MidSouth Shooters SupplyInline FabricationRepackboxWideners
Reloading EverythingLoad DataSnyders JerkyTitan Reloading
RotoMetals2 Lee Precision
Results 1 to 20 of 20

Thread: Hate when this happens.. 357-44, not 357

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Center Point, Texas
    Posts
    605

    Hate when this happens.. 357-44, not 357

    I got a nice looking TC barrel at a gun show a few months back from an individual (cash and carry). It was an odd (to me) .357 barrel with a rib and a flip up rear sight and elevation adjustable front sight. Guessing something for a silhouette guy but it has a screw in shot shell choke and is ported.

    Well when I go to plunk a 357 mag into it, it falls into a hole much to big for a .357. Chamber cast reveals it has been reamed to 357-44 Bain&Davis. Interesting round but nobody even makes dies for it anymore. I guess I have a new paper weight until I stumble across the B&D dies someplace. Not worth investing a ton of money into.

    I hate when things like this happen. I could have spent that $150 on something more useful.

  2. #2
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Posts
    68
    There is a set of dies on eBay
    2 days left sitting at $41 right now
    Not mine
    Hope this helps


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Center Point, Texas
    Posts
    605
    Saw that, just the sizing die, no seating die.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master Shawlerbrook's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Central NY
    Posts
    2,943
    Contender barrel I assume. Rifle or pistol ?

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Center Point, Texas
    Posts
    605
    10" heavy pistol barrel.. Sorry, TC just universally means Thompson Contender for me.

  6. #6
    Banned


    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    NJ via TX
    Posts
    3,876
    have it drilled and rechambered.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master



    TNsailorman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Northeast Tennessee Hills
    Posts
    2,610
    Have you checked with Dave at CH4D. He catalogs a lot of odd and forgotten calibers. james

  8. #8
    Boolit Master


    Nueces's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Texas Hill Country
    Posts
    2,239
    I just got nice 357-44 B&D dies from CH4D. Cases form with one stroke in the sizer die.

  9. #9
    Moderator
    Texas by God's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    14,402
    That was a HotShot barrel originally. The shot loads were about 2" long if I remember correctly. Study case dimensions; you may be able to use .357 Herret dies- not common but probably easier to find than the B&D dies. Good luck!

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Center Point, Texas
    Posts
    605
    Quote Originally Posted by Texas by God View Post
    That was a HotShot barrel originally. The shot loads were about 2" long if I remember correctly. Study case dimensions; you may be able to use .357 Herret dies- not common but probably easier to find than the B&D dies. Good luck!

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
    Did chamber cast. It's B&D. I have a 357 Herret barrel and that brass isn't close.

  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy cas's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    211
    Man I must be a fool, I spent money having a 357 rechambered to 357-44 Bain and Davis.
    Former cylindersmith.

  12. #12
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Posts
    68
    If it were me. I would resale it. Maybe here.
    eBay or other places.
    Might get more than you paid. Maybe loose a few dollars. Or break even.
    That way you don’t spend extra dollars on a caliber you don’t even want. You don’t sound like you are even interested in the caliber so
    Let it go. And be on the watch for something you like.



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy

    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    393
    Sounds like it was somebody's project barrel.
    I have a 357 hotshot barrel, never really shot it much. I had to throat the chamber to accept the CCI Shotshells. The square plastic shot charge wouldn't chamber. The original ones from T/C were round nose. Never did like the sights on either.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master Drm50's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    SE Ohio
    Posts
    2,361
    357 hot shot barrel is a new one on me. I didn't know they made one all I've ever had was 44s.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Center Point, Texas
    Posts
    605
    Quote Originally Posted by cas View Post
    Man I must be a fool, I spent money having a 357 rechambered to 357-44 Bain and Davis.
    If I didn't already have a 357 Herret barrel, all the brass I can ever shoot and dies then the 357 B&D would have some interest. If I found some cheap dies it would still be fun to play with but I don't want to buy set of dies that cost more than the barrel to be able to do less than I can already. I have other .357 Mag barrels and the Herret barrel so this one doesn't help a lot. It also has the dual position rear sight that would be cool if I was into silhouette seriously which I'm not either. I thought I'd be ably to play at the silhouette range (informally) with the dual position sight and just load up 38 specials for it. At least that's what I was thinking when I handed over my money. It'll most likely be traded or sold.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Center Point, Texas
    Posts
    605
    Quote Originally Posted by Drm50 View Post
    357 hot shot barrel is a new one on me. I didn't know they made one all I've ever had was 44s.
    I don't really know what this barrel is. It is like a hotshot but not. I have a 45/410 barrel if I want to shoot shot. Also have a.44mag with the screw on choke for .44 shot loads.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails xIMG_7673.jpg  

  17. #17
    Boolit Master




    bruce drake's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Brownsburg, Indiana
    Posts
    4,231
    Someone already mentioned CH4D so I'll just say DITTO on their quality.
    I Cast my Boolits, Therefore I am Happy.
    Bona Fide member of the Jeff Brown Hunt Club

  18. #18
    Moderator
    Texas by God's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    14,402
    Does the internal choke have straight grooves?

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

  19. #19
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Center Point, Texas
    Posts
    605
    Quote Originally Posted by Texas by God View Post
    Does the internal choke have straight grooves?

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
    As near as I can tell, yes.

  20. #20
    Moderator
    Texas by God's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    14,402
    I know next to nothing about Contenders but I do remember those being advertised. The ribbed choke was to halt the spin of the shot capsule to create a shot pattern. The rear sight folded for wing shooting. If you can't sell it; stub it to something neat.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check