Author Topic: 357 max lever action (Read 1086 times)

Skeeterbaymac · « **on:** March 28, 2006, 05:42:13 PM »

Just wondering if any one out there knows of any company who is making a lever action in 357max. Seem like it would be a handy little gun. Maybe fire 38/357mags as well. Why wouldn't Marlin or some one?

Keith L · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2006, 08:07:40 PM »

My guess is that it is because of the limited availability of 357 Max as new ammo.

F-F-Fred · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2006, 01:38:37 AM »

"Remington introduced the .357 Maximum cartridge in 1983 to considerable fanfare from the shooting press. It was intended for handgun silhouette competition and hunting, but failed to generate much interest among mainstream shooters.

Be that as it may, the .357 Maximum's undeniable advantage over the more conventional magnum revolver cartridges lies in its high velocity and flat trajectory. The 1995 Gun Digest showed that the sole Remington factory load drove a 158 grain jacketed bullet at a claimed muzzle velocity (MV) of 1825 fps in a 10.5" test barrel. It has been reported that the actual MV in revolvers averages about 200 fps less.

For a more realistic appraisal of the .357 Maximum's performance, let's look at the figures given in the Lyman 47th Reloading Handbook. The Lyman technicians developed their reloads using the 158 grain Hornady JHP bullet and Remington cases. They chronographed maximum loads in a 10" T/C Contender barrel (with the following powders) at velocities of 1630 fps (20.0 grains of IMR 4227), 1669 fps (17.2 grains of #2400), 1675 fps (24.5 grains of RX7), and 1715 fps (20.5 grains of H110). The average MV of those 4 loads is 1672.25 fps. Incidentally, the Lyman, Hodgdon, Nosler, and Speer reloading manuals all recommend the use of rifle (rather than pistol) primers due to the high operating pressure of the .357 Maximum." http://www.chuckhawks.com/357max.htm

As I remember the 357 maximum was really intended for the Thompson Center Arms Contender. Ruger and Dan Wesson also had revolvers in 357 Maximum. I don't really know why they stopped making them. The rumor was that the gases/flame were cutting the back strap/top strap of the frame.

corbanzo · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2006, 08:48:03 AM »

FA makes a revolver that is meant to handle .357mag shells loaded to .357 max pressures. You could check if a specific lever gun will handle high .357 mag pressures, and load some as that. The recommendations are to always use new high quality bass and such. Don't do it until check the pressure capabilities though.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2006, 09:52:54 AM »

youd need a longer action such as the 336 as the 94s action is to short and to do it on a 336 wouldnt make much sense as you might as well by a .35 remington.

F-F-Fred · « **Reply #5 on:** April 09, 2006, 09:51:41 AM »

Yeah, there's no sense in trying anything new. We should put a stop to any sort of new inventions or ideas.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #6 on:** April 09, 2006, 10:24:47 AM »

I guess i said it wouldnt work but in all actuallity it probably could Im having a 475 built on a marlin 94 right now and thats the same lenght case. The statement should have been that it can but its an expensive project that requires alot of machineing and fitting.

F-F-Fred · « **Reply #7 on:** April 09, 2006, 03:32:41 PM »

All in all what does it really matter how much a project will cost as long as you are happy?

I almost made a mistake by breaking down and following the crowd. I have been told over and over that the leveraction was a limited weapon because of tube magazine. I was contiplating purchasing one of those Ruger bolt action rifles with a 16" barrel. Ruger advertised them as lighter, shorter and more powerful than a leveraction. But Hornady saved me from that mistake. Thank you Hornady for the LEVERevolutuon.

Just recently I neared my completion of a project that I've had for over 10 years. I wanted a Winchester Model 94 Wrangler in 32-40 Winchester. I have a Wrangler's in 32 Winchester Special and 38-55 Winchester. It took me a while but I came across a used 32 Win. Spl. Wrangler. I had purchased a John Wayne Commemorative barrel 10 years ago. I had it cut to 16" and installed. It looks great. Now my only problem is having the John Wayne lettering removed. I'm not sure on what to do. There is a guy at work that is a whiz at welding and he says he could do it. I can also use Belzona to fill in the letters. I'm just waiting on feedback from the Belzona people. I also have a Rossi 92 on standby for another project. I plan on having it rebarreled in 41 magnum.

The thing with Belzona is that it can be machined. I'm just not sure on how it will react with the different type of finishes and heat. I know hat bluing is out of the question. But I'm wondering if some of the new synthetic finishes will adhere. That is the feedback I am waiting for. As for the John Wayne lettering. I don't want anyone to think I'm trying to make a JW clone or maybe after I'm long gone someone trying to sell it as JW original. But I would love to restamp it with Yanqui or

?

Mack the Knife · « **Reply #8 on:** April 10, 2006, 09:10:23 AM »

After reading these posts, there may be hope for my dream project yet.
Always wanted a 357 Maxi lever action. Picking up a 1892 action in 357 mag cal tomorrow. Will keep looking for 1894 action in 357 mag, should be able to shoe horn a Maxi in one of them. Keep the reports rolling in.
Over the hill in Florida Mack

Mack the Knife · « **Reply #9 on:** April 10, 2006, 09:11:28 AM »

After reading these posts, there may be hope for my dream project yet.
Always wanted a 357 Maxi lever action. Picking up a 1892 action in 357 mag cal tomorrow. Will keep looking for 1894 action in 357 mag, should be able to shoe horn a Maxi in one of them. Keep the reports rolling in.
Over the hill in Florida Mack

Mack the Knife · « **Reply #10 on:** April 10, 2006, 09:11:28 AM »

After reading these posts, there may be hope for my dream project yet.
Always wanted a 357 Maxi lever action. Picking up a 1892 action in 357 mag cal tomorrow. Will keep looking for 1894 action in 357 mag, should be able to shoe horn a Maxi in one of them. Keep the reports rolling in.
Over the hill in Florida Mack

Ray P · « **Reply #11 on:** April 11, 2006, 02:30:11 AM »

The 38 SPL COL is 1.550", the .357Mag COL is 1.590, and the .357MaX COL is 1.990" (all from Accurate's pages). So I guess that extra 4/10th of an inch makes simply reaming out the chamber on a 357mag too simplistic?

Great .357 Rem Max article here.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #12 on:** April 11, 2006, 01:41:49 PM »

simply rechambering a marlin or 92 wont do it. Its the feeding thats the trouble. the actions werent designed for rounds that long.

Mack the Knife · « **Reply #13 on:** April 11, 2006, 02:21:01 PM »

Sorry about the multiply posting, computer not working to well last nite.Mack