Opinions on the ruger 77/357?

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I know, not the reloading section. but do you guys think I will need to modify my normal 357 load of 14 grains of 2400 under a 158 gr laser cast swc (plain base) ? works fine in revolvers (obviously).with the added velocity I wonder if it will cause leading. Hope not I've got about 1500 of those loaded up for handgun use. I've got a few hundred jacketed bullets and a good amount of brass, but if I can stick to one loading I'd be happy. If I need to experiment to find what (hopefully) they all can agree on, I will. That classic load has been great for me though and I'll keep producing it either way.

I have posted this before, and have found this information to be mostly true. If I were looking for a single load for the .357 I would consider this:

Veral's Book: "Jacked Performance With Cast bullets":

THIS is something Verryy Verryy practical ... and Extremely deadly!

Those 2 Antelope both dropped at 125 and 302 yards lazered w/ 1 round, each bullet through both shoulders/bones; complete shoot-through. This done with an old "pistol" cartridge. I've never seen a more Completely Efficient use of this cartridge. This System WORKS!

1. THE KEY to this whole system is casting the LBT 187 gr. WFN (Wide Flat Nose) gas check bullet ... Randy Garrett copied the exact bullet shape; his 540 gr. Hammerhead in .45-70 at 1550 fps. will shoot completely through an African Cape Buffalo and kill the one behind it.

If you DO NOT cast your own bullets at present, you CAN order this bullet from Cast Performance Bullets: --- HOWEVER: Cast Performance DOES NOT use LBT Lube, THEREFORE, users will run into pressure problems at lower temperatures and with lighter loads than when using LBT lube. Accuracy will not be as good either. Montana Bullet Works sells them lubed with LBT Commercial lube and they'll deliver top notch performance.

NO PROBLEM shooting clean through say 4 to 6 bad guys with this 187 gr. LBT bullet depending on circumstances, any bones hit, etc., as it has already shot lengthwise completely through Elk. This .357 Magnum system is in reality a "mini-mini Garret .45-70 type set up".

Research revealed:

** You DO NOT want this combo in a .44 Magnum because:

a. It would be about double the ammo weight And size ...and so you'd carry Easily Twice the .357 rounds.
b. Not needed.
c. Excessive recoil in a big way in this M94 configuration w/ 325gr+ gr. bullets. (Like an 8lb. 30/06).

** With this 187 gr. LBT bullet you get 8% to 20% less pressure at the same velocity/output as a jacketed bullet.

** In casting, use 10 lbs. wheelweights w/ 1 TBL. of high antimony shot -- water drop them.

** About 400% more penetration than a jacketed bullet in any realistic medium from live flesh to ballistic gelatin to wet saturated newspapers with inter-spaced bones.

** The LBT Stays nose-on with no yaw while traveling through flesh or liquid medium until it goes subsonic at the least.

** 25% tighter groups. 20% more wound cavitation.

** 80% less cost than jacketed bullets or better if you cast your own.


1. Approx. 17 grns. H-110 or 296 will yield about 1920 fps. in an 18" barrel. (Work up from maybe 16.5gr. or so).
Use MAGNUM PISTOL primers and crimp the bullet.

2. .357 Mag. brass is Everywhere and cheap as dirt; everybody has it. Sometimes its free.

3. No bullets to buy; you cast your own (you will have to buy Hornady gas checks).

4. Recoil Wayyyy less than a .243/.22-250 and the report is QUIET QUIET QUIET.

5. At 17 grns. of H-110 (or 296), a can of powder goes a Lonnggg way -- 411 rounds.

6. The rounds are about Half the size, weight and maybe 1/5 the recoil of a .44 Mag. In a Grab N' Go you could Easily have over 300 rounds with you -- No Sweat, AND control your environment to easily beyond 350 yards.

7. You have a short, light, accurate, fast firing carbine holding 10 rounds w/ no recoil-induced bullet back-out problems in a spring cushioned magazine tube. You DO WANT the Marlin Model 94 as it will reliably feed this bullet, and you can clean it from the breech. It will weigh 8 lbs. fully loaded with Scoutscope mounted, OR, you can mount say a Burris Fullfield II Riflescope 2X-7X.

