357 Maximum Coming Around

[sixshot]

Even though I took a deer & an antelope last year I've never really been satisfied with the accuracy of my Ruger 10.5" Maximum. I've seen several steel targets where David Bradshaw & Lee Martin have hammered out some really good groups on steel using iron sights at 100 yds & they've done it enough times I'm convinced they can almost do it on demand. I used to be able to do that with iron sights but somewhere along the way my eyes went haywire & I got old.
So, now my Maximum is scoped & still I haven't been happy with the accuracy, sometimes it's teased me with a good group but I know this gun can do better. All week I've shot different loads, powders, etc looking for some improvement & then yesterday I decided to sort of "bite" the bullet. I tried some old Remington 180 gr Jacketed HP's just to see if something might change. I loaded up 3 different test loads using 4227 & a Remington 7 1/2 primer in Starline brass.
The first group surprised me, it was good, about an inch, the second group was even better, about 5/8", & then the real surprise, the third load of 19.5 grs of 4227 put 3 shots into .355" at 50 yds, Yippee! So, I knew the gun would shoot, I just had to unlock the puzzle with my cast bullets. I had been shooting 4 different cast bullets with varying results.
I had pinned the chambers before but I had forgot what they were. I've always sized my bullets .358" or just a bit under & things have went well.....until now. I took 9 rounds of 182 grs cast HP's that were sized .358" & ran them through my .357" sizer & loaded 3 different loads & went back to the range a second time. The first load wasn't bad but no surprises, group #2 looked a little better & the third group was interesting. One shot was out just a bit but 2 bullets in one hole & the other 2 bullets in another hole, maybe I was onto something. I went back home & went up 1/2 grain to 20 grs of 4227 & loaded 6 rounds & went back to the range for a third time. The first shot went a bit left so I moved 4 clicks right & ran my last 5 rounds, Holy Moly, 5 shots just barely over one inch!!!!
I was stunned that .001" oversize would make such a huge difference but it did. I'll have to cast again & I'll bump up another 1/2 grain just to see what happens & then I'll move out to 100 yds & get serious.




Dick

[jsh]

WOW!!! I am happy for you my friend.
That is excellent for a fisherman ;-).
I was just thinking of what wheel gun to pack this fall. I consider the 357 max, but I need to give some attention to my 41 or 45s.
Keep talking Dick, I am listening.
Jeff

[bradshaw]

Dick.... may be time to brush out the bore with a good stiff .358 rifle bronze brush. The rear of the brush will get chewed up as you reverse the longer rifle brush, but it’ll clean the forcing cone. A .357 revolver brush is useless, except for 9mm’s. After you clean the bore, take a few photos of the forcing cone, from different angles; post one or two.

And then, put your cast bullets and the jacketed against the Bradshaw-Martin 194 SWC GC @ 50 and 100 yards. Just go for it. Shoot each load like it’s your favorite. Measure 5x5 and best 4x5; both numbers factor in consistency.

Far be it from me to tell you to slug the bore, nor how to shoot. I would clamp the revolver, or lay it on a sandbag; move my head around to check the scope for parallax. (I just had two scopes crap the sack on a SBH Bisley Hunter .44 Mag; pulled the glass each time and shot tighter with irons @ 100 yards.)

Those Southport .357 barrels were made by George Wilson with eight button rifled grooves. A groove diameter of about .358 is common. I have have seen .359, and fit it a cast bullet needs a little bacon round its belly. Those guns were made before over-tightening the barrel became a disease.

Keeping two rocks in my pocket until we hear back on your next range session. Hope to hear good news.
David Bradshaw

[sixshot]

David, this really surprised me & I was a little disappointed that I didn't find it sooner. I usually clean with my worn 40 caliber brushes but actually they seldom need it. Having said that, this one might, even with powder coating because of the softness of the bullets & the speed I'm running them. I have a ladies handgun class that I teach tomorrow but Thursday & Friday I'll get some bullets cast up & do more testing side by side.
I will also size some of the Bradshaw/Martin bullets to .357" to put into the test. While I'm at it I'll use my sons' pin gauges to check my cylinder again, I checked it before but don't remember what it measured. Might help if I write it down this time!

Dick

[oddshooter]

that .001" or .002" oversize does make a huge difference.

I loved your story. I have been on many such quests for the elusive magic bullet.
Trying to wring out every bit of accuracy from a specific wheelgun takes time and testing.  Like people, each seems to have their own personality.  I try to get my sixguns to shoot the same ammo, but it just doesn't seem to work like that.


Prescut

[contender]

I know you have been experimenting with that gun & load quite a bit. And I know you hadn't been totally happy with your results. Looks like you may have finally figured out a direction to go.
It's funny,,, every time stuff like this happens,, I'm reminded of a friend,, long ago,, (about 30 years or so,) was in a high school auto mechanics competition. He won regional, and state. he went to national,,, and placed high,, but lost. Why? Over a fouled spark plug he overlooked. He was looking for everything but the obvious & common problems.
Sometimes we have to back up, start over, & try different basic things to fix a complicated problem.

KUDOS!!!!!!!

[ezekiel38]

Waiting with anticipation.