I have been playing with the idea of a 357 mag in a rifle for a deer and yote toy . Most of the shots on deer has been inside of 80 yards for the last few years and my 270 win is a deer slayer at these distances . I think that a 357 in rifle form would be a nice little toy so to say and a great little gun to start a little hunter with when the time comes any experence with one ? pros, cons , ideas what ever will be taken with a grain of salt . thanks
357 mag rifle
- Thread starter Va243hntr
- Start date
ColoradoOsprey
New member
The 357 is commonly overlooked in a carbine.
If you shoot factory pistol ammo you can usually see 1-300ft/sec velocity gain over published handgun data because of the closed chamber and additional barrel length.
That said, if you reload you can see great gains when loading it specifically for a carbine.
With 140-150 grain bullets the velocity can be as high as 2100ft/sec equalling many factory and reloaded 30-30 ammo for energy and velocity.
Some load data lists the 120-130 grain bullets can be driven up to almost 2300ft/sec which exceeds velocity for bullet weight in the 7.62x39.
The only con is the light weight construction design of the handgun bullets. They are fragile when driven to the higher velocities. The heavy 180 grain bullets designed for the 35 Remington work well; even at the same velocity as the 35 Remington when using AA#9. The velocity is pretty good(up to 1800ft/sec), and it still exceeds anything resembling the pistol cartridge shot from a pistol.
EDITED:
Keep rifle 357 ammo away handguns and labeled so you don't fire it in a revolver. It is WAAAAAY hot for any handgun except single shot pistols like a TC.
If you shoot factory pistol ammo you can usually see 1-300ft/sec velocity gain over published handgun data because of the closed chamber and additional barrel length.
That said, if you reload you can see great gains when loading it specifically for a carbine.
With 140-150 grain bullets the velocity can be as high as 2100ft/sec equalling many factory and reloaded 30-30 ammo for energy and velocity.
Some load data lists the 120-130 grain bullets can be driven up to almost 2300ft/sec which exceeds velocity for bullet weight in the 7.62x39.
The only con is the light weight construction design of the handgun bullets. They are fragile when driven to the higher velocities. The heavy 180 grain bullets designed for the 35 Remington work well; even at the same velocity as the 35 Remington when using AA#9. The velocity is pretty good(up to 1800ft/sec), and it still exceeds anything resembling the pistol cartridge shot from a pistol.
EDITED:
Keep rifle 357 ammo away handguns and labeled so you don't fire it in a revolver. It is WAAAAAY hot for any handgun except single shot pistols like a TC.
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I had a Marlin 1894 in .357 and have taken 7 blacktail deer with it in CA when I lived out there. All my shots averaged 65 yards on the deer, most were about 60yds. A 158gr sp did the trick.This was also very good for the wild pigs also at the same yardage.
I hand loaded a 2400 fps, 158 gr bullet behind H110. DO NOT MIX RIFLE & PISTOL LOADS if you shoot a pistol also! I kept them in different ammo boxes marked very clearly.
I hand loaded a 2400 fps, 158 gr bullet behind H110. DO NOT MIX RIFLE & PISTOL LOADS if you shoot a pistol also! I kept them in different ammo boxes marked very clearly.
The 357 makes a great rifle round. However I believe you should shoot the big heavies at a slower velocity. I would recommend a heavy cast bullet. This is a very cheap bullet to shoot, so you can load and shoot a lot for a little. The only problem with the big heavies is that some of them are too long for certain lever actions. But the only way to find that out is to do it. A big heavy will do a lot of damge to a deer. Tom.
bowhunter57
Well-known member
Va243hntr,
Do a search on the GBO Forums, in the Henry Repeating Arms section and in the Lever Action Rifle section and you'll be reading a lot of good information about .357 Mag. rifles and what they can do...both in accuracy and killing power.
Here's a link to get you started: www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php
I was very impressed to see how many people hunt with .357 Mag. lever actions, after doing some research. Everything from mule deer, coyotes, groundhogs, wild boar, etc.
I have a Henry Big Boy on order, in .357 Mag., BUT they're back ordered for a couple of months. I'll wait, as they're worth the price and the wait. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Good hunting, Bowhunter57
Do a search on the GBO Forums, in the Henry Repeating Arms section and in the Lever Action Rifle section and you'll be reading a lot of good information about .357 Mag. rifles and what they can do...both in accuracy and killing power.
