Author Topic: 357 mag to 357 max  (Read 1052 times)

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Offline Sixgun

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357 mag to 357 max
« on: January 08, 2012, 04:37:23 AM »
I have an old 357 barrel that I want to get reamed out to a max chamber.  Have any of you guys done this and who does a good job?
Sixgun
You can only hit the target if the barrel is pointed in the right direction when the bullet leaves the barrel.

Offline donkey445

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Re: 357 mag to 357 max
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2012, 07:28:07 AM »
The guys over on the Handi Rifle page do it all the time.  They have a reamer they send you and you can ream it out yourself. 
 
See topic <http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,231528.0.html> or contact quickdtoo, as he is pretty well in charge of the reamers over there.  He should be able to set you straight on reaming and if there reamer will work for a contender (it should).  Otherwise there are a few people you can send your barrel to and they will ream it for you. 
 
 
-Adam

Offline Steve P

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Re: 357 mag to 357 max
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2012, 11:37:47 AM »
It will cut the value of your barrel by half.  More economical to purchase the Max barrel.  If you have an octagon 357, the max chamber is getting a little deep and pressure could split your barrel. 
 
Just a couple of things to consider before the steel chips fly.
 
Steve :)
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Offline swift-justice

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Re: 357 mag to 357 max
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2012, 08:26:46 PM »
SSK...

Offline cwlongshot

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Re: 357 mag to 357 max
« Reply #4 on: January 15, 2012, 02:48:44 AM »
If your the least bit handi with your hands and tools it's a VERY easy ream. Just don't deepen the rim cut and clean the reamer and the chamber of chips every turn.

A large tap handle helps too. Just go slow and you will be done in minutes, Really!

If you have a octagon barrel Steve brings up a good point. As far as value decreasing or being halfed I doubt it would be that much but the barrels are way over priced anyhow. If you do this it's value to you will be increased far more than any possible monitary value lost IF you sold it...

The maxi is a wonderful caliber and one of the great things is you can still shoot mags and specials in it!


CW
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Offline Shortgun

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Re: 357 mag to 357 max
« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2012, 12:01:48 PM »
If it is a collectable octagon barrel some value will be lost..to a collector, but perhaps not to the shooter. I really don't think it is worth while on an 8 or 10 in octagon barrel but if it is a bull barrel the rechamber has lots of merit. The max is an excellant cartridge in the contender and is a big improvement over a 357 mag as a deer buster

Offline Sixgun

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Re: 357 mag to 357 max
« Reply #6 on: January 16, 2012, 12:47:50 PM »
Thanks for all the replies.  I have a 357 Max barrel and have been shooting it for years.  It won't do any better than about 5 inches at 50 yards.  I decided to get a 357 barrel and rechamber it to see if I could improve the accuracy. 
 
I have a 14 inch 30-30 barrel that shoots under an inch at 100 yards.  I don't shoot it much because I prefer to carry a 10inch barrel.  Carrying that 14 inch barrel sin't much better than a rifle and I have plenty of rifles. 
 
Most of my TC shooting is at Hunter Pistol Silhouette.  I use a Hornet for Hunter Pistol and a 22 Match barrel for SmallBore Hunter Pistol.  I have never shot any big game with a TC but since they changed some of the rules to allow Handguns with straight walled cases in the short range weapons areas I decided it is time to dig out the TC and try some of the big mule deer bucks on the Boise River.
You can only hit the target if the barrel is pointed in the right direction when the bullet leaves the barrel.

Offline giddens1972

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Re: 357 mag to 357 max
« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2012, 02:37:02 PM »
I have a 10" 357 mag barrel that was re-chambered by someone and I traded for it on GBO.  Its shoots!  I get 2" groups easily.  Has a little muzzle flip but not uncomfortable to shoot at all.  I killed 2 deer with mine this year!
John

Offline cowboyup453

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Re: 357 mag to 357 max
« Reply #8 on: January 22, 2012, 05:15:36 PM »
I have a 10" 357 mag barrel that was re-chambered by someone and I traded for it on GBO.  Its shoots!  I get 2" groups easily.  Has a little muzzle flip but not uncomfortable to shoot at all.  I killed 2 deer with mine this year!
I might be the one that did your rechamber. ;) 
I have a 10" 357 max that I rechambered myself. This is my third 10" contender barrel that I have rechambered. I keep selling them for something different, but keep ending up with another. ::)  Tim aka quickdtoo has my reamer now. My vote would be do it yourself. Iffen you don't want to do it yourself, then any good smith should be fine. ;)