.357 Maximum question - The Firearms Forum

rvance · 12-17-2003, 08:21 PM

If I ream out a .357 mag rifle barrel to shoot .357 maximum cartridges, Can I still shoot .38spc, and 357 rounds in it as well?

Xracer · 12-18-2003, 07:56 AM

Since the .357 Maximum is simply an elongated .357 Magnum, you probably can......but......that's going to be a pretty long chamber for .38 Special. You might get a lot of lead or guilding metal buildup at the point where the rifling begins using .38 Spl. rounds.

stash247 · 12-22-2003, 09:10 PM

Only thing is, if it's a lever gun, will it feed????
You will need to alter the cartridge stop to run the Max, (OAL 1.990") thru a rifle set up for the mag, (OAL 1.590")
If it's a Marlin, based on the 336 action, no problem. If you're using an 1894 action, we need to talk, BEFORE you tie up the rifle, which will be in small pieces before the bound round comes out!

LDBennett · 12-23-2003, 07:58 AM

Here's my way to have a 357 Maximum rifle: Thompson Contender with a 20 inch barrel with the appropriate rifle stock!

This setup flat works. I use 125 grain bullets behind a full load of the appropriate powder. I get ballistics that match or exceed 7.62x39. The 180 grain Hornady's shoots a little better but slower.

LDBennett

stash247 · 12-23-2003, 08:59 PM

158 Noslers are an awful good compromise; in a TC or a 94 Win or Marlin, they can move out safely at 1550-1600fps, with only a little load work, and that was in a mag, not a max, case.
Terminal performance, out of my Marlin, is typical, uneventful, Nosler; good expansion, 90+% retained weight, little spoiled meat.
Scoped, the rifle shoots 11/2" @ 100 yds, but only with that bullet; everything else I've tried is beyond 2"
Cannot think of a reason in the world NOT to use the TC, though,as it's easily the most accurate pistol (LW Carbine?) I've ever shot.

12-17-2003, 08:21 PM	#1
rvance Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Rochelle VA Posts: 42	.357 Maximum question If I ream out a .357 mag rifle barrel to shoot .357 maximum cartridges, Can I still shoot .38spc, and 357 rounds in it as well? __________________ Living on the Rapidan River! -->

12-22-2003, 09:10 PM	#3
stash247 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,815	Only thing is, if it's a lever gun, will it feed???? You will need to alter the cartridge stop to run the Max, (OAL 1.990") thru a rifle set up for the mag, (OAL 1.590") If it's a Marlin, based on the 336 action, no problem. If you're using an 1894 action, we need to talk, BEFORE you tie up the rifle, which will be in small pieces before the bound round comes out! __________________ Don't start no s**t and there won't be none, Terry

12-23-2003, 08:59 PM	#5
stash247 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,815	158 Noslers are an awful good compromise; in a TC or a 94 Win or Marlin, they can move out safely at 1550-1600fps, with only a little load work, and that was in a mag, not a max, case. Terminal performance, out of my Marlin, is typical, uneventful, Nosler; good expansion, 90+% retained weight, little spoiled meat. Scoped, the rifle shoots 11/2" @ 100 yds, but only with that bullet; everything else I've tried is beyond 2" Cannot think of a reason in the world NOT to use the TC, though,as it's easily the most accurate pistol (LW Carbine?) I've ever shot. __________________ Don't start no s**t and there won't be none, Terry

12-18-2003, 07:56 AM	#2
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Since the .357 Maximum is simply an elongated .357 Magnum, you probably can......but......that's going to be a pretty long chamber for .38 Special. You might get a lot of lead or guilding metal buildup at the point where the rifling begins using .38 Spl. rounds.

12-23-2003, 07:58 AM	#4
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,711	Here's my way to have a 357 Maximum rifle: Thompson Contender with a 20 inch barrel with the appropriate rifle stock! This setup flat works. I use 125 grain bullets behind a full load of the appropriate powder. I get ballistics that match or exceed 7.62x39. The 180 grain Hornady's shoots a little better but slower. LDBennett