Author Topic: 357max contender barrel? (Read 1955 times)

jeff223 · « **on:** April 28, 2004, 11:38:44 AM »

what would the best way be to get one of these?should i just get a 357mag and rechamber it to the 357 max?

or should i order one right from the TC custom shop?

i can get the chamber reamer from a guy for $10.00 and then send it back to him.this rechamber job is a simple one

i am going to get a barrel soon for my G2.its down to 44mag or 357max.one of the two but i am still thinking about this.

skb2706 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2004, 11:49:48 AM »

One of the things I would do first is find out what the configuration of your friends chamber reamer is with regard to the throat area of the finished chamber. TC tend to cut their chambers for both the .357 mag and the max in a short funnel type shape that is considered to be less than ideal for optimum accuracy. If the reamer you can get is whats called a parallel reamer (makes incremental parallel cuts down to rifling) these have been proven to be much more accurate. I have an article that was written a few years back that explains in great detail how to get the most from a rechamber from mag to max. Other wise I would think a standard TC barrel in either caliber would be nearly identical in price from either TC or their custom shop.
I am currently waiting on my new .357 max barrel coming from VVCG....can't wait to try it out.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2004, 12:04:38 PM »

Hey Jeff,
If it is a choice between the 44 and 357 there is none. Go with the .44 mag and enjoy yourself. :-D

LL

Gregory · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2004, 12:13:32 PM »

Quote from: Lawful Larry

Hey Jeff,
If it is a choice between the 44 and 357 there is none. Go with the .44 mag and enjoy yourself. :-D

LL

Larry
I have both 44 Mag and 357 Max barrels and lately I've been choosing the 357 Max to go deer hunting with me. What's your beef with the 357 Max? I've found mine to be more accurate than my 44 Mag and it kills deer just as dead. For critters bigger than deer I could see the 44 having an advantage, but for deer on down the 357 Max gets my vote.

PaulS · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2004, 12:25:59 PM »

The 357 Maximum is a great cartridge. The chamber lead is an important consideration. I have a super 14 from the Custom Shop and it is as accurate as any handgun I have ever seen. I use the Speer 180 grain flat point rifle bullet in front of a full charge of H110 and it is accurate and lethal to 120 yards easy. (I limit my shots to that point because it is always within 1 inch of the point of aim to that range) The bullet performs well at the nearly 1900 fps. To aid accuracy I neck-size the case (the first 3/8 inch) only. I understand that the Hornady 180 grain bullet works well too but I have never taken the time to try it. I would buy the barrel already chambered - not because it is hard to chamber but because there might be minor differences between the reamers that might give you poor results.

PaulS

Blackhawk44 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 28, 2004, 12:52:43 PM »

No question. In a revolver, 44mg. In a contender, 357Maxi. The 44 in a TC seems to amplify recoil without a commensurate gain in accuracy and range, and I've used 44's for 35 years. The Maxi is easier to group past 75 yds while carrying equal power to game. Much prefer a 10" Maxi to a 14" 44. I normally shoot the 200gr HornadyRN in my Maxi. This one can be pushed as fast as some 180's because its bearing surface is less than any other 200, and most 180's.

Bullseye · « **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2004, 03:26:15 PM »

I would keep looking for a used 357 Max, they are available quite often. I just sold one myself. It was one barrel I had for about 12 years and said I would never sell but other calibers have taken my interest and I never shot it anymore. I would also rather shoot my 10" 44 Mag barrel than the Maxi, the Maxi always had a sharp thump to the hand and a lot of twist. I shot it 50 times the to use up my ammo before I sold it and my wrist hurt for a couple of days and my 45-70 does not make that happen.

