Encore 357 Maximum

JonM · December 7, 2011, 10:45 AM

I just picked up a 357 Maximum barrell for my Encore. I wouldl like to get it set up for Ohio's 2day gun season but I haven't seen any ammo for it around. I know it is more of a handloaders caliber but this is my question. How will it shoot with 357 Magnums? Is that a bad ideal or bad for the barrell? Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Adamantium · December 7, 2011, 11:01 AM

You can shoot 357 magnum in a 357 maximum barrel. It won't damage it but only you can confirm if a specific ammo is accurate in your individual gun.

357 Maximum is certainly a reloaders round but there is some factory ammunition available for it. http://shop.reedsammo.com/category.sc?categoryId=40 http://www.midwayusa.com/find?&sortb...ensionid=10107

The good news about reloading 357 Max is that the only thing that isn't common is the brass. Don't get me wrong you can still get it, but you won't be picking up the occasional range brass from all the guys who shoot it but don't reload

. But the dies, bullets, powder and primers are all the same as 357 Magnum.

OkieCruffler · December 7, 2011, 11:38 AM

Mags will shoot fine just remember to scrub that chamber real good after. Reed loads great ammo and they're great folks besides, but if you don't reload the max is a great place to start. Pretty easy to find a set of carbide dies for 357. I haven't found alot of loads that won't shoot well in mine and when you're shooting it from a longer barrel it's a hot rod.

JonM · December 7, 2011, 01:24 PM

Thanks for the info guys. I think I'll order some Reeds.

black mamba · December 7, 2011, 01:30 PM

Jon, check out this website: http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=121

JonM · December 8, 2011, 01:01 PM

There is a lot of good info there. Thanks for the link Black Mamba. I hope I can get that kind of performance out of mine. It is a Virgin Valley Arms 12" bull barrell. The guy that had it previously made claims of shooting clay pigeons @ 200yrds. I was a little skeptical but it looks like it has potential for sure. Thanks.

black mamba · December 8, 2011, 02:10 PM

Jon, here is my custom 44 mag Bullberry barreled Encore. My best group to date is .938" 3 shots at 50 yards off sandbags, shooting 300 gr Nosler JHP over Accurate 4100 powder.

steve bischoff · December 28, 2011, 10:19 AM

look up grizzly ammo at midway usa. they sell it under the brand name grizzly. you can also buy it directly from grizzly ammo. they are located in oregon.

DWFan · December 28, 2011, 08:27 PM

You have a beefy weapon for the cartridge. Look for circa 1983-84 silhouette load data. These operate at approx. 50 kpsi. The Maximum can deliver close to .35 Remington ballistics. .357 Magnum is suitable, but might not be accurate due to the freebore length and you have to scrub the chambers or etching can result that will prevent Maximum from even being used. The fouling forward of the Magnum case isn't just dirty, it is also hydroscopic.
If for some reason you feel the Maximum isn't enough, rechambering to the .357 Herrett will give you plenty of power and pre-formed cases are available. Reed's Ammo also loads this cartridge.

December 7, 2011, 10:45 AM	#1
JonM Member Join Date: September 25, 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 33	Encore 357 Maximum I just picked up a 357 Maximum barrell for my Encore. I wouldl like to get it set up for Ohio's 2day gun season but I haven't seen any ammo for it around. I know it is more of a handloaders caliber but this is my question. How will it shoot with 357 Magnums? Is that a bad ideal or bad for the barrell? Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

December 28, 2011, 10:19 AM	#8
steve bischoff Junior Member Join Date: December 28, 2011 Posts: 1	where to get 357 max ammo look up grizzly ammo at midway usa. they sell it under the brand name grizzly. you can also buy it directly from grizzly ammo. they are located in oregon.

December 28, 2011, 08:27 PM	#9
DWFan Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 305	probably too late to use this but... You have a beefy weapon for the cartridge. Look for circa 1983-84 silhouette load data. These operate at approx. 50 kpsi. The Maximum can deliver close to .35 Remington ballistics. .357 Magnum is suitable, but might not be accurate due to the freebore length and you have to scrub the chambers or etching can result that will prevent Maximum from even being used. The fouling forward of the Magnum case isn't just dirty, it is also hydroscopic. If for some reason you feel the Maximum isn't enough, rechambering to the .357 Herrett will give you plenty of power and pre-formed cases are available. Reed's Ammo also loads this cartridge.

December 7, 2011, 11:01 AM	#2
Adamantium Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 1,021	You can shoot 357 magnum in a 357 maximum barrel. It won't damage it but only you can confirm if a specific ammo is accurate in your individual gun. 357 Maximum is certainly a reloaders round but there is some factory ammunition available for it. http://shop.reedsammo.com/category.sc?categoryId=40 http://www.midwayusa.com/find?&sortb...ensionid=10107 The good news about reloading 357 Max is that the only thing that isn't common is the brass. Don't get me wrong you can still get it, but you won't be picking up the occasional range brass from all the guys who shoot it but don't reload . But the dies, bullets, powder and primers are all the same as 357 Magnum.

December 7, 2011, 11:38 AM	#3
OkieCruffler Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2001 Location: Denison Texas on the banks of Texhoma Posts: 1,556	Mags will shoot fine just remember to scrub that chamber real good after. Reed loads great ammo and they're great folks besides, but if you don't reload the max is a great place to start. Pretty easy to find a set of carbide dies for 357. I haven't found alot of loads that won't shoot well in mine and when you're shooting it from a longer barrel it's a hot rod.

December 7, 2011, 01:24 PM	#4
JonM Member Join Date: September 25, 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 33	Thanks for the info guys. I think I'll order some Reeds.

December 7, 2011, 01:30 PM	#5
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 909	Jon, check out this website: http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=121

December 8, 2011, 01:01 PM	#6
JonM Member Join Date: September 25, 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 33	There is a lot of good info there. Thanks for the link Black Mamba. I hope I can get that kind of performance out of mine. It is a Virgin Valley Arms 12" bull barrell. The guy that had it previously made claims of shooting clay pigeons @ 200yrds. I was a little skeptical but it looks like it has potential for sure. Thanks.

December 8, 2011, 02:10 PM	#7
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 909	Jon, here is my custom 44 mag Bullberry barreled Encore. My best group to date is .938" 3 shots at 50 yards off sandbags, shooting 300 gr Nosler JHP over Accurate 4100 powder.