H&R Handy Rifle in 357 Mag

[NickSS]

I got a 357 mag barrel for one of my handy rifles several months ago but have not had a chance to shoot it until today. The loads I used were 158 gr RNLFP cast boolits over 7 gr of Unique. I was shooting at 50 yards with a reciever sight that I got off of a BC H&R that I put a tang sight on. I really dislike the adjustments of that sight. It took me 20 rounds and about an hour to get the sight zeroed for 50 yards. Then I proceeded to shoot some five shot groups. Results were satisfactory with groups going from a large of about 2 inches to a small of 3/4 inch. Average groups size was around 1.5 inches. This was good as far as I am comcerned. Next I want to try a gc 158 gr slug and a full load of W296 to see how it does at 100 yards.:D

[OBXPilgrim]

NickSS,

That barrel can be alot of fun with the Handi. The 357 can do the 38 spl & mags - those 38 wadcutters sure are quiet from that 22" barrel.

Not sure if you've searched about the 357 handi, but several have the chamber cut to a length that will allow 360 dan wesson brass to chamber & still have room to clear for case stretch on firing. The chamber in mine is too short to accept 357 max, but boolits can be loaded to an OAL that is right at 357 max (360 DW is between 357 Mag & 357 Max in length).

If you bought one of the new 357 Mag Handi, forgot about hotrodding it like I've described. They started making new production 357s using the weaker SB1 receiver. If that's the case, you can still have lots of fun with the mags & 38 spl's.

Hope that helps.

[crazy mark]

I have a new 357 handi bought just this year. it's on a SB2 receiver and the 360 DW's work just great 357 max are just a little too long. I've been working up loads for 180-245 gr bullets. Mark

[NickSS]

Mine is a new barrel on an SB2 frame. I have not checked the length of the chamber but have thought of opening it up to the Max case but I may take a look at the 360 dan Wesson round first as I do not have brass for either.

[Blammer]

have it opened up to a MAX, it will rock! :)

my friend has one that I drool over quite a bit.. :)

[part_timer]

I have one in the safe that is on loan to my daughter right now that has been opened to allow for using the max. We both like it a lot. I'm not exactly sure that I won't just buy it. It shoots a 180 rcbs just fine and seems to like the 180gr hp ideal as well. Both are GC with H110 under them.

[bikerjr1]

I just got on this web site and am starting casting. Hello all.
I have an NEF SB2 that I had a .357 barrel made for about 3 years ago, back when they limited it to about 100 barrels a year. Anyhow the .357's made up on the SB1 frames should not be "hot rodded" to much. The MAIN difference is the firingpin and hole in the frames. The SB2 frames use a small diameter firingpin and will handle higher presures of rifle cartridges without the primers flowing back. Using standard ammo its is not an issue, but hot loads can becone one. The large diameter firingpins also travel a bit further when striking the shotgun primers and can cause ruptured primers.
The .357 tube that I have stays my NEF frame more than any otherone that I have for it. Running .38 Spec brass with a light 88gr roung nose is perfect for small game and quieter than a .22lr. Full house 158gr HP or SWC will take care of just about anything else out to 100-125 yards. Most shoot loads I have run through it will groop under 1.5" @ 50 & 100 yards respecfully.
Next barrel is .45 Colt.
Later,
JR