paulg
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,420
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Post by paulg on May 22, 2014 20:38:43 GMT -5
besides me have any affection for the .357 magnum? I know y'all like to make big holes and I know many have a love of the double action .357's but where's the love for the single action .357? There's many wildcat customs in the .30's but who has a custom in a straight up .357? I really like my recently acquired large frame Vaquero and yes I could send it off for a conversion but the dang thing shoots great and I like loading the old 38/44 heavy loads for it and the heavy for caliber loads and being the large frame Vaquero it can handle the warmest of .357's. I live in central Florida and there ain't nothing walking or crawling here that the old .357 can't handle short of maybe the skunk ape. Anywho, thanks for letting me yammer on and I'll get back to my Skeeter reading.
Paul
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Post by nolongcolt on May 22, 2014 20:57:08 GMT -5
I like the .357, just not in a single action, though my first was a Ruger Blackhawk purchased back around '72. But since then I only like it in a double action. Recently picked up a Security Six with snubbie barrel in SS. Good shooter.
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lange1
.30 Stingray
Posts: 238
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Post by lange1 on May 22, 2014 22:09:51 GMT -5
I have a Python that I love, but I sure have used the Blackhawk 4 5/8 a ton... it looks like it's been through the wringer. .357 is a great cartrige, and soft loads of unique or 231, under 900 fps, with the Speer 158g swaged SWC or SWC/HP bullet is one of my absolute favorites to shoot in the field. I used to shoot that load like 22s, put a couple pounds of 'em in my pocket and go for a hike, and come back when they're gone.
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woody
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,116
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Post by woody on May 22, 2014 22:29:15 GMT -5
I love the .357 for several reasons. One being it is the first sixgun I bought. I don't have anything here in NY that I can't handle with a .357 mag. But main reason it's so versitial. Loaded with .38 specials it's an excellent small game round. Actually cheaper than .22's now. Loaded up with a heavy cast or jacketed bullet very effective for deer. There are better calibers for a big game handgun but if I was limited to one caliber it would be a .357. Plus it's hard to beat for defensive purposes.
I have a .357 flat top at Turnbull's as soon as it's back I will post pics. I dont think I would ever have an old model .357 converted to another caliber. I like them as a .357. I have serveral .44 specials and love them too but I don't ever see myself having an OM converted to .44 special. Especially now that Ruger is making some very nice .44's.
Some people complain about the muzzle blast and noise. But that can be said about any magnum. Most any time I'm woods bumming a .357 will be on my side. Depending on the season it's loaded with .38's or .357 mags.
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Post by tek4260 on May 22, 2014 23:55:16 GMT -5
For me, the 357 in a single action is almost a waste considering you can get so much more from other calibers in the same size handgun. The 357 in a Single Six would be mighty tempting though!
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Post by Ken O'Neill on May 23, 2014 6:15:10 GMT -5
While its not my favorite caliber, I like .357's and have owned many over the years. I'm down to a pair of Contenders and 3 FA's now. None are for sale, if that tells you anything.
Several comments posted above about hunting remind me of my old friend Bill Shehane who killed a B.C. interior grizzly at 10 yards with a Ruger .357 Blackhawk in 1979. Long story. He used a 160 Speer driven by 16.5 gr 296. A photo is on page 316 of Shooting Steel. That told me years ago that the .357 has some redeeming value.
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Post by seancass on May 23, 2014 6:54:01 GMT -5
I too think that no one has ever made a properly sized frame for the .357, although I bet the 97 is close. It's a Great round, one of the best ever. I think everybody needs one or two. Although, in my very limited experience, I'm a big fan of it in a k-frame sized gun.
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Post by bulasteve on May 23, 2014 8:14:01 GMT -5
I've been given my FIL's SS NM BH .357. Before he moved to florida yrs ago he traded a couple deer long guns for it. It was to be a gator/shark gun. I occassionally sent him a box of Federal CastCore 180gr WFN's for it. I've worked up a load using the 180gr XTP seated out for more volume. I keep a few hundred rounds of play loads on hand for it too. I'm sure a great nephew will be shooting it someday. Within the next week I'll get my hands on some FFFG black powder and make up some loads for it.
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Post by Stump Buster on May 23, 2014 13:07:37 GMT -5
If Ruger brought out a Stainless FT in 357Mag, I'd pick one up for sure (If I could inspect it first).
I'm down to 2 in revolvers (both DA) and one new MGM contender carbine barrel that shoots 110gr JHP's like a laser.
Like Skeeter... I consider the 357 a Friend.
Stump
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Post by serialsolver on May 23, 2014 17:28:42 GMT -5
I have been thinking more and more about the 35 bore here lately and i am liking the ideal of a .35 bore for a everyday carry gun here on the ranch. enough power for predators, two and four legs and its flat shooting. it will handle anything in se Oklahoma except the boggy creek monster. pick the right 357 and the pistol is lighter and so is the ammo and that's important while workin a ranch. here is an old pics of my custom 357. I need to take a new photo it now has the aluminum grip frame back on it cause its lighter than the brass frame.  |
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Post by 375supermag on May 23, 2014 19:57:06 GMT -5
Hi..?
I am a big fan of the .357Mag in both DA/SA revolvers.
I use them for general shooting and plinking, as well as for occassional hunting for groundhogs, coyotes and deer.
Not my first choice for deer but with the right load and range restrictions, it will work.
I own three BlackHawks in .357Mag,along with two Colt Troopers and a S&W 686 Silhouette model. All are used regularly and sometimes one of the Troopers is used as a carry gun.
My son and I easily shoot at least 2000 .357Mag reloads of various bullet styles and power levels each shooting season,plus nearly another 1000 I load for a friend.
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Post by Ken O'Neill on May 25, 2014 5:59:46 GMT -5
If Ruger brought out a Stainless FT in 357Mag, I'd pick one up for sure (If I could inspect it first). I'm down to 2 in revolvers (both DA) and one new MGM contender carbine barrel that shoots 110gr JHP's like a laser. Like Skeeter... I consider the 357 a Friend. Stump Last year I told Jason Cloessner of Lipseys that I'd also like to see a stainless FT in .357 Mag. He said "Its on the list". I hope we see one before too long, but who knows? |
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Post by sheriff on May 25, 2014 11:18:59 GMT -5
It's not my favorite (I'm fond of the .45), but as many have already stated, I've always got one or two 'on hand'.
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Post by seancass on May 25, 2014 11:38:15 GMT -5
I've shot a bit of 38 but yesterday I loaded up my first rounds of .357 Ever! Thanks for the inspiration! To be fired in a S&W Model 13.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2014 14:32:39 GMT -5
I always seem to have more 357 DA revolvers on hand than any other gun. If I could only have one caliber, it would be 38/357. I cast for them, so bullet and ammo availability is never an issue. In my state, we have no big game that couldn't be realistically taken with a 357 and good bullets, and 38 spl loads are the icing on the cake.
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