Contender 357 Mag to Max. Doable?

Polish-Jack

Polish-Jack

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Kelowna, B.C. Canada
I have two 357 Magnum barrels for my Contender. One is a typical barrel, the other can fit a coke for shot. I have been thinking of getting one reamed out for Maximum. Is this doable, or does the Maximum barrel need to be purpose made to handle the higher pressure?
 
Barrels are the same. Just a thought, what is the price of a barrel reamed compared to buying a barrel for about $300. If you have the gear and knowledge to do it’s cheaper but start paying someone else to do and costs more. I have seen 357 maximum barrels on the EE for $300 to $350 shipped for 10” barrels. Contender barrels are around and easy to find. Three places I usually search are the EE, Prophet River and 935.
 
Snider shooter said:
Barrels are the same. Just a thought, what is the price of a barrel reamed compared to buying a barrel for about $300. If you have the gear and knowledge to do it’s cheaper but start paying someone else to do and costs more. I have seen 357 maximum barrels on the EE for $300 to $350 shipped for 10” barrels. Contender barrels are around and easy to find. Three places I usually search are the EE, Prophet River and 935.
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I was wondering about how much it would cost. I haven't had a chance to call around to my local gunsmiths as they are all closed on Mondays.
I keep an eye out on all three of those placed, but I have only once seen a Maximum barrel. The seller would not sell the barrel separately from the rest of his kit..
 
I had a 357 Mag barrel that was reamed out to fit 357 Max. It worked great. No problems. If you have two, I wouldn’t hesitate to team one. 357 Max is a lot of fun!!
 
So I found a smith in the neighboring town that quoted me $90. Looks like I'm going to get-er-dun. Now what one should I get reamed? The barrel with the choke also has a rib on the top while the other one is just a barrel with the usual sights.
 
With the 10" barrel you are not going to gain much over the 357mag chamber . More recoil and muzzle blast more expensive brass . I have a 14" barrel that I shot for silhouette even used it on deer on a carbine frame shot 180 grain soft point worked well. Funny thing I mostly shoot 357 mag out of mine now days. If you are going to do it chamber the plain barrel. Sprung mean blow the receiver out of spec (bent)
 
dan belisle said:
The barrel assembly couldn't be put back into lock within the frame. - dan
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This is very common with original Contenders and shooting some of the more powerful calibers. The frame actually stretches. I only put my 30-30 and 375 barrels on one frame, limiting the problem to one frame. This is the reason they made the encore and beefed it up. They kept adding more powerful rounds to the line and G1’s just couldn’t handle the constant pounding of higher pressure rounds. The first bit of stretching can be fixed with a longer locking bolt but but it only works for so long as the frame will continue to stretch if you continue to fire the more powerful calibers.
 
Snider shooter said:
This is very common with original Contenders and shooting some of the more powerful calibers. The frame actually stretches. I only put my 30-30 and 375 barrels on one frame, limiting the problem to one frame. This is the reason they made the encore and beefed it up. They kept adding more powerful rounds to the line and G1’s just couldn’t handle the constant pounding of higher pressure rounds. The first bit of stretching can be fixed with a longer locking bolt but but it only works for so long as the frame will continue to stretch if you continue to fire the more powerful calibers.
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Is there an agreed upon cartridge or pressure that won't damage the frame? I image the frame stretch does not happen with the 22 rim fires, or 38 special, etc.
 
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