357max vs 38-55 pros /cons

[brass410]

I've got an itch for a new barrel for my Encore PH, I'm undecided on 357 max or 38-55 gotta be a straight wall. Already have 45-70 in other actions and 44 mag. not any specific purpose plinking /shooting maybe take a whitetail just to say I have. Looking for input and personal experiences as title says pro/cons

[NSB]

I considered both and ended up with the .357max. The only single big reason for the .357max is a larger variety of bullets available. I don't think that alone is a valid reason for getting it though. However, I've never been dissatisfied with the Max. It's flat shooting and very accurate. I took three deer with it this year and quite a few deer over the last three years since I got it. Very accurate, lots of powders and bullets available, and it flattens deer as good as anything else I've ever used on them. I think if I ever get a 38-55 it's just going to have to be in a lever gun. I wished they'd made a .357max in a lever. I say get one of each then decide.

[Hickory]

I'd vote for the 38-55 for the nostalgia.

[Kraschenbirn]

Years ago, when I was shooting IHMSA and the .357 Max was 'new and shiny', I had one but it's long gone. On the other hand, today, I've got two 38-55s - one, the most accurate ironsighted rifle I've ever owned - and it would take considerably more than I have invested to get me to part with either of the two.

Bill

[Stephen Cohen]

Both are great cartridges. I would go for the 357 max in an Encore as it is a great cartridge an you have the option of shooting 38 special or 357 mag for young shooters. If it was in a lever I would go with nostalgia and take the 38/55. I still own a 357 max and would never part with it. Regards Stephen

[MT Gianni]

I own several 38's, 357's and more 35 rifles so I have plenty of 35 cal molds. The versatility of the 35 bore would lean me towards it as would the lower cost of checks if I were really nitpicking. I doubt anything shot with either could tell the difference. I might consider the ease of making brass in an emergency as 30-30 to blow out should be around for another 100 years.

[GARD72977]

The Encore would be very interesting in a fast twist 38-55.

[beltfed]

"A fast twist 38-55, AKA 375 Winchester, 12 twist is std in that chambering
beltfed/arnie

[nagantguy]

357 max all the way! Cause it’s what I like and have loads of checks and a brand new mold! As well
As other 357-358 firearms

[1Hawkeye]

.357 max is more versatile being you could shoot .38 specials & .357 mags but .38-55 does have that old school cool about it as well as a longer range.

[ELFEGO BACA]

I have a Marlin 336CB in 38/55 and Love it!

[quilbilly]

I have a Contender carbine in 357 Max. Love it. It is so versatile given the number of molds and sizes of projectiles for the 358 caliber. My barrel also likes 357 mag brass and theoretically also shoots the 38 SP. but I have never really tried it. I do occasionally use 38 SP loads in my 357 max brass and they do shoot well with Bullseye loads. Recently, I bought the Lee 204 gr 358 mold and tried it but accuracy was only so/so compared to the 158 gr GC boolits and the Keith 173 gr SWC-PB boolits. The only real downside of that Contender carbine in 357 Max is that the combination is so light weight that the vibration (not recoil) from full house loads is teeth rattling. I keep my loads moderate as a result and still have used the combo as a light close range bear rifle.

[dagunnut]

I have a 357mag handi that is getting the Max treatment. It's hard to go wrong for a single shot that will chamber 38spcl, 357mag, 360dw, and 357max. A 35cal platform that can be shot economically for fun and still drop any wild game found in North America.

[Martini Sportco]

Hi all, I know this thread is a year or so old now but I've had the Max bug for a few years now and might just do it.
Being in Oz, American barrels can be a bit hard to get through customs, it depends on the day and who is on duty apparently. We have some good barrel makers here, but they seem to go with 1:16 or 1:12 for 358. I want to go 1:12 if I do this project. Is anyone here shooting 1:12, and what length / weight cast bullet. I will be using Black powder initially. Then try Smokeless.
Cheers all. ��

[TCLouis]

Go for the Max and don't look back!

[lak]

My 2 cents if for the Max with 1-14 twist. A RCBS 35-250 is 1.145" long, with 1-16, stability is 1.891. with 14 twist @ 1600 fps is 2.470. with 1-12 twist is 3.362, 1-12 seems a little fast. whats the heaviest bullet youd be shootin

[brass410]

just a fun shooter, maybe a deer, or other small pests around the yard mostly for play and plinkin I already have a small battery of rifles for the more serious hunting I do, 300 rum 45-70, 300 win 338 win 375H&H 44 mag carbine,30-06 double, 270 win 243 win 30-30 win just was thinking something fun that dosnt rattle everyones teeth when firing.

[richhodg66]

Either would be fun and easy to load for. I shoot quite a bit of .38-55, but the .357 Max would have an advantage in that nearly everybody has a .38 Special or .357 revolver so you're already half way to being set up for it.

That .38-55 sure is fun though. Either nine grains of 700X or ten of Unique behind most bullet weights works great in mine at 100 yards.

[Jedman]

I have several rifles in both calibers and they are quite different from each other. The max is a very good cartridge.
It can do most anything you want but it is really a pistol cartridge. Good thing is it is a true straight wall and you can use a carbide die set which will also load 38 spl. 357 mag and 360 DW.
The 38-55 is a old timer cartridge but in a Encore can be loaded to the equal of the 375 Win. so it is more powerful and also very versatile as it can be loaded down to light plinking or small game loads and can also do most everything you want like the max.
I guess it comes down to your preference as to which fits your likes and needs. If you have both laying side by side in the palm of your hand the 38-55 is nearly twice the size of the max but both can just about do it all from target to big game hunting within reason.

Jedman

[rfd]

i kinda like the .357max. it's straight walled, so no-lube carbide dies are fine. i'd like it for a single shot rifle, load it with black powder and a bore rider paper patch slick cast in alloy. see what it could do at 100 and 200 yards - that could be great fun.