T/C Contender 357 Mag & 357 Rem Max?
#3
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 5
RE: T/C Contender 357 Mag & 357 Rem Max?
I killed a buck this weekend with my 357 Maximum, the only difference being, mine is chambered in an NEF rifle with a 22" barrel. I am getting 2060fps average velocity with Hornady 180 XTP's and 26 grains of AA1680. The Maximum is a nice cartridge but is a handloading only chambering as there is no factory loaded ammunition. The case length of the Maximum is 1.6" as compared to 1.29" for the Magnum. A difference of .310" it is a good cartridge lacking factory ammo, but this was a result of Ruger rushing their 357 Max chambered Blackhawks to market. It was found shortly after that the top strap was being cut by gas erosion over the cylinder gap. T/C's and other single shots of course do not have this problem. I wouldn't trade my Max for a Magnum any day for any price.
Edit: and as was mentioned, yes you can shoot 38's from it, but it is a long jump to the rifling, but at 25 yads or so it could shoot just just fine. I download mine for plinking.
Edit: and as was mentioned, yes you can shoot 38's from it, but it is a long jump to the rifling, but at 25 yads or so it could shoot just just fine. I download mine for plinking.