Reaming .357 Mag to Max
Forum rules
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.
Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.
Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
- AJMD429
- Posting leader...
- Posts: 32317
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:03 am
- Location: Hoosierland
- Contact:
Reaming .357 Mag to Max
How hard is it to ream a breakopen like the H&R to .357 Max from .357 Mag?
I think I read somewhere you could do it by hand with just a finish reamer, and it headspaces automatically on the rim so it's a "no-brainer" (MY perfect gun project!)
Making a levergun in that round seems like too costly a project, but I love the ballistics; I know you can come close or there with simply extra-hot .357 Mag loads in a strong gun, but I'd rather use the Max since I have a Contender in it, and enough brass already; that way I won't stick those loads in a little 2" revolver by mistake and regret it.
I think I read somewhere you could do it by hand with just a finish reamer, and it headspaces automatically on the rim so it's a "no-brainer" (MY perfect gun project!)
Making a levergun in that round seems like too costly a project, but I love the ballistics; I know you can come close or there with simply extra-hot .357 Mag loads in a strong gun, but I'd rather use the Max since I have a Contender in it, and enough brass already; that way I won't stick those loads in a little 2" revolver by mistake and regret it.
Doctors for Sensible Gun Laws
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
Never done it but thought about it a lot. Best info for this may be found over on GBO or MO, in the Handi sections.
Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you. - John Steinbeck
-
- Senior Levergunner
- Posts: 1459
- Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:31 pm
- Location: Arizona Territory
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
I have a .357 8" old style TC contender barrel I had reamed to accept .357Max. Kinda neat, I can shoot 38, 357, and maxxie in the same barrel. The .357 Max really comes alive with a single shot. I shoot a .358 200 gr. Hornandy spitzer. My hand load is a handfull with a 8" barrel.
Just find someone who has a reamer, its a 5 min. job.
With the Handi-Rifle The Maxxie is a great choice. Will be very close to the old 35 Ballard/Maynard of the 1890's.
Just find someone who has a reamer, its a 5 min. job.
With the Handi-Rifle The Maxxie is a great choice. Will be very close to the old 35 Ballard/Maynard of the 1890's.
SASS# 51223
Arizona Cowboy Shooter's Assoc.
Cowtown Cowboy Shooter's Assoc.
Uberti 73/44-40 carbine, Rossi 92/44-40,
Marlin 94CB/44 24" Limited, Winchester 94/30-30
Arizona Cowboy Shooter's Assoc.
Cowtown Cowboy Shooter's Assoc.
Uberti 73/44-40 carbine, Rossi 92/44-40,
Marlin 94CB/44 24" Limited, Winchester 94/30-30
- AJMD429
- Posting leader...
- Posts: 32317
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:03 am
- Location: Hoosierland
- Contact:
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
I haven't had my mental Wheaties today - what are those forums?Dirty Dan wrote:...GBO or MO...
Doctors for Sensible Gun Laws
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
-
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 5493
- Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:23 pm
- Location: Batesville,Arkansas
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
I reckon he might be meaning Greybeard and Marlin Owners.
JerryB II Corinthians 3:17, Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
JOSHUA 24:15
JOSHUA 24:15
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
I think if you're careful you can hand ream those chambers. LOTS of Handi-rifles have been so converted.
Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
I've "re-chambered" two .45-70's to .45-90 with nothing more than a chamber reamer, a 1/2" ratchet extension and a 1/2" power drill (and cutting oil of course).
Don't see why you couldn't do 357 to .357 Max.
Don't see why you couldn't do 357 to .357 Max.
Slow is just slow.
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
As the others said it is a common conversion to the Handy all you need is a reamer and the appropriat accessories. Just run the reamer until the rim cutter just touches the existing rim cut out and there you go.
AJ here is the link to the Greybeard H&R page. http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php/board,126.0.html
AJ here is the link to the Greybeard H&R page. http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php/board,126.0.html
Jeremy
GySgt USMC Ret
To err is human, To forgive is devine, Neither of which is Marine Corps policy
Semper Fidelis
GySgt USMC Ret
To err is human, To forgive is devine, Neither of which is Marine Corps policy
Semper Fidelis
- Ysabel Kid
- Moderator
- Posts: 27922
- Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:10 pm
- Location: South Carolina, USA
- Contact:
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
How common are the components for .357 Maximum? I guess the only unique thing would be the brass. I thought I read that the .357 Max was dying a slow death?
