Author Topic: 357 to 44 Special conversion (Read 941 times)

jar-wv · « **on:** December 04, 2005, 05:36:39 AM »

I have been seeing in several places on the net about converting 357 OMBH to 44 special, and actually end up with a very nice looking firearm. I have one and have been thought about converting it, but after looking at the ballistics comparisons between the two I'm having second thoughts. Am I correct in my finding that the 44 special has a lot less energy than the 357? I hardly ever shoot the BH, and it's not in excellant condition, but I don't want to take one out of circulation and end up with something less powerful, as their not getting any easier to find.

jar

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2005, 06:30:18 AM »

lots of difference in paper ballistics and what works in the real world. A 44 special is a much better round for whitetail sized game.

Dana C · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2005, 06:57:06 AM »

Converting would be more trouble than it is worth. The .357 and the .44 Special are different rounds for different uses.
I have Vaquero's in both .357 and .44 Mag. The reason for the Mag. is the ability to shoot 44 Spec. in it, BP or smokeless.

mt3030 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2005, 02:29:30 PM »

I think it is a well worth conversion. You get the 44 Special without going to the larger, heavier frame that the 44 Mags are built on. Makes a great carry piece. I had one done by M.D. Chase over 30 years ago. Wish I still had it.

Wally

jar-wv · « **Reply #4 on:** December 05, 2005, 10:41:52 AM »

lloyd, I see that someone else agrees with you. I dug out "Sixguns by Keith" last night and see where he claimed (rather strongly) that the 44 special was much superior to the 357 on game. Though I suspect his loads were stouter than anything recommended these days. I'm going to have to sit down some time and read that whole book. I think I'm going to go ahead and do the conversion. Will probably go for a 4 or 4 5/8 barrel. Should make a nice packin iron.

jar

mt3030 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 05, 2005, 06:20:22 PM »

jar:

Now you have me all pumped for another one! Do you have anyone in mind for this work?

Wally

MS Hitman · « **Reply #6 on:** December 05, 2005, 06:38:57 PM »

I would look at Dustin Linebaugh, Hamilton Bowen, or Dave Clements for the conversion. I just recently saw some photos of a conversion Dustin did and it is a very nice looking revolver.

As far as comparing the .44 Special and the .357 Mag, energy calcs are skewed to light bullet/high velocity loads. A .44 Special delivers twice the bullet weight (depending on which .35 caliber bullet is used) with a larger diameter.

It is a very worthwhile conversion and one I plan to have done as funds allow.

totallycustom · « **Reply #7 on:** December 07, 2005, 05:49:43 AM »

Go to sixguns.com and read John Taffins article on it and he used a smith named Andy Horvath in Ohio , I think. Sounds like a good deal to me, look at it this way, if you are a caster you can use the same bullets in both, so your casting is simplified. The size of the revolvers conversions are nice though more packable than other 44 cal revolvers.

-TC-

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #8 on:** December 07, 2005, 08:05:14 AM »

All the gunsmiths suggested are great. IVe had or at least have handled guns from all of them but dustin and hes building me one right now and i have no doubt knowing him that it will be flawless!! IT all depends on how much you want to spend. The cheapest of the good ones is clements. The most expensive will be bowen. Are his guns better? Yes. Will the average shooter notice it. Probably not. Would i be able to tell. Probably not. YOu can add to that list Ben Forkin and John Linebaugh any one of the above will build you a beautiful gun that is only limited by your checkbook.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #9 on:** December 07, 2005, 08:07:38 AM »

Two other options are USFA and Freedom arms they both build guns that are as good as a custom and in some cases youd have less into it then converting your .357 YOu can buy a beautiful USFA gun for about a grand and a FA for about two grand.

jar-wv · « **Reply #10 on:** December 07, 2005, 09:48:27 AM »

I have sent it to Andy Horvath in Ohio. I came across the article by John Taffin on his conversions. I am also going to have the grip frame rounded
and refit the grips. I told him I would probably want the barrel to be 4", but may end up changing my mind about that. I have a BH .45 with 4 5/8" and one with 5 1/2. I like them both but I think I like the 4 5/8 better. I have never handled one with 4" barrel. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

jar

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #11 on:** December 07, 2005, 10:13:10 AM »

I have a special fondness for 4 inch single actions you can see my conversion that clements did by looking on this forum under the post about custom pictures. ITs a case hardened round butted 4 inch with a old model super hammer bowen rear sight and a line bored 44 special conversion. Its a real shooter.

jar-wv · « **Reply #12 on:** December 07, 2005, 01:27:31 PM »

Lloyd,

That sure is a purty gun. Does the ejector rod have enough travel to fully eject the empties? Is that the original barrel or is it fitted with a new one? What exactly is line boring. This is my first venture into custom revolver so I hope you don't mind me asking stupid questions. I think I want a good blued gun rather than the case hardened. Plus I have finances to consider.

jar

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #13 on:** December 08, 2005, 12:10:58 AM »

with the shortened base pin it will eject shells. The barrel is a aftermarket match grade. Line boring is when the cylinder is bored using a jig that goes in the frame of the gun that insures that the cylinder holes are drilled in perfect alingment with the barrel. YOu can get a non linebored blued gun much cheaper. I had a old model .357 converted to .41 mag by clements the pic is in the same thread. It is a non linebored conversion but does have a match barrel and its very accurate also but lineboring about insures that it will be. Its slightly cheaper also to rebore your existing barrel. I think that clements will do a .44 special using your existing barrel and non linebored for under 500 bucks.

jar-wv · « **Reply #14 on:** December 09, 2005, 01:31:04 PM »

I will probably shoot hardcast bullets in the conversion. What are some good loads? What can I expect for max velocity with a 240 gr swc. I'm looking for a good whitetail load @ 50 yds and shorter range.

jar

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #15 on:** December 10, 2005, 12:03:05 AM »

Mine really likes both the rcbs 240swcgc or the 245kt I use mostly unique or power pistol. Any load that pushes either of these to over 900 fps will sufice on whitetail.