Chiappa Baby Sharps .357 magnum

[gmkmd]

I recently got one of those Baby Sharps in .357 magnum, and started shooting it.  It's a lot of fun, but I'm pretty disappointed with the accuracy (or rather, lack there of).  I shot some Remington factory loads, and some cheaper reloads, both with 158 grain lead semi-wadcutters, and some .38 Specials with 158 grain lead round nosed bullets.  They all gave groups about 3 to 4 inches at 50 yards (from the bench).  I did manage to get one group about 2 inches.
I measured the twist rate, and found it to be 1:12, which is abnormally fast for a .357 magnum rifle.  I'll still need to try some other loads and other bullets, but I'm interested in other peoples experiences.

[ccarley]

Looks like a neat little Sharps!

When you were shooting from the bench, where was the front rested?  I don't have experience with the baby Sharps, but the full size ones have a harmonic point roughly 2/3 of the way out toward the end of the barrel, and seem to like being rested there for better accuracy over resting on the wood.  If you were resting on the wood it would be worth trying a different point on the barrel maybe to see if there is a change. 

Aside from that, how does the crown look? 

Clay

[gmkmd]

The crown looks perfect.

[Cap'n Redneck]

With a 1-12" twist I'd expect you would get better results with a longer, heavier bullet; say a 180 grain.

[gmkmd]

Thank you all for your advice!
Today I tried it with Federal 180-grain SJHP's, and got groups down to 1 1/2" at 50 yards.  Better, but not all that great.  Next I'm going to slug the bore.

[Professor Marvel]

Thank you all for your advice!
Today I tried it with Federal 180-grain SJHP's, and got groups down to 1 1/2" at 50 yards.  Better, but not all that great.  Next I'm going to slug the bore.

I think you are onto the problem. Fast twists seem to like heavier bullets.
Especially lead bullets. Can you get some of the 200 grain flat nose lead bullets like the Lee .358 200 gr flatnose to try ?
Yhs
Prof marvel

[gmkmd]

I measured the bore; the bore diameter is 0.346" (via plug gauge), and the groove diameter is 0.3575" (via slugging).

[Cap'n Redneck]

With the bore measurements you state you should try lead bullets measuring at least .358", and preferably weighing 200 grains or more.

You could also try .35 caliber jacketed softpoint rifle bullets (measuring .358") available from Speer, Sierra, Swift, Nosler, Woodleigh etc.
They are available in weights ranging from 180 to 310 grains. 
The downside is that most of them are rather pricey...
And if you want to use these bullets for hunting they may not expand reliably at .357 Magnum velocities.

One more thing that could affect your accuracy is the (lack of) smoothness in the bore.  If you google "fire-lapping" you'll find a lot of hints on how to "break in" a new riflebarrel.

[Montana Slim]

I found home cast bullets, of fairly soft lead, sized to .359" gave best performance in all my "38s" & "357 magnums".

Regards,
Slim