I would personally look for a 41 Mag- oops - that was not your question. Guess I already put my 2cents in.

jeff223 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 28, 2004, 04:12:11 PM »

thanks for the replies.

bullseye,are you saying the 45-70 has less recoil than the 357max?i had some others recommend the 45-70 a while back.tell me about the 45-70 in the contender.i dont know much about this caliber.it seems like it would have heavy recoil in a hand gun

Bullseye · « **Reply #8 on:** April 28, 2004, 05:46:01 PM »

I cannot honestly say the 45-70 has less recoil than the 357 Maxi. Simple calculations of the recoil force would prove me wrong. I do feel that the 45-70 has a different type of felt recoil than the Maxi. The Maxi is a high pressure cartridge and from my experience they give a much sharper recoil with a good amount of twist to the grip. I shot 20 rounds through my 45-70 and about 20 through my 375 Win the other week with no ill effects like I always had with the Maxi.

However felt recoil is very subjective to the individual shooter. Even though I shot quit a few deer with the Maxi, I prefer shooting the 41, 44 375 Win and 45 -70 and from my experience they drop deer a little quicker. Now do not jump on me everyone, I know that dead is dead and would take the Maxi hunting anytime without reservation if that is what I had and liked. Currently though I can only afford so many barrels and keep the ones I become fond of. The 357 Max got sold because I found a new Super 14" 45-70 barrel without a brake and it fit my needs better.

Deaf Smith · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2004, 03:11:16 AM »

Check with Ed at Ed'sontenders he has a few different 357 max barrels in stock and ship to you usually within the week. Its fast and easy and Ed is great to deal with. He is a sponcer on this sight so you should have no trouble finding a link to his sight on graybeards.
Jim L

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #10 on:** April 29, 2004, 02:20:14 PM »

Gregory,
My like for the .44 is exactly that, my like. I don't need a "BEEF" about any particular caliber, just my like. :roll:

jeff223 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 29, 2004, 04:04:44 PM »

and a good like it is Larry.now i am thinking about the 45-70 too.three different ones to think about now

waynemorgan · « **Reply #12 on:** May 02, 2004, 04:08:40 PM »

go for the 357 max i had a 10 in ss rebored to MAX 4 years ago and love it cost me 25.00 $ .ammo is hard to find some times i have about
250 rds +2000 mag & over 10.000 38 spl i take some of each on every trip i think you will like the MAX a lot

ps.try to find winchester brass it will last longer

wayne

mag41vance · « **Reply #13 on:** May 06, 2004, 02:49:48 AM »

Jeff,
The 357 max is more fun than a 10 shot one hole group.

vance

Dragon31 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 06, 2004, 04:29:07 AM »

Let me say up front that I like the .357 cal guns for deer hunting. Using them in a single shot pistol automatically increases their velocity because of lack of cylinder gap and going to a .357 max or the 360 Dan Wesson adds additional speed and killing potential on deer size game. My 14 inch .357 Max factory barrel is not the most accurate barrel that I own, it will shoot around 2 inch groups at 100 yards which is good enough for the way I hunt. I tend to be a little superstitious and this barrel always puts the hole in the deer and the deer always drops within eye sight of the place I shot him so I just keep on shooting it and bring the meat home.
I too, found that a 10 inch .44 mag from a contender with the original grips to be uncomfortable to shoot over long periods on the range. Changing grips helped a lot but I prefer to hunt with the .44 mag in a revolver.
Currently I have discovered that 360 Dan Wesson Brass chamber easily in my 10 inch .357 Mag factory contender barrel. Using this brass will allow me additional powder capacity without having to ream the barrel out.
The .38 specials, .357 mag, 360 Dan Wesson, .357 max can all be reloading using .357 Mag reloading dies.

DropTheHammer · « **Reply #15 on:** May 06, 2004, 04:48:38 AM »

Silly newbie question: can one shoot .38 & .357 MAG out of a .357 MAX contender barrel, as a .38 can be shot out of a .357 cylinder in a revolver??

I too am looking at these calibers. I decided I wanted a .44MAG in a 10" or 12" to be my first centerfire excursion, but in looking for one locally I came across a .357 MAX barrel. I'm still leaning towards the .44MAG at this point however. Already have the dies & brass for it & don't know much about the MAX, sounds good though.