8. Compare this .35 caliber bullet, shape, weight, velocity, penetration, recoil, cost, and effectiveness against say a .30-30.

9. I would guess that Most of today's shooters/hunters/riflemen have Very Little idea of what can be accomplished with lead bullet technology similar to what was used 2 centuries ago. You look around and you don't see any more Buffalo wandering about.

10. THIS IS A SERIOUS, DEADLY, EFFICIENT, ALL-ROUND SYSTEM!

You could employ this carbine system say to a town's population of females from young girls 10 years of age on up, (even young girls will LOVE shooting this rifle) who have been taught only basic Riflecraft and Mindset... and have an unbelievable force to be reckoned with. It is an AWESOME combination for either hunting, or, for urban warfare if needed.

It is unbelievably deadly and it is accurate, zilch recoil and QUIET QUIET QUIET. This combination has shot lengthwise completely through Elk up in Idaho; this bullet is the KEY to this combination to be able to have such capabilities. The bullet Ballistic Coefficient is .187, the B.C. being run as a G-1 drag model.

You can easily be effective to 300 yards with this combination, and it looks plebeian and Totally Innocent. 10 rounds of this as fast as you need to shoot and as fast as you can work that lever and shoot...its Fast!

THIS SYSTEM WORKS!!
 
I know, not the reloading section. but do you guys think I will need to modify my normal 357 load of 14 grains of 2400 under a 158 gr laser cast swc (plain base) ? works fine in revolvers (obviously).with the added velocity I wonder if it will cause leading. Hope not I've got about 1500 of those loaded up for handgun use. I've got a few hundred jacketed bullets and a good amount of brass, but if I can stick to one loading I'd be happy. If I need to experiment to find what (hopefully) they all can agree on, I will. That classic load has been great for me though and I'll keep producing it either way.

Another thing to think about is pushing the bullet too hard. They are designed to work in a specific range, go outside of that and I have seen bullets just bust apart....or on the other side not expand at all.

Shooting into old milk jugs filled with water are us cheap and easy as well as ball park what that bullet is going to do when it hits something living......kinda fun to.
 
I know, not the reloading section. but do you guys think I will need to modify my normal 357 load of 14 grains of 2400 under a 158 gr laser cast swc (plain base) ? works fine in revolvers (obviously).with the added velocity I wonder if it will cause leading.
If it doesn't cause leading in your revolver it will almost certainly not cause problems in a rifle.

Laser Cast bullets are hard and tend to cause leading, in my experience, only if the bore is oversized, excessively rough, or you're pushing really high pressure. You should be fine.

The only issue I could see is if the gun doesn't like that particular load for accuracy.
 
I know, not the reloading section. but do you guys think I will need to modify my normal 357 load of 14 grains of 2400 under a 158 gr laser cast swc (plain base) ? works fine in revolvers (obviously).with the added velocity I wonder if it will cause leading. Hope not I've got about 1500 of those loaded up for handgun use. I've got a few hundred jacketed bullets and a good amount of brass, but if I can stick to one loading I'd be happy. If I need to experiment to find what (hopefully) they all can agree on, I will. That classic load has been great for me though and I'll keep producing it either way.

As far as leading goes, it's pretty much a try it and see proposition. Lead hardness, barrel finish and bullet lube are major variables. If leading turns out to be an issue, you could try GC versions of the same bullet next. FWIW, I prefer Berry's plated in any PCC I can get them to group properly from.

The Ruger should stabilize a 158 grainer properly, and a properly cast lead bullet is unlikely to go to pieces at .357 Mag. rifle velocities. One noted problem with PCCs is driving ultra-lightweight defensive bullets faster than their design parameters -- lightly-constructed 9mm HV bullets have been shown to blow up and underpenetrate at short range when fired from a rifle barrel:

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/self-defense-ammo-for-pistol-caliber-carbines/

You want to hear about a weird handgun/rifle combination that likes the same pistol load? I have two Soviet-era Nagant revolvers with .32 ACP conversion cylinders rechambered to .32 H&R. They like the same .32 S&W Long / 83 grain HB wadcutter (seated long) / IMR 4227 load that I use in my British .303 rifles using a .32 chamber sleeve for shooting on an indoor range.

