357 Max barrel length?

[encore58]

At what barrel length will a 357 max burn all the powder. I was told at around 14" a 44 mag barrel will have burnt up all its powder charge. If I had a barrel made I was thinking 16.5"
Will all the powder be burnt up at that length?

[tn_junk]

In my experience it depends on the powder. I have a 15" Encore .357 MAX and a 22" NEF .357 MAX.
Using H110, the 15" has noticeable muzzle flash. Using Lil' Gun or 1680 it is not noticeable. I have used some slower powders in the 15" (H4895 and others) and seen definite powder residue but not any at all in the 22".
Just depends.
I would like to try a 16-1/4" myself. Would make a good carbine.

alan

[encore58]

Talked to a custom shop and the powder will be well  spent before 16" of barrel regardless of powder.
 
Ordered a custom shop barrel today in brushed stainless, 1:14 twist, 16 1/4 inches long, standard contour, which will put the muzzle at .715 dia. at the bore. Going to put a 2.5 or 4X and make it a woods coyote gun. I have 1,000's of 158 gr. JHP to reload. My dies for .357 mag will work for this caliber so all I need is to invest in about 500 cases and I am set. 

[Graycg]

Regardless of the adding velocity issue, I've had a 16 inch max tapered carbine barrel and found the flash to be significant, I replaced it with a bull 19 inch coyote arms barrel and I'm much happier with both the dampened flash and the much better balance.  I generally use mine like it was a miniature 45-70 or 38-55 and use heavy lead bullets at lower velocity for plinking.  I use my stash of 180 grain hornady SSP bullets for occasional deer hunting, great combination.

regards,
 graycg

[encore58]

Regardless of the adding velocity issue, I've had a 16 inch max tapered carbine barrel and found the flash to be significant, I replaced it with a bull 19 inch coyote arms barrel and I'm much happier with both the dampened flash and the much better balance.  I generally use mine like it was a miniature 45-70 or 38-55 and use heavy lead bullets at lower velocity for plinking.  I use my stash of 180 grain hornady SSP bullets for occasional deer hunting, great combination.

regards,
 graycg

Never noticed flash being a problem with many pistols I shoot with 6 and 8 inch barrels, nor have I had any problems with short carbine barrels creating flash. I personally like rifle carbine style setups in the Contender and Encore frames. I have a 44 mag with an 18 inch custom Bullberry barrel (paid too much) that I really like. I am getting ready to cut a 23" 17HMR barrel down to 18.5 inches and I have owned 444 Katahdin barrels that I shot really well (sold because I didn't like the muzzle break - too loud). Currently, I am having a TC Custom shop 357 Max made to 16 1/4 inch in length. After talking to Fred at Bullberry and TC custom shop technicians everyone agreed that for my intended purpose (woods gun/yotes) it would be an excellent setup and light for extended hiking in rough country.
But, not knocking long barrels either. I have a battery of 26" and 24" barreled bolt action rifles. I like the straight walled cartridges for the TC stuff for the most part; although, I am kicking around the idea of a 17 Rem Fireball at some point and time. Probably next will be a custom shop 26" heavy barrel in 45/70 for my Encore. I will leave it longer due to the blast of the 45/70 cartridge.

Regards

Ed

[encore58]

Update: Canceled Foxridge order and ordered an MGM 357 max barrel, 1:18 twist, 18" stainless barrel. Sent in a dummy round today. When I found out I could get a true custom barrel with a true match grade chamber and made from a Shilen blank for $75.00 more it was a no brainer. Too bad TC does not make barrels with better chambers with out an inch of bullet jump before it hits the lands (had one in .460 like that).  
I went to the 18" bl. vs. the 16 1/2" based on my conversation with Kerry at tech support. Figured if a 17HMR burns powder out 19 inches based on Fred's report on the Bullberry site that the max should burn powder out that long as well.

[Graycg]

See,
  You ended up about the length I did too.  If you use H110 or Lil' gun or AA1680, there is pretty good flash out of my 12 inch barrel and out of my old 16 incher, the 19 incher shows no flash with any powder.  Try shooting a 200 grain cast bullet on top of a case full of pyrodex if you want to have some real fun!  Concur with your comments on the fox ridge chamber, that is why I got the Coyote barrel...for less than fox ridge at the time.

regards,
 graycg

[encore58]

See,
  You ended up about the length I did too.  If you use H110 or Lil' gun or AA1680, there is pretty good flash out of my 12 inch barrel and out of my old 16 incher, the 19 incher shows no flash with any powder.  Try shooting a 200 grain cast bullet on top of a case full of pyrodex if you want to have some real fun!  Concur with your comments on the fox ridge chamber, that is why I got the Coyote barrel...for less than fox ridge at the time.

regards,
 graycg

Yes, I changed my mind and between an article at Bullberry, talking to MGM tech support, and your comments I think I made the correct decision. Thanks for the input. I will say that maximum velocity drove me more than muzzle flash but your comment got me thinking and anothers comment about the fact that TC does not offer a match grade chamber. I have 3 TC shotgun barrels, one 17HMR (won't be an issue here with bullet jump) and a Bullberry custom 44 mag 18.5" SS barrel, and now a MGM 357 max on order.
If I buy anymore rifle barrels they will be MGM, Coyote or Bullberry. TC is fine for shotgun barrels. All three of mine are wonderful.

Regards,
Ed

[persistentprogrammer]

I plan on getting one of these for my youngest, thanks for sharing your homework.

One thing that really bothered me was the custom shop saying "the powder will be well  spent before 16" of barrel regardless of powder", that is 100% misleading and goes against science behind powder burn rates. I'm glad you decided to go with MGM, that's where all my future barrels will come from.

[sportsman223]

  My Max was also built by MGM you will not go wrong with these guy's. Kerry is a good guy to deal with
   What bore size did you go with?  Mine has a .358 for 180g SSP bullets

[encore58]

My Max was also built by MGM you will not go wrong with these guy's. Kerry is a good guy to deal with
   What bore size did you go with?  Mine has a .358 for 180g SSP bullets

Good question. I went with the .357 barrel because I own about 3,000 158 grain Winchester JHP bullets and am going to use the gun for yote busting up close and killing stumps. I noticed that Sierra makes .357 bullets in the heavier type as well and that is what I will use if I ever get the chance to deer hunt with the rifle. I also went with the 1:18" twist since I will initially be shooting a boatload of lighter bullets.
Glad you like yours.