Rossi M92 Can it be rechambered to 357 maximum?

Suther said:
At that point, why not just use the 30-30 though? Use the same weight bullets at higher velocities and with better sectional densities.


That said, they make 92s in 454 casull don't they? Are those the same size action or are they special? That's a longer cartridge than the others?
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I've been using the 30-30 for many years and its served me well. As for the Rossi 92's though, I had a 454 one for a spell but once I got me Rossi Ranch Hand in 45 Colt then fitted 'er out to my liking, the Rossi 454 unit was sold off. The 45 Colt gives all the killing power I need for any big stuff in my area. Hardcast boolits of good design be all I run in my rifles of 30 cal and up.

https://leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm
 
When you load your Rossi, how much clearance is there from the front of the bullet to face of the chamber when the round is on the elevator? A .357 Maximum case is .315" longer than a .357 magnum, which tells me the answer is probably no. If you deep seated your bullet, you would have to lighten the load a bit, and chances are you'd be back to near .357 magnum velocities anyway. Another way to look at it is that your .357 magnum carbine probably produces more velocity than a .357 Maximum sixgun with a 6" barrel.
 
Boomer said:
When you load your Rossi, how much clearance is there from the front of the bullet to face of the chamber when the round is on the elevator? A .357 Maximum case is .315" longer than a .357 magnum, which tells me the answer is probably no. If you deep seated your bullet, you would have to lighten the load a bit, and chances are you'd be back to near .357 magnum velocities anyway. Another way to look at it is that your .357 magnum carbine probably produces more velocity than a .357 Maximum sixgun with a 6" barrel.
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Oh I'm well aware of the velocity increase. With my load and longer barrel, I'm getting 475 f/s velocity increase over my 4.2" GP100. I am perfectly happy with the gun as is. I just had to ask as it was a question posed to me by a curious friend. There are many on this site that like to tinker and many that wring out as much performance as they can out of a gun or cartridge. It intrigued me to think if it could be done.
 
sgt.rock said:
Oh I'm well aware of the velocity increase. With my load and longer barrel, I'm getting 475 f/s velocity increase over my 4.2" GP100. I am perfectly happy with the gun as is. I just had to ask as it was a question posed to me by a curious friend. There are many on this site that like to tinker and many that wring out as much performance as they can out of a gun or cartridge. It intrigued me to think if it could be done.
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It seems silly to want to go to 357 max with all the expense and hassle when you can outperform both 357 Max and 30-30 easily with a 45 Colt. I'm pushing a 255gr hard cast RNFP @1880 fps for 2001ft-lbs at the muzzle from my full stocked Ranch Hand using Ramshot Silhouette, not even the best powder for hot loads. I think I could get over 2000fps with H110 or similar.
 
elimsprint said:
It seems silly to want to go to 357 max with all the expense and hassle when you can outperform both 357 Max and 30-30 easily with a 45 Colt. I'm pushing a 255gr hard cast RNFP @1880 fps for 2001ft-lbs at the muzzle from my full stocked Ranch Hand using Ramshot Silhouette, not even the best powder for hot loads. I think I could get over 2000fps with H110 or similar.
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But using that line of reasoning, why wouldn't he just get a lever action in 45-70 or 450??? or insert any cartridge name here.

I get it, everyone has their own ideas of what's perfect, but I don't think he's trying to get talked into another caliber, only if it's possible to rechamber. I'll be happy when a smith or tinkerer comes by and actually answers the question he wants answered.
 
saskgunowner101 said:
But using that line of reasoning, why wouldn't he just get a lever action in 45-70 or 450??? or insert any cartridge name here.

I get it, everyone has their own ideas of what's perfect, but I don't think he's trying to get talked into another caliber, only if it's possible to rechamber. I'll be happy when a smith or tinkerer comes by and actually answers the question he wants answered.
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LOL, dont worry, they wont talk me into another bigger gun, I have dozens more powerful as it is. Although I am not aversed to getting a 44 or 45 colt also as I love this 357. I imagine if it was possible it would have been done already either by Rossi or a gunsmith.
 
