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Would it be better to buy a Henry Single shot 357 and have it rechambered to 357 Max or buy a TC pro hunter frame and then add an MGM barrel ? The other alternative is to pay 1400 for a Ruger No 1 in 357 and have it rechambered.

RIght now leaning towards the TC . Thoughts?

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I can tell you that my G2 Max barrel from MGM shoots all kinds of .357 cal bullets very well, from .38 Spl wadcutters at subsonic speeds to 200 gr. .358 Win bullets. They kind of specialize in the Max. If you already have a G2 or an Encore, that would be the way to go, IMO.


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Originally Posted by Mesa
I can tell you that my G2 Max barrel from MGM shoots all kinds of .357 cal bullets very well, from .38 Spl wadcutters at subsonic speeds to 200 gr. .358 Win bullets. They kind of specialize in the Max. If you already have a G2 or an Encore, that would be the way to go, IMO.


I do not have either yet. I will probably buy a SS pro hunter frame kit, have the trigger done and order a barrel from MGM . I have always wanted a 357 max

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Better be sure you have a source of brass for the 357 Max. I have not seen any for several years.








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There have been several sources of 357 Max brass available over the past 12 months.

Last edited by OSU_Sig; 12/06/18.

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The Henry would definitely be a lot cheaper then the other two. I have had many Contenders and Encores in the pistol configuration and liked them. Thought I’d try the Encore in rifle configuration and did not like the feel of the pistol grip on the rifle stock and sold it before I even shot it. I would definitely handle a complete Encore rifle before ordering a rifle frame/stock to make sure it feels comfortable to you. Other than a heavy trigger pull ( which can be fixed ) I’ve heard lots of positive comments on the Henry on GBO. Starline is making Max brass.

Last edited by rocket7292; 12/06/18.
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Originally Posted by rocket7292
The Henry would definitely be a lot cheaper then the other two. I have had many Contenders and Encores in the pistol configuration and liked them. Thought I’d try the Encore in rifle configuration and did not like the feel of the pistol grip on the rifle stock and sold it before I even shot it. I would definitely handle a complete Encore rifle before ordering a rifle frame/stock to make sure it feels comfortable to you. Other than a heavy trigger pull ( which can be fixed ) I’ve heard lots of positive comments on the Henry on GBO. Starline is making Max brass.



I have had a Pro hunter before in 223 and a muzzleloader barrel. I can live with it , I do prefer the lines of the Henry but also read about the trigger issues.

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Cabelas and Midway have Remington 357 max brass now too.

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I believe Mike Bellm has started to work with the henry in 357 max. might look at his site

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I’d do the Encore, or G2 contender.
I had the G2 pistol in 357 max, with MGM 12” barrel. It was an excellent hunting handgun.


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Guys, thanks for the input

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I'm thinking that Starline had a recent run on Max brass also.


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Originally Posted by LouisB
I'm thinking that Starline had a recent run on Max brass also.



DOes not seem to be an issue getting brass for it .

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Get a Encore with MGM barrel. You can make better use in case capacity, load long close to rifling.

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Another vote for TC, in either Contender or Encore format.

Have owned a 357max (usually several at a time) for the last 20 years or so, its been pretty agreeable to load for & hunt with.... I currently have a 10" armour alloy contender barrel in 357 max, plus a 21" blued factory tapered carbine barrel, and a 24" stainless tapered TC custom shop carbine barrel.

And, also have an H&R handi-rifle that had started as a sloppy chambered .357mag; it was reamed to .357max, and was then topped with williams ghost ring sights instead of glass.

My most used load is the Hornady 180XTP seated out long to the bottom cannelure, with 22.0gr Hodgdon Lil Gun...shot those over the chrono about 2 weeks ago while in deer camp; 21" factory carbine barrel clocked at 2137fps, with 3 shot groups averaging just under an inch at 102 yards.

Back quite a few years ago , Remington did a run of 150gr .358 PSP's as a component bullet that was for the .35rem....In my 24" .357max TC custom shop carbine those were running a touch over 2400fps.

If you do go with a TC format, MGM will throat your barrel for whatever you want, if you send them a dummy round.


