The 357 Maximum was developed in 1983 by Elgin Gates and originally called the .357 Super Mag. It was during the period where metallic silhouette shooting was in its heyday and shooters needed a revolvers that could take care of those steel rams at 200 meters. The 357 Maximum is based on the standard 357 Magnum case lengthened to 1.60 inches. Ruger initially offered the 357 Maximum in their New Model Blackhawk Single Shot revolver, with Dan Wesson following not far behind. Other, like the Contender also offered their single shot target gun. It was however from the revolver shooters that the complaints came almost immediately. When the gun was fired the burning gasses escaped from the side where the bullet makes the jump from the cylinder to the barrel. That flame also burned upwards causing damage to the top strap. Ruger then stopped manufacturing the gun altogether and at this stage there are no manufacturers offering the 357 Maximum. Apart from the failure in revolvers, the 357 Maximum still makes a good caliber in single shot guns and rifles. The relatively new 350 Legend is basically a rimless version of the 357 Maximum. (Erlmeier, Brandt Ref. 343A)
