THINKING ABOUT STRECHING THE CHAMBER OF A RUGER 1-A 357 MAG 22" TO 357 MAX. ASKING YOUR THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS. WHAT KIND OF VELOCITY CAN I EXPECT?

I have a .357 Max 21" TC Contender carbine. I think you'll be very pleased with the performance of this gun if rechambered. The following results are actual, uncorrected for distance, velocities.

With factory 158 grain HP, 2175 fps.
With Speer 180 grain FP and 21.5 grains H110, 1997 fps.
With Hornady 200 grain RN and 20 grains H110, 1821 fps (which just about equals factory Winchester Silvertip 200 grain loads at 1886 fps!)

I really like mine with the straight rimmed case.

I have a 10" 357 max contender pistol, and have been pushing 200 gr WFN gc cast bullets 1700-1800 fps. I would expect that the additional 12" of barrel would be good for another 300-400 fps, so 2000-2200 fps. I'd imagine you could push a 230 gr cast close to 2000 fps.

I'd recomend using RL 7 or AA 1680 for the heavier bullets.

Thoughts and opinions, do it!

Bronc Rider. While extending the chamber of a .357 Mag. Ruger #1A would make a nice and reasobaly powerful setup, I question the wisdom of such a conversion. It's my understanding that Ruger #1A's in .357 Mag. have a certain amount of collector status, and maybe should not be changed.
Just might be something you may want to consider.
Paul B.

THIS RIFLE IS NIB & UNFIRED.I AM VERY MUCH AWARE OF ITS COLLECTABLITY. IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY SAFE FOR YEARS. HAVING COLLECTOR PIECES IS A CURSE. ONE CANNOT DO ANYTHING BUT CODDLE AND CARE FOR THEM UNTIL YOU PASS CUSTODY ON TO SOMEONE ELSE. IF SOMEONE IS WILLING TO PAY $850 FOR IT THEY CAN HAVE IT.

Bronc,

Better you than me to have that collector's piece! I would have ALREADY rechambered it! My problem is that if it shoots I want to shoot it. If somebody tells me that I can't shoot something because it is collectible, they'd better have the readies to take it home and full price, too. You'll notice that I was enabling, I didn't even bat an eye at recommending you go ahead with your plan.

.357 max is great lots of versatilty performs like a .35 rem at the top end only a much better case and a word about unfired rifles I always figured they must not be worth shooting if nobody ever shot it Rawhider

NIB and ready for a collector?
Part with that puppy, get a NEF Handi-Rifle in 357 Mag and rechamber it.
NEVER look back.
Sides that the Handi-Rifle has a hammer like a single shot rifle is sposed to!
Guess Bill Ruger never knew that!
LouisB

Opinions are worth every bit of what ya pay for em!