Converting .357 Mag to .357 Max

[docscott]

Has anyone converted their single shot .357 Mag to .357 Maximum? I am considering it and looking for some input from those that have. Thanks.

[Travlin]

It could be done but one you can forget about Henry fixing it if there is ever a problem and two trying to find brass etc. for a little increase in performance? I would think if they made one in 358 Win. it would be a better solution.

[John E Davies]

No personal experience. I assume that you found this site already?

https://357maximum.net/

I think it would be very cool in a single shot rifle, no way would I do a revolver.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/conten ... to-handle/

John Davies
Spokane WA

[North Country Gal]

I used to shoot the Max and load the Max in a Contender pistol and it was awesome. The Max gets you up into 44 mag power levels, but the Max is flatter shooting and not as nasty in recoil. And that's just in a pistol. It's even better in a carbine/rifle. Been awhile since I've shot the Max, so don't know the brass and component availability anymore, but if you can get set up to shoot the Max, you won't regret it.

The 357 Max guy is Mike Bellm for sure. He re-chambered a Contender 357 mag pistol barrel to the Max for me. He does it right, plus, awhile back I read that he also does Henry single shots.

Note that there are two Mike Bellms in business, father and son. The one you want is Dennis Michael Bellm, the father at https://357maximum.net He's located in Missouri. His son, Kurt Michael Bellm, runs an online retail store for Contender parts and so on in Colorado. Both go by Mike Bellm, though.

[BigAl52]

Are you doing it for a specific reason or just to have something different to play with? Im much the same as NCG. Ive played with it in a pistol but never a rifle. I had thoughts about doing my single shot to the max. But didnt do it. Why you might ask because for plinkin and fooling around the 357 works great for that and you can get some pretty good velocity out of 357 in the SS. I think if I wanted one bad enough Id buy another SS from Bellem already done. Brass can be found although its not real cheap.

[BrokenolMarine]

357 Max ammo can be purchased. A friend online gave me a source and I bought two boxes. It's a kicker to shoot. But NOT cheap. I asked Miss Tina if she wanted to try and after taking this picture she ... passed.

357 maximum boom comp.jpg (440.36 KiB) Viewed 10684 times

Really, in the Super Blackhawk, the recoil isn't THAT bad...

357 maximum.jpg (514.96 KiB) Viewed 10684 times

[North Country Gal]

That is impressive. The Ruger Max is a one of a kind Super model. Ruger had to use a special longer frame to accommodate the length of the Max.

[Hatchdog]

Has anyone converted their single shot .357 Mag to .357 Maximum? I am considering it and looking for some input from those that have. Thanks.

If you decide to do it there’s a semi-local guy with some brass for sale. This guy is an FFL dealer in Pierce Idaho and is willing to ship the brass. This post is on our local guntrader site.


530 pieces of once fired 357 Remington maximum brass. $200 obo. Shipping available. Please call or text 208-827-2406. Thanks!

[docscott]

Got my barrel back today. Put on scope. Have not shot it yet.

[5shot]

I bought a second H015 SS with intentions of converting it to a Max but just never got around to it. Please post your results after you give her a road test docscott.

[rickhem]

One of the ranges that used to run the National Sectional each year in my area also had an outdoor range where they held a wide range of other fun competitions. One of the regular shoots they held, was a Hunter Pistol Silhouette shoot, but they limited everyone to straight wall pistol cartridges to keep from having their silhouette targets get too beat up. They shot the standard animal targets at 25, 50, 75, and 100 yards, and had two categories, irons and glass. I shot with my DW .44 mag for irons, and with a 686 and a 4x scope for "glass". There was a guy that shot all the time with a TC Contender, 10" barrel, in .357 Max. I have never felt concussion from a handgun like I did from that. With four banks of targets, there would be four shooters on the line at a time, and when I was next to him, and I caught the sight of him raising his contender to take a shot, I just lowered mine until he shot. You could feel the shock wave with every shot he took. That round from a rifle would probably eclipse a 30-30 in performance, and a single shot opens the door to a whole different selection of bullets.

Post up your experience with it, I'm interested to hear what you can do with it.

[docscott]

Working up some loads:

180grainMaxLilGun.jpg (146.39 KiB) Viewed 8855 times

158grainmaxH110.jpg (111.73 KiB) Viewed 8855 times

[5shot]

It looks like you're off to good start!! Was it easy to find brass?

[rickhem]

Working up some loads: 180grainMaxLilGun.jpg158grainmaxH110.jpg

Holey Schmoley, that's one hot load! I load 6 grains less Lil Gun for my 158 XTP FP and that is a stout load for .357 Mag. The rifle sure likes it though.
I'd be interested to see what that does at a little further distance, and if you hunt, how that works on game.

[docscott]

It looks like you're off to good start!! Was it easy to find brass?

I was able to find some loaded ammo. Starline is on backorder and haven't looked too hard anyplace else for brass.

[docscott]

Working up some loads: 180grainMaxLilGun.jpg158grainmaxH110.jpg

Holey Schmoley, that's one hot load! I load 6 grains less Lil Gun for my 158 XTP FP and that is a stout load for .357 Mag. The rifle sure likes it though.
I'd be interested to see what that does at a little further distance, and if you hunt, how that works on game.

Going to try 28 grains of Lil'Gun under the 158 XTP. Once I find something I like, will try at 100 yards. Plan on using it this upcoming deer season.

[docscott]

158 Grain Hornady XTP w/ 28.0 gr Lil' Gun (wanked the last shot to the upper right)

28grainlilgun158XTP.jpg (102.56 KiB) Viewed 8804 times

[docscott]

100 yard test w/ 158 Grain XTP w/ 28.0 gr Lil'Gun ( group was ~2 inches X ~1 inch)
10 shot average muzzle velocity 2488

100yd158gr.jpg (215.12 KiB) Viewed 8680 times

158gr100yd.jpg (171.72 KiB) Viewed 8680 times

[BigAl52]

It looks like you're off to good start!! Was it easy to find brass?

Saw some used 357max brass for sale on another forum 5shot. Kinda pricey at .50 ea.

[rickhem]

100 yard test w/ 158 Grain XTP w/ 28.0 gr Lil'Gun ( group was ~2 inches X ~1 inch)
10 shot average muzzle velocity 2488

WOW
You're knocking on the 2500 door with the 158, that is a whole lot of knockdown power.
And you're still getting great groups.
Nice!