357 Maximum Questions

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Springer2

Springer2

Bearcat
Joined
Aug 6, 2022
Messages
76
Location
Florida
I just won a 357 Maximum on Gun Broker. The pictures look good and it was listed as new in the box. I noticed there is a turn line but I am a shooter not a collector, was happy with the price, and it looks very nice to me from internet pictures.

My main question was about frame size. I will very likely get some rubber grips and I was wondering if it is a Blackhawk size grip or Super Blackhawk size. The other question is pretty much moot now that I bought it but I was curious what you folks think is a fair price now for a 10.5" maximum. It does have the box, the instruction pamphlet and purchaser card. Thanks for reading.
 
I shot silhouette back in the 80s-90s. In the beginning, revolver guys were shooting 357 mags and 44 mags (it was what they had) the most but the ram weighs a little under 60 lbs and the 357 was not always taking them down with a good hit. The 357 Max/Super Mag started appearing and it could handle heavier bullets for better knockdown while shooting flatter out to 200 meters. The first 357 max guns I seen were Rugers followed closely by Dan Wessons. I wanted one but my bank account said not now. When I had the money, the Rugers were getting more scarce. I knew nothing about the stop in production and recall just that the Dan Wesson was easier to find and another revolver I think called a Seville was starting to show up and it seemed to shoot well. Anyway long story short, I bought a Dan Wesson and it worked good. Now years later I I thought it would be neat to have a Ruger as well if I got a decent buy on one. I seen one on Gunbroker advertised as NOS. It looked good in the pictures with only a turn line noticeable. The bid was at $780 or so. I figured it would be a good deal for me at $1059. I won at $1050 plus the tax, shipping, etc. Hopefully it will look like the pictures.
 
The Max is a Super Blackhawk grip frame. I put Pachmayr's on my shooters, got big hands......If your reloading stay with 180 grain and HEAVIER bullets on top of a slower burning powder....my go to is 4227. You WILL notice top strap cutting....it will abate at around a 1000 rounds or so due to a combination of the hot gases and carbon build up. It is a great round in a great gun.......ya done good.
 
Thank you for the information. We currently have three 357 Maximums/Super Mags; a H&R single shot, a 10" contender, and a Dan Wesson revolver. I shot the Dan Wesson back in Pennsylvania when silhouette was still big. There were easy driving matches about every weekend: Bellwood, Tyrone, Kreamer, Mifflin County, been to some others like Jackson Center as well. The Dan Wesson we had for about 40 years and for about 7 years I shot it in matches in both revolver class and standing. The DW was accurate and in standing you did not have the loading hassle of a production gun. While I had tried many loads, my standard load was a 208 cast bullet with either 4227 or W680 (now AA-1680). Between load development, practice, matches, a little hunting, and plinking the DW likely has over 15K thru it. The old girl still shoots good and I still have a new spare barrel. The 357 Max is accurate and the brass lasts a long time.

54172979878_c24f984e53_b.jpg
 
Kudos on the long history with the .357 Maxi.
I wish I had a DW in it myself.

You might consider looking into getting a bullet mold designed by the guy who helped Ruger develop the Maxi. David Bradshaw,, a former silhouette champion. He & Lee Martin developed a 194 grn cast bullet, Using a GC, powder coated, deep seated & 4227 powder it's a true winner. Originally "Mountain Molds" made them, but since they closed,, I think Accurate Molds now makes that one.
 
contender said:
You might consider looking into getting a bullet mold designed by the guy who helped Ruger develop the Maxi. David Bradshaw,, a former silhouette champion. He & Lee Martin developed a 194 grn cast bullet, Using a GC, powder coated, deep seated & 4227 powder it's a true winner. Originally "Mountain Molds" made them, but since they closed,, I think Accurate Molds now makes that one.
Click to expand...
I followed David Bradshaw since the days of The Silhouette monthly newsletter. There is a lot of good information in a book called Shooting Steel with David frequently referenced. I have tried a number of bullet molds but I have not yet beat an old RCBS 200 grain mold that I think was for 35 Remingtons. With the alloy I use the bullets weigh about 208-210 with the gas check and before lube. I have been casting bullets since the 70s but never played with powder coating. As far as powders, I used 4227 almost exclusively until I got a Dan Wesson in 375 SM. W680 was a little better in the 375 and then even better when AA-1680 came out. 1680 has shown real promise with the 357 Max.
 
I kinda figured you'd know of David. And I too have a copy of "Shooting Steel!"

I haven't played with the bullet you talk about,, but I have used a few others in my Maxi's. That Bradshaw/Martin one has proven itself to me for sure.
I've been casting for a few decades myself,, and powder coating bullets for several years now. I found it top be quite enjoyable.
 
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