357/44 Bain Davis compared to say a 357 Maximum

[teamnelson]

Folks,

I've got a 357 max 10" barrel but I've got a nagging itch to try something unique, so I'm curious as to how the 357/44 B&D would compare to the Max in a 10". I've got plenty of 44 brass, and 357 bullets so this seems like a doable project.

Case capacity on the .44 brass, even necked down, has got to be larger than even a max, or am I wrong? Increased velocity? Increased energy? Flatter shooting perhaps? Increased range?

Just curious,
Chaps

[qwikrick]

A qwick google search  ( 257/44 bain & davis ) got some info for me.

[okie44]

You will gain case volume, not much. .357 max case being longer will result in lots of freebore for bullet to jump. On the other hand you could load long heavy bullets seated out in the neck

[EdK]

.357 max case being longer will result in lots of freebore for bullet to jump.

Not in a good barrel.

[ted]

I have a bulberry 12 inch in 357 B&D. I am using 24.6 grains of imr 296 with the hornady 158 xp/fp bullet and this load chronies at 2146 fps avg. I do not have a lot of freebore with this barrel so can't use past 180 grain bullts without them being seated too far in the case and losing a lot of powder capacity. The round was originally designed for a revolver cylinder so this limited it to about 158 grain bullets. From load data I have seen. The B&D beats the max with up to 158 grain bullets. The max is better with 180 grian and heavier bullets.

[okie44]

I assumed from post, that he was thinking rechamber of. 357 max barrel thanks

[22popnsplat]

I dont know if you are looking for a new barrel or to rechamber ,If you are looking to step up in power A barrel in 35 remington or 357 herrett should also be considered and are factory offerings and are easy to find , eds contenders should have them. I shoot the herrett and its a blast . the herrett is a bit of work to make the brass but the parent 30-30 brass is easy to get a hold of . the 35 remington has factory brass and i think this has resulted in lower prices on the herrett barrels . As it says in one of my manuals the 357 herrett is good for everything from squirrels to moose .

[okie44]

Yep 10" herret, 180's hard to beat

[Swampman]

I've taken a lot of game with the .357 B&D 10" barrel.  It was probably the most accurate Contender barrel I ever owned.  The brass is easy to form and holds up well.  With heavy bullets, it was much more accurate than most deer rifles.

[Junior1942]

With Lil'Gun powder, I can push a FP 190 gr cast bullet to 1724 fps in my 10" T-C 357 mag reamed out to allow seating the long bullet in its crimping groove.  Looks to me like the 357/44 B & D is a Lil'Gun dream.  I bet Lil'Gun would push that 190 gr 357/44 bullet to 1950 - 2000 fps.  And break your wrist in the pushing.....

[teamnelson]

Thanks fellas, not looking to rechamber, just maybe a new barrel. Just wanting to hear some experiences, which y'all have shared - thanks again!

I may try casting heavier bullets for the max instead; I shoot the max with a williams peep, no optics, so admittedly some of the benefits of lighter bullets I don't necessarily get to appreciate. If that don't scratch the itch, I may be looking for a 357 herrett!