Chrono'd the 77/357 today

[Ferdinand]

I was curious to see what kind of velocity I would get out of the rifle-length barrel on my 77/357. One of the loads I've commonly used for 15+ years is a 158 grain jacketed SP, or HP, over a max charge of H110. With a temperature of 33f, a five-shot string averaged 1721 fps out of the 77/357. That's over 1000 ft/lbs of muzzle energy. About the same as a 240 grain .44 mag out of a revolver at 1400 fps...

 

[welder]

Impressive.

That's cooking out of the little gun. Have you chrono'd any of the factory rounds?

 

[Ferdinand]

I haven't shot factory loaded .357 in over 25 years. I wouldn't mind experimenting with some over the chrono, but don't want to pay factory ammo prices. Perhaps I'll check out Blazer, or something that tends to run lower in cost. From what I recall, the 125 JHP was pretty hot.

 

[welder]

I have a good supply of 125gr. Jhp and a smaller supply of 158gr. Sp on hand. I figure the 125 will be a cooker for sure. It does nicely out of my 6" GP100 and can't do anything but get better out of the 77/.357.

 

[Cary]

Welder,
I have a Winchester M94AE Trapper in 357 mag and the 16" barrel on that gun really gets the most out of the 357 mag cartridge. Makes for a fun economical rifle to shoot. I cast my own bullets and mine really likes a 180 grain cast bullet with H110 or Alliant 2400. Good out to 100 yards. Enjoy your gun.
Cary

 

[welder]

Thank you Cary.
I wanted Ruger to make the 77/357 for a long time and bought one as soon as they came out.
I had a .357 Marlin lever gun some time ago but traded it, it was a fun gun and fast handling. Very accurate and like you said, got a lot of mileage out of the .357. I never had the opportunity to chrono it but figure it would be pretty fast.

 

[Waldo Pepper]

I just got one also this last week, but we had a visit from the artic and haven't shot it yet. I had a Marlin lever carbine in 357 & 44, I just couldn't get into lever guns and that 16.5" carbine in 44 Magnum killed at both ends. Besides I deed a scope and lever guns look stupid with scopes.

The 357 Marlin was a hoot to shoot 38 special and light loaded 357 in, with light loaded 158 grain it was hell of a squirrel gun.