Request advice on .357 Maximum rifle build

[Shameless Stinkhorn]

Howdy all. My state recently changed our hunting regulations and now we are allowed to hunt with handguns and rifles that are chambered in handgun cartridges .357 magnum and larger. I would like to build a bolt action rifle based on the Terminus Zeus action and the Remington .357 Maximum. I also considered the .44 mag and .454 Casull but I believe the .357 Maximum will be a better choice for me.
My one concern is whether to get a single shot action or magazine fed. Does anyone have experience with feeding the .357 Maximum in a bolt gun? AI suggests an AIC magazine designed for the 6.5 ARC with some modifications.
Thanks,
Dan

 

[dk17hmr]

I had an H&R single shot 357 Max at one time, it was fun to play with but I'm not limited to straightwall cartridges so it didn't stay long.

I'd reconsider max and look at the 350 legend if legal.

 

[357Mag]

Shameless -

Howdy!

A couple of questions…. If I might .

- When you say “ handgun cartridges .357Mag and larger “, are they also required to have straight sidewalls ?

- Is it mandated that these “ handgun “ cartridges be established “ factory “ cartridges, or…. would a “ wildcat “ handgun size cartridge .35 calibre & above be allowed ?

Curios to know, what NH requires for a legal deer rifle.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[danny]

Howdy all. My state recently changed our hunting regulations and now we are allowed to hunt with handguns and rifles that are chambered in handgun cartridges .357 magnum and larger. I would like to build a bolt action rifle based on the Terminus Zeus action and the Remington .357 Maximum. I also considered the .44 mag and .454 Casull but I believe the .357 Maximum will be a better choice for me.
My one concern is whether to get a single shot action or magazine fed. Does anyone have experience with feeding the .357 Maximum in a bolt gun? AI suggests an AIC magazine designed for the 6.5 ARC with some modifications.
Thanks,
Dan

Someone once let me shoot their Ruger 77/44 bolt action. That was a lot of fun, and it is not an Apples: Apples comparison, but close. The rounds fed fine, but that is a rotary magazine. I would say that the magazine is preferable, but that also depends upon your preferences, the specific action's feeding ability and your states magazine laws regarding deer hunting.

Danny

 

[danny]

Shameless -

Howdy!

A couple of questions…. If I might .

- When you say “ handgun cartridges .357Mag and larger “, are they also required to have straight sidewalls ?

- Is it mandated that these “ handgun “ cartridges be established “ factory “ cartridges, or…. would a “ wildcat “ handgun size cartridge .35 calibre & above be allowed ?

Curios to know, what NH requires for a legal deer rifle.


With regards,
357Mag

This also came to my mind, because while my state allows "handgun cartridges" in rifles, there are more stipulations beside "handgun cartridge". There is a specific minimum caliber and the cartridge must be a "straightwall". There may be other stipulations.

Danny

 

[Shameless Stinkhorn]

Here is a quote from the NHF&G, "Any straight-walled cartridge that is available in a pistol platform, provided it is .357 caliber or larger". Strangely enough, Ai claims the .350 Legend is legal, I didn't think it was so perhaps I should give the state a call.

Dan

 

[Shameless Stinkhorn]

Here is the text from Fish and Game,
Rifle & Caliber Restrictions in Unit M

• Straight-Walled Pistol Cartridges: Beginning in 2025, rifles (long guns) chambered in a straight-walled pistol cartridge of .357 caliber or greater are permitted in towns with special firearm restrictions.
• Defined Pistol Cartridges: For legal purposes, a "pistol cartridge" is any cartridge available in a pistol platform, provided it is at least .357 caliber.
• Lever-Action vs. Semi-Auto: While some interpretations previously limited these to lever-action carbines, updated rules allow for broader use, though semi-automatic rifles must still adhere to specific magazine limits (see below).
• 
  
• Prohibited Rounds: 9mm is explicitly omitted from the list of legal calibers for these restricted areas.
  
  nhfishg
  The 350 legend is available in handguns however is it .357 caliber? I believe the actual caliber is .355". I'm not sure what a conservation officer would think. I think my best course of action would be to contact the state.
• Dan

 

[linebaugh]

Nobody has said it but you will have about a zero chance running a rimmed pistol cartridge on a 700 bolt action platform. I dont know any smiths who would even try that.
You will need to start with something that already functions in a 357 format like a lever gun or single shot.

 

[357Mag]

Here is the text from Fish and Game,
Rifle & Caliber Restrictions in Unit M

• Straight-Walled Pistol Cartridges: Beginning in 2025, rifles (long guns) chambered in a straight-walled pistol cartridge of .357 caliber or greater are permitted in towns with special firearm restrictions.
• Defined Pistol Cartridges: For legal purposes, a "pistol cartridge" is any cartridge available in a pistol platform, provided it is at least .357 caliber.
• Lever-Action vs. Semi-Auto: While some interpretations previously limited these to lever-action carbines, updated rules allow for broader use, though semi-automatic rifles must still adhere to specific magazine limits (see below).
• 
  
• Prohibited Rounds: 9mm is explicitly omitted from the list of legal calibers for these restricted areas.
  View attachment 1754933
  nhfishg
  The 350 legend is available in handguns however is it .357 caliber? I believe the actual caliber is .355". I'm not sure what a conservation officer would think. I think my best course of action would be to contact the state.
• Dan

Shameless -

Howdy !

Thanx for the additional information, on the NH deer rifle restrictions.

Comment:
Under the heading “ Defined Pistol Cartridges “, NH F&G states “ … any cartridge available in a pistol platform [ provided it is at least .357” calibre ].

Webster’s dictionary defines “ pistol “ as: “ a handgun whose chamber is integral with the barrel “. broadly: handgun “.

Heck, under the first definition…
IF any straight wall chamberings > .357”cal were offered in a ( example TC Encore or
similar ); they would be legal for use.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[hdskip]

I have a Henry single shot 357 mag that has been converted to 357 Max. I can expand that if you are interested

 

[BHP9]

Here is the text from Fish and Game,
Rifle & Caliber Restrictions in Unit M

• Straight-Walled Pistol Cartridges: Beginning in 2025, rifles (long guns) chambered in a straight-walled pistol cartridge of .357 caliber or greater are permitted in towns with special firearm restrictions.
• Defined Pistol Cartridges: For legal purposes, a "pistol cartridge" is any cartridge available in a pistol platform, provided it is at least .357 caliber.
• Lever-Action vs. Semi-Auto: While some interpretations previously limited these to lever-action carbines, updated rules allow for broader use, though semi-automatic rifles must still adhere to specific magazine limits (see below).
• 
  
• Prohibited Rounds: 9mm is explicitly omitted from the list of legal calibers for these restricted areas.
  View attachment 1754933
  nhfishg
  The 350 legend is available in handguns however is it .357 caliber? I believe the actual caliber is .355". I'm not sure what a conservation officer would think. I think my best course of action would be to contact the state.
• Dan

According to Wiki, the bullet diameter is .357, if I read that correctly.

.350 Legend - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Bottom Fodder]

My 2cents I’ve killed over 60 deer with handgun with 44mag 357 and 300 blackout all under 50 yards which I consider the max range for both me and cartridge. With both revolvers and contenders. I would suggest getting a Contender or encore. With your choice of either a red dot or long eye relief pistol scope. To me hunting how close you can kill one over how far you can kill one

 

[Shameless Stinkhorn]

I have a Henry single shot 357 mag that has been converted to 357 Max. I can expand that if you are interested

Please do.

 

[MClark]

I have a Contender 16” carbine in 357 Max.
No issues

 

[3Ackleys]

Eurooptic has Tikka's in 350 Legend starting at $520

 

[Tommie]

Want a repeater? Get the 350 Legend. Now if you like lever guns then get a Henry in 360 Buckhammer. Choosing a revolver cartridge puts you little further behind the eightball. Being limited to straight-wall cartridges is enough handicap.

 

[joshb]

Have you thought about a classic lever action? I bought one of the Ruger/Marlins and love it. It’s a 44Magnum and shoots 4” groups at 100.
Reading about the Tikka in 350 Legend, I’d jump on that. I have a bunch of Tikka. Great guns!

 

[Shameless Stinkhorn]

My hopes for this gun are more than hunting related. I want something I can handload and try to optimize its accuracy. I've been machining for over 40 years and I've chambered and fitted rifle barrels. What I would like for this gun is a Terminus Zeus action and a nice cut rifled barrel, preferably Bartlein or Krieger. I would perform all the gunsmithing.
I already have a Savage 220 with a custom barrel that will shoot around 2" at 100y.
Dan

 

[Tommie]

My hopes for this gun are more than hunting related. I want something I can handload and try to optimize its accuracy. I've been machining for over 40 years and I've chambered and fitted rifle barrels. What I would like for this gun is a Terminus Zeus action and a nice cut rifled barrel, preferably Bartlein or Krieger. I would perform all the gunsmithing.
I already have a Savage 220 with a custom barrel that will shoot around 2" at 100y.
Dan

Fun project!
Are you familiar with the issues associated with feeding short rimmed cartridges through a box style magazine? It can be a chore.

 

[Shameless Stinkhorn]

Fun project!
Are you familiar with the issues associated with feeding short rimmed cartridges through a box style magazine? It can be a chore.

I left a message with fish and game asking them if the 350 is legal in my area. If it is, I will go with the legend, if it's not legal I'll build a maximum. If I do a maximum I'll likely get a single shot bolt action.
Dan