17-357 RG

Warning: Bullet selections are specific, and loads are not valid with substitutions of different bullets of the same weight. Variations in bullet length will alter net case capacity,  pressure and velocity. Primer selection is specific and primer types are not interchangeable. These are maximum loads in my firearms and may... […] [Read More]

The 17-357 RG - Real Guns Project Cartridge - Finished Good golly, a 3,300 FPS handgun!

It was a little chilly at the range, and a little overcast and the 17-357 RG prototype was a little uncooperative, but all and all, the combination performed admirably. The combination was able to push a 20 grain bullet over 3,300 fps and a 25 grain bullet at slightly over... […] [Read More]

The 17-357 RG - Real Guns Project Cartridge Part VI When things go terribly wrong...

I arrived at a point in the project were things didn’t work and the problems and correctives actions were not obvious. I had to decide if all would end up in a box at the back of a shop cabinet or if I had enough retained enthusiasm to see it... […] [Read More]

The 17-357 RG - Real Guns Project Cartridge Part V And the other half, the T/C version

Before moving on to the cartridge and load development phase of this project, I wanted to cover the converted T/C Contender, a firearm I believe is optimal for the 17-357 RG. The barrel began life as a 357 Magnum chamber, a configuration which is of no practical consequence, as the... […] [Read More]

The 17-357 RG - Real Guns Project Cartridge Part IV The P229 is in, one down, one to go...

This has not been a particularly fun filled project. There is an odd phenomena that occurs with skilled crafts people when they progressively miss their own commitments; first they are apologetic, then they are resigned to corrective action, then they stop answering the phone or start blaming their customer.  I... […] [Read More]

The 17-357 RG - Real Guns Project Cartridge Part III And then the dies arrived....

I was really surprised at the amount of mail I got from people who thought the 17-357 RG was just me goofing around again with a fictitious cartridge. Well, if you’ll forgive the pre fire formed shoulder, it looks a lot like the gem to the right and it is,... […] [Read More]

The 17-357 RG - Real Guns Project Cartridge Part II and other updates and information

While the .45 SAP was the subject of a parody, the 17-357 RG was not, honest. I thought an update would dispel the rumors that the 17-357 RG was little more than the product of my imagination and too much time on my hands. The chamber reamer and go gauge... […] [Read More]

The 17-357 RG - Real Guns Project Cartridge Part I

I was staring at a couple of 17 HMR and 357 SIG cartridges, while trying to scrape some recently fallen tuna and mayo off of my keyboard, when my brain merged the images of the two rounds into what looked like a miniature WSM. I opened RCBS.Load and QuickLOAD, working... […] [Read More]

Consensus Not A Priority - The 7mm-30RG Part 1

Cogito, ergo sum…   July 3, 2022 – Social media knee jerk reaction to any thoughts that stray from consensus is rejection. Which almost always results in a person acquiescing to the mob and adopting group thinking. Too bad, because the original thought is often interesting and, potentially, the bases... […] [Read More]

The 7mm-30 RG Wildcat Part I

A lot of what we do in the shop, stays in the shop and never makes it to publication. It’s not as though we are running a covert operation. it’s just that much of the subject matter lacks broad appeal; the flipper autoloader, the pivoting cylinder revolver and the propellant... […] [Read More]