I had finally gotten the chance to do some more work on a long time project with one of my many wildcat cartridges. This one, is what I call the 357 SUPER MAX and it's based on the full length 5.6X50R case necked up to .357/.358. Here is a "trim length" comparison between the 3 cases -

357 magnum: 1.280"...

357 Maximum: 1.595"...

357 SUPER MAX: 1.915"...

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z132/HonkerHunter_photos/100_0655.jpg


This shows the first T/C Encore rifle that I have built for the 357 SUPER MAX. The barrel is 1.100" in diameter and 21" in length. My brake adds 1 1/4" to the barrel for an overall barrel length of 22 1/4". I chose a 1-20" twist rate for this particular cartridge, just to see what kind of velocity could be squeezed from the longer case...

The forend has been pillar bedded and the barrel is resting on two 5/8" diameter stainless steel pillars with the rest of the barrel being free floated...
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z132/HonkerHunter_photos/100_0665.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z132/HonkerHunter_photos/100_0659.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z132/HonkerHunter_photos/100_0660.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z132/HonkerHunter_photos/100_0661.jpg


No, this cartridge does not need a muzzle brake but I just had to put one on anyway...
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z132/HonkerHunter_photos/100_0664.jpg


The cartridge that is shown at the top of the page has been fired 18 times, just to see how well the case would hold up. I fired it, loaded it, fired it, loaded it, fired it, loaded it, etc., etc. and checking velocity along the way while increasing it's powder charge 1/2 grain at a time until I hit it's max load. Shooting Sierra's 125 gr. JHP bullets, maximum velocity achieved was a suprising 2,715 fps....

Shooting the 180 gr. Remington JHP bullet, only testing for velocity and not accuracy, I was able to hit the 2,500 fps. mark and with a couple diffrent powders, while maintaining "safe" pressure levels...

As soon as we get a good shooting day with no wind, I'm going to do some serious accuracy testing with various 158 gr., 180 gr. and 200 gr. bullets. I'll give a full report with both velocity and accuracy tests as soon as I can....

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Looks good except for the forend. I had a look at your web site and I see what you mean by stubbing. keep us informed

bones

After all "bench" testing is complete, I'll replace that particular forend with one that is a little more rounded and a little thinner for more comfortable shooting in the field....

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Not to change the subject, but do you think a Handi-rifle could be set-up and handle this thing??? You've got my attention!!!

Doug,

in years gone by, I had built many many H&R single shot rifles that were chambered for the 357 SUPER MAX...

The weather here is supposed to "warm up" a little by this coming weekend and if it does, I plan on doing a lot of velocity and accuracy testing with the 357 SUPER MAX in the T/C Encore and will be doing a report on it here....

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Assasin,

You say the trim length of the 357 Super Max is 1.915. That is almost 1.5mm less than the parent case. Why?

bones

Bones,

after necking up the 5.6X50R case to .357 and fireformming them in the chamber, they were all trimmed just enough to square the case mouth and the trimmed case length just happened to be 1.915 inches...

Also, when a case neck is opened up like this one, from .22 caliber to .35 caliber, the cases do shorten up several thousandths of an inch...

I just finished a Remington Model 7 and chambered it for a 35X223 and in doing so, those Lapua cases draw up as much as .022 just from necking them up and then fireforming....

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