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The .357 Supermag Cases
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Charger Fan
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May 12, 2024 - 4:11 am
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IHMSA80x80 said

Here's an interesting variation. Got this box in an auction, it was filled with brand new nickel IHMSA cases, however, the box somehow escaped the labeling machine. The only thing stamped anywhere on this box is the lot number on the bottom.

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Sooo yeah, I happened to stumble across this thread 15 FREAKIN' YEARS after Dean started this thing! And I said to myself "hey, I have one of those"! surprised Yeah, may as well show it, I guess. screwy

Anyway, someone hand wrote the contents onto the end flap. The price tag? I got it around 2010 & at the time, I forgot all about this thread. I have no actual recollection what I paid, but I assume it was most likely in the $25 range. Looks like originally, they had to discount it to get rid of it.

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And just like with Dean's box, the only factory marking is this smudged lot number...

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Now the only thing we are missing in this thread is some factory DW loaded ammo head stamps! Anyone? big-grin

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Scout728
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May 12, 2024 - 11:41 am
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Charger Fan said

IHMSA80x80 said

Here's an interesting variation. Got this box in an auction, it was filled with brand new nickel IHMSA cases, however, the box somehow escaped the labeling machine. The only thing stamped anywhere on this box is the lot number on the bottom.

lfbvqkq.jpgImage Enlarger

  

Sooo yeah, I happened to stumble across this thread 15 FREAKIN' YEARS after Dean started this thing! And I said to myself "hey, I have one of those"! surprised Yeah, may as well show it, I guess. screwy

Anyway, someone hand wrote the contents onto the end flap. The price tag? I got it around 2010 & at the time, I forgot all about this thread. I have no actual recollection what I paid, but I assume it was most likely in the $25 range. Looks like originally, they had to discount it to get rid of it.

DSC00093.JPGImage Enlarger

DSC00094.JPGImage Enlarger

DSC00094-1.JPGImage Enlarger

And just like with Dean's box, the only factory marking is this smudged lot number...

DSC00097.JPGImage Enlarger

Now the only thing we are missing in this thread is some factory DW loaded ammo head stamps! Anyone? big-grin

  

I have never seen a Dan Wesson Headstamp.   I assumed that all NYI Factory ammo used Starline Brass because that is what is in my boxes?

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Charger Fan
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May 13, 2024 - 11:41 pm
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Scout728 said  I have never seen a Dan Wesson Headstamp.   I assumed that all NYI Factory ammo used Starline Brass because that is what is in my boxes?

The more I think about it, I believe you are correct. 

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Ole Dog
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May 14, 2024 - 8:01 am
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About 8 years ago I was in a local  Pawn and Gun and I found 4 boxes of DW Supermag ammo, 2 357 Max and 2 445, that had been there for a long time. Got them for $20 each box of 20. 

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October 6, 2025 - 8:44 pm
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It’s been quite a while since the last post here, but I just stumbled across it.  It’s a subject I’ve been researching for years.

First, the 357 SuperMag and the 357 Maximum are two different cartridges.  In the early 90’s it seemed common knowledge that they were two different cartridges.  Fast forward to today and most think they are the same and some will defend that idea to the death.

I am given to understand that early DW SuperMags had both cartridges marked on opposite sides of the shroud.

The 357 Maximum has a MAXIMUM case length of 1.605.  The 357 SuperMag has a Nominal case length of 1.610.  This doesn’t look like much at first glance, but the Max chamber length is 1.610, and a SuperMag case might be an interference fit and cause the cylinder to drag.

Of more significance, the SuperMag OAL is 0.125 greater than the Maximum.  When I first got into the SuperMag I was unaware of the Maximum and was loading to Super Mag specs.  These loads would not chamber in a Maximum.

The Maximum was rated at 40,000 while the SuperMag was rated at 50,000.  As a result, SuperMag specifically called for rifle primers.  The Dan Wesson supposedly had a heavier hammer strike for the rifle primers.  The Maximum appeared to have been factory loaded with pistol primers.

The Seville had a longer cylinder for the SuperMag.  The Ruger had a shorter cylinder window due to the under surface of the frame sloping upwards and getting thinner as the window lengthened.

Given 0.125 more length and 25% higher pressure the SuperMag has a performance edge over the Maximum.

BTW: Winchester very briefly loaded the 445 SuperMag.  Ran across an empty box and regret that I didn’t grab on to it.

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Ole Dog
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October 7, 2025 - 12:19 am
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Thank you for so much great information. I don't trust myself to load so I keep a large inventory of ammo. And I have many different cartridges and calibers. I hope to learn to load because many handgun cartridges are VERY difficult to find and expensive. Supermags and 32 Cal rimmed cartridges especially. Also 45WinMag and 356 TSW. Even harder to find are round Tuits. 

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October 7, 2025 - 4:08 pm
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unspellable said

The 357 Maximum has a MAXIMUM case length of 1.605.  The 357 SuperMag has a Nominal case length of 1.610.  This doesn’t look like much at first glance, but the Max chamber length is 1.610, and a SuperMag case might be an interference fit and cause the cylinder to drag.

 

Not just that, but after firing the brass elongated and will jam the cylinder altogether.   It has happened so many times that I just pulled the barrel to free the cylinder up.

A lesser problem that I have had in the past when using pistol primers is the firing pin either going through the primer, or firing pin becoming stuck in the primer.   Since specifying rifle primers to my reloader, I have not had a problem

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