77/357 Bain Davis.....

Alan in GA · Jan 17, 2015

absolutely no good reason to build one...except.....I want one.
At the age of 'just' 64, I've had a life time of owning many rifles. I learned a bit late that rebarreling a factory rifle is a worthwhile investment often resulting in great rewards,....bullets pretty much go exactly where they are aimed.
Also learned it's silly (for me at least) to think "I'm never going to sell this one..." You keep what you want for as long,...or as short a time as you want.

I've had a 'want' for a few times in the last dozen years or so, a .357 Bain Davis in a Ruger bolt rifle, and a 77/44 will be best in my opinion for a base rifle as I'm going the 'premium aftermarket' route for a barrel, and won't worry about open sights. Probably a heavy sporter/light varmint contour, but definitely a bit heavier than factory barrel.

I can't debate the wisdom of this, often there is no wisdom in 'wants'. : )

PS: machinery, reamer, all here, just a base rifle and barrel needed so costs will be minimal, and machining free. Who's interested in a project like this and would like to see the results? [if carried through, I'm more hot air than carry through,...but I always think projects through before starting.

mike7mm08 · Jan 17, 2015

I am interested to see what the cartridge is capable in a rifle platform and if the conversion of a 77/44 is as simple as it seems. Have heard a lot of talk of people wanting more out of the 77/357 like the 357 maximum. Looking at case capacities the bains and davis should give basically the same performance as the max.

Jim Puke · Jan 18, 2015

I have always had an interest in the 357/44 Bain & Davis...just never got around to having one...in a Contender.
So I say, "Go ahead"...and bring us along with you.

RJ556 · Jan 18, 2015

If someone does not necessarily want a premium barrel, they could start with a 77/357 and re-chamber for the B&D, use a 77/44 magazine and either replace the 357 bolt head with a 44 or "possibly" machine out the bolt face & use a 44 extractor. About the only hang-up would be "obtaining " a 44 bolt head if you could not modify the 357 bolt head. Anyway, good luck on your conversion! RJ

Chief 101 · Jan 18, 2015

I did a 10" Contender barrel in the Bain&Davis in the late 70"s and it was quite accurate. Only problem I see is the short neck that is suited better for the revolver bullets. Although I do think the 180 Speer fn would be a good candidate...good luck with the project...I never found dies for it so I used 357 sizer to neck size, thinking a 44 sizer would do the body, just never had to use it...