In 1983, the world of handgun shooting was locked onto the International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association sport. With origins in Mexico, this game had shooters engaging steel silhouettes of game animals at the long distances of 50, 100, 150 and 200 meters. Essentially, IHMSA was long range handgunning and a lot of fun among some great people. The sport sparked much interest in new guns and ammunition, and one development was the .357 Maximum. An extended .357 Mag, the Maximum was instantly misunderstood. People saw it as a way to get more velocity out of the .357 Mag. Handloaders immediately started using light (110, 125 and 140-grain) bullets and firewall charges of fast-burning powders. A better approach would have been using heavier bullets at normal .357 velocities. Serious gas erosion of the Ruger revolver's top strap caused the gun to be discontinued and withdrawn. As there was nothing to shoot it in, the ammo just phased out. I think there may have been a few Contender barrels made, but most guns chambered for this cartridge were Dan Wessons or Rugers. It was a good idea that was misapplied.
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