th shot, adjusted right & high for the 5th shot & then ran 5 more shots, all pretty much centered in the black with 4 shots in 1/2", this is going to be MY load, I'm through looking! :wink: I plan on giving this gun & scope combo a good workout this fall, if I miss a buck it won't be the guns fault. :roll: The final 5 shot group measured 1.258" at 50 yds, I'm ready.

Dick

 

[americal]

I have A lot of confidence in you Sixshot 8) 8) good group :!: It is hard to get groups that good at 50 yd.

 

[Peacemaker]

What's your velocity with that load?

 

[sixshot]

Peacemaker, I ran that load through the clock at about 1440 fps.....I think, my notes are in my truck. I was beating that by 150 fps with H110 but the accuracy was almost triple. Also I'm sizing my cast slugs to .356" diameter, the cylinder throats are tight but the gun really shoots as you can see. This red dot & the no drill mount from Edge Custom is going to give some deer a real headache.......maybe heartache! :lol: I'll take it to Oklahoma with me & also use it on at least 1 deer in Montana.

Dick

 

[contender]

As always,,, it's better to have the accuracy than the speed when things are "close." It looks like the Maxi is coming right along for this fall. I'll be looking for field reports,,! (I still haven't had the time to test out those 357 bullets yet,,,, but I did p/u some gas checks,,,!)

 

[az6gun]

Probably the finest long rang revolvers I ever owned. Just DON'T forget that ear protection. OUCH!

 

[oregon73]

A nice gun and some nice shooting! Can't wait to see what you get with it this year!

Rob

 

[Jeff Hoover]

Dick, whats the bore slug at ? If its .357" or .358", wouldn't it be better to open up the throats ? I know I had to open up all my Ruger .45 colt throats to about .453", and accuracy is great.

Also, why the red dot, over a regular scope ?

I know you're extremely experienced, just curious.

Thanks, Jeff

Nice grips on that hogleg, by the way !

 

[sixshot]

Jeff, I too have had to open the cylinder thoats on my 45's, I went to .4525" & it helped both of them. This gun & apparently others who have them are tight in the throats which is fine, I tried .356, .357 & .358 & the .356"s are very accurate as you can see. If it didn't shoot with any of these diameters I would slug the barrel but I think you have to start with cylinder throats.
I have a few scoped revolvers & they work fine, I just very seldom use a scoped gun but the 357 Maxi is one of the few revolver calibers thats truly a 200 yd deer gun with good bullets. I wanted to try one of the Ultra Dots because they are very fast, don't have to worry about eye relief, etc. I'm not done experimenting yet but so far things are going pretty good, I hope this LBT bullet holds up at distance, it should but I haven't shot much over 100 yds with this combo, thats about to change! :wink:
My old eyes aren't as good as some of you young roosters, I sometimes get in heavy timber or catch a buck in the sagebrush & have to let him walk because I can't see well enough with irons....and I hate letting a buck walk!

Dick

 

[Boxhead]

Dick,

With that load you have developed the ultimate drill press...

 

[Lee Martin]

I like the grips....who did them?

BTW, all of my Maxs (Rugers & Sevilles) shoot best with 205 grain casts too. As for powders, I almost exclusively shoot H4227 & AA1680.

 

[contender]

Uhh, I bet Dick made those grips himself,,!

 

[sixshot]

Hello Lee, yes I made the stocks, they are Massacar Ebony, nice stuff to work with, I just turned 2 more sets.

Dick