What is the strongest framed 357 magnum

[The Lone Haranguer]

In a double-action revolver I would say the Ruger GP-100. It is not the size or strength of the frame that matters, but the support to the cylinder at the moment of firing. Rugers lock the cylinder at the front of the crane, the ratchet/hand and the cylinder stop/bolt. Smith & Wessons and especially Colts do not. Even stronger, however, is the Blackhawk, a single-action revolver. The cylinder is in a solid frame with no cutout for the yoke/crane, and supported by a solid pin over a quarter inch in diameter that runs the entire length of the cylinder.

 

[unspellable]

Guys, we are barking up the wrong tree. Most if not all the revolvers mentioned above will have a frame that is overkill. It's not the frame you have to consider. For example, it's generally considered that a S&W will go loose before a Blackhawk when used with abusive loads, but the reason for that has nothing to do with the frame. The difference lies in how the cylinder is located in the fore and aft direction. The S&W has a very small bearing area to prevent forward movement compared to the Blackhawk. The Colt Python has a hand design that's a bit delicate, and so on.

 

[Chuck Perry]

Now another option would be to take a standard 357 revolver and have it rechambered for 356 GNR. This is a wildcat cartridge from Gary Reeder Customs. Basically it is a bottleneck case, a 41 Magnum necked down to .356. It will duplicate 357 Maximum performance out of a standard sized 357 revolver. The bonus here is that you're getting the hyper performance, but keeping chamber pressures down in the process. The downside is that you can no longer chamber and fire 38's/357's. If this sounds interesting, dig around for a dual caliber Blackhawk, the ones that come with both 9mm and 357 Magnum cylinders. You can have the 9mm rechambered for the GNR round, and keep the other as is so you can still fire standard 357's.

 

[sonier]

Well im looking for a platform that will withstand 357 maximum TYPE loads using 357 magnum, the whole point isnt about being practical Its about tinkering and having fun.

 

[918v]

Then get the FA.

Ruger 357's are not made from the type of stainless that will withstand the kind of pressures you will be running. No, they prolly won't let go, but you will destroy the barrel.

 

[sonier]

Yea thats what im looking at i like the freedom arms model 97 i believe it is, Its a great looking single action that has a lot of "meat" to it.

 

[zxcvbob]

What is the strongest framed 357 magnum

Do a search on ".353 Casull"

 

[sonier]

the 356 GNR is something that does have my attention, it has the velocity I want as well. I believe that the .357 diamter bullet is one of the best calibers for self defense against two legged creatures as well. i like the velocity and mass i can get out of that caliber.

 

[sonier]

Ive looked at the 353 casull as well its a interesting caliber but it just seems so much trouble for so little gain in power, also there isnt much on the 353 casull it seems like a old dead cartridge.

 

[CraigC]

The 353 Casull is not a cartridge, it is simply another designation for the .357Mag.

In order of relative strength I would rate them:

1. Freedom Arms 83, hands down the strongest, it can tolerate pressures well above any other revolver.

2. Ruger Redhawk, it is easily the most massive and strongest of them this side of Freedom Arms.

3. Ruger Blackhawk, large frame. Easily stronger than most single actions and any S&W.

4. S&W N-frames, Colt Single Action Army (post-war), its replicas and mid-frame Rugers. These are really the best single action platforms for the cartridge. Not too much beef but strong enough. You would be hard-pressued to damage one, long or short term. N-frames may hold a 'slight' cylinder strength advantage but with the double action design, it's a draw.

5. The various mid-frame DA's like the S&W L-frame, Ruger GP-100 and Colt Trooper, Python, King Cobra, etc. Cylinder diameter less than Colt SAA and N-frame, these are still the best double action platforms for the cartridge.

6. Who cares, everything else is lesser.

 

[WVMountainBoy]

Vote goes to the Blackhawk for strength

 

[cottonmouth]

I'd vote Redhwk but how strong does it need to be, have you ever seen a .357 Blackhawk that was blown up?

J.B.

 

[Buzzard]

No, but I did see a .44 Mag Blackhawk that was blown up.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammunition/ST_ycbtsafe_200911/index.html

 

[Confederate]

The original N-frame S&Ws are certainly contenders in double-action designs. The Ruger GP-100 and previous Security-Sixes also are like steel vaults. The Colt Pythons are strong, but have some small internal parts that limit them somewhat. The K-frame S&Ws are the only frame size that really warps with repeated use of hot rounds, but they hold up better than a lot of people suspect.

My choice would be a Ruger since they have solid frames.