Here's a link to get you started: www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php
I was very impressed to see how many people hunt with .357 Mag. lever actions, after doing some research. Everything from mule deer, coyotes, groundhogs, wild boar, etc.
I have a Henry Big Boy on order, in .357 Mag., BUT they're back ordered for a couple of months. I'll wait, as they're worth the price and the wait. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Good hunting, Bowhunter57
shooter444002
New member
Me, the wife and kids have killed tons of hogs and about 20 deer with a Marlin 94 with a Rem 158gr jsp over 18gr of Lil gun. This load gets 1925fps in my carbine and I have never recovered a bullet.
Something a little different would be a Thompson Center Contender with a Short barrel in 30/30.
We started off my little nephew when he was 5 with one, he has killed over a dozen deer with it now, several hogs, and a bobcat. He had to sit in his dad's lap to shoot, but the boy can sure shoot a rifle...he is 12 now and still shooting that rifle.
These T.C.'s are amazing accurate rifles out to 150 yards. If you want to add a little zip to your life, try one in 7-30 Waters.
The added bonus with the TC is a fantastic trigger and light weight for the little fellers. TC also has an interchangable butt stock for youngsers, which is a major consideration for kids. Contender stocks are cheap enough to where you could cut the stock off and have it fit for them, a new-used one runs about $40 + postage.
Good luck this year and be sure that you have a camera handy!
We started off my little nephew when he was 5 with one, he has killed over a dozen deer with it now, several hogs, and a bobcat. He had to sit in his dad's lap to shoot, but the boy can sure shoot a rifle...he is 12 now and still shooting that rifle.
These T.C.'s are amazing accurate rifles out to 150 yards. If you want to add a little zip to your life, try one in 7-30 Waters.
The added bonus with the TC is a fantastic trigger and light weight for the little fellers. TC also has an interchangable butt stock for youngsers, which is a major consideration for kids. Contender stocks are cheap enough to where you could cut the stock off and have it fit for them, a new-used one runs about $40 + postage.
Good luck this year and be sure that you have a camera handy!
Thanks for the info , I am thinking bout one in a single shots say in New England , Rossi , nothin on the high end I like to tinker with the cheap rifles to see what they can do ,plus I have grown quite fond of a single shot. I might just go with a 30/30 or a 7.62x39 for me and a 357 or something like that for my son . I got a while to go he is about to turn four next month ( never to early, plan ahead right ? ) thanks
bowhunter57
Well-known member
Quote:
I have a Henry Big Boy on order, in .357 Mag., BUT they're back ordered for a couple of months. I'll wait, as they're worth the price and the wait. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Well, the wait is over! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif I stopped by the local gun shop today and my Henry was there waiting on me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Can't wait to get my first coyote with this Henry rifle. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Good hunting, Bowhunter57
I have a Henry Big Boy on order, in .357 Mag., BUT they're back ordered for a couple of months. I'll wait, as they're worth the price and the wait. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Well, the wait is over! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif I stopped by the local gun shop today and my Henry was there waiting on me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Can't wait to get my first coyote with this Henry rifle. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Good hunting, Bowhunter57
Originally Posted By: bowhunter57Quote:[color:"green"]I have a Henry Big Boy on order, in .357 Mag., BUT they're back ordered for a couple of months. I'll wait, as they're worth the price and the wait. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/color]
[color:"green"]Well, the wait is over! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif I stopped by the local gun shop today and my Henry was there waiting on me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Can't wait to get my first coyote with this Henry rifle. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Good hunting, Bowhunter57[/color]
I know this is an old thread but how did the Henry turn out for you? I just picked one up and haven't had the time to break it in yet, but it isn't as accurate as I was hoping. I imagine that will change over time as soon as it is broken in.
[color:"green"]Well, the wait is over! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif I stopped by the local gun shop today and my Henry was there waiting on me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Can't wait to get my first coyote with this Henry rifle. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Good hunting, Bowhunter57[/color]
I know this is an old thread but how did the Henry turn out for you? I just picked one up and haven't had the time to break it in yet, but it isn't as accurate as I was hoping. I imagine that will change over time as soon as it is broken in.
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masshunter
Active member
Because I hunt in the woods my calling guns are a shotgun or a Marlin 357 carbine with a Gilmore red dot. I can carry it all day long, and quick to get on target. I have better deer rifles, but its a great yote killer. The pistol bullets will open up quick even in a coyote. Mine is first year with micro groove so hot loads with cast bullets is out. Good luck with the Henry, lever guns on hard chargers is great.