357 Magnum thoughts and experiences.

F

Firepower!

New member
Hi
What are the specific scenarios where 357 Magnum handgun becomes absolutely the minimum required. I know a few people who would not carry anything but a 357 Mag. Their logic is that it is the best compromise between power and size there can be as far as SD and HD is concerned. I have carried and still do a 357 Mag revolver when wearing enough clothing.

I know their are some good semiauto which "somewhat" address to the capacity issue, but it does not bother me at all. I am of the opinion that if I need more then six rounds to end a fight, I am equiped with a WRONG type of weapn, i.e. handgun. This is a scenario where I might need a SMG or Automatic Rifle to end the show. I also think that shot placement is more important than the size of caliber.

That said, where does 357 Magnum find its niche when there are 44 Remington Magnum, 10mm and .45ACP (although not in the same league)?

Thanks
 
For me, it is not a question of "minimum required", but of maximum power in minimum package.
I recently picked up a Ruger SP101 with 3" barrel. Though I have been an auto shooter for years, and have a couple nice ones, I don't feel hampered at all with 5 rounds of 125gn JHP. Plus, the ability to load with JSP or hard cast SWC for high penetration makes it versatile.
I has made me consider getting a six inch 357mag, as well.
 
My opinion is that the .357 mag's niche is serving up maximum fire power in a modest size, easily carried weapon - J and K frame, Security-Six, SP101, etc. size revolvers.
 
fishnfrank Hardcast heavy bullets, 180 to 200gr for bear and hogs. Heavy gas checked lead for large pcp guy and deer. More than enough to do a first class job . Just shoot with in your ability. Draw the line at black bear// big bores for larger game like elk, moose, griz, and so on.
 
I used a .357mag for CCW for several years. Not so much these days. Now its 45. I've been backing off the .357, as I have a 41mag and 44mag if needed for the "minimum." Nothing wrong at all with .357, but considering ammo prices, I can still get 44mag for $23.00/50, and it makes sense to use it, as I have no problems with recoil in the platforms I use. 44mag has more uses for me, one being hunting if needed.
 
My only handgun is an S&W Model 60 J-Frame with a 3" barrel that is chambered for .357 magnum. I picked it because I was looking for a gun for self defense that could shoot a wide range of ammunition, be controllable (if not comfortable to shoot) even with full-bore .357 loads, and be concealable enough for CCW. This gun fits all of those criteria.

In the city I carry it with .38 +P for self defense. I find it more controllable and think it's less likely to go through a wall and hit an innocent bystander. When hiking, though, I carry .357 JHPs -- just in case I encounter a bear or mountain lion.

I hadn't thought about the idea that a heavier jacketed bullet might actually be a better choice if facing a bear. Any hunters -- what do you think? I'm in Nevada, often hiking in the Sierras, so the only bear I'd encounter is a black bear. (No grizzlies around here.) There are also mountain lions and the occasional wild pig in the area. Would jacketed be a better choice for carry while hiking, perhaps?
 
The .357magnum serves well as a self defense caliber and a small game hunting caliber, it also does very well out of a longer barrel like a 20" barreled TC contender or lever gun and can take whitetail or coyote in my part of the world if you get them close enough (its no 250 yard round). Its a good cartridge and very versatile for a great number of uses.

Nowadays, I honestly prefer the .327 federal magnum for everything I used the .357mag for, but still own, like and shoot the .357 mag.
 
The 357 is a "do it all". My daily-carry-without-fail piece is a large heavy 357 wheelgun loaded with VERY stout Doubletap 125 Gold Dots loaded to the gills, about 1,600fps, at the high end of 10mm territory. Not a bear/boar/hunting load, but a superb personal defense round. A 42oz gun lets me control them quite well even one-handed.

The 357 has *more* stopping power on tap (with the right ammo) than the subsonic big-bores (45ACP, 44-40, 44Spl and 45LC). The downside is that to get big power, the 357 has to go seriously supersonic, leading to big "snappy, harsh" recoil not very compatible with "compact" 357 guns, and producing huge noise.

Then again, in an actual fight "huge noise" isn't all that bad a thing..."whoa, dude's got a cannon, let's get the hell outta here!"
 
