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Contender rechamber

mackcranemackcrane Member Posts: 1,869 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited April 2011 in Ask the Experts
Are the dimensions correct to rechamber a Contender octogon barrel from a.357 magnum to .38-40? Thanks.
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Comments

  • b0400879b0400879 Member Posts: 256 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Not the chamber @ issue here: the .38-40 WCF's bore runs .400-.401 dia. Way o/s for .357 .......
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  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    mackcrane,

    No, that is not a doable rechamber. The reamer might fit, but the bullets would not. The 38 Special/357 Magnum's bore is for 0.357" diameter bullets. The 38-40, or 38 W.C.F., actually uses 0.400" diameter bullets. You might be able to get Bullberry to make you one.

    Best

    EDIT 1

    I wouldn't wreck that 357 octagon barrel for nothing. That is quite valuable.
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  • mackcranemackcrane Member Posts: 1,869 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I was going to have the barrel rebored to.40 caliber as well. I just wondered if the chamber dimensions were close enough to work out. Thanks.
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  • rsnyder55rsnyder55 Member Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    SSK Industries used to make barrels in custom calibers for the Contender. You may want to check with them if you want a 38-40 barrel.
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  • b0400879b0400879 Member Posts: 256 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Re: "I was going to have the barrel rebored to .40 caliber as well".
    Jeeze! Why not throw-in a full Mannlicher stock & a muzzle brake?

    'Nuther headache: The extractor will need replacement to suit the rimmed case.

    Overall, it's a very lame idea, unless you:
    1) are handy w/ proper tools for this strange conversion
    2) re-bore/re-rifle/re-chamber it by yourself
    3) are sitting on a railcar full of .38-40 brass/ammo

    My money's on: "just bored & clueless"
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  • dfletcherdfletcher Member Posts: 8,179 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by b0400879
    Re: "I was going to have the barrel rebored to .40 caliber as well".
    Jeeze! Why not throw-in a full Mannlicher stock & a muzzle brake?

    'Nuther headache: The extractor will need replacement to suit the rimmed case.

    Overall, it's a very lame idea, unless you:
    1) are handy w/ proper tools for this strange conversion
    2) re-bore/re-rifle/re-chamber it by yourself
    3) are sitting on a railcar full of .38-40 brass/ammo

    My money's on: "just bored & clueless"


    I'm sure your reasoned and well phrased response was much help to the fellow who asked a simple, honest question. You wonder why some folks visit here once or twice and then leave?
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  • TfloggerTflogger Member Posts: 3,398 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I do know of one Contender in 10mm that I tried at the range a few years back.
    If that was a stock barrel then it would be a better starting point.
    Good luck, I like unusual firearms.
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  • mackcranemackcrane Member Posts: 1,869 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I guess that I am "clueless" or I would not have asked the question. I only wondered if it was feasible to do the conversion, to have something a little different. I have a 25-20 that was converted from a 22 mag. when I purchased it and it seems to work quite well. I was only trying to have some "fun with guns", a concept that Mr.b0400879 seems to have lost. Thanks for everyone's help.

    Now that I think about it a Mannlicher stock and muzzle brake would be a good idea. Thanks b0400879.
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  • rsnyder55rsnyder55 Member Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by mackcrane
    I guess that I am "clueless" or I would not have asked the question. I only wondered if it was feasible to do the conversion, to have something a little different. I have a 25-20 that was converted from a 22 mag. when I purchased it and it seems to work quite well. I was only trying to have some "fun with guns", a concept that Mr.b0400879 seems to have lost. Thanks for everyone's help.


    Don't take that as a representative response from a member of this forum. Most members are willing to provide constructive answers to questions and there is a wealth of knowledge here.
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  • mackcranemackcrane Member Posts: 1,869 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks. I hit the wrong button on that last one, guess I am "clueless'. I have had a great deal of help on this forum in the few times that I have been here. It is a great bunch of people who know what they are talking about. I shall return.
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  • dfletcherdfletcher Member Posts: 8,179 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You may want to consider a 357 Herrett instead. It's one of the T/C Contender's "original" hotter cartridges and all you'd need is a rechamber, not rebore. And of course it can be loaded down too.

    http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/w357herr.html
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