360 DW Redhawk?

[skidder]

Some real good knowledge on this forum, and I would love to hear your opinions....

A guy from another forum gave me the idea of having my 357 Redhawk reamed to a 360 Dan Wesson. Since the cylinder is almost a 1/4" longer than my GP, I don't see why there should be a problem. I've heard you can use the same dies and cut Maximum brass down to DW length. The 357 is 1.280" and the DW is 1.415" a difference of .135". The length of the Redhawk cylinder should have plenty of room. And the the strength? Well, I don't think that's an issue.

I'm seriously thinking about it, and I have a good gunsmith that will do it.

Picked this up for $450 at a gun show a couple weeks ago in excellent condition (box, holster and extras). So I don't have a lot of money into it. Thinking about using it on whitetail, and just thought it would be cool to have a 360 DW Redhawk.

 

[highlander 5]

There weren't that many 357 Redhawks made around 5000 I think. That pistol is worth twice what you paid for it. I wouldn't re chamber the cylinder as if there's a screw up replacement parts will be very difficult if not impossible to find.

 

[Saleen322]

The 357 Redhawk is pretty rare to cut up. You can pick up a used Dan Wesson 357 Super Mag for a reasonable price as they are not uncommon on gun broker. You have about the same performance and both guns will continue to climb in value the longer you have them. With the 357 Redhawk, you pay money to get it modified and end with something worth less if you go to sell later. YMMV

 

[rcmodel]

Yep!

For all the above reasons!

The 150 FPS gain would not be worth the pain when you come to your senses, loose interest in little gain, and try to re-sell it!

Don't rechamber a relatively rare gun to a caliber most people have never even heard of!
('Most people' don't reload and would have no interest in buying something they can't buy ammo for at Wallyworld. Regardless of the fact it will still shoot .38/.357 ammo.)

rc

 

[skidder]

The only reason I even considered it was the fact it would still shot the 38/357 cartridge.

I think I will start looking for a maximum/supermag.

Thanks for the good advice.

 

[bannockburn]

I would have to agree with all those who advise against rechambering your Redhawk to .360 DW. Ruger only made around 5,000 of these guns total in two barrel lengths (5.5" and 7.5"), and they have become highly sought after by collectors and shooters. There's one currenly on Gunbroker with a bid at $990 (reserve not met), and a Buy It Now price of $1,395. I would think you could easily double what you paid for this gun if you put it up at auction and then get something else that you really want.

 

[Lucky Derby]

The only reason I even considered it was the fact it would still shot the 38/357 cartridge.

I think I will start looking for a maximum/supermag.

Thanks for the good advice.

Good choice. I've thought about doing these kind of things to various guns over the years. Always happy when I didn't do it. Always regreted the times that I did do it.

 

[DWFan]

Get a cannelure tool, roll a new cannelure .135" below the original on your bullets and use .360 Dan Wesson load data. Same loaded case capacity, same performance increase; no rechambering necessary. The 180gr Hornady XTP already comes with a second cannelure that will create a near .360 DW clone.
You can also load the 180gr WLN+P from Beartooth Bullets into Magnum brass and actually have more loaded case capacity than the .360 DW with a 180gr Sierra FPJ, The Sierra seats .450" into the case; the Beartooth WLN seats .290".
1.415" - .450" = .965"
1.280" - .290" = .990"

 

[mavracer]

Get a cannelure tool, roll a new cannelure .135" below the original on your bullets and use .360 Dan Wesson load data. Same loaded case capacity, same performance increase; no rechambering necessary. The 180gr Hornady XTP already comes with a second cannelure that will create a near .360 DW clone.

That was going to be my suggestion, Just load 357 mag to longer OAL

 

[skidder]

Get a cannelure tool, roll a new cannelure .135" below the original on your bullets and use .360 Dan Wesson load data. Same loaded case capacity, same performance increase; no rechambering necessary. The 180gr Hornady XTP already comes with a second cannelure that will create a near .360 DW clone.
You can also load the 180gr WLN+P from Beartooth Bullets into Magnum brass and actually have more loaded case capacity than the .360 DW with a 180gr Sierra FPJ, The Sierra seats .450" into the case; the Beartooth WLN seats .290".
1.415" - .450" = .965"
1.280" - .290" = .990"

Excellent! A great way to utilize the massive strength of this revolver and gain a few fps. I want the fastest I can get when I go whitetail hunting. I have a couple 44s, but this revolver is incredibly accurate, and I can hit better with this than I can my 44s (I believe weight and barrel length play into this).

Thanks again for ALL the good advice!!

 

[Lucky Derby]

I'm not familiar with .360 DW, but if you load beyond .357 Magnum pressure, be sure to take measures to prevent any such loads from ending up in a less robust revolver.

 

[Dain Bramage]

...but if you load beyond .357 Magnum pressure, be sure to take measures to prevent any such loads from ending up in a less robust revolver.

Good advice. That's why I avoid "xx model only" loads. Anything my kids (or me, on a bad day) can load in the wrong gun is bad news.

However, if the OP follows the advice here, and only loads hotter to a longer OAL, that should prevent closing the cylinder on a lesser gun.

 

[Bula]

Load up some heavy .357 mag loads and still use it for whitetail. Beautiful pistol AND the buy of the year at $450!

 

[Panzerschwein]

Get some buffalo bore deer hunting rounds and keep the gun as is.

It's perfect for those hot BB rounds or for handloading.

 

[IlikeSA]

Since you mentioned reloading, I would suggest you look at some 357 Redhawk load data.

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=357 Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun

If you go to the bottom, there are some Redhawk only loads (250 grains at 1180). There are also some 180 grains moving at 1450. There were also some 173 grain loads moving at 1550. I am merely passing along information: use it at your own risk.

 

[skidder]

Load up some heavy .357 mag loads and still use it for whitetail. Beautiful pistol AND the buy of the year at $450!

Get some buffalo bore deer hunting rounds and keep the gun as is.

It's perfect for those hot BB rounds or for handloading.

If you go to the bottom, there are some Redhawk only loads (250 grains at 1180). There are also some 180 grains moving at 1450. There were also some 173 grain loads moving at 1550. I am merely passing along information: use it at your own risk.

Thanks for the good suggestions.
I believe I do have some buffalo bore 158s@1450. I also have some 158 XTPs with a can of AA#9 and 2400. I will do some looking on Handloads.com.

Yes, very surprised to see it at the gunshow for $475. With Bianchi leather holster, speedloader (27-A) extra front sights and original box. I even had the nerve to ask him if he would take $450 and He said, "yes".

 

[Mike Kerr]

Sheesh! With a purchase price like that please leave it alone and just enjoy your good fortune.

regards,