Author Topic: 357 max ? (Read 2302 times)

DECKAPE · « **on:** November 26, 2010, 04:24:13 AM »

im new to these contenders just bought my first one.....have a 44 bbl and a 357 bbl....question,,,,im seeing stuff about a 357 max......this may sound like a stupid question.........but what is the difference between a 357 mag and the357 max?

?

mbopp · « **Reply #1 on:** November 26, 2010, 05:09:55 AM »

The case head is the same but the length is longer:

38 SPL 1.155"
357 Mag 1.290"
357 Max 1.605"

You can shoot 357 Mag or 38 SPL in a 357 Max barrel, but not vice-versa.

Junior1942 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 26, 2010, 05:28:49 AM »

Quote from: DECKAPE on November 26, 2010, 04:24:13 AM

im new to these contenders just bought my first one.....have a 44 bbl and a 357 bbl....question,,,,im seeing stuff about a 357 max......this may sound like a stupid question.........but what is the difference between a 357 mag and the357 max??

If the thought crosses your mind of reaming your 357 mag out to 357 max, make sure you're aware of the vastly increased recoil. See my results at http://www.castbullet.com/makeit/minimax.htm

Lon371 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 26, 2010, 05:45:39 AM »

I have a factory .357 max 14" bull barrel I shoot. I use a max load(published) and it is manageable. I also have the pachmyer grips which may help. It has a lot less recoil than the neighbors super black hawk in a .44 with factory ammo.

It is very accurate out to 75 yards, not tryed 100 back yard is to short

I am using speer 180 gr flat nose with a max load of AA1680

By the way if you do not have any ear muffs go get some.

Lonny

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 27, 2010, 03:17:24 AM »

I find the Max fairly pleasant to shoot acually. Junior1942 is shootin' his out of an octagon barrel with no scope which would increase the recoil quite a bit. Amongst 'Tender shooters you'd find the Max to be one of the most popular choices.

Walt

Junior1942 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 27, 2010, 04:32:28 AM »

Quote from: Hopalong7 on November 27, 2010, 03:17:24 AM

I find the Max fairly pleasant to shoot acually. Junior1942 is shootin' his out of an octagon barrel with no scope which would increase the recoil quite a bit. ....
Walt

With a total pistol weight of only 2 lbs 8.8 oz. A 190 gr bullet @ 1724 fps from such a lightweight pistol is too much recoil for this ol' boy! You can add a lb for a 14" barrel and 9 to 10 oz for a scope.

Here's some Contender weight info from my three barrels on my one action:

14" Super 14 7mmTCU w/4x Burris scope = weight = 4 lbs 10 oz.

10" Bull 7mmTCU w/2x Burris scope = weight = 3 lbs 10.6 oz.

10" Octagon 357 mag w/Williams peep sight = weight = 2 lbs 8.8 oz.

Curtis · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2010, 06:47:23 AM »

You two are absolutely correct in my experience. Weight makes a HUGE difference in felt recoil and they don't come much lighter than a 10" octagon with a BIG hole like my 44 mag. I've decided that I'm going to load down for that barrel and only feed full house 44 mag loads into my 10" bull with scope. A 14" barrel tames them down even more (more straight back recoil) but I prefer the 10" tubes.

Curtis

wallacem · « **Reply #7 on:** December 01, 2010, 04:44:05 AM »

Basically, the difference between a 357 mag. and max. is about 300 FPS. That makes a big difference on some situations. Wallacem

The Famous Grouse · « **Reply #8 on:** December 01, 2010, 04:04:57 PM »

Hi all. Great forum here, I've been reading for a while and decided to join finally.

I use the 357 Rem Max as my primary deer barrel for my Contender. With Hornaday 180 GR spire points, it packs a heck of a wallop. Overall, I think this is better combination than anything that can be loaded for a 44 mag or similar. I personally use a maximum loading with the .357 max and 100 yard performance is excellent.

I have noticed the Rem Max is especially popular in states that have "straight case only" handgun deer seasons. I don't want to start a ballistics battle here, but there are definitely a lot of fans out there who love this as a deer round.

