357 Maximum

[lostinsurf]

I have both the contender Max handgun barrel 12" and the Encore Max rifle barrel in 28". Both are accurate and the recoil is manageable; harder than a 357 Mag but much less than a 44 mag.

Flies straight out to 100+ and hits hard. The reloading is easy with 4227. I choose to run the contender about 1600fps and the encore about 1900fps.

An added bonus is that you can shoot any 38 special or 357 magnum in the guns as well ! The TC is great fun.

You should see the Dan Wesson Forum and the Ruger Forum for excellent Maximum advice and counseling.

[dfletcher]

Thanks for the above.

I may end up getting both eventually. I'm leaning towards the Maximum now with the light, short barrel and maybe keeping the bullets lighter, or slower lead. The 35 Remington with heavier stuff can give a good pop, I have the 14" Contender barrel and an old Rem 141 and the 200, 250 definitely let you know they're there.

[Capt.Dunsel]

I am considering adding a short rifle barrel to my T/C Encore collection. The barrel will be about +16" and no more than 18" with light contour. I'm considering the 357 Maximum, mostly because others speak so well of it. I already reload for the 35 Remington and wonder, does the Maximum do anything the old 35 Remington can't? I neck resize the 35 Remington then seat, Maximum is a straight wall & uses carbide - 35 Remington requires inside neck lube, Maximum requires none but case mouth flaring is an extra step, right?

This is strictly a range rifle, 100 yds or so for fun. I'd like to use lead once in a while.

Given same barrel maker (MGM) is there any reason to get one over the other? Accuracy, economy in reloading?

35 Remington is easy and cheap to find brass , 357 Max not so much.
Got both , they each have the pros and cons . ( have both in both)

18 inch barrel in both are great and get the most out of both , when loaded to their liking. 14" in handgun in both are equal , at least in mine .

I found 180 gr to be best in both . Again in mine .

They both can shoot 220 gr bullets , 35 Rem can take up to 250 gr.

Why not get both eventually ?

[Divernhunter]

Range use at 100 yards either will be just fine. The 35Rem will allow you heavier bullets and bullets designed for pistol rounds(357mag and max).

Lube the necks with graphite or lube when sizing then tumble off the lube is easy and no hassle. Chamfering the inside also helps seating the bullets---especially flat bases ones.
Yes you would need to flare the 357max. Then need to crimp or at least remove the flare with a crimp die. You could also shoot 237mag in a 357max barrel.
You could shoot lead out of either but would need to reduce speeds to prevent leading and poor accuracy.
Actually the 35rem can do things the 357max cannot. Otherwise it really is a toss up and personal choice.----or get both.
Good luck and have fun

[dfletcher]

I am considering adding a short rifle barrel to my T/C Encore collection. The barrel will be about +16" and no more than 18" with light contour. I'm considering the 357 Maximum, mostly because others speak so well of it. I already reload for the 35 Remington and wonder, does the Maximum do anything the old 35 Remington can't? I neck resize the 35 Remington then seat, Maximum is a straight wall & uses carbide - 35 Remington requires inside neck lube, Maximum requires none but case mouth flaring is an extra step, right?

This is strictly a range rifle, 100 yds or so for fun. I'd like to use lead once in a while.

Given same barrel maker (MGM) is there any reason to get one over the other? Accuracy, economy in reloading?