357 magnum carbine VS 30 Carbine?

C

CCCLVII

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I am looking for a smaller fun low recoil rifle. I kind of have in narrowed down to these to cartridges (357 magnum or 30 Carbine).

It will be used mostly for plinking and as a first center fire rifle for the young ones. I may use it for hunting game like small deer, hogs and coyotes as well.

So which one do you think would be better?
 
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I think the wider range of loads available for the .357 Mag will make it a more versatile cartridge for you.
 
Both are great fun for plinking with the young ones but if you want to hunt, go with the .357. Heavier bullets are available. Although the 110 gr. soft points will kill deer size game, the margin of error is not large. You can shoot 180's out of the .357.
 
I own both a marlin 1894c (357) and an M1 carbine (30 carbine). Although both a lot of fun, the most versatile is certainly the marlin, and if you reload or have 357 handguns, its definitely the best choice.

38 special loads in the marlin are GREAT for plinking. 357 loads can easily be used for close range hunting. Since I have several revolvers chambered for 357, its a no brainer for me.

BTW, with the right load (mine being 5.1 of W231 with 125 grain JHP bullet), the marlin has better than average 50 yard groups (1.5 - 2 inch groups with iron sights off a bench)

Either way, you can't go wrong in the fun department!!!

-George
 
When I saw a Carbine fire out of battery at the range, spraying a guy's face with powder after the case head separated, I kinda soured to getting one. His face was sheeting blood...fortunately he was wearing glasses and it was a superficial wound.
 
id vote for the 357 as well. My only wish is that they would make a semi-auto version similar to a Coonan or Desert Eagle.
 
.357

Another vote for the .357. Far more versatile, and available in a variety of loadings and a variety of rifles. (Lever, bolt and pump) The .30 Carbine is pretty much limited in bullet weight and the GI rifle (and its copies) that launch it. (excluding the old Levermatic).

And .38/.357 ammo and components are widespread.
 
If you want cool factor, U.S. GI M1 Carbine has it flowing. Noisy, a total blast to shoot, horribly easy for anyone to load magazines and extra magazines are cheap. If it's all about plinking and pure fun, M1 Carbine wins, especially if you are not a handloader and you'll be buying all the ammo you sent through it.

Now if you want performance on game, ability to use a wide range of bullets and loads and have much more enjoyment at the load bench, a .357 Magnum chambered rifle or carbine is the easy winner.

You won't be able to send as much lead down range as quickly with .357 Magnum, but you can be more effective with it.

If you are a handloader, you have a ridiculous range in ability with the .357 Magnum and all of the components are more plentiful, easier to get, (effectively) cheaper and it's just plain easier to handload for.
 
I can't comment on the 30 carbine, but I've enjoyed my Marlin 1894c in .357.

I bought the basic Lee Hand Press kit and .38 Special/.357 dies and now load my own plinking cartridges for 13 cents a piece (which is about the same as the higher end .22 ammo: Stingers, Velocitors, etc.). I haven't tried hunting deer with the gun, but if I did, I'd probably consider Buffalo Bore ammo for that purpose.

The only problem with buying the Marlin 1894c and the reloading equipment and components is that I then HAD to buy .357 revolver too. :)
 
Another vote for the .357.

Could get a .44 if you need more thump. Or, there are many 9mm/40 options out there if you think hunting will be less likely it's use and you want an auto.

The .30 is really neat, but ammo cost/availability can be issues.
 
Why is it that everyone thinks that 110 gr is all you can fire in 30 carbine. If you reload, you can go a bit higher. 130 works good too. I have even loaded 150gr fp cast lead and moved out to max cyl length for my blackhawk. But that round wont chamber in the carbine.
 
...as a first center fire rifle for the young ones.
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For this reason, a semi automatic War Baby, which negates some of the felt recoil as opposed to a lever or bolt action, would be my pick. Probably better choices out there than a 70 year old war surplus carbine for beginners or hog and 'yote hunters, but the historical, cool, factor is high.
 
.30 carbine is a great plinker

Is even good at small game and easy on the wallet.
I'd opt for the .357 though. In carbine length barrels it really reaches the potential of that big old case.
 
For this reason, a semi automatic War Baby, which negates some of the felt recoil as opposed to a lever or bolt action, would be my pick. Probably better choices out there than a 70 year old war surplus carbine for beginners or hog and 'yote hunters, but the historical, cool, factor is high.
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Now I have never tried a 30 carbine but my .357 lever action is very mild recoil. If you wanted even less recoil, you could shoot .38 specials.
 
I love both Rifles, but I would have to say a 357 Magnum Rifle would be easy to find shells for, If I was this torn between the two however I would try to find a way to end up with both of them. Good luck
 
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