Canadian nights are cold and long one, but pipe dreams with friends are "hot" and kept coming. How about converting standard 357 Magnum rifle to 357/39 wildcat? Not sure if somebody had this idea before but when I compared dimensions, it looked possible. The idea was to take 357 Magnum lever and open it to bottle neck style wildcat, 1.285 “ long brass, formed from 7.62x39 (AK/SKS) case. According to literature, 357 rim is .440” dia while 7.62x39 is .445”, close enough. Except rechambering, rifle modification, if any, should be minimal. By doing this, powder space will be significantly increased and bottle neck round will feed much smoother. With 180 gr bullet like Partition or other high grade one, we will get quite potent long range round in a light rifle. Anybody done this? Thanks, Onty.

look at the 44/357 bains and davis
prob a lot easier
or call freedom arms about thier 38 casull wow!!!

look at the 44/357 bains and davis
prob a lot easier
or call freedom arms about thier 38 casull wow!!!

Not practical for standard 357 Magnum rifle. Tube magazine and slide face have to be modified or replaced, most likely some other parts too. The advantage of 357/39 that those modifications could be avoided, all that is required is rechambering. As for 38 Casull, it is for 1911 semiauto only, and I don't think that Freedom Arms has anything to do with this calibre. I would appreciate if more knowledgeable members correct me in case I am wrong.

I believe that gunwriter Ed Harris did a "Mini Thirty Five" a few years back for one of the Gun Digest or Handloader's Digest magazines. It was done on a Ruger Mini-14.

An interesting project. Basically, .35 Rem ballistics in a semi-auto.

I don't see any reason that your desired changes won't work. I have been considering using the same Idea only using the old .32 Rem case, and with the new 6.7MM round that brass should be even more available. The rim dia. for all three should work with the existing bolt face.

To do the .357/Bain and Davis, you will need to start with a 1894 Marlin in .44 Mag. Switch the barrel to a .357, and re-chamber. You will need to cut the Mag tube to length, and cut dovetails in the barrel, one to install the fore end cap mounting hardware, and one to install the Mag tube at the muzzle. (note:) The .357 barrel is smaller in diameter than the .44 Mag, and the old barrel bands would require modification if retained. Another choice would be to start with a 1894 in 44 Mag. and chamber a .357 barrel to 35 Auto-Mag, this would allow the use of factory ammo. All other mods will require the same changes as the Bain and Davis.

(Added Note: Chambering reamers and loading dies are readly available for the .35 Auto-Mag.)

The Soviets did a 9X39 for their special forces, and used it in their SK and AK variants.

The performance was, or could be since much of their efforts were for subsonic suppressed loads, much better than .357 but not near .35 Rem.

Fireplug