Thread: What is .357 Magnum good for?

Too big for legal self defense in Peru where you are only permitted to use .38 or a .380 auto (or smaller!). Some Countries have weird laws but it probably makes mr policeman think he's safe in his vest.

- Deafening when fired in closed spaces.

- Still look cool for those who cant handle the recoil of a .44 mag

- Could be fun to shoot cast bullets out of though.

30/30 has more poke than x39 but very low bc bullets (unless you load pointed bullets) which means the 7.62 catches up. Probably all academic at the usual bush distances, they can both drop animals like a sack of spuds.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

one of the biggest issues with comparisons like this is that the origonal is being asked to preform outside its brief....

true but its only an issue if it turns into a calibre vs calibre debate. I dont think anyone in their right mind will claim 357 = 30-30. I said if you push 357 it scrapes into 30-30 energy levels. Nothing wrong with mentioning to prospective buyers what numbers a case will do safely.

Originally Posted by ojc2

Cheers, hit the wrong button, meant to quote reply. That's good to know, I was wondering if long sleeves would be a must. I showed a picture of it to my mate from the USA, he spent a few years here, his response, "wow straight out of the 1860's, the lengths you have to go to now eh?"

Yes not sure how big an issue it would be Let us know If it was a big problem, this thing wouldn't have marketed at all. I am thinking it would be a workable solution worst case, maybe even just wear a forearm guard like some sports do.

Originally Posted by sixtus

Yes not sure how big an issue it would be Let us know If it was a big problem, this thing wouldn't have marketed at all. I am thinking it would be a workable solution worst case, maybe even just wear a forearm guard like some sports do.

Many years ago I just about removed a finger trying to clear a locked up revolver so I know all about the gas cutting from the cylinder gap, I certainly won't make that mistake again. I guess my arm won't be hard up against the frame so should be ok. Hopefully I'll get a chance to let it off next week.

Originally Posted by sixtus

Yes not sure how big an issue it would be Let us know If it was a big problem, this thing wouldn't have marketed at all. I am thinking it would be a workable solution worst case, maybe even just wear a forearm guard like some sports do.

Can confirm significant side blast. It looks like I have measles and was enough to draw blood. Long sleeves are a must, as are safety glasses.

Originally Posted by ojc2

Can confirm significant side blast. It looks like I have measles and was enough to draw blood. Long sleeves are a must, as are safety glasses.

Bloody hell! thanks for the report. I owned a Rossi circuit judge recolving carbine in 45colt about 6 years ago and interestingly the blast was minimal. I guess lower pressure case less powder and Rossi might have had better shielding as well.

Originally Posted by sixtus

Bloody hell! thanks for the report. I owned a Rossi circuit judge recolving carbine in 45colt about 6 years ago and interestingly the blast was minimal. I guess lower pressure case less powder and Rossi might have had better shielding as well.

I'll give it a go with some .38special and see how I get on with that but yeah will be wearing long sleeves with it from now on haha. It really is a blast to shoot it though.

Originally Posted by ojc2

I'll give it a go with some .38special and see how I get on with that but yeah will be wearing long sleeves with it from now on haha. It really is a blast to shoot it though.

What was the accuracy like? online reviews show some pretty good accuracy with ammo they like.

@ojc2 bit of a surprise this one. I see the 22 model in GC for sale under old a cat. Didn't the powers that be stop some of these types coming in back in the day because they were easily converted to pistols? I believe the rossi circuit judge was one of them.
Don't worry-I think it is a handy looking thing although I do prefer my rossi.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

What was the accuracy like? online reviews show some pretty good accuracy with ammo they like.

It was surprisingly good at the distance I was shooting, probably 25m grouping would have been just over an inch or so.

Originally Posted by csmiffy

@ojc2 bit of a surprise this one. I see the 22 model in GC for sale under old a cat. Didn't the powers that be stop some of these types coming in back in the day because they were easily converted to pistols? I believe the rossi circuit judge was one of them.
Don't worry-I think it is a handy looking thing although I do prefer my rossi.

I had heard that as I tried to get something like it years ago but they clearly have moved on from that fear. I was thinking about trying to get a fixed stock street sweeper or stryker because technically they are double action revolving too though I think that I might be pushing my luck.

As to the use, I have a friend who used his grandfather's M1 Carbine for shooting cattle in the farmyards. (Unclear whether he still has it)

I imagine that if you can use a 30 cal M1 carbine for cattle, you can also use a 357 carbine to do the same job.

Ive shot a bull with a 357 martini, range was about 6 feet though. Worked well

But at six feet a 22LR will do the same job. Not alot of margin for error I admit.

Originally Posted by Max Headroom

As to the use, I have a friend who used his grandfather's M1 Carbine for shooting cattle in the farmyards. (Unclear whether he still has it)

I imagine that if you can use a 30 cal M1 carbine for cattle, you can also use a 357 carbine to do the same job.

not anymore he wont be.........a pity as those M1s are a lovely light well balanced rifle.
mate worked for local butcher on home kill and it was a rossi .357 lever with an aimpoint mounted forward that was used for dropping cattle. still little room for error and there is a huge difference between loads...as said earlier a lot of the loads on market are made for handguns and thin skinned two legged animals....

Understand this is an old thread. Just came across it searching for something else.
You research calibers against kills / loads / range / responsible shooting etc in different countries and you come up with dozens of different answers. Situation at the time is the main key. Like when i used to walk out my house in rural France with a shotgun loaded with no4's looking for rabbit or fox and i'd end up seeing boar or a deer so next time id take my .222 ( which is an excellent deer rifle caliber up to 100 meters) and all I would see is rabbits at 50 mtrs. ye I could of shot them but then there would be nothing left to eat. A 357 mag in a rifle will easily take down a still pig at 75 mtrs with no hesitation, along with deer at that range. I know a high number of people like to go OTT on caliber. In the USA I read a lot of people use 357 mag rifles for black bear so why not anything smaller. even a 22LR will put a pig down with the right placement.