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Post by steveb on Feb 19, 2011 8:51:17 GMT -5
Here in that cal., my FIL has a NM and a 5-shot Taurus. I have an uncles .38 Pol. Pos.. So am set to reload for those. I'd not have invested in that cal. otherwise. But since you already have the OM .357, I say keep'er. steve b
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Post by AxeHandle on Feb 19, 2011 9:45:58 GMT -5
Keep in mind that there is much more to the .357 bore revolver than just the 357 magnum. The 357 Maximum and 360 DW are out there waiting for you. If you can stand a 357 bottleneck there are a few of those too. My personal 357 tastes are curently limited to the standard 357. Of course there are 357 Maximums in the "set" but they are there waiting to become other things. Of course I will have a 356GNR one day.. Got to own up to having quite a few 357s. I needed an example of every barrel length OM Blackhawk 357 ever made. I had to satisfy that requirement for the FT and protected sight models. Over the years I picked up cherry examples and even snagged a few old war horses for conversion candidates. Just can't pass up a good deal on a Blackhawk..
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Post by 38 WCF on Feb 19, 2011 10:39:30 GMT -5
I have asked myself the same question. 90% of the OM .357 Blackhawks that have come my way were converted into another caliber. The one I still own was worked over by Andy Horvath and is a nice piece. If not for that I would proably sell it. (I do have a mint OM .357 with original box and papers that I WILL sell soon. Just need to find buyer. )
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Post by s0therngunner on Feb 19, 2011 10:51:00 GMT -5
You will be sorry if you get rid of that one IMHO. I mostly shoot 38 special from mine.
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Post by newrugersafan on Feb 19, 2011 11:07:08 GMT -5
That is an interesting question, I never really thought about it before, I have one old model that I shoot a lot and a bunch that just sit in the safe. I don't plan on selling any of the old flat tops or the factory brass frame or the early tranistion .......actually now that I think about it I may need a few more.
I do like the 357 round though. It has enough kick to let you know you are shooting something, is easy and cheap to reload. 38 Special brass is cheap and easy to find ( I still like the 13.5 grains of 2400 load in the special brass even if some say it is to hot ...357 only) so components should never be a problem. I know its not a big bore but it does have its place.
I say keep it, sounds like nice gun.
Mike
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Post by Stump Buster on Feb 19, 2011 11:17:31 GMT -5
One of Skeeter's Skelton's last writings was titled "My Friend, The 357". In it he stated if he was forced to keep one firearm for the rest of his life, it would be a 357 revolver. I've pretty much narrowed my handgun calibers down to 22LR, 9mm, 45ACP and 45Colt, but I have a couple 357's I'm holding onto for sentimental reasons and because Skeeter liked 'em too.
Recently, I've been trying REAL hard not to be tempted by the those 41's and 44Specials. Not sure I'm going to be able to hold out for long, but I'm staying strong right now. If Ruger brings out a stainless FT in 41....I'm doomed.
Stump
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Post by tas6691 on Feb 19, 2011 11:57:48 GMT -5
I'll tell ya why you should keep it....because the magnums all started with the 357, thats why. Its a great round, is fun to shoot, doesnt pound you with recoil yet is plenty powerful. The big bores are great, and I love them too, but sometimes a medium bore is what ya want/need. I am a big 357 fan just because. I am starting to want to play with 32's lately. Why?? Just cause.
And as usual, I agree with Axe. That was a great post IMO.
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Bile
.30 Stingray
Posts: 244
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Post by Bile on Feb 19, 2011 13:44:54 GMT -5
One should own at least one 357 magnum, and your Ruger OMBH is a good one.
