I've stumbled onto a Contender in .357 maximum. What sort of fps w/a 125, a 158 and a 180 could a person expect w/a 10 and 14" bbl.

How flat would it shoot? And, would it be limited as just a deer cartridge?

I used to have one, it was my favorite barrel but I pawned an assortment of barrels to make a house payment. I tried 200 gr. cast with g.c. and it loved them. 2400 powder gave best results with all bullet weights of 110 to 200. I miss that barrel.

The Hornady 6th shows data for a 10" Contender, 1800fps for 160gr, 1700fps for 180gr and 1650fps for 200gr.

The Speer #13 shows data for a 14" Contender, 2432fps for a 125gr, 2058fps for 158gr and 1884fps for 180gr.

All are max data velocities.

Here's an interesting article on the 357Max Contender carbine.

http://specialtypistols.ottllc.com/sp10.html

That is an interesting article.

Is .356 a straight walled case?

Yes. The case is a stretched .357 Magnum, 1.605" long.

Bye
Jack

The 357 Maximum is a great cartridge for long range handgunning! I fire a 212 gr FN ahead of Vihtavouri N110 for about 1600 fps. Trajectories are not a factor for me as I have only shot known distances and sighted for such. My rear sight has a generous amount of travel. I usually fire at a steel plate in the shape of a pig similar to the sillouette target pig. I have hits on bowling pins consistantly at 300 yards and fair consistancy at 500 yards. Even the pig is hard to get great hits at 500 due to its size.
I use a TC Contender with 14 inch Bbl. I have never killed deer with it but a friend has killed a few whitetail deer with his. One was a 75 yard shot using 180 gr JHP. His deer was hit broad side in the lungs and was easily found close to where he was standing. When zeroed for 100 yards trajectory is flat at the ranges any deer would be shot which in my opinion should be close. There is quite a wallop on steel at 300 yards but it IS a handgun and it IS a deer!
I believe the heavy projectiles will always be the more accurate in the TC with the rate of twist it has. Off a rest I get 1" groups at 50 yards.
I have fired the 44 Mag, 357 Mag,& 45-70 in the TC at long ranges and I will opt for the Maximum any day. Very comfortable to shoot too!

The cartridge on either end is a factory 357 magnum while the three center cartridges are handloaded 357 Maximums...

I have found the 357 Maximum to easily match the ballistics of the 35 Remington but the "Max." has always proven to be more accurate....

A


http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z132/HonkerHunter_photos/100_0108.jpg

I shoot a 16.5 OTT contender barrel in 357 max and its a very accurate round. I load H4227 under a 180 gr HP Remington bulk bullet with Fed 205 primers.