WadcutterWAdapter.jpg Nagant Revolvers.jpg LE No.4 Mk.I Jungled.jpg P14 Enfield.jpg p14target.jpg
 
Thanks guys. Never tinkered with a pcc before so I'll have a bit to figure out. I was mainly concerned if the additional velocity would tend to cause leading, but I'll just test and see. Looking forward to seeing what kind of groups I can squeeze out of it , not expecting a ragged hole at 50 yards but if I can get 3-4 moa I'll be happy. Not planning on a scope as I'm going to try to keep it compact and light as possible, maybe a peep sight if I can find one I like. I appreciate all the knowledge and opinions.
 
It’s a very cool gun, and I know it’s not what you asked for, but would you consider a cz-527 in x39? Would have a bit more versatility
 
It’s a very cool gun, and I know it’s not what you asked for, but would you consider a cz-527 in x39? Would have a bit more versatility
No, just because I wanted something I could pair with a revolver. I don't have any x39 rifles and not planning on getting any. I'm not into any "black guns" or the type (including the AK or sks) . I have just one good AR and only shoot it to stay proficient, it brings me no joy. 357 is my main caliber for range use so I just wanted something I already have bullets, powder, brass and dies for. Would have preferred 45 colt but it doesn't exist....yet
 
It’s a very cool gun, and I know it’s not what you asked for, but would you consider a cz-527 in x39? Would have a bit more versatility

I mostly like the CZ Model 527. What I don't like is where the exposed magazine is situated- interfering with the very location I much prefer carrying a rifle if I'm not employing a sling. Not a deal breaker for me but something to consider.
 
I mostly like the CZ Model 527. What I don't like is where the exposed magazine is situated- interfering with the very location I much prefer carrying a rifle if I'm not employing a sling. Not a deal breaker for me but something to consider.
They have short mags and a different bottom medal now if you can like with 2 or 3 rounds in the mag.
 
They have short mags and a different bottom medal now if you can like with 2 or 3 rounds in the mag.

I wondered about this and checked: CZ is still just offering the factory short mag for the .223.
https://shop.cz-usa.com/cz-products/rifles/magazines/centerfire

However, this dude offers to covert most of the 527 mags, including the 7.62x39, into a shorty. He'll also convert your triggerguard if your's has the metal reinforcing web -- I think his service is cheaper than buying the parts from CZ, but I have no experience dealing with him for recommendation purposes: http://rvbprecision.com/shooting/cz-527-rifle-magazine-conversion.html
 
I wondered about this and checked: CZ is still just offering the factory short mag for the .223.
https://shop.cz-usa.com/cz-products/rifles/magazines/centerfire

However, this dude offers to covert most of the 527 mags, including the 7.62x39, into a shorty. He'll also convert your triggerguard if your's has the metal reinforcing web -- I think his service is cheaper than buying the parts from CZ, but I have no experience dealing with him for recommendation purposes: http://rvbprecision.com/shooting/cz-527-rifle-magazine-conversion.html
It's a pretty easy thing to do, most can do it with simple tools. I may don't one day but I don't mind the mag sticking out, kinda 1891 esk. I still wish the used a mini hindged floor plate, but the mag makes different cartridges much easier.
 
It's a pretty easy thing to do, most can do it with simple tools. I may don't one day but I don't mind the mag sticking out, kinda 1891 esk. I still wish the used a mini hindged floor plate, but the mag makes different cartridges much easier.

I've mentioned before that I've one shorty and three normal length mags for my .223 fullstock. I'm OK handling the sticky-out mags, but I just prefer the aesthetics with the shorty mag and iron sights. Now I just need to install a standard buttpad in place of that ugly factory vented thing -- I wish they offered a butterknife bolt handle!

CZ527FS.jpg
 
I've mentioned before that I've one shorty and three normal length mags for my .223 fullstock. I'm OK handling the sticky-out mags, but I just prefer the aesthetics with the shorty mag and iron sights. Now I just need to install a standard buttpad in place of that ugly factory vented thing -- I wish they offered a butterknife bolt handle!