Gatehouse said:
Almost none of the 30-30 factory ammo I have chronographed over the years meets factory claimed velocity. Many loads come in well under 2000 FPS.
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There's a post in the reloading section. I reproduced a Hornady Leverevolution factory load. Factory states 2400fps, the Hornady's reloading data lists max at 2300. The factory ammo came in pennies over 2400fps and so did mine at max load. This was using a 160gr FTX projectile. I used my Marlin 336BL for the test.
-J
 
sgt.rock said:
LOL, dont worry, they wont talk me into another bigger gun, I have dozens more powerful as it is. Although I am not aversed to getting a 44 or 45 colt also as I love this 357. I imagine if it was possible it would have been done already either by Rossi or a gunsmith.
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I know there's a newer cartridge called the 350 Legend that would probably be the modern version of the Max, but IIRC it usually comes in bolt action rifles. I think that would be fun (maybe not useful) in a way.
 
saskgunowner101 said:
I know there's a newer cartridge called the 350 Legend that would probably be the modern version of the Max, but IIRC it usually comes in bolt action rifles. I think that would be fun (maybe not useful) in a way.
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Thats even longer than the Max though, 43mm case length and 57mm OAL (vs 40.8mm and 50.5mm for the Max). The Legend has two selling features, first is it fits into an AR15 because it has the same OAL and rim diameter as a 223Rem, the other being its a straight wall case which allows it to be used in certain jurisdictions south of the border that are traditionally shotgun only zones but now have an exemption for rifles using straight wall cases. This is the exact same reason the 450 Bushmaster saw a resurgence in bolt action rifles in the past decade, as it too is a straight wall case and is legal in some areas that were previously shotgun only.

The Legend headspaces on the case mouth, as opposed to the rim like the 357mag/max though, so getting that to work in a gun that was originally a 357mag would probably be more work than it is worth. If I'm not mistaken its basically the ballistic twin of the 35Rem, so given the fact that I don't know of any places in Canada where straight wall cases get special treatment, I would just look for one of those if I wanted a 35cal with a bit more oomph than the 357mag. Bonus for the 35Rem (at least in my books), it doesn't headspace on the case mouth.
 
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Suther said:
Thats even longer than the Max though, 43mm case length and 57mm OAL (vs 40.8mm and 50.5mm for the Max). The Legend has two selling features, first is it fits into an AR15 because it has the same OAL and rim diameter as a 223Rem, the other being its a straight wall case which allows it to be used in certain jurisdictions south of the border that are traditionally shotgun only zones but now have an exemption for rifles using straight wall cases. This is the exact same reason the 450 Bushmaster saw a resurgence in bolt action rifles in the past decade, as it too is a straight wall case and is legal in some areas that were previously shotgun only.

The Legend headspaces on the case mouth, as opposed to the rim like the 357mag/max though, so getting that to work in a gun that was originally a 357mag would probably be more work than it is worth. If I'm not mistaken its basically the ballistic twin of the 35Rem, so given the fact that I don't know of any places in Canada where straight wall cases get special treatment, I would just look for one of those if I wanted a 35cal with a bit more oomph than the 357mag. Bonus for the 35Rem (at least in my books), it doesn't headspace on the case mouth.
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I was suggesting that a cartridge similar to the Max was available in bolt action rifles, not that he should try to shoehorn one into his rifle.
 
saskgunowner101 said:
But using that line of reasoning, why wouldn't he just get a lever action in 45-70 or 450??? or insert any cartridge name here.

I get it, everyone has their own ideas of what's perfect, but I don't think he's trying to get talked into another caliber, only if it's possible to rechamber. I'll be happy when a smith or tinkerer comes by and actually answers the question he wants answered.
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Do they fit in a '92?
 
saskgunowner101 said:
Why does it matter? He's not looking to buy another rifle, but if he did, why could it only be a 92 chambered in 45 Colt?
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I was just questioning why he would do a lot of work to hot-rod his '92 when there is a better choice for power, by a goodly margin, already factory chambered in that very rifle.

It just seemed very counter-intuitive to me and I was pointing out what seemed to me to be a viable option, my bad:(
 
Even if you could change it to max, and that’s a big if, the difference in performance is only about 200-300 FPS. (20” barrel). Injoy what you have, and as you know, you will probably pick up a different one to try latter on :)
 
Well, I went looking and there are some various comments online about 357 maximum in a 92, and it’s possible but doesn’t feed great and results in a past 90 degree lever throw. Not advised.
 
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