As an added bonus, you can (and I do) shoot .38 specials as target loads. Given the current price of powder and bullets, it's nice to have a cheaper load option and I find these perfectly adequate for 50 yard practice.

Grouse

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 02, 2010, 12:41:55 AM »

Welcome aboard there Famous Grouse. Yes we are blessed with a good number of excellent chamberings for our Contenders and ol' Max is certainly one of them...and as you state...for a good reason.
And BTW...Love that name....I keep a jug of it handy for most any occasion

.
Walt

cwlongshot · « **Reply #10 on:** December 02, 2010, 01:41:35 AM »

Yup the maxi is a very good one!! I love mine! I had a couple contender barrels in it and it shot very well.

Back at it's inception it was built to do what the 44 did only with less recoil for the silhouette shooters of the time. It dosent have quite the " whack" when you load the 44 up with a good heavy bullet. But that's what bore diameter dies for you.
It's a great deer caliber for my kind of hunting here on the east coast where shots are close and the deer big. My best day out with a maxi was two bucks, both bang flops. Both about 50 yard shots, both bucks. My bullet a Hornady 180SSP pushed by a stiff load of AA1680 and a rem primer. This load is good for near 1" groups at 100 and a shade off 2200 fps.

Good luck with yours!!

CW

jbwell · « **Reply #11 on:** December 03, 2010, 12:55:27 PM »

Hey cwlongshot, what barrel length you using to get almost 2200?
I have a TC 24" Max rifle that gets 2170 with AA1680.
The Max will do a good job on deer.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #12 on:** December 03, 2010, 01:38:56 PM »

Quote from: jbwell on December 03, 2010, 12:55:27 PM

Hey cwlongshot, what barrel length you using to get almost 2200?
I have a TC 24" Max rifle that gets 2170 with AA1680.
The Max will do a good job on deer.

Mine is a factory H&R 357 maxi barrel, 22 inches.

I have chronographed it, so its not a guess. But I get this velocity at less then a max load too!! Puts the smack down on whitetails with the 180 SSP and XTP bullets too!!

CW

jbwell · « **Reply #13 on:** December 03, 2010, 02:34:16 PM »

Mine is a TC Custom Shop 24" Max barrel. I have chronographed mine also, 5 shot average is 2166
with no high pressure signs.
There is some good load info for the Max, including pressure test results at http://357maximum.com

Qualitymilk · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2011, 02:33:02 AM »

I'm just gettin' started with this Handgun stuff, but the 357 Max. sounds and smells like a great deer option here in Michigan too. You guys are talkin' Contenders and Handis, I shoot the Encore platform myself. Does MGM make a good barrel? I see that they will build a Max for handgun lengths....

shot1 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2011, 03:00:53 AM »

I only have one MGM barrel but it is a real shooter. If I do my part it will keep all it's shots under 1 inch at 100 yards. It is a SS Shilen 14" in 30-30 Ackley Improved for a Contender. It is a deer smacker. I shoot the 125 gr Nosler Ballistic tip average 2670 fps and it does not have any more recoil than my 357 Mag 10" barrel shooting full house 180 gr bullets. Recoil is mild in my book. If I was limited to a straight wall pistol case for deer it would be the 357 Max. I have killed deer with my 357 Mag 10" Contender out to 107 yards and the 180 Hornady XTP driven by 13.5 grs H-110 did a nice job. I can just imagine what 300 to 500 more fps out of a 14" Max would do. If you are not limited to a straight wall pistol case in your state for an Encore I would go for a pistol barrel in something like the 250 Savage or 260 Remington or 7-08. The 260 Rem is about perfect. The recoil is not as bad as a 44 mag revolver. Most all the bullets are made to operate perfectly in the velocity range that you can get out of a 14" or so barrel. They shoot very flat and hit hard. A 120 gr Nosler ballistic tip is about perfect for deer.

eclarsen · « **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2011, 04:01:45 AM »

Due to IL regs on handgun bullets -- The only legal ammunition for a centerfire handgun is (1) a bottleneck centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a case length not exceed- ing 1.4 inches, or (2) a straightwalled centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger, with no minimum case length; both of which must be available with the published ballistic tables of the manufacturer showing a capabil- ity of at least 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle.