 

[sonier]

I was under the impression that the 353 casull was a different cartridge not using the existing 357 mag cartridge, So in a way im looking for a good revolver to handle somewhat of the 353 casull, I wonder if i can take a blank cylinder for such as a blackhawk. instead of 6 rounds, chamber only 5 rounds in the entire cylinder to give it even more integrity. make it a 5 shooter lol

 

[JWF III]

I wonder if i can take a blank cylinder for such as a blackhawk. instead of 6 rounds, chamber only 5 rounds in the entire cylinder to give it even more integrity.

Others may know better, but I'd venture a guess that it'd make little difference.

The measurement from the center-pin to the center-line of the bore will still be the same. When the cylinder is bored to a 5 shot, the outside cylinder wall will be the same thickness. There will be more "meat" between the chambers, but that's typically not where a revolver lets go at. You'd have to step up to a larger frame to get what you're looking for.

Maybe a custom smithed .357 X-frame? That may give the Freedom Arms a run for it's money.

Wyman

 

[zxcvbob]

You get a much stronger cylinder with a 5-shooter because the lock-up notch (it probably has a name) is between chambers due to the odd number. With an even number of chambers, it lands right on the opposite chamber wall and weakens it considerably. Take a close look at a SAA or Blackhawk cylinder sometime and yule see what I mean.

BTW, the ".353 Casull" is just another name for a seriously overloaded .357 Magnum. I mentioned it just as a search word to find ridiculously-strong .357 Magnum guns.

 

[Confederate]

The key to strength in revolvers is a solid frame. This is true in both single-action and double-action revolvers. This is where Ruger excels. Dan Wesson also employed a solid frame design, but it didn't do it quite as successfully as Ruger did. Many of the early Dan Wessons I saw were .22LRs that had problems with internal parts not working properly together.

I'd love to have one of the pistol pacs, though.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

918v
"Then get the FA.
Ruger 357's are not made from the type of stainless that will withstand the kind of pressures you will be running. No, they prolly won't let go, but you will destroy the barrel."

Just bought one(GP100) a couple of months ago and these are the first negative words I've seen about it anywhere. I'm not questioning the validity of your response....I'm a brand new newby with next to no knowledge and have no business questioning those who've been around guns all their lives. I'm just trying to get a better understanding of my gun. Are you saying it's a distant second to the best? Please go into greater detail. Thanks

Bill

 

[918v]

The FA is made of better alloy of stainless steel. It is designed to shoot 65000 PSI loads. The GP-100 or Redhawk are designed for 35000 PSI loads. Shooting 65000 PSI loads through your GP-100 will erode the forcing cone beyond repair in just a few hundred rounds. The barrel steel used in the GP-100 is not designed for it. You will break the cylider stop. You may even explode the cylinder. GP-100 cylinder walls are just 25% as thick as those on the FA and made from a weaker blend of stainless steel.

To chamber the Super Redhawk in 65000 PSI .454 Casull, Ruger had to go with a completely new alloy for the cylinder and barrel. You cannot disregard these facts. Stainless steel alloys are not all the same.

 

[Lucky Derby]

"Yea thats what im looking at i like the freedom arms model 97 i believe it is, Its a great looking single action that has a lot of "meat" to it. "

You want the Model 83 not the 97.
The 97 is a very nice gun but not the super strength you are looking for. The 97 is smaller than a SAA although made of better material.
The 83 is the same gun as the original .454 Casull, just chambered for .357

 

[CraigC]

Not sure about the statement about "destroying the barrel". I don't think anyone would advocate running 65,000psi loads in a GP or even a Redhawk. Hell, even the .454 SRH should be kept at 50-55,000psi.

You do get much greater strength with a five-shot cylinder in a Blackhawk but there really ain't much point. It's an expensive proposition and you get more bang for your buck with a larger chambering. All you gain with higher pressures is velocity which translates to a flatter trajectory and a greater propensity for expansion with jacketed bullets. In other words, why go to the trouble when you get more gun with a factory six-shot .41 or .44Mag?

 

[Walkalong]

Just bought one(GP100) a couple of months ago and these are the first negative words I've seen about it anywhere

Don't worry about the GP-100 not being as good a gun as the Freedom Arms, as not many are. That doesn't mean for shooting standard .357 Mag loads the GP-100 isn't a great gun, it is. 918v has merely pointed out the superiority of a superbly made firearm using better steel.

 

[sonier]

I dont want a different caliber lol, This is goign to possibly be saved up over a year or two for me to build. but i like the 5 shot idea, Id want to have dangerous 357 magnums that function without much risk. I dont want to be like everyone else and just get a 44 magnum, I dont want to be considered apart of the sheep who buy whatever magazine tells them is good, the point would be to have a 357 magnum capable of shooting with 357 maximum 357 supermag and 353 casull levels, it be more of a bragging piece and horseback and hunting carry piece.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

So,staying at or below maximum powder load recommended by manufacturing company or well respected reload charts will not hurt my gun even if it's fed a continuous diet of max loads?

Bill