10MM versus 357? Well since alot of people only shoot at paper, it is much better for reloading as your brass does not get lost. With ammo shortages, it is nice to not have a shrinking supply of brass. Probably some people would think 10MM better for hunting as far as terminal performance, the accuracy of the guns might lean towards the 357 revolver versus an un-accurised auto in 10MM
 
I like the 357 in a duty revoler. It suited my purposes. Late in my career we were allowed to carry autos, I compemplated carring my 1911a1 and did for a while. But went back to the Model 28.

Now me know cops carry pistols & revolvers for defensive purposes, the 45 1911 is an excellent tool for that purpose. And we know few cops actually use their weapons, but we must be really for that rare incident.

But we, on the Anchoage Police Dept had a problem that most departments don't have, that being moose/vehicle accidents. Deep winter snows force moose onto the highway. Moose like us dont travel in deep snow if they have other options. We, man, give them that option by plowing the road. Moose and motor vehicles dont play well together therefore our conflicts.

Not all the time the moose are killed, many times they have to be put down. I've killed eight or so my self, each time using my service revolver witch was a Smith Model 28, using 158 grn Lead SWCs. I normally try to shoot them behind the ear, some hold still, I have never had to shoot one twice. Some dont hold still like this guy in the picture, he wasnt a happy camper after taking out a van in a snow storm. He was taking his fustrations out attacking other cars forcing him in the ditch, I hit him just below the ear in the neck, when he went after my patrol care, one shot ending his mischief.

I never felt under gunned with the 357, I loved the 158 LSWCs and wouldnt use anything else. Though I dont hunt with it, at close range I believe it would do the trick in the neck or head. I still have that model 28 which my dept let me keep when I retired. Still a great shooter, but to be honest I found I left it in the truck too often. I figured a small pistol in the pocket beats a heavy pistol in the truck, so I carry a Smith 642, 38s but again with LSWCs. I have dispatched a couple deer, (w/ the 642) that didnt die right away after being shot with a rifle, again, behind the ear, and again never had to shoot one twice.

Just one man's opinion.

IMG_NEW.jpg
 
When hiking, though, I carry 357 JHP`s -- just i case I encounter a bear or mountain lion
Click to expand...
JHP`s may be ok for mountain lion but I believe I`d want more penetration for a bear. Think I`d prefer JSP or SWC. Idealy, at minimum, I`d rather have a heavy loaded 41mag. or larger for bear.
 
Last edited:
+1 for the woods. In a woods gun, I wouldn't want anything shy of a .357mag. That said, I'd still feel like I needed something bigger. Not to say a .357 couldn't drop a black bear or boar, but I prefer the piece of mind that comes with a .44/.41/.454/.460/.500 (personally .44).
 
I love revolvers and the .357 in particular. However, I've been in situations where there were as many as 8 BG's , potentially all armed, and 'bluff' played a good part of everything. But, I would never consider 5 or 6 shots enough with 2-4 potential aggressors as they are many times today in many situations. So, I carry a 7 shot .357 and carry speed loaders.

At least 2 shots for 3 people, with an extra, and 2 speed loaders for any needed follow up due to missesm extra BG's, etc. LOL. I would rather have 7 - .357 shots, vs 8-10 in some semi's.
 
for me i see no role for the 357 for hunting, i have a 44 mag.
for me i see no role for a long barrel or heavy frame gun, i have better choices.
for me i see no role or the 357 unless in a compact snub nose package.
the snub nose 357 makes an ideal ccw weapon.
the snub nose 357 makes an ideal camp/trail gun.
the snub nose 357 makes an ideal shtf gun.
i love the ability to shoot both 38's and 357's out of the same gun.
it is powerful and yet compact.
so for me the role of the 357 is limited but it is a great choice for those roles.
 
firepower The 357 mag starts to work were the 10mm stops . Got to look at some of the heavy and hot rounds from buffalo bore to understand.
walt sherill Same with the 9mm+ or +p= . The 9mm runs out of bullet wieght at what 124 +P+ or maybe 147gr +P,,,just as the 357 starts to shine and then keeps going up to 200gr in a hot load.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top