Author Topic: 357 Max bbl on Topper frame? (Read 771 times)

Victor3 · « **on:** May 20, 2006, 02:51:10 AM »

I recently purchased a 357 Max bbl, planning on (Possibly) puting it on a Topper frame. I believe the frame is strong enough for all but the hot Max loads. The rifle will mainly shoot 38 Special and 357 Mag, using Max only for "special occasions", and only with the lighter than maximum Max loads.

Am I correct here? I think it will be okay, but just want some opinions before I build a rifle on this receiver.

TIA

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** May 20, 2006, 05:09:27 AM »

I bought a .357 Max barrel and put it on a 2003 Topper frame, shooting Dan Wesson ammo I got perforated primers on over half the rounds I shot on both load offerings. But the same frame works fine with a .30-30 barrel, dunno what the cause is, but the Topper frame has more space around the firing pin, may have just been the pistol primers weren't heavy enough to prevent the perforation on the shotgun frame. You can see the frame differences in the FAQ.

Tim

Smokin Joe · « **Reply #2 on:** May 20, 2006, 05:53:51 AM »

Hey, Quick, rifle primers have always been recommended for the Max and I've never had a pierced primer with them.
I rechambered a .357 to a Max on the Topper frame and it works OK even after 3 years; the thrust is about the same as the .357

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** May 20, 2006, 06:19:01 AM »

smokinjoe5150, that's all good and well, but it wasn't my experience! It's no longer an issue for me, I sold the factory Dan Wesson ammo and rechambered the .357 Max barrel to .35 Remington! :grin:

Tim

mt3030 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 20, 2006, 08:21:16 AM »

I rechambered a Topper 357 Mag to 357 Max in 1982. Worked well with factory loads and reloads using rifle primers.
Wally

Hammerspur · « **Reply #5 on:** May 21, 2006, 03:06:31 AM »

The old H&R offered factory bbls. for Toppers in .357 Max shortly before they folded.

younghunter12 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 22, 2006, 07:31:19 PM »

Can a 357 max bbl really shoot 38 special, 357 mag and 357 max?

Victor3 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2006, 02:27:05 AM »

Quote from: younghunter12

Can a 357 max bbl really shoot 38 special, 357 mag and 357 max?

Yes...

rockrat · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2006, 09:46:29 AM »

The 357 max should work fine with the Topper frame as I have one of the factory 357max guns on the Topper frame.

younghunter12 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2006, 12:43:03 PM »

Isn't the topper frame for a shotgun?

Hammerspur · « **Reply #10 on:** May 25, 2006, 03:10:37 AM »

The shotgun frame is an SB-1, rifles SB-2.

NEF branded single bbl. shotguns are 'Pardners"
H&R branded single bbl. shotguns are ALSO called 'Toppers'

BUT, a little history:

The TOPPER moniker originated with the original Harrington & Richardson
which went under sometime in the late 1980's. These arms featured color case hardened iron frames which were used for both shotguns AND rifles.

Calibers offered at various times included .22 Hornet, .22 Jet, .30-30 WCF,.357 Mag & Max, .44 Mag, .45-70 Govt. (don't think I forgot any!)

The company was reorganized as "New England Firearms" at which time all service, parts, even discussion of the original products was strictly forbidden... no doubt mandated by legal considerations.

The latest incarnation of this manufacturer seems to be the buyout/merger with Marlin and now they're H&R 1871...again they will have no part in any products produced during the years previous to the latest reorganization and re-naming of the firm.