Converting 357 mag to 357 max

[handirifle]

I did a search and found little on this. Does anyone know if the Winchester (or Marlin) can be converted properly from .357 Mag to .357 Max?

If so, by whom?

This is interesting to me cause it would still allow use of 357 Mag ammo as well. The .357 mag is my carry sidearm during rifle season.

Had a 35 Rem but ya can't shoot 357 mag shells in them :grin:

[Robert]

I thought there was a reamer floating around on here that goes out on loan...maybe it was at Sixgunner.

[handirifle]

The reamer is not the issue, I was wondering if this would work in the lever gun.

[JPH45]

handirifle, I see no good reason this couldn't be done, should make a nice shooter, wish I could tell you of a smith, but i've no idea, though I can't imagine it hasn't beeen done before.  I still remember a conversation I had with a fellow just after Ruger stopped making their 357 Max revolver. The conversation was about our confusion that neither Winchester nor Marlin had picked the cartridge up.  Strikes me that it would make a perfect cartridge for a lever. I do wonder though if there is enough difference in length to make firing a 357 Mag from the magazine practical. I think the shorter cartridge may hang up, but I'm no expert on levers. I would persue the Winchester in such an event, it loads singly from the open action very easily. Good Luck, JP

[oso45-70]

handirifle,
The thought i have, is the action long enough to allow for feeding? Not too sure about the pressure, it might be ok though. If you find out about this change would you let us know..............Joe............

[Sixgun]

I am sure that the length of the action will not let you get any advantage from the length of the 357 max cartridge.  I bought one of the first 1894 Marlins when they came out in 357 mag, back in the 70s.  The current Speer manual had loading data, had data using a converted model 92.  They had an impressive load using the 180gr fn bullet intended for the 35 rem.  

I loaded some up and they would not cycle.  I had to single load them and they would not eject until after they were fired.  I still have one of those rounds sitting in my loading room.  I tried it through a Rossi 92 and got the same results.  

The 357 max case will cycle through the mag into the beginning of the chamber, in my Rossi, but there is very little clearance.  Full wad cutters will work but everything would have to be seated so deep that powder capicity would not be any more than with a regular 357 case.  

Pressure would be a problem also.  The 1894 action is not as strong as many think.  If you check your load manuals, the rifle loads are not as stiff as the revolver data.  There is a reason for this.  Revolvers are stronger.  The Laser Cast manual has a good discourse on this subject.  John Taffin, Jim Taylor and Paco Kelley have all tested and published hot 357 rifle loads that are well into the area of a great hunting load for 357 mags.  They all strongly state that these loads only be used in the newer Model 92 rifles.  This action is strong enough and will even handle the 454 Casuell(sp?)  Any other lever action, including the 1894 Marlin requires a much milder load.

Sixgun

[handirifle]

I have the same discussion going on here  http://leverguns.sixgunner.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3735  too much for me to repeat but it seems doable.

Don't understand why no one builds one from the factory.  The levers really need a straight wall 35.

[papajohn428]

As far as a reduced load for the 35 Rem, try 9-10 grains of Unique and a 158 grain JHP/JSP bullet.  357 Magnum ballistics, lots less buck and roar, and at least from my 336C, outstanding accuracy.  Half-inch groups at 50 yards are the norm!

PJ the Poodle Popper

[K2]

Absolutely fantastic idea that has long been forgotten by far too many looking for a "new" cartridge.    

As far as a reduced load for the 35 Rem, try 9-10 grains of Unique and a 158 grain JHP/JSP bullet.  357 Magnum ballistics, lots less buck and roar, and at least from my 336C, outstanding accuracy.  Half-inch groups at 50 yards are the norm!

PJ the Poodle Popper

[BIGBOREFAN]

I remember reading somewhere that the Win 94 could be converted but the Marlin could not be. Now, I can not remember where I read this, but I know I read it.

BBF

[RollTide]

I did the conversion on a Marlin but it was for the 445 Supermag.  I talked to one guy who had done the 357mag to 357 max conversion on a Win.  He kept breaking carriers because of all the metal removed for the longer round.  Finally the gunsmith got an old carrier (better metal) and that seemd to do the trick but he spent a fortune and the gunsmith said he would never do it again.  I decided to go a little different direction.  I went from a longer round to a shorter one.  I turned a 444 outfitter into a 445 Supermag.  I did all the carrier work myself and got a gunsmith to set back the chamber end of the barrel then rechamber for the 445 supermag.  I am very satisfied with the result.  I am still having a few feeding problems, but I think a final trip to the gunsmith will take care of that.