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Originally Posted by Oldelkhunter
Originally Posted by Mesa
I can tell you that my G2 Max barrel from MGM shoots all kinds of .357 cal bullets very well, from .38 Spl wadcutters at subsonic speeds to 200 gr. .358 Win bullets. They kind of specialize in the Max. If you already have a G2 or an Encore, that would be the way to go, IMO.


I do not have either yet. I will probably buy a SS pro hunter frame kit, have the trigger done and order a barrel from MGM . I have always wanted a 357 max


You might want to check the prices on frames from EABCO. They will do an action job before shipping it out and they often have frames on sale along with a discount on the action job w/ purchase. Might save on shipping at least.


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Originally Posted by FyrepowrX
Another vote for TC, in either Contender or Encore format.

Have owned a 357max (usually several at a time) for the last 20 years or so, its been pretty agreeable to load for & hunt with.... I currently have a 10" armour alloy contender barrel in 357 max, plus a 21" blued factory tapered carbine barrel, and a 24" stainless tapered TC custom shop carbine barrel.

And, also have an H&R handi-rifle that had started as a sloppy chambered .357mag; it was reamed to .357max, and was then topped with williams ghost ring sights instead of glass.

My most used load is the Hornady 180XTP seated out long to the bottom cannelure, with 22.0gr Hodgdon Lil Gun...shot those over the chrono about 2 weeks ago while in deer camp; 21" factory carbine barrel clocked at 2137fps, with 3 shot groups averaging just under an inch at 102 yards.

Back quite a few years ago , Remington did a run of 150gr .358 PSP's as a component bullet that was for the .35rem....In my 24" .357max TC custom shop carbine those were running a touch over 2400fps.

If you do go with a TC format, MGM will throat your barrel for whatever you want, if you send them a dummy round.






Also MGM has the option of making the barrel .357 (pistol bullets) or .358 (rifle bullets) to confuse you some more.


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Originally Posted by Tom264
Originally Posted by FyrepowrX
Another vote for TC, in either Contender or Encore format.

Have owned a 357max (usually several at a time) for the last 20 years or so, its been pretty agreeable to load for & hunt with.... I currently have a 10" armour alloy contender barrel in 357 max, plus a 21" blued factory tapered carbine barrel, and a 24" stainless tapered TC custom shop carbine barrel.

And, also have an H&R handi-rifle that had started as a sloppy chambered .357mag; it was reamed to .357max, and was then topped with williams ghost ring sights instead of glass.

My most used load is the Hornady 180XTP seated out long to the bottom cannelure, with 22.0gr Hodgdon Lil Gun...shot those over the chrono about 2 weeks ago while in deer camp; 21" factory carbine barrel clocked at 2137fps, with 3 shot groups averaging just under an inch at 102 yards.

Back quite a few years ago , Remington did a run of 150gr .358 PSP's as a component bullet that was for the .35rem....In my 24" .357max TC custom shop carbine those were running a touch over 2400fps.

If you do go with a TC format, MGM will throat your barrel for whatever you want, if you send them a dummy round.






Also MGM has the option of making the barrel .357 (pistol bullets) or .358 (rifle bullets) to confuse you some more.



Trust me I don't need to be confused any further

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Originally Posted by Oldelkhunter
Originally Posted by Mesa
I can tell you that my G2 Max barrel from MGM shoots all kinds of .357 cal bullets very well, from .38 Spl wadcutters at subsonic speeds to 200 gr. .358 Win bullets. They kind of specialize in the Max. If you already have a G2 or an Encore, that would be the way to go, IMO.


I do not have either yet. I will probably buy a SS pro hunter frame kit, have the trigger done and order a barrel from MGM . I have always wanted a 357 max


Exactly what I did. I love mine and use it regularly in Michigan and ohio for deer and coyotes. Virtually no recoil and very accurate.

I bought the barrel from MGM (23") and had Bellm do the chamber cut to his specs. Stainless frame from Stratton custom with trigger job.

Love the 180 grain XTP with LIl Gun powder


The Henry interests the heck out of me, but the trigger blows beyond belief and I'm not sure what it would take to make decent. It would be difficult to beat Stratton trigger job in Encore.