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
Midway has the brass. http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseP ... ***9014***
Jeremy
GySgt USMC Ret
To err is human, To forgive is devine, Neither of which is Marine Corps policy
Semper Fidelis
GySgt USMC Ret
To err is human, To forgive is devine, Neither of which is Marine Corps policy
Semper Fidelis
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
I have done it to a couple of rifles. The Handi is easy. Takes longer to remove the extractor, than it does to ream the chamber. If you are going to do it, PM me as I have a reamer and I don't mind loaning it out to someone who knows what they are doing and will take care of it.
The meek shall inherit the earth, but I reserve the mineral rights!
All the knowledge in the world, is of no use to fools! (Eagles-long road out of Eden)
All the knowledge in the world, is of no use to fools! (Eagles-long road out of Eden)
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
From what I gather the H&Rs chambered in 357 mag actually have a chamber long enough for the 360 Dan Wesson with no modifications necessary. 360 DW Brass is readily available.
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
There is a "cult" following. It is a great cartridge. The base case is sort of a .35/.223 Rem Rimmed. Thus the brass is popular with wildcatting loonies. I really like mine!Ysabel Kid wrote:How common are the components for .357 Maximum? I guess the only unique thing would be the brass. I thought I read that the .357 Max was dying a slow death?
Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
I really enjoy my Dan Wesson, sure wish someone would chamber a lever action in the SuperMag cartridges.
.357 SM
.445 SM
.357 SM
.445 SM
ScottS
"No arsenal, no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women."
-- Ronald Reagan
"No arsenal, no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women."
-- Ronald Reagan
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
The idea sounds great for the single shot,but in a lever its close to a 35 Rem
and could be more work than its worth.
and could be more work than its worth.
What in the wild world of sports is going on here
- AJMD429
- Posting leader...
- Posts: 32317
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:03 am
- Location: Hoosierland
- Contact:
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
I'm coming to that same conclusion. If there were a 'carbine' like the 1894 32-20 sized gun in it, it would be a charm, but the case length is just too long to function reliably in those guns, as are the other less-extended .357's apparently, unless you basically get a very cu$tom-tuned gun.m.wun wrote:The idea sounds great for the single shot,but in a lever its close to a 35 Rem
and could be more work than its worth.
Also - on reading more about the topic, I find H&R's .357 and .44 barrels are plenty tough, but usually sold on the same receiver used for shotguns - a lower pressure lockup according to some, and a larger firing pin hole which has been blamed for some spectacularly destructive gun blowups when rechambered to a higher pressure round. (May have been the error of someone putting a pistol primer in a .357 Max reload rather than a rifle primer, but it still wouldn't help to have the 'wrong' receiver trying to hold things together in the event of a problem.)
Dollar-wise, it may be cheaper to get an Encore barrel in the round, if I decide I just have to have one (of course with THAT action, then the temptation to have something like a .350 Rem Mag comes up . . . )
Doctors for Sensible Gun Laws
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
The Handi .357s rechambered from Mag to Max have done very well by all accounts. The Max is great in the CONTENDER. I would not want one in the Encore, too much extra weight. It is near ideal for the single-shots as you can shoot squirrel to bear with the same gun. Rechambering mag to max is worth the effort as the Max far exceeds what the Mag can do. In mine I can move 200 gr. at 2000 fps. Yeah, that's JUST .35 Rem territory BUT you don't have to lube cases to resize, don't have headspace problems EVER, AND can use .357 Mag, .38 Special, .38 Long Colt... Brass is available and all the rest of the components are downright common. It is a good cast bullet cartridge, too!
I've been thinking that the .327 Federal, .357 Max, .38-55 Winchester and .45-70 are a neat little tribe of cartridges with just enough difference, one level to the other, to make owning two worthwhile. I have the top three and all are performers.
I've been thinking that the .327 Federal, .357 Max, .38-55 Winchester and .45-70 are a neat little tribe of cartridges with just enough difference, one level to the other, to make owning two worthwhile. I have the top three and all are performers.
Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
-
- Senior Levergunner
- Posts: 1459
- Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:31 pm
- Location: Arizona Territory
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
Hobie wrote:The Handi .357s rechambered from Mag to Max have done very well by all accounts. The Max is great in the CONTENDER. I would not want one in the Encore, too much extra weight. It is near ideal for the single-shots as you can shoot squirrel to bear with the same gun. Rechambering mag to max is worth the effort as the Max far exceeds what the Mag can do. In mine I can move 200 gr. at 2000 fps. Yeah, that's JUST .35 Rem territory BUT you don't have to lube cases to resize, don't have headspace problems EVER, AND can use .357 Mag, .38 Special, .38 Long Colt... Brass is available and all the rest of the components are downright common. It is a good cast bullet cartridge, too!
I've been thinking that the .327 Federal, .357 Max, .38-55 Winchester and .45-70 are a neat little tribe of cartridges with just enough difference, one level to the other, to make owning two worthwhile. I have the top three and all are performers.
It is very interesting when someone first gets a visual on a .357 Max W/ a 200 gr spitzer stuffed in the case. It's like WOW!, what is that. Because of the long ogive of the spitzer, I seat the bullet out another 1/10 of an inch from the cannulure of the Hornady. I shoot it in my Contender 8".
SASS# 51223
Arizona Cowboy Shooter's Assoc.
Cowtown Cowboy Shooter's Assoc.
Uberti 73/44-40 carbine, Rossi 92/44-40,
Marlin 94CB/44 24" Limited, Winchester 94/30-30
Arizona Cowboy Shooter's Assoc.
Cowtown Cowboy Shooter's Assoc.
Uberti 73/44-40 carbine, Rossi 92/44-40,
Marlin 94CB/44 24" Limited, Winchester 94/30-30
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
With whatever bullet you might load the .357 Max it is just a neat, easy to load and shoot cartridge.Lefty Dude wrote:Hobie wrote:The Handi .357s rechambered from Mag to Max have done very well by all accounts. The Max is great in the CONTENDER. I would not want one in the Encore, too much extra weight. It is near ideal for the single-shots as you can shoot squirrel to bear with the same gun. Rechambering mag to max is worth the effort as the Max far exceeds what the Mag can do. In mine I can move 200 gr. at 2000 fps. Yeah, that's JUST .35 Rem territory BUT you don't have to lube cases to resize, don't have headspace problems EVER, AND can use .357 Mag, .38 Special, .38 Long Colt... Brass is available and all the rest of the components are downright common. It is a good cast bullet cartridge, too!
I've been thinking that the .327 Federal, .357 Max, .38-55 Winchester and .45-70 are a neat little tribe of cartridges with just enough difference, one level to the other, to make owning two worthwhile. I have the top three and all are performers.
It is very interesting when someone first gets a visual on a .357 Max W/ a 200 gr spitzer stuffed in the case. It's like WOW!, what is that. Because of the long ogive of the spitzer, I seat the bullet out another 1/10 of an inch from the cannulure of the Hornady. I shoot it in my Contender 8".
Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
- AJMD429
- Posting leader...
- Posts: 32317
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:03 am
- Location: Hoosierland
- Contact:
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
I agree about avoiding the overweight gun for that round, which is why I've procrastinated so long. I DO have a 14" Contender barrel, but keep seeing copies of these ATF letters going around which say that although Contender didn't violate ATF laws when selling a "kit" that included both rifle and pistol barrels and stocks, that was only because they weren't "assembled" into a firearm, and that yes, once assembled as a long gun, you could never go back without it being in violation. Now I don't think too many ATF'ers are going around looking for such trivial stuff, but I could see one with a grudge or whatever abusing that rule against someone. I don't want to buy a Contender "carbine" just for the purpose! Have you any info to clear that muddy area up?Hobie wrote:The Handi .357s rechambered from Mag to Max have done very well by all accounts. The Max is great in the CONTENDER. I would not want one in the Encore, too much extra weight. It is near ideal for the single-shots as you can shoot squirrel to bear with the same gun. Rechambering mag to max is worth the effort as the Max far exceeds what the Mag can do. In mine I can move 200 gr. at 2000 fps. Yeah, that's JUST .35 Rem territory BUT you don't have to lube cases to resize, don't have headspace problems EVER, AND can use .357 Mag, .38 Special, .38 Long Colt... Brass is available and all the rest of the components are downright common. It is a good cast bullet cartridge, too!
