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March 10, 2010
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I've got a Dan Wesson 357 Supermag that I'm going to be getting out of layaway in a little over a month. I've been considering a custom caliber conversion for this gun along with my refinishing project but I'm still fence sitting. The link that I provided below is for the Reeder custom guns website. I recently put together a very nice custom TC Contender with one of Gary's 350 GNR barrels. The 350 GNR is a 405 Winchester necked down to .35 caliber. It has more power than the 358 JDJ and with Gary's muzzle brake I can shoot full power loads all day without pain. I built the gun for moose and bear hunting in Northern Maine, but that's another story.
Anyway, Gary Reeder is doing 375 GNR and 41 GNR #2 conversions on the supermag frames. Both cartridges are based on the 445 supermag just necked down to either 375 or 41 caliber. The link explains everything, and what I'm looking for is some feedback. Both rounds push heavier bullets than the 357 max at faster speeds without flame cutting and throat errosion. I haven't shot a 357 max yet, so I plan on having some fun with the gun before I decide. So here's the link, now tell me what you guys think.
http://www.reedercustomguns.com/revolvers/kodiak_hunter.htm
Here's the revolver load data that came with my contender barrel. As you can see, once the gun is rechambered it turns into a serious hot rod compared to the factory 357 max.
41 GNR #2
255 grain LBT W296 28-30 grains max velocity 1988 fps in a 8 inch barrel
375 GNR
225 grain LBT W296 23-26 grains max velocity 1950 fps in an 8 inch barrel
If I take the plunge I'm going with the 41 GNR #2 because I can get jacketed bullets for it. They also have a 358 GNR based on the 445 case but it requires a 5 shot cylinder so the Dan Wesson frames wouldn't work unless you're willing to spend a ton of money on the conversion. They can also convert the standard Dan Wesson frame to a 356 GNR which is a 41 mag necked down to 357. It has straight walls and a sharp shoulder so it chambers well in revolvers. The 356 does all the 357 max will do without the flame cutting problem and the need for a longer cylinder
356 GNR 8 inch barrel
125 grain bullet top speed 2000 fps
158 grain bullet top speed 1850
180 grain LBT top speed 1700
This cartridge is more of a ballistic twin of a 357 Bain and Davis. As you can see the cartridge beats the 357 max by an average of 200 fps.
And for those who might be wondering about the 350 GNR....
200 grain Hornaday sp has a max velocity of 2600 in a 15 inch Encore barrel. In a contender, 2400 fps would be as high as I would go because of the lighter frame.
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January 24, 2009
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Having no experience with the GNR caliber conversions, I can't give you much opinion. However, from what you've posted, I would probably go with the .41 GNR conversion, if I was looking to do one. 
January 22, 2008
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Interesting. However I've never kept up with the wildcat conversions.
"If you have a 414 Super Mag and want much more power, we can rechamber your cylinder to 41 GNR#2." 
I can see using a model 40 as there are a fairly large number of them around. But the 414 is of a more limited quantity, and the selling prices are reflecting this.
-Wayne
March 10, 2010
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wdelack said:
Interesting. However I've never kept up with the wildcat conversions.
"If you have a 414 Super Mag and want much more power, we can rechamber your cylinder to 41 GNR#2."
I can see using a model 40 as there are a fairly large number of them around. But the 414 is of a more limited quantity, and the selling prices are reflecting this.
-Wayne
Wayne, I would agree unless brass began drying up. I think Starline still makes the 414 brass. It really doesn't matter which gun you have because they can build a cylinder for it, and the barrels are nothing to make. My so called problem is that if I do the conversion on a 357 supermag I'll still want something in that caliber that beats a 357 mag for deer. And then the addiction begins. I'm almost over my contender addiction with only 1 more barrel to buy, and now I'm starting another which is even more expensive.
Gun broker is like my personal crack house because if I hang around too long I'll go broke. One gun like one hit is never enough, lol.
The 357 supermag that I'm getting comes with two boxes of ammo. I think what I'll do is shoot it until the brass begins to wear out and then I'll send it in for the conversion. By then something better in 357 might appear at the right price that doesn't need refinishing and a new shroud like the one I'm buying at the moment.
Besides, a gun addiction is better than a drug or a gambling addiction anytime, lol.
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