View attachment 900524
Yes I agree with the pad and the bolt handle, tho it would not be to hard to make a butterknife. The recoil pads with the venting just remind me of all the old dry cracked ones I've used lol. I've been using these basket weave pads for some time, they ad good grip and I like the look.

https://www.brownells.com/shooting-...al/500b-black-base-recoil-pads-prod26444.aspx
 
I'm probably the only one here but I had one and sold it. I reload and never could find an accurate load. I tried about 4 different bullet weights and about 4 different loads with each bullet. I tried a Volquartsen trigger, shimmed the bolt and put a laminated stock on it but nothing helped. I then sent it back to Ruger and they re-barreled it. Still not to my satisfaction. Thought it should be at least a 2 MOA rifle but it wasn't. My conclusion was the take down bolt is very odd and bolt tension effects accuracy in some weird way. Also being a two piece bolt doesn't help either. I guess I'm just too picky about rifle accuracy. Somebody got a great deal on a used 77/357.

Truly, if I were looking for a light bolt action carbine I would spend the money on a CZ 527 or Howa Mini in 7.62x39. Leave the 357 mag for the revolvers.

Don't flame me, that's just my experience.
 
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I'm probably the only one here but I had one and sold it. I reload and never could find an accurate load. I tried about 4 different bullet weights and about 4 different loads with each bullet. I tried a Volquartsen trigger, shimmed the bolt and put a laminated stock on it but nothing helped. I then sent it back to Ruger and they re-barreled it. Still not to my satisfaction. Thought it should be at least a 2 MOA rifle but it wasn't. My conclusion was the take down bolt is very odd and bolt tension effects accuracy in some weird way. Also being a two piece bolt doesn't help either. I guess I'm just too picky about rifle accuracy. Somebody got a great deal on a used 77/357.

Truly, if I were looking for a light bolt action carbine I would spend the money on a CZ 527 or Howa Mini in 7.62x39. Leave the 357 mag for the revolvers.

Don't flame me, that's just my experience.
I'm not expecting fantastic accuracy, minute of soup can at 50 yards is fine for me. If it's better, great- if not I'll cross that bridge if I get there. I primarily wanted a handy pistol caliber carbine to pair with the revolver I shoot the most. One bucket of ammo for both, in a perfect world. Simplicity is so dang complicated. Since I consistently buy the same styles of gun repeatedly I figured I'd mix it up a bit and get something out of the norm (for me). I'm no long range shooter, outdoor ranges in my area are 100 yards, I've got "real" rifles for that . I hope I like the 77/357 better than you liked yours, it'll probably be a while until I can pick it up however because my state goes into lockdown tomorrow due to recent health concerns. Oh well, I'm nothing if not patient.
 
I'm not expecting fantastic accuracy, minute of soup can at 50 yards is fine for me. If it's better, great- if not I'll cross that bridge if I get there. I primarily wanted a handy pistol caliber carbine to pair with the revolver I shoot the most. One bucket of ammo for both, in a perfect world. Simplicity is so dang complicated. Since I consistently buy the same styles of gun repeatedly I figured I'd mix it up a bit and get something out of the norm (for me). I'm no long range shooter, outdoor ranges in my area are 100 yards, I've got "real" rifles for that . I hope I like the 77/357 better than you liked yours, it'll probably be a while until I can pick it up however because my state goes into lockdown tomorrow due to recent health concerns. Oh well, I'm nothing if not patient.

You should be fine for your intended use. I had a 4x scope on mine so the 3-4 MOA accuracy was very apparent. I'm a carbine guy thru and thru but I've found that I much prefer the auto loaders to bolt guns. My Ruger Mini and M1 carbine shoot about as well as my 77/357 did but they both have a specific purpose not unlike your 77/357. They're neat little carbines for sure and I think you'll like yours. I built my own precision bolt rifle so I have a totally different perspective than most people about bolt rifles. Mine have to shoot 1 MOA or I'm just not happy.
 
it'll probably be a while until I can pick it up however because my state goes into lockdown tomorrow due to recent health concerns. Oh well, I'm nothing if not patient.

Your shop may be permitted to do the transaction by appointment -- the gunshops in my part of CA are still open for those purposes, and everyone knows we're the goofy state.

The gunshops being shuttered a couple weeks right now is less troubling than otherwise might be the case, as there is _no_ stock on hand -- the shelves were already bare when I dropped by my favorite LGS on Tuesday, the day before the state's shelter in place order came through. Shame the ranges here are closed though.
 
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