I've been thinking that the .327 Federal, .357 Max, .38-55 Winchester and .45-70 are a neat little tribe of cartridges with just enough difference, one level to the other, to make owning two worthwhile. I have the top three and all are performers.
I do think the "pairs" of cartridges are cool within the straight series.
I like the .32's up to the .327 Mag, the .45's up to the .460 S&W, and maybe something in a true .38 for the in-between. Just think if Marlin or Rossi would make a series of long and short actions in those series.
Doctors for Sensible Gun Laws
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
-
- Senior Levergunner
- Posts: 1459
- Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:31 pm
- Location: Arizona Territory
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
If you have a short pistol barrel (under 16") you can not attach it to a rifle stock. BTW/ it really looks coooool when you do. Of course I would never do such a thing. I have a folding stock for my TC rifle that hinges at the stock wrist. It is made of cast aluminum. I bought this in the late 1970-early 80. Someone also made them in fiberglass. I usually have it installed with the 24" 22 hornet barrel W/ a 2-6 Burris compact scope. My TC action is a 2nd gen. I have had it since the early 1980's. This action unlike the new actions, has a set screw for the trigger sear adjustment. Mine is set in the 1/2 lb range or less.AJMD429 wrote:I agree about avoiding the overweight gun for that round, which is why I've procrastinated so long. I DO have a 14" Contender barrel, but keep seeing copies of these ATF letters going around which say that although Contender didn't violate ATF laws when selling a "kit" that included both rifle and pistol barrels and stocks, that was only because they weren't "assembled" into a firearm, and that yes, once assembled as a long gun, you could never go back without it being in violation. Now I don't think too many ATF'ers are going around looking for such trivial stuff, but I could see one with a grudge or whatever abusing that rule against someone. I don't want to buy a Contender "carbine" just for the purpose! Have you any info to clear that muddy area up?Hobie wrote:The Handi .357s rechambered from Mag to Max have done very well by all accounts. The Max is great in the CONTENDER. I would not want one in the Encore, too much extra weight. It is near ideal for the single-shots as you can shoot squirrel to bear with the same gun. Rechambering mag to max is worth the effort as the Max far exceeds what the Mag can do. In mine I can move 200 gr. at 2000 fps. Yeah, that's JUST .35 Rem territory BUT you don't have to lube cases to resize, don't have headspace problems EVER, AND can use .357 Mag, .38 Special, .38 Long Colt... Brass is available and all the rest of the components are downright common. It is a good cast bullet cartridge, too!
I've been thinking that the .327 Federal, .357 Max, .38-55 Winchester and .45-70 are a neat little tribe of cartridges with just enough difference, one level to the other, to make owning two worthwhile. I have the top three and all are performers.
I do think the "pairs" of cartridges are cool within the straight series.
I like the .32's up to the .327 Mag, the .45's up to the .460 S&W, and maybe something in a true .38 for the in-between. Just think if Marlin or Rossi would make a series of long and short actions in those series.
SASS# 51223
Arizona Cowboy Shooter's Assoc.
Cowtown Cowboy Shooter's Assoc.
Uberti 73/44-40 carbine, Rossi 92/44-40,
Marlin 94CB/44 24" Limited, Winchester 94/30-30
Arizona Cowboy Shooter's Assoc.
Cowtown Cowboy Shooter's Assoc.
Uberti 73/44-40 carbine, Rossi 92/44-40,
Marlin 94CB/44 24" Limited, Winchester 94/30-30
Re: Reaming .357 Mag to Max
AJ MD,
Just weld a Choate barrel extension or copy to the barrel. Works a treat!
My barrel is a 21" factory barrel I bought on clearance from the factory for $113.
Just weld a Choate barrel extension or copy to the barrel. Works a treat!
My barrel is a 21" factory barrel I bought on clearance from the factory for $113.
Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson