New to me 357 Maximum

[Springer2]

The Maximum I won on Gunbroker finally arrived. While not NIB, it is in surprisingly good condition. The box and original documents were also included. One thing did happen that was not a complete surprise is the 357 Max load I shoot in our other 3 guns will not work in the Ruger, too long. It is a cast bullet from a RCBS mold I think for the 35 Remington. I did order a shorter mold I think in the 190 grain area and I ordered some Sierra 180 Tournament Master bullets in the meantime. Other than that, it looks great and I am happy.

 

[32shooter]

Nice, and the complete package too! I had one years ago, shot it a number of times and then it just sat in the safe, so I sold it to someone here on the Forum. Have fun!!

 

[contender]

NICE!!

You should try a couple of different things to see if the current bullet you have can work.
David Bradshaw strongly recommends a "deep seated " bullet where the crimp is just over the front driving band.
Using the 194 grn Bradshaw/Martin cast bullet deep seated and 4227 powder is a deadly combination. And since David was instrumental in the development of the Maximum,,,,,,,!

Oh, 32shooter, not quite a complete package. Missing the shipper.

 

[Springer2]

NICE!!

You should try a couple of different things to see if the current bullet you have can work.
David Bradshaw strongly recommends a "deep seated " bullet where the crimp is just over the front driving band.
Using the 194 grn Bradshaw/Martin cast bullet deep seated and 4227 powder is a deadly combination. And since David was instrumental in the development of the Maximum,,,,,,,!

Oh, 32shooter, not quite a complete package. Missing the shipper.

Actually I took your advice and ordered the Bradshaw/Martin mold from Accurate. I was looking at my rifle bullet and it may be challenging to deep seat it so that it would not move under recoil. David's suggestion would be easier to do I think on his mold.

 

[contender]

Excellent.

I had tinkered with deep seating a little prior to getting the Bradshaw/Martin bullet for the Maxi. When I got that one,, I committed to duplicating David's info,, AND trying a few variations.
All I did was waste ammo. I should have just copied David & Lee's recommendation & it would have save a lot of time & efforts.

 

[jimbo1096]

Very nice looking Maxi with a nice box and paperwork. Hope you get a chance to enjoy shooting it often

 

[flyer898]

I use the RCBS gas check sillhouette mold to drop a 192 grain pointed bullet for my 7.5" Maximum. Crimped in the groove behind the front driving band it fits the cylinder with a little romm to spare. I never had a bullet jump the crimp.
I bought the revolver just after they were released; it was about 1985. It was before there was any loading data available.
I worked up a load using CCI small rifle magnum primers (CCI 450) and the velocity was very consistent and a little over 1700 fps.

 

[contender]

The .357 Maxi came out in 1982.

And as mentioned,, there are several bullets that can work in the Ruger Maxi's. I worked on several loads over the years trying to get the best ones figured out. My Contender barrels loved the heavier flat nosed bullets. When I went to a .358 200 grn Spire point,, they didn't perform as well.
When I got my Ruger,, I didn't bother trying any bullets other than 180's & up. And none were the pointed types. I have a few good molds that drop good bullets,, but the Bradshaw/Martin has been my "go to" for a few years now.

Love the Maxi's!

 

[flyer898]

My 40-year-old memory was the Maximum came out in 1984, and I bought mine in either late 1984 or early 1985.
"Ruger and His Guns" by R. L. Wilson lists the Maximum's debut as 1983 with 9,500 produced (p. 183). I specifically remember paying the list price of $340 at Grundman's Sporting Goods in Rio Dell, California. Happily, they are still in business.
Mine has accounted for a great many varmints.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

The .357 Maxi came out in 1982.


RENE Reference agrees (p.81).

 

[protoolman]

Beauty! Every Ruger enthusiast should have one as well as a Hawkeye and Mahogany boxed Super. A real icon there.

 

[Coogs]

There were actually 16,314 roll marked frames and/or completed Maximums. Ruger actually Scrapped at least 5000 if not closer to 6000 of them.