I know that the 1885 rifle can come in a variety of calibers. Has anyone ever seen one in 357 Remington Maximum? I have seen one in 357 Magnum but not the maximum. I guess one could have the magnum reamed out to the maximum but I don't know if the magnum version would handle the higher pressure of the maximum cartridge.
1885 rifle
- Thread starter Don45
- Start date
I just hate questions like this, now I won't be able to sleep until I know the answer and then I'll spend a week trying find one!!
The action is strong and the Max has a listed pressure of 40,000 psi which isn't that much compared to some of the calibers it's chambered in.
Very little work to ream out a 357 Mag chamber to Max.
The issues with top strap flame cutting in Max revolvers was overstated according to the Dan Wesson Co. I corresponded (by letter in 1988) with them about it as I had a Dan Wesson 44 mag and was thinking of getting a 357 Max Dan Wesson. They saw the issue primarily with 110 and 125 grain loads using Blue Dot. Back in the 80's Blue Dot was used extensively for magnum loads and heavy 38 Super loads, Some guys got carried away with the stuff and and were publishing load data that was flirting with overpressure.
They made the point that the maximum was meant for silhouette shooting with heavier bullets in the 180 gr range and that top strap cutting was minimal with prudent loads.
Sadly the cartridge was labelled as a problem and became largely obsolete. I fired it in a friends Contender and thought it was just a great cartridge, would of loved it in a sturdy lever gun.
The action is strong and the Max has a listed pressure of 40,000 psi which isn't that much compared to some of the calibers it's chambered in.
Very little work to ream out a 357 Mag chamber to Max.
The issues with top strap flame cutting in Max revolvers was overstated according to the Dan Wesson Co. I corresponded (by letter in 1988) with them about it as I had a Dan Wesson 44 mag and was thinking of getting a 357 Max Dan Wesson. They saw the issue primarily with 110 and 125 grain loads using Blue Dot. Back in the 80's Blue Dot was used extensively for magnum loads and heavy 38 Super loads, Some guys got carried away with the stuff and and were publishing load data that was flirting with overpressure.
They made the point that the maximum was meant for silhouette shooting with heavier bullets in the 180 gr range and that top strap cutting was minimal with prudent loads.
Sadly the cartridge was labelled as a problem and became largely obsolete. I fired it in a friends Contender and thought it was just a great cartridge, would of loved it in a sturdy lever gun.
I have handled a few 357 magnum rifles that had the chambers reamed for the 357 Max. The 1885 will handle the pressure easily. Makes a nice rifle round.
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- High River, Alberta
For an original rifle the difference between the 1885 high wall or low wall configuration might be important.
On a modern made rifle it would be less of an issue.
On a modern made rifle it would be less of an issue.
Sorry for keeping you up at night. It looks like some of the other replies might help answer the question and let you get some sleep. But as far as finding one that is another story as I have not spotted one yet.
I have read about the flame cutting in revolvers with some loads, I have a Contender and a 357 remington maximum barrel and it is a good round and I don't need to worry about the flame cutting with it.
Good to know, now I just need to find one.
I was wondering about the high/low wall difference in handling the pressure of the 357 remington maximum, if I stick to a newer produced one I should hopefully be fine then.
Thanks to everyone for the replies.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Jesus man, they made the 1885 in 7 Mag. I think you'll be fine reaming out a 357 mag to 357 Max.
I know that the highwall version can handle it but the 357 Magnum is done in the low wall version and I just wasn't sure if it would be okay or not, that is why I asked.
Yeah the modern low walls are quite strong. I've seen them chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor recently. I don't know why they chose the low wall rather than the highwall for these recent rifles but they did.
There is a 357 Mag 1885 for sale at Prophet River right now. Not cheap though.
Chris.
There is a 357 Mag 1885 for sale at Prophet River right now. Not cheap though.
Chris.
Okay good to know, thanks.
Yes I did see that one, nice looking one but it is above my price range.
Nice, good luck with your project.
I have a rifle that looks similar to what you are building but it is in 22 hornet, it is fun to shoot.
As stated above, the Low Wall has been chambered for cartridges of higher pressures than the 357 Max, so should not be an issue.
The Low Wall is a nice, trim little rifle, and I missed out on one years ago that had been rechambered to 221 Fireball...still want one! And one in 6.5x55!
A friend has a Dan Wesson in 357 Super Mag...I always wanted one in 414 Super Mag, but as they only built 14 of them, and with our new handgun laws, this will be one bucket list item that will likely never be fulfilled
The Low Wall is a nice, trim little rifle, and I missed out on one years ago that had been rechambered to 221 Fireball...still want one! And one in 6.5x55!
A friend has a Dan Wesson in 357 Super Mag...I always wanted one in 414 Super Mag, but as they only built 14 of them, and with our new handgun laws, this will be one bucket list item that will likely never be fulfilled