Dragon31 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 06, 2004, 05:05:51 AM »

In a .357 max barrel I have shot .38 specials, .357 Mag, 360 Dan Wesson and .357 Max. You will hear the argument that they will "ring" the chamber and shorten the life span of the Max brass. After 1000's of rounds of .38's in a .357 mag barrel and 1000's of rounds of .357 mag's in a .357 Max barrel I have not found this to be true. I do however, carefully clean my barrel on a regular bases with an Outers Electronic cleaner and make sure that the chambers are clean before firing deferent length bass in the same chamber.

skb2706 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 06, 2004, 09:41:46 AM »

I 've done it shooting 38s in a mag...........actually that was one of several reasons I went with the max chambering in my new barrel. I have tons of loading crap for 38 and .357's and want to use some of it up.
Just did recieve my new VVCG barrel the other day and it is a true work of art. Those guys do a hell of a job .............I just need to make time to go bust off a few.

Deaf Smith · « **Reply #18 on:** May 06, 2004, 12:05:03 PM »

I have or have had all 3 calibers in contender barrels 357 max, 44 mag, 45/70. The 44 mag recoil is extremely more violent than my 357 max. I sold it. the 45/70 recoil is a class all its own I am currently making an attempt to make it more controlable and shootable by use of a more efficent and larger muzzle break. I hope this makes it manageable and useful for big game. Why use a 44 (really a 429 diameter bullet) when you have a 45/70 with a 458 Diameter bullet. Its a no brainer the max can cover smaller critters.
Jim L
PS
I have nothing against the 44 I have 3 of them in various revolvers but they make no sence in the contender where the recoil is way more than a revolvers.
JL

flyfisher · « **Reply #19 on:** May 12, 2004, 07:55:24 AM »

An end to all of the discussion...get a .375 Win and call it quits

:grin:

Seriously, any and all calibers mentioned here will get the job done.

To seriously end the discussion, get one of each!!!

Bullseye · « **Reply #20 on:** May 12, 2004, 12:00:21 PM »

I vote for the 375 Win also, it is a great round and mine is very accurate. But even though I have it I am keeping my 44 mag, 41 mag, 45-70, etc, etc.

Dang that reminds me, I need some more barrel storage space!!!!!

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #21 on:** May 16, 2004, 07:59:03 AM »

Flyfisher, you'er a man after my own heart!!!!!!!! :lol:

I'll drink to that. :toast:

LL

DropTheHammer · « **Reply #22 on:** May 18, 2004, 10:18:42 AM »

Anybody have a picture of a .38 Special, .357 Mag, .357 Max side by side?

What is needed to reload the .357 MAX with a set of .357 Mag RCBS dies? Extra spacers?

DropTheHammer · « **Reply #23 on:** May 18, 2004, 10:26:57 AM »

Found some drawings....

drichi · « **Reply #24 on:** May 18, 2004, 04:11:34 PM »

all you have to do is adjust them out to the longer case length. they will fit just fine. dave

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #25 on:** May 19, 2004, 02:16:11 AM »

Does anyone know who sells the cases? What about the ballistics? Is there a site to go and review them?

I am not familiar with this round. Enquiring minds want to know.

LL

Sixgun · « **Reply #26 on:** May 19, 2004, 03:17:27 AM »

I get my cases from Midway. I am sure that you can get them from any of the mail order houses that carry serious reloading supplies.

As far as ballistics go, I get 1860fps from a 180gr cast bullet over 21 gr of h110 or W296 and a small rifle mag primer with a 10 inch barrel.

I get a more velocity from my 10 inch 357 max than I can get from my 20 inch 357 mag rifle barrel on a m92 Rossi.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #27 on:** May 21, 2004, 03:38:52 AM »

Ya know when it comes to barrels you guys are like a temptress waving a drink in front of a drunk! :gulp:

Now I will have to get me one of these darn .357 max. :lol: I shoot a lot of .357 magnum anyway, so this will be a nice addition to my collection.

Just don't tell the wife, ok? :wink:

Deaf Smith · « **Reply #28 on:** May 21, 2004, 09:10:24 AM »

I picked up my 10" max barrel ar a gun show a lot of years ago it has a kbi muzzlebreak screwed on it so one of the front sight holes is gon thiu its a scope only barrel. I usually keep a leupold 2x eer scope on it seems to work for me.
Jim L