.357 maxi Rifle or handgun?
- Thread starter Lon371
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If you are referring to the .357 Maximum cartridge...It was originally designed as a pistol/handgun cartridge.
There are quite a few people that have converted some of the lever action rifles that are offered in .357 Magnum to the Maximum cartridge and it shoots very well from the rifles.
DK
There are quite a few people that have converted some of the lever action rifles that are offered in .357 Magnum to the Maximum cartridge and it shoots very well from the rifles.
DK
mainmech48
Member
The .357 Maximum was originally developed for use in the Hangun Metallic Silhouette game.
While I don't have the exact figures in front of me right now, I have serious doubts that the action of a Winchester M '92/clone or Marlin 94 would be long enough to function with the additional 0.400" OAL of the Maximum cartridge. I'd do some serious research before buying a LA .357 Mag. carbine to try a conversion, although OAL wouldn't likely be an issue with a Marlin 336 or Winchester 1894 action. It wouldn't be cheap, and would be of questionable practicality given the cartridges these carbines already come chambered for, but it could be done.
You might want to check the hunting regulations before you spend your money. While the cartidge itself is certainly capable of taking deer at 100 yds or less, it may not meet the current requirements for minimum bullet diameter and/or weight.
Unless you're a handloader, or willing to become one, I'd recommend choosing another round personally. Factory ammo for the .357 Maximum is essentially nonexistant, although cases are still available from Remington.
In something with the weight of the NEF single shot the added recoil of a .44 Mag or the like wouldn't be much of a Big Deal, and certainly it would be much easier to feed. As a practical matter, I don't think you'd be losing much in the way of range (especially now that Hornady is making LEVERevolution ammo in that caliber. The published data for a 20" bbl with the 225 gr. .44 lists MV as 1870 f/s, and ME 1747 ft.-lbs. At 100 yds. it's 1429 f/s and 1020 ft.-lbs.. With a 100 yd. zero, it's only dropped 5.5" at 150 yds., although energy is down to a semi-marginal 787 ft.-lbs. at that range.
While I don't have the exact figures in front of me right now, I have serious doubts that the action of a Winchester M '92/clone or Marlin 94 would be long enough to function with the additional 0.400" OAL of the Maximum cartridge. I'd do some serious research before buying a LA .357 Mag. carbine to try a conversion, although OAL wouldn't likely be an issue with a Marlin 336 or Winchester 1894 action. It wouldn't be cheap, and would be of questionable practicality given the cartridges these carbines already come chambered for, but it could be done.
You might want to check the hunting regulations before you spend your money. While the cartidge itself is certainly capable of taking deer at 100 yds or less, it may not meet the current requirements for minimum bullet diameter and/or weight.
Unless you're a handloader, or willing to become one, I'd recommend choosing another round personally. Factory ammo for the .357 Maximum is essentially nonexistant, although cases are still available from Remington.
In something with the weight of the NEF single shot the added recoil of a .44 Mag or the like wouldn't be much of a Big Deal, and certainly it would be much easier to feed. As a practical matter, I don't think you'd be losing much in the way of range (especially now that Hornady is making LEVERevolution ammo in that caliber. The published data for a 20" bbl with the 225 gr. .44 lists MV as 1870 f/s, and ME 1747 ft.-lbs. At 100 yds. it's 1429 f/s and 1020 ft.-lbs.. With a 100 yd. zero, it's only dropped 5.5" at 150 yds., although energy is down to a semi-marginal 787 ft.-lbs. at that range.
Why do it? Just get a .357 carbine. The .357 Maximum makes the .25-20 look like a common round. It's pretty much dead, and there's little reason for using it, given what can be done with a hot .357 Magnum.
Check out these rifle ballistics: http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#357
Just buy a couple boxes, and shoot them in a .357 lever gun. Most of the time, it's not deer season, and it's nice to be able to use the gun for something else.
My Marlin 1894C also makes a wonderful plinker, rabbit gun, or whatever, with cheap .38 Special ammo. Hardly any recoil, unbelievable accuracy.
Check out these rifle ballistics: http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#357
Just buy a couple boxes, and shoot them in a .357 lever gun. Most of the time, it's not deer season, and it's nice to be able to use the gun for something else.
My Marlin 1894C also makes a wonderful plinker, rabbit gun, or whatever, with cheap .38 Special ammo. Hardly any recoil, unbelievable accuracy.
jerkface11
Member
If he rechambers a .357 mag handi rifle to maximum he will still be able to shoot magnum and specials. Plus he'll get more velocity than that buffalo bore stuff.
Thanks for your replies. I think given the cost of the NEF barrels, I may just pick up the .357 and the .44. This way between the over sized chambers being reported on the .357, and the over bore on the .44 maybe I will get lucky and be able to use one or the other for deer. As far the the deer regulation in Indiana .357 and bigger with a case length of 1.60 max.
jerkface11
Member
1.6 max? or min?
steveno
Member
I have a TC super 14 in 357 max and it is a really good shooter. it also happens to be very loud with a very impressive muzzle flash with a case full of H-110 or WW-680(no longer made). you know you have shot something with an attitude.
Tom Krein
Member
The .357 mag in a Rifle is the way to go!!
The .357 mag gets a 500-600+ fps boost out of a rifle! This totally transforms the performance of this cartridge!
Use lead heavy for caliber loads out of a .357 mag rifle and you will be good out to 100yards easy!
Tom
The .357 mag gets a 500-600+ fps boost out of a rifle! This totally transforms the performance of this cartridge!
Use lead heavy for caliber loads out of a .357 mag rifle and you will be good out to 100yards easy!
Tom
I have had spectacular results in My 357 Max Handi with the Lyman 358495 (148gr Wadcutter) and 4.5gr of 231.
It will shoot a 1" group at 25 yards with factory irons.
For deer loads, I killed 2 deer this year with a Lyman 358315 (200gr RNGCHP) and 17.2gr of 5744.
The second deer was a decent 4pt (8 point eastern count) Mule Deer at about 100 yards.
It will shoot a 1" group at 25 yards with factory irons.
For deer loads, I killed 2 deer this year with a Lyman 358315 (200gr RNGCHP) and 17.2gr of 5744.
The second deer was a decent 4pt (8 point eastern count) Mule Deer at about 100 yards.
The Indiana deer rifle discription:
(4) A rifle must:
(A) fire a bullet of three hundred fifty-seven thousandths (.357) of an inch diameter or larger;
(B) have a minimum case length of one and sixteen-hundredths (1.16) inches; and
(C) have a maximum case length of one and six hundred twenty-five thousandths (1.625) inches.
(4) A rifle must:
(A) fire a bullet of three hundred fifty-seven thousandths (.357) of an inch diameter or larger;
(B) have a minimum case length of one and sixteen-hundredths (1.16) inches; and
(C) have a maximum case length of one and six hundred twenty-five thousandths (1.625) inches.
For those knocking the .357 max they likely have no real world experience with it and can not comprehend that some are willing to assume the added cost for the added performance. The max tends to be flatter shootin than the .44 mag and is a deer/hog hammer - with proper shot placement.
for the guy stating the .357 mag is the way to go because it is faster out of a rifle- the max is even faster
for the guy stating the .357 mag is the way to go because it is faster out of a rifle- the max is even faster
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