[old coach]

The UPS man just brought my handi home with a new 357 bbl. I got the ultra scope rail and put on a Leupold 6X42 in Burris Sig. Z-rings
I want to make this bbl into a 357 MAX and plan to rent a reamer for the job. I have a 10" T/C Contender bbl that will "fixed" also.
Should I shoot this bbl with 38s or 357 for break-in? I want to shoot Beartooth cast in the MAX. Break-in with cast or jacketed bullets?
I will handload for the MAX.
I tried the scope at almost dark and it was GREAT.
I need break-in advice, and load help.
THANKS
Coach
PS: We are finally getting some rain in WNC. Thank the Lord.

 

[bluebayou]

Personally, I think that barrel break-in is superstition. Flame ON

Other than that.......I have been plinking with old WWB 38 SPL 147JHP's that I found at local shop. The Federal 158gr JSP in the American Eagle box seems pretty accurate at $18/box.

I loaded some 360 DW for it, but didn't get to group it due to scope/ring problems. I'm itching to do the Max conversion too.

 

[JimP.]

I have the 357 Max in my Handi rifle and do not regretting the change, still can shoot 357 mags but I dont, I shoot the 180 gr Hornady XTP bullet with a max load of H110 and the rifle is very deadly on deer, makes fist size holes and drops the deer in one spot...very worthwhile conversion, do it you wont regret it. dont even bother with the 357 mag, go ahead and rechamber to the 357 Max...JimP. ;D

 

[MSP Ret]

If you have a bunch of .38 Specials or .357 Magnums lying around and want to shoot them do it. I use .38 Specials, .357 Mags, .360 Dan Wessons, and .357 Maximums all out of mine with no problems at all....<><....

 

[burntmuch]

Max it & don't look back. I just got mine, cut it to 17inches. I'm using a peep sight. 3 inch group at 50 yards so far. I may scope it just to see what its capable of. 180grn xtps 24grains reloder7

 

[tn_junk]

How long did it take NEF to do the barrel? I seriously want a .357 MAX for my Handi.

alan

 

[PHATINJUN]

Mine has been at the factory since august and is now on the floor getting fit for 357 223bull fluted and 22 hornet for Stimpy should get it by first part of next week I hope. Kurt

 

[Is64.8]

I got the ultra scope rail and put on a Leupold 6X42 in Burris Sig. Z-rings

What size Burris Signature Zee rings did you use, medium or high?

 

[Is64.8]

BTT

I use mediums, but was just wondering what you used with that fixed power Leupold.

 

[quickdtoo]

Signature Zees aren't made in low, so the mediums are likely what he used with the fixed power scope since even the power ring on a variable power Leupold will clear the hammer mounted in mediums.

Tim

 

[recondoc]

Quote from Gale McMillan (Rifle God Extraordinaire) from his posting on Sniper Country:

"The break in fad was started by a fellow I helped get started in the barrel business . He started putting a set of break in instructions in ever barrel he shipped. One came into the shop to be installed and I read it and the next time I saw him I asked him What was with this break in crap?. His answer was Mac, My share of the market is about 700 barrels a year. I cater to the target crowd and they shoot a barrel about 3000 rounds before they change it. If each one uses up 100 rounds of each barrel breaking it in you can figure out how many more barrels I will get to make each year. If you will stop and think that the barrel doesn't know whether you are cleaning it every shot or every 5 shots and if you are removing all foreign material that has been deposited in it since the last time you cleaned it what more can you do? When I ship a barrel I send a recommendation with it that you clean it ever chance you get with a brass brush pushed through it at least 12 times with a good solvent and followed by two and only 2 soft patches. This means if you are a bench rest shooter you clean ever 7 or 8 rounds . If you are a high power shooter you clean it when you come off the line after 20 rounds. If you follow the fad of cleaning every shot for X amount and every 2 shots for X amount and so on the only thing you are accomplishing is shortening the life of the barrel by the amount of rounds you shot during this process. I always say Monkey see Monkey do, now I will wait on the flames but before you write them, Please include what you think is happening inside your barrel during break in that is worth the expense and time you are spending during break in "[/color]

Just one opinion but it is the opinion of a guy who understands rifles better than most.

Doc

 

[Chilachuck]

LOL, that is funny.

Of course, they are talking about a high quality barrel to start with, one that really does not need the break in.

Some of my firearms have had pretty rough barrels straight from the factory (that is, the manufacturing process was not completed). They looked a lot better after being fire-lapped. They also needed less cleaning.