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357 mag barrel rechamber to 357-44 b&d

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Sharps-Nut:
    I would like to mess with a 357-44 but the original barrels fetch a little more yen than I care to spend for a shooter.  I was wondering if a 357 mag common and usually in 100. price range could be rechambered for the round and would it have the correct twist rage for that much fps.  I can rent a reamer and go no go's for 36.00 so the cost of the conversion would be minimal and there are two of wanting to perform the same conversion.   Anyone ever do this or hear of it being done?  Anybody ever play with the 357/44 b & d, is it as good as it reads to be, seems like less trouble to form cases than a harrett and just as good.  Thoughts and opinions appreciated.  Thanks Steve

RonF:
I can't see any reason this wouldn't work, and I imagine it's been done often.  Twist shouldn't be a problem, as at any given time all .357/.358 T/C barrels are the same twist regardless of caliber.  I used to have a .357/.44 in a Contender and it was a good shooter, but I also have a .35 Rem which saw most of the action so I sold it.  I have a .357/.44 barrel for my Merrill pistol and have used it on deer with good results.  It does kick, though, with the grip design of the Merrill.  As far as I can tell, performance is about identical to the .357 Max.  Case forming is a piece of cake.  Go ahead and do it, and have fun!

RonF

jw4570:
I would contact SSK, they do it pretty reasonable (maybe $80).  Don't forget, you'll need a new extractor.  Might be worth it to have someone do it.  I think you'll need to have a Bull Barrel to do it.

I have a 357 Automag Barrel which is a 44 Automag necked down to 357 for my my Contender.  I had posted some data last year but it's difficult to find as the search feature doesn't work.  It's probably about the same performance level.

JW

Sharps-Nut:
Yea my smith is going top get the job.  He's sorta a famous fellow in the black powder cartridge rifle circles and works on a fair rate. Surely an hour of shop time will catch the job.  I took a gunsmith class and built a rifle but if you break the reamer you bought it so I'll let the pro have a go at it.  Gotta find a cheap 10" bull 357 barrel first.  Thanks for the input Steve

Gregory:
I don't want to burst your bubble if you have your heart set on a 357 B&D, but you can rechamber a 357 Mag to a 357 Max and get the same or slightly better ballistics as well as the advantage of being able to use relatively low cost carbide 357 Mag dies for reloading (no need to lube cases). 

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