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Originally Posted by DLALLDER
Better be sure you have a source of brass for the 357 Max. I have not seen any for several years.


Totally wrong

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I'll play devil's advocate and say that were it me I would go out on a limb for the Ruger single shot. Just personal preference, and you gotta admit it would be pretty cool.


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Originally Posted by gnoahhh
I'll play devil's advocate and say that were it me I would go out on a limb for the Ruger single shot. Just personal preference, and you gotta admit it would be pretty cool.


No doubt. I would just hate cutting up one though

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No argument here gnoahhh. There's not much cooler than the #1.

I have a CVA Apex with a custom 357 Max barrel. Also have a custom 250 Savage barrel for it.


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Originally Posted by OSU_Sig
No argument here gnoahhh. There's not much cooler than the #1.

I have a CVA Apex with a custom 357 Max barrel. Also have a custom 250 Savage barrel for it.


I had a CVA Apex muzzleloader. I wish I had it back

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I have the 50 Cal BP barrel, along with 223, 308 & 30-06 barrels. Not sure what I was thinking but I bought the barrels pretty inexpensively.


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I had one years ago built on a martini cadet action with a full length for end. was a really neat rifle that I regret getting rid of. I have a ruger #1 action only if any one is interested.

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Originally Posted by shooter42
I had one years ago built on a martini cadet action with a full length for end. was a really neat rifle that I regret getting rid of. I have a ruger #1 action only if any one is interested.



I have one last Martini Cadet waiting its turn on the chopping block. Instead of yet one more small .22 CF I've considered the .357 Max, but have heard horror stories of that long .35 case not making the bend down and up into the chamber in a Cadet. Did you have to deepen the feed groove in the breech block? Another route I've considered is a .22 wildcat based on the Max case mainly to achieve easy loading with the smaller diameter nose, so to speak.

PM me with details/price of that No.1 action if you wish to sell it- I could be interested.


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Originally Posted by shooter42
I believe Mike Bellm has started to work with the henry in 357 max. might look at his site


If so, I'd end my search right there. IIRC, he specializes in turning .38s into .357 Maxes, or did at one time.


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Originally Posted by Pappy348
Originally Posted by shooter42
I believe Mike Bellm has started to work with the henry in 357 max. might look at his site


If so, I'd end my search right there. IIRC, he specializes in turning .38s into .357 Maxes, or did at one time.


I have been going back and forth with him (Email) I can buy it at his dealer in Ark and the dealer will send it to Mike to have it rechambered and then it is sent to my FFL. I asked Mike about the trigger, he said heavy but crisp

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If you want it light and handy go G2. Encore is a fine system. Have one myself. I also have an OTT carbine barrel and it is wonderful as a contender platform.


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Back when TC Contenders were popular (in the mid-late eighties) I had a couple of rifle barrels (35 Rem. & 30-30?) and I do not remember all of the pistol barrels... 221 FB (10" LOUD), 6.5 TCU (10"), 7 TCU (10"), 30 Herret (10"), 35 Herret (10"), 35 Rem. (14") and a 444 Marlin (15").

Also my dad had a 410 shotgun and a 357 magnum, both 10 inch barrels.

But my favorite of all was the 357 Maximum, close to 35 Remington ballistics, handy ten inch barrel, and easy to reload with carbide 357 Mag dies.


If I ever fall into an H&R 357 magnum, I will send it out to Bellm or? and have it rechambered.


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I have the Encore Pro Hunter with the MGM barrel and have been very happy with it.

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Find a used encore muzzle loader and buy it, these are seen quite frequently in paper, pawn shops and gun shows (if you can stand going to one). Take the bbl off and sell it. Buy the barrel of your choice from MGM or Bellem. Order stock of choice to fit barrel from Boyd,s (thumb hole model is cool) these are better than the tupperware, unless hunting in the mountains where weight is an issue. Also get the correct scope mount from MGM or Bellem to fit barrel contour. Go shoot stuff. You will be happy. The full bull contour barrels from MGM are a hoot, if your shooting from a bench or from a fixed blind.

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I have a new Encore MGM 357 Mag barrel that I will likely send to Mike Bell for rechamber work to 357 Max. As others have said, he's the authority on these barrels and especially on the 357 Max.


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