Opinions Wanted on 357 Maximum

bluetopper · April 5, 2013, 06:32 PM

I've been contemplating for a while getting a 357 Maximum barrel for my T/C Contender and I'd just like some opinions from others of the caliber. My main purpose for it would be group shooting at 100yds or pure entertainment you might say.
Those who have the caliber would you recommend it?

kcub · April 5, 2013, 09:15 PM

I love my Dan Wesson Supermag.

These folks claim dime size groups @ 100 yards from their Thompson barrels; impressive.

http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=605

jglsprings · April 5, 2013, 10:25 PM

It's ideal for the Contender and reloading. Anywhere from mild to wild. I love mine. It's a super 16.

steveno · April 6, 2013, 03:18 PM

very accurate and very loud. I liked the Hornady 140 grain hollow point although at 2,200 fps it was definitely overstressed. the other bullet that shot very well was the Speer 180 grain soft point (rifle bullet)

OkieCruffler · April 6, 2013, 07:01 PM

There may no better round for the contender platform. I've loaded it from 110gr to 180 gr and it's performed well all through the weights. Absolutely lethal against anything up to deer. Works great for hog. And yet I sold my barrel a few weeks ago.

robhof · April 6, 2013, 07:07 PM

I have the 14" bull barrel for my Tender and love it. I actually just wanted the frame, the barrel was a nice plus as I already had a DW 357 Max. I can hit the gong at 200yds with either all day long, they're rather flat shooting and the Tender can use the lighter bullets at higher speeds than the revolver that has forcing cone problems with light, fast bullets, the reason Ruger stopped making the revolver, although I still see many in competition to this day. With heavy bullets and reasonable loads the revolversd last a long time. The Tender laste even longer.

April 5, 2013, 06:32 PM	#1
bluetopper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2005 Location: Northeast TX Posts: 1,197	Opinions Wanted on 357 Maximum I've been contemplating for a while getting a 357 Maximum barrel for my T/C Contender and I'd just like some opinions from others of the caliber. My main purpose for it would be group shooting at 100yds or pure entertainment you might say. Those who have the caliber would you recommend it?

April 5, 2013, 10:25 PM	#3
jglsprings Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Posts: 1,827	It's ideal for the Contender and reloading. Anywhere from mild to wild. I love mine. It's a super 16. __________________ Let's eat Grandma. Let's eat, Grandma. Commas save lives...

April 6, 2013, 07:01 PM	#5
OkieCruffler Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2001 Location: Denison Texas on the banks of Texhoma Posts: 1,556	There may no better round for the contender platform. I've loaded it from 110gr to 180 gr and it's performed well all through the weights. Absolutely lethal against anything up to deer. Works great for hog. And yet I sold my barrel a few weeks ago. __________________ John A. Monroe, Never Forgive, Never Forget, Blood Pays Blood

April 6, 2013, 07:07 PM	#6
robhof Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2007 Posts: 712	robhof I have the 14" bull barrel for my Tender and love it. I actually just wanted the frame, the barrel was a nice plus as I already had a DW 357 Max. I can hit the gong at 200yds with either all day long, they're rather flat shooting and the Tender can use the lighter bullets at higher speeds than the revolver that has forcing cone problems with light, fast bullets, the reason Ruger stopped making the revolver, although I still see many in competition to this day. With heavy bullets and reasonable loads the revolversd last a long time. The Tender laste even longer.

April 5, 2013, 09:15 PM	#2
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	I love my Dan Wesson Supermag. These folks claim dime size groups @ 100 yards from their Thompson barrels; impressive. http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=605

April 6, 2013, 03:18 PM	#4
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	very accurate and very loud. I liked the Hornady 140 grain hollow point although at 2,200 fps it was definitely overstressed. the other bullet that shot very well was the Speer 180 grain soft point (rifle bullet)