I recently purchased a Uberti replica Remington Rolling Block Pistol in 357 Magnum. The gun has a 9 inch barrel, and is in "as new" condition, the bore is excellent. Fit and finish on this gun is very good, and I have owned perhaps 50 rolling blocks over the coarse of several decades, including a Navy Arms 357 carbine rolling block.

However, the Uberti doesn't shoot straight! It appears that the chamber is somewhat oversize, as is the bore. Firing factory Winchester 158 Grain FMJ 38 specials, the bullets tumble. With the 357 Mag factory loads, accuracy is not good, and half the cases split.

Trying to consider my options here,
1. Get the factory barrel re-done in 41 Magnum?
2. Get the factory barrel re-done in 38-40 WCF?
3. New barrel made, in a popular 357 Wildcat, something between 25 cal and 30 cal?

What would be the most practical options, and how much would I expect to spend?

Thanks for help

Not a gunsmith so don't know about the cost. Uberti made commeratives in 45 Colt using the 357 frame. Heard that hot 357 loads have cracked the frames on some guns. Not sure what a 41 mag. would do. If it would hold up, 41 would be a great caliber. Not much help but wanted to share what little information I have collected.
Thanks

Take measurements from a cerrosafe cast of the chamber and throat to be certain there is a problem. An adjustment to handloads could be all that is needed.

After casting the chanber and if oversized suggest rechambering for the .356 GNR. This is a bottlenecked .41 mag case necked down to .357. This way you would only have to rechamber and not rebarrel. Just would have to keep preesures down for the action.CD

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Thanks for the replies.

The 356 GNR (41-357) sounds like a good option, if the barrel will then shoot straight. I will make a chamber cast and slug the bore for measurements.

I am partial to the 38-40 round, although that would require a re-bore and re-rifling.

Fred I sent you a private message. Please let me know what you think.
Jonnytoobad

The problems you noted would certainly be disheartening.

Kewl concept for a 357 (I had forgotten they made those).

Slug the bore first. If it is over 0.360", rebore or rebarrel is gonna be it.

If the barrel slugs out 0.360" or less, then the GNR or 357 Herrett may solve the oversized chamber problem.

Mistakes "do" happen at the Factory. I had a New In The Box Ruger Blackhawk with the wrong caliber cylinder in it. Also another R.B.H. with an undersized chamber. And a Colt with oversized chamber in the extreme. Maybe somebody just hadn't had their coffee yet that day.

I would contact Uberti. Might be able to get a replacement barrel.

If the bore is the right size, one of the bottleneck wildcats would be fun. 357/44 is popular and adds a lot of power. Not too expensive to get rechambered.