I own one, along with a bunch of other 357 magnums. Why? Because it is a very useful cartridge. I use mine to hunt pigs, deer, beaver (when bounties were paid), coyotes, and other animals. I killed numerous dogs and other pedators, along with one horse with mine. I can load twice as many full power cartridges in 357 magnum, and three times as many 38 Specials, than I can my big bore cartridges. Brass and bullets are usually far less expensive than my big bores and most can be bought in bulk in just about any catalog or gun store. One trip to Wal-Mart, or even some liquor and drug stores, will stock you with plenty of ammo - try that in 45 Colt or 44 Special. And, when something a little bigger than a deer gets in the way, slipping that 357 into a carbine will likely dispatch it as well. I will add that a good USFA single-action or a fine S&W Model 29 are very nice firearms indeed. But, it is hard to beat a fine tuned Model 19 or a mirror blued Colt Python. And if you want a tank that will take it, pull out a 4.5" Ruger NMBH for that duty.
I surely like my big bores, and shoot them a lot, but for pure workman's usefulness, constant carry, and no nonesence practicality, nothing beats my 357 magnums.
Keep it.
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dvnv
.30 Stingray
Posts: 122
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Post by dvnv on Feb 19, 2011 14:19:42 GMT -5
I'd keep it, someone in your family will want it someday.
Maybe you ought to try using it for something different than your other revolvers. Something like loading a bunch of H110 behind a speedy 125 gr hp. It makes a heck of a rabbit/coyote load. After 15,000 rounds or so, you can send it in for a good working over and do something else with it. It is one caliber you can crank up without much recoil...need muffs though. Just a thought, dvnv
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Post by rep1954 on Feb 19, 2011 14:41:19 GMT -5
Aggie01, How many single action guns have you had custom work done on and has ever anyone of them been custom tuned and refinished as a 357? My most accurate and comfortable to shoot centerfire is a Ruger 357 Anniversary that was sent to Bowen Classic Arms and totally gone through along with a trigger stop and hand lapping the barrel. Living in lower Michigan there isnt much that this 4 5/8" gun cant do than any other 4 5/8" gun will do. I own and shoot larger calibers but have to say this 357Mag is my first place gun.
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Post by AxeHandle on Feb 19, 2011 14:49:41 GMT -5
S&W DA 357s... Ruger OM 357s... Ruger NM 357s... FA 357s... That last picture remids me that my second generation Colt NF is a 357...
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Post by taffin on Feb 19, 2011 14:51:18 GMT -5
I'm having a hard time justifying keeping the .357 bore in my repertoire.[/quote]
IF YOU CAN'T COME UP WITH ANY REASONS ON YOUR OWN YOU DON'T DESERVE IT.
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derekr
.30 Stingray
Posts: 353
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Post by derekr on Feb 19, 2011 21:30:09 GMT -5
If you consider reloading a hobby, and I do, the .357 is like the 30/30 Win in that you have an almost unlimited number of combinations you can play with.
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dave
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 85
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Post by dave on Feb 19, 2011 21:45:19 GMT -5
In my mind the pinnacle of double action revolvers is a 5" N-frame S&W. The best of those happens to be "the" 357 Magnum. I just have to keep this one because a 5" M27 started my love of that barrel length. I also have a M28 (no dash) to remember my first duty gun, the one I went through the academy with. And so on, and so on and so on. I don't shoot them much. I actually satisfy my "38 caliber" urge with a couple 38/44s. Using hand loads that duplicate the original 38/44 ammo it tickles me to shoot a gun that says "38 S&W Special Ctg." on the barrel and bellows and belches like a 357. Guess I could sell the 357s and not miss them, but I won't. After my ashes are spread in the desert my wife can sell them and do what she wants with the money. (smile) Dave PS: Kind of forgot this is the SA section. Two that I am keeping for my wife to sell when I'm gone are Flat-top, 3-screw Rugers. One 4-5/8" and one 6-1/2". Sorry for getting carried away! (smile)
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cubrock
.401 Bobcat
TLA fanatic and all around nice guy....
Posts: 2,836
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Post by cubrock on Feb 19, 2011 23:20:27 GMT -5
.357s are great! Brass is cheap and readily available, especially when you factor in all the super-cheap used .38 Special brass out there. Your pot of lead goes a lot farther when making plinking bullets. The most important reason to keep your .357 is...who needs a good reason?
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