Thoughts on reaming a 77/357 out to 357 maxi ?

[bigecvan65]

I have always liked the 357 maxi and have been reading a lot about guys reaming out the 357mag to maxi, I've been thinking how nice it would be shoot 357 maxi in my Ruger 77/357.
What are the pro's and con's on doing this to my Ruger? I have heard of a GBO reamer, is this something I could do myself or would I need to have a gunsmith do it? Does this help the accuracy of the 357 mag too?
After thinking about it, I would probably have to shoot it single shot as the maxi would probably be too long for the mag.
Dan

[BlkHawk73]

  Am another fan of he 357 Max, have an H&R in it, a couple Ruger SRM's and a Competitor all in Max.   A 77/max would be a fantastic project but I'm not sure about the owl of the cartridge working in the action. It's something I'd want a GOOD gunsmith to do anyways.  You do it an mess it up, you own a wonderfully screwed up rifle with no recourse. 
  I'm considered having my 77/44 reworked into a 77/41 but just haven't pursued it as to the feasibility and costs involved.

[bigecvan65]

Thanks for the reply. After thinking about it a little more, I think I will just look for a maxi carbine bbl. for my contender. I would really hate to screw up the 77/357. I live in Ohio and the ODNR is talking about pistol caliber rifles in the 2014 deer season. I would really like to see that. I also have a 77/44 that I could use.
 
Dan

[cwlongshot]

Ten plus years back I had a 77/44 too... I looked into converting to a 45LC. I gave up when costs exceeded the cost of the rifle. 

CW

[jeepmann1948]

The 77 357 reamed to a 357 Maxi would become a single shot carbine due to the limitations of the magazine. Several folks have re-barreled their 44 mag version to the 357 /44 Bain & Davis mag with good success and no feeding problems.With the on going shortage of 357 Max brass it is certainly one to consider even in a  Handi.
George

[Swampman]

The .357 Bain & Davis is a great cartridge.  I hunted with it for years.

[Couger]

The 77 357 reamed to a 357 Maxi would become a single shot carbine due to the limitations of the magazine .....

My same thoughts, too.
 
Also there would be some risk affecting the accuracy of the said-77/.357 if it was a shooter!  as well.
 
 
 
But if the OP insists on having a boltaction .357Maxi, should make for a heckuva rifle,  going with a 20ish inch tube. 
 
I shot the Maxi on a full-length 22inch Handi Rifle.  Never had an opportunity to hunt or take anything with it, but expect it would be a favorite whitetail round. 

[45-70.gov]

i assume you reload
if not....forget the maxi


load up some dummy 357 mags....with OAL  same as a 357max....check the fit


turning the reamer without removing the barrel will require some type of handle
reaming  is easey on a handi...i did my first 4 a month after heart surgery