Questions about .357 Maximum in a rifle, .357 Mag in a Max

[Mike Armstrong]

Anybody got experience using .357 loads in a .357 Maximum chamber? I'm interested in getting another Match Grade Machine barrel for my T-C G2 Contender Carbine and wondered how a .357 Maximum handles standard .357 rounds if you have to or want to shoot those?

My idea was to load .357 Mags in the Max chamber when carrying a .357 revolver, or when I got short of Max cases (which are only sporadically available it seems).

Is getting a Max chamber a good option, understanding that I'm going to be shooting a lot of regular magnums in it? I might like the extra case capacity for some serious 200 gr. hog shooters, but would only use those occasionally.

I do shoot a lot of .38 Specials in my .357 handguns and have noticed no ill effects other than the need to scrub the chambers now and then. Wouldn't a .357 Mag in a Max chamber be about the same, or am I missing something?

 

[contender]

I own 2 Contender bbls in 357 maxi. I can shoot mags out of them just fine. As you've noted, it'll just take a little more cleaning. Go for it.

 

[Mike Armstrong]

Thanks, Contender. I believe I will.

As an aside, I once noticed that the .357 Max case is almost identical in dimension to the old .38 Ballard Extra Long centerfire cartridge introduced back in the '80s. The 1880s. When I get mine, I'm going to try a few lead bullet/blackpowder loads in it, just for auld lang syne. (At least Contenders are easy to clean!).

 

[contender]

I didn't realize that about the Ballard. Cool! And yes, the Contender bbls are easy to clean compared to many others.

 

[Lee Martin]

I've shot Mag out of my 357 Max Contender. Accuracy drops off a little, but it works fine.

 

[Hobie]

I have even shot .38 Long Colts from my .357 Max Contender barrel which works ok but I get better accuracy from the .38 Special cases when loaded with 200-205 gr. bullets over 2.5 gr. Bullseye (and which is pretty darn quiet from the rifle barrel). I've got over 600 pieces of .357 Max brass so I'm more concerned with different loads than having to make do in times of brass shortage. BTW, you can also use .360 DW.

 

[mag41vance]

I have even shot .38 Long Colts from my .357 Max Contender barrel which works ok but I get better accuracy from the .38 Special cases when loaded with 200-205 gr. bullets over 2.5 gr. Bullseye (and which is pretty darn quiet from the rifle barrel). I've got over 600 pieces of .357 Max brass so I'm more concerned with different loads than having to make do in times of brass shortage. BTW, you can also use .360 DW.

Hey Hobie,
It's been a few years since I've seen or heard from you. Hope you're well.
To the subject matter;
My friend Leftoverdj introduced to me the fun of shooting 158gr WC with 2.7gr bullseye through my .357max barrel. A puppy type recoil and plenty of accuracy at 50yds. A great round for teaching someone to shoot. Jump shooting to the lands never seemed to be an issue with WC's so I would think RN bullets would be no problem.