The .357 Remington Maximum, often abbreviated as .357 Max, is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge developed jointly by Ruger and Remington in the early 1980s. It is an extended and more powerful version of the .357 Magnum cartridge, designed to offer higher velocity and energy for hunting and silhouette shooting.
The .357 Maximum cartridge typically fires a bullet diameter of 0.357 inches and can reach muzzle energies up to approximately 800-900 foot-pounds with typical bullet weights ranging from 158 to 180 grains. It was designed to provide improved trajectory and penetration compared to the .357 Magnum, making it suitable for medium to large game hunting, including deer.
However, the cartridge faded in popularity due to issues with flame cutting on revolver top straps and excessive recoil, which limited its acceptance among shooters. Today, the .357 Maximum is more of a niche cartridge and is largely used by enthusiasts and handloading hobbyists.