-- I was conflicted between the only two bottle neck rounds I know of (300 Whisper or .30 Bellm) or 357 Max.

I choose the Max as I already had the 357 dies, bullets, and powder. Only needed the brass...and a Contender in 357 Max.

I haven't had a chance to hunt with the round yet, but I have made it to the range with my hand loads. W/o chrony data I can't tell you how fast the rounds are going down range, but I'm pleased with the group size at 50 yds for my first effort. Way better than my 12 ga slug gun, but that's not saying much.

Looking forward to next fall and seeing how well my set up works out: 12" barrel, G2 Contender, Burris 2X7 scope (electrodot--may come in handy on those early morning opportunities when you can't see your reticle!)

Qualitymilk · « **Reply #17 on:** February 01, 2011, 10:31:50 AM »

You guys that are shootin' 10-14" barrels in 357 Max, do you have these barrels ported and/or with a muzzle brake? Obviously a heavier contoured barrel that weighs more = less felt recoil, but I am curious if you guys have them ported or not.

eclarsen · « **Reply #18 on:** February 01, 2011, 11:43:42 AM »

12" cylindrical barrel (slight taper, but not really noticeable)

no brake, no tamer.

I haven't shot the max loads yet, but w/in a grain of it. Recoil not bad from sand bags, but I let it roll up in my hand.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2011, 12:03:32 PM »

Quote from: DECKAPE on November 26, 2010, 04:24:13 AM

I'm new to these contenders just bought my first one.....have a 44 bbl and a 357 bbl....question,,,,I'm seeing stuff about a 357 max......this may sound like a stupid question.........but what is the difference between a 357 mag and the357 max??

I realise recoil is a personal thing... but why are we dwelling about the recoil?? Are we shooting the same guns here?? I first had a 10" 357 maxi then a 21" both in a contender, later I picked up a H&R then another. This caliber was built to do what the 44 did on steel targets but with less powder and less recoil. It really doesn't recoil very badly. I mean the OP has a 44 and didn't mention a problem shooting it, the Maxi IMHO is a better caliber with less recoil.

CW

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 02, 2011, 03:13:56 AM »

Recoil in a Max isn't even on the same page as a 44Mag or 45Colt or even a 41Mag for that matter....coming out of a similiar weight Contender. I'm usually shooting 180's in the Max and at least 240's or more in the 44's and 45's....big difference! There are very few Contender barrels that I haven't had or at least shot, including 45-70's and most of the JDJ's and the one barrel I got rid of because of recoil was a 10" 44Mag. Still have a 8 3/4" 45Colt octagon barrel that is "wicked" but I'm careful about what I feed that one. For those that are recoil shy a Max can be used as a 357Mag and still have plenty of "smack-em"

.
Walt

David D. · « **Reply #21 on:** February 02, 2011, 12:28:04 PM »

First off I will say I am recoil sensitive. I find my Max with 180gr. pills to be on the upper mild side. After about 30 rounds it starts to bother me some, not hurt, but bother. Then on the other side my wrist are starting to fail me some.

Qualitymilk · « **Reply #22 on:** February 04, 2011, 11:00:03 AM »

Beautiful pistol - like the custom furniture. Why the third set of scope rings?

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 04, 2011, 12:16:39 PM »

Somebody once said that "Life is too short to carry an ugly gun"....I don't think it was David....But, it should have been

.
Walt

cwlongshot · « **Reply #24 on:** February 04, 2011, 02:53:26 PM »

Quote from: Qualitymilk on February 04, 2011, 11:00:03 AM

Beautiful pistol - like the custom furniture. Why the third set of scope rings?

While probably not needed for this caliber. Its almost a necessity for some of the big boomers!!! My 375 would still move with three rings. My 14" 45-70 would too until I backed them up against the bell of the scope. My 14" 357 Herrett had four! It also sheared off the factory screws!! I re-drilled for #8 and epoxied the base on. No more problems after that!
NO OFFENCE, but they are also not the best quality rings... ( I also had a couple of these sets.)

CW