38 sp or 357 mag in a 357 max

[irold]

Gentlemen,  I recently bought a contender frame, along with it was a 10" 357 Max barrel ..........I know nothing about the Max, except its a bit stronger than the mag.  Can I shoot 38s along with mags from this barrel ?  Is this getting anywhere close to the 357 Herret ?   Thanks for the input.

[BlkHawk73]

  You can shoot .38 specials and .357 magnum in the .357 maximum.  Just be sure to clean the chamber thoroughly to prevent residue from building up thus preventing the longer cartridges from properly chambering.   That Max is an awesome cartidge! 

[Czech_too]

Last year, I picked up a .357 Max barrel as part of a package deal.  Really wanted the 32-20 barrel it came with.  After a little research though and finally shooting it this year, it's a keeper.  Both barrels, 10" bull, are fun to shoot.

[Mikey]

irold:  Blakhawk73 is absolutely correct.  You have to clean your chamber after shooting the shorter cartridge or you may not be able to chamber the longer cartridge when you need to.  This happens to me when I shoot 38s from my 357s or 44s from m6y 44 mag.  This also happens when youshoot 22 short or 22 Long from a 22 LR chamber.  HTH and JMTCW.  Mikey.

[poncaguy]

I've had my 15" 357  Max Contender for 30+ years, shot 38's, 357's and Max's in it.........never had any problems, cases never stuck.

[irold]

Thanks for the info ,  I really figured I could, but I like to ask for other opinions .  I know about the "cleaning of the chamber/cylinder", I've shot lots of 38 rounds through my 357s.   Thanks again.....Mike