.357 magnum in a Thompson Center?

just curious if anyone regulary shoots a TC in .357 Magnum. I have been thinking about getting one. I have a Ruger GP100 with a six inch barrel that I like, but I am not impressed with accuracy much past 30 yards. I was thinking that a .357 in a TC with a scope would be a totally different gun. I was thinking of using it for deer. Any thoughts?

You'll get a little more zip out of 10" (or longer) 'Tender tube, and MOA (or nearly) accuracy, but the .357 Mag is still borderline for big game. If you kept your shots within bow range you'd be okay. Step up to the .357 Maximum and you can shoot your Mag stuff in it for fun, then max out for deer! JMO, Rod.

I have shot a T/C Contender in a 357 Magnum. Accuracy is marginal compaired to the 357 Maximum if the throat is cut right. Mike Bellm or David White can rechamber a 357 Magnum to a 357 Maximum and cut a proper throat for you if you.

My favorite light load for the 357 Maximum is 6.0 grains of Unique under a 150 grain bullet. I also use a small tuft of dacron to hold the powder in place and provide a gas seal. Nice pliker load. If you would like more information about the 357 Maximum go to the following website.

http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=120
http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=121

Huh, I guess I feel lucky for once with a factory barrel from TC. I have a 10" SS barrel that shoots CB's very well but you have to push it right at the ragged edge to get there. The load I shoot is Lil'Gun and an RCBS 180 Sil bullet. I have shot nothing lighter than a 165 as this has the usual generous throat. I won't throw any data to speak of, but Starline brass and Fed GM SR primers are used. This load will do about 2" or less with iron sights at 100. I am not at home to look at my notes, but it is running 1600+ with the 180.
I started at 50M and shot 5 and thought I had missed the last 4 as it was a single whole, this with irons!
I will say there are a few guys around that can rechamber the 357 mag to the Max. But as far as cleaning up the throat to what it SHOULD be, I doubt. Mike B had ordered up some custom shop 38 Special barrels a while back and the max still wouldn't clean them up to very good specs. I forget all the details, but remember him putting the whoa to the project before it got to far.
On the other side, I traded a darn good 7TCU barrel for a 357 max. A 250 jacketed and a 204 CB wouldn't even come close to touching the throat. Sorry to say I never fired a shot threw it. Damn thing looked more like a minerature 375 win, from the chamber cast I did.
Don't underestimate the magnum. I feel some people put it up like the 41 mag, has some kinda magical power or somthing.
Here is a good read, do a search on LASC. Look at Todd Spottis articles. A lot of good info there




Jeff

I know Mike Bellm has been looking for used Contender barrels to rebore to 35 caliber, 3 groove, 1:15 twist. Bore condition doesn't matter. Barrels whose cartridge is 223 Remington or smaller in body diameter. That way he gets a true bore and chamber alignment along with a good throat.

I know this is a handgun forum, but I have been hoping to find a 223 Contender bull rifle barrel at the local gun shows for a decent price. Definitely, would like to have a 357 Maximum rifle barrel to go with my pistol barrel.

With so many "better" choices available, why would you want to restrict yourself with a 357 Mag? I know, I know everybody has their own attraction and opinion.

For the same money you could choose any one of the deer class calibers and set up a nice accurate 100-150 yard (or more) deer hunting gun that would be easy and fun to shoot and hunt with.

Not trying to talk you out of it, just trying to provide something to think about. Good luck either way.

Dave

I took a big doe at 65yds with my super 14 .357 loaded with a 170g Sierra JHC and a stiff charge of 2400. The 160 Speer workes as well. I think it worked as well as any of my 180gr .44 mag loads did at that range. I know the 180 is not optimum for a .44 but sometimes you do what you gotta do.