I have recently began looking into reloading and am interested in the 357 Max. I want to get a T/c Encore with a MGM 10.5" 357 Max barrel. This will primarily be a Hunting Handgun for Coyote/Deer.

Please let me hear your thoughts on the load. ANY and ALL information wanted.

The MAX is a nice deer round, very mild recoil, accurate and you have the benefit of shooting pointed bullets, I have 2 MGM barrels chambered in the MAX, both are very accurate!

Thanks, What barrel length do you have? Im leaning more towards the 10.5" I have a 44Mag in 14" and I would like to go shorter on this build.

10.5" barrel would work great in a MAX

Thanks Ernie, What grain bullets would you suggest for coyote?

Not killed coyotes with the 357 MAX, but I would use what I have - 158 XTP's

ScoutV2

I'd look real hard at the lehigh 150 raptors. A buddy of mine down state has been using them on deer with excellent results. He had been using 180xtp's and had good results with them too.

Aaron

ScoutV2. ,Re 357RemMax bbl length, unless you're heart set on 10.5 in.s please consider 12in.s. I've posted here & there before on the R Max & bbl length. I've had or shot most factory bbls & lots of custom ones. I really think 12in.s gives the best balance of velocity & handiness. I have several Contenders as well as Encores. All of the Encore tubes (so far) have 15in tubes
But sometime soon there will be a 12in 454 Casual added. I passed on a custom 12in 357RMax at a local show some time back & have regretted it from the time I drove home!! AND I had two R Max already! Whatever you choose, just feed it some LilGun ,296 ,or 1680 w/any 140(slowed down a little) 158,or 180 gr bullet w/small rifle primers & you'll be happy. Have fun, load safe & shoot straight!

I've killed a truck load of Michigan Whitetails with a 15" MGM Encore in .357 Max and have never felt that I needed a bigger gun! From 50 to 200 yds they just die, I'm way to old to track or drag.

What bullet(s) do you prefer, buck?

15" Encore barrel, 14" Contender, I shoot the Hornady 180 gr. # 3505, they like Lil Gun powder.

Thanks guys for all the input.

cont35bb I may look into getting the 12" barrel but I am really looking for something that I can handle a little quicker in the woods. I have found with my cva 44Mag (14" barrel) is almost too far forward on the weight and balance. I am looking for something to handle with a little more balanced and not so barrel heavy.

Last week of Michigan's late season Doe hunt found me in the shack with the Max loaded with 180 grain Remington HP and 180 XTPs, two bang flops latter I still can't tell the difference in the two bullets. Both doe's went straight down one at 90 yds and the other about 120 yds. I've had success out to 200 yds with the 180 XTP and Lil-Gun, have never had to shot more then once and have never had to track a deer more then a very few yards!
Buck

I really am set on the 10.5 barrel. I rarely ever get the shot opportunity past 125 yards. The two bucks that I took this year were at 35 to 65 yards with my 44Mag. Im looking at this for a smaller gun that I can carry all day and shoot offhand without sticks. Second use will be taking coyote.

Buy what ever you feel is right for you, if it don't work out buy something different it's only a matter of money!

Won't lose any power to a noticeable level and the 10s are really easy to carry

A 10 in barreled Contender in a straight wall pistol case makes for a sweet handling easy shooting package.A cross draw or chest holster and you are set.Over 12 inches just doesn't hold well offhand for me.

Thanks for all the info guys. I guess it is time to start spending the money.

Old thread but this is how I am leaning.

OP did you get a barrel yet?

I had a MAX in a 10" Contender years ago..It was a factory TC barrel and had that weird SAAMI chamber in it with a forcing cone...It never shot worth a hoot! Got rid of it and got a .357 Herrett that with the right powders shot like a house afire! Near 1" 3 shot groups at 100 yards! I could safely get about 1850 fps with 158 grain JHP in the Max and about 100 fps more in the Herrett with same bullet. I like the idea of the MAX and no case forming..Having had both...If you can get Bellium to make you a barrel with a NORMAL chamber for the MAX it would be the way to go...Killed my biggest buck ever and my longest shot buck ever with the Herrett..the MAX will do just as well.

I went with the 13" for my Contender barrel. I hunt mostly from a tree stand. Stalking shorter might work out.
When ordering your MGM barrel send in a Dummy Round with the bullet you are planning to use seated to the depth you are planning on seating them. I sent in both a Long Seated 358-180 NOE Cast, and a Long Seated 180 XTP load. My barrel handles both very well.
Another bullet you might look at is the 158 FP/XTP #35780. It might be an even better choice with a shorter barrel.

If you are looking at a 357 Maximum, I am guessing that you know Starline is making brass for it. I am happy Starline took care of that void in brass availability.

Bob

Nice buck, kingrj!

That"s a damn good deer man!!!!!

Bingo!

I have a 10.5" RPM in .357 Max, and it makes a very convenient package.