350 maine guide

Anyone have info on this round.Steves pages has a picture of case.Its a 32 special necked up to 375 cal. The reason I ask,I have a 357 mag barrel that is real long in the chamber.It is 2.04" from end of chamber to rifling.I can't even get a 357 max round to come close to rifling.I wanted to get a good throat in barrel and this is what I came up with.I want to neck a 375 win case down to 35 cal this will get the bullet into a new throat.Leaving the 375 case taper and pushing the shoulder back .400" the case will hold 48 grains of water.The 357 herrett holds 43 grains,35 rem holds 52 grains of water.I have been thinking about this for a week then I saw the 350 maine guide case,its almost the same as what I have been thinking about but the neck is shorter and necked up instead of down to 35 cal.My main question ,would this be okay in a Contender? It would be between the herrett and 35 remington in case volume. I would have a barrel with a throat instead of a forcing cone.What do you think?

As far as pressures go, you should be fine. A good gunsmith with the reamer you want can tell you if it will clean up well. I believe some guys also builed a 35 Rem. "rimmed" based on the 303 British case that might work. The 375 Winnie necked down or 30-30 or 32 Win necked up should work fine too though. There's also the 357x444, 358 Belm, & 358 JDJ.

Great advice Vance. My vote would be the 375 Win brass, 30-30 case, necked down to the 35. EG the 357 Herrett. I know the Contender frame will handle the others, but I think the 357 Herrett has a little more leeway. The other great advice already giving is going with the 35 Rem “rimmed.” Just my .02 cents so do what YOU want to do.

For those who would know more than I, how would the 357 Max do in this instance?

TCMAN I tried the max it was too short to reach lands even with 200 gr bullet seated nearly all the way out.Thanks for replies.

My vote is for the 35 Rem Rimmed. KYODE has one, maybe he will chime in with facts and figures.

I have had a similar round in a contender for nearly 30 years...called the 358 Bullberry..jus the 375 win necked down to 358 or the 30-30 necked up. Has a short neck and about the same performance as the 35 Rem in a 14 in contender. I had a 357 mag Handi rifle barrel that would not shoot and I had OTT rechamber it to 358 BB and it is one of the most accurate guns I own.

I have not heard of the 350 Maine Guide so I do not know the exact dimensions but it certainly would be similar and very doable in a contender...

shortgun

Well, I guess my sleep deprived eyes need to read a little better don’t they!!

I second the 35 Rem. Rimmed. I make mine out of 303 British brass. I know some use 30-40 Krag brass. It is Easy to form cases and a very practical midrange 35.

Toby

I don’t think anyone has asked, but is this a factory TC barrel? The reason I ask is because you could send it back to the factory and request a new barrel. Now if you type letter and state that if the barrel is replaced for and reason you would like a 357 MAX(something that is not a normal factory chamber.) If you do that they will make it and it will be a custom shop barrel. I sent my 45-70 back and I am getting a “custom shop” 375 Win. Just FYI