.357 Remington Maximum
Encyclopedia
The .357 Maximum, formally known as the .357 Remington Maximum or the .357 Max, is a super magnum
handgun cartridge originally developed by Elgin Gates as the wildcat .357 SuperMag
. The .357 Maximum was introduced into commercial production as a joint-venture by Remington Arms Company and Ruger
in 1983 as a new chambering for the Ruger Blackhawk
. Shortly thereafter, Dan Wesson Firearms
and Thompson/Center Arms introduced firearms in this cartridge. United Sporting Arms chambered it in their Silhouette series single-action revolvers. It is a .357 Magnum
case lengthened .300". Based on the .357 Magnum
cartridge, a revolver or single-shot pistol designed for the .357 Max can fire .357 Magnum, and .38 Special
rounds. Intended primarily as a silhouette cartridge, such high velocity and energy levels have hunting applications. SAAMI
pressure level for this cartridge is set at 48,000 CUP
.
Despite stellar performance, the high pressure and velocity of the cartridge caused flame cutting
of revolver top straps (due to the use of light 110 and 125 grain bullets) , and the cartridge has since been dropped by all manufacturers who so chambered their revolvers. Single shot pistols and rifles (e.g., Thompson/Center Contender) are still available in this caliber, and remain popular among handloaders. Unprimed brass is still produced every few years by Remington.
Super magnum
A super magnum is a longer version of a magnum handgun cartridge. The most widespread of these calibers are the SuperMag family of super magnums that were proposed and tested by Elgin Gates in the 1970s.-Gates' SuperMags:...
handgun cartridge originally developed by Elgin Gates as the wildcat .357 SuperMag
Super magnum
A super magnum is a longer version of a magnum handgun cartridge. The most widespread of these calibers are the SuperMag family of super magnums that were proposed and tested by Elgin Gates in the 1970s.-Gates' SuperMags:...
. The .357 Maximum was introduced into commercial production as a joint-venture by Remington Arms Company and Ruger
Sturm, Ruger
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Incorporated is a Southport, Connecticut-based firearm manufacturing company, better known by the shortened name Ruger. Sturm, Ruger produces bolt-action, semi-automatic, full-automatic, and single-shot rifles, shotguns, semi-automatic pistols, and single- and double-action...
in 1983 as a new chambering for the Ruger Blackhawk
Ruger Blackhawk
The Ruger Blackhawk is a 6-shot or 8-shot, single-action revolver manufactured by Sturm, Ruger. It is produced in a variety of finishes, calibers, and barrel lengths.-History:In the early 1950s, Westerns were popular in movies and television...
. Shortly thereafter, Dan Wesson Firearms
Dan Wesson Firearms
Dan Wesson Firearms , part of the CZ corporate group, is a manufacturer of handguns in the United States. The corporate headquarters is in Kansas City, Kansas, and the customer service and manufacturing plant is located in Norwich, New York...
and Thompson/Center Arms introduced firearms in this cartridge. United Sporting Arms chambered it in their Silhouette series single-action revolvers. It is a .357 Magnum
.357 Magnum
The .357 S&W Magnum , or simply .357 Magnum, is a revolver cartridge created by Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe, Colonel D. B. Wesson of firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson, and Winchester. It is based upon Smith & Wesson's earlier .38 Special cartridge. The .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in...
case lengthened .300". Based on the .357 Magnum
.357 Magnum
The .357 S&W Magnum , or simply .357 Magnum, is a revolver cartridge created by Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe, Colonel D. B. Wesson of firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson, and Winchester. It is based upon Smith & Wesson's earlier .38 Special cartridge. The .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in...
cartridge, a revolver or single-shot pistol designed for the .357 Max can fire .357 Magnum, and .38 Special
.38 Special
The .38 Smith & Wesson Special is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge designed by Smith & Wesson. It is most commonly used in revolvers, although some semi-automatic pistols and carbines also use this round...
rounds. Intended primarily as a silhouette cartridge, such high velocity and energy levels have hunting applications. SAAMI
Saami
Saami or SAAMI can stand for:*Sami people*Sami languages*Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute...
pressure level for this cartridge is set at 48,000 CUP
Copper units of pressure
Copper units of pressure or CUP, and the related lead units of pressure or LUP, are terms applied to pressure measurements used in the field of internal ballistics for the estimation of chamber pressures in firearms. These terms were adopted by convention to indicate that the pressure values were...
.
Despite stellar performance, the high pressure and velocity of the cartridge caused flame cutting
Flame cutting (firearms)
Flame cutting is a destructive phenomenon that occurs in some firearms as a result of hot gases under high pressure.The most common manifestation is on the underside of a revolver top strap, where the hot, high-velocity gases released when a round is fired begin to cut through just above and in...
of revolver top straps (due to the use of light 110 and 125 grain bullets) , and the cartridge has since been dropped by all manufacturers who so chambered their revolvers. Single shot pistols and rifles (e.g., Thompson/Center Contender) are still available in this caliber, and remain popular among handloaders. Unprimed brass is still produced every few years by Remington.
Performance
| Bullet weight | Velocity | Energy | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 158 grains | 10.2 g | 1825 ft/s | 560 m/s | 1168 ft·lbf | 1,584 J |
| 180 grains | 11.7 g | 1550 ft/s | 470 m/s | 960 ft·lbf | 1,302 J |