I've never been a fan of small scopes, but when I found this little Leupold 1-4 cheap, I decided to give it a try. Barrel is a factory chambered Topper in 357 Maximum that has been cut to 19.75. NEF SB2 frame and stock set. Shot this gun some last winter with a different scope, and it shows a lot of potential. After putting this little gun together, I'm seriously considering letting my other 2 standard contour Maxi's go...... Last pic is my factory Ultra Maxi for comparison.
The photo of your 357 Max Handi with the Leupold scope and synthetic stock is in my opinion exactly what a Handi Rifle should look like…thin, lightweight and in a very user friendly caliber. I have been trying to put together a carbine like that for years…just need the thin profile, open sight 357 mag barrel to complete the project.
It seems to like 25 grains of AA1680 and a 180 grain Hornady SSPB. Kind of a mild load, but I killed quite a few deer with this load in another Maxi. Being a Topper barrel, it has a brazed underlug and I don't want to get too crazy with it.
The Topper barrels are SIGNIFICANTLY lighter and less forward heavy. I don’t know for sure, but I would bet the Handi thick/standard barrels were some sort of cost cutting/everything made the same regardless of practicality or necessity type of decision.
You won't have any problems selling your other 357 barrels - I remember back when I bought my 357 barrel off GBO - was brand new never fired for $160 delivered, high at the time, but its my favorite barrel.
I do wish you could still get those single shot pistol bullets
Couple years back I made the mistake of trying those SSPB's in my 35 Remington. I've got a pretty good stash of them, but with 4 guns that love them, they go pretty quick..........................
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Graybeard Outdoors
2.7M posts
63.8K members
Since 1987
A forum community dedicated to the great outdoors and hunting enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about hunting, fishing, survival, archery gunsmithing, optics, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!