I love the look and feel of the Browning Low wall single shot. I am thinking of getting the "Traditional Hunter" model in .357 magnum. This would be for varmint hunting, general plinking, and just looking at. Does anybody have one? What are your opinions of this rifle? I have the Marlin 1894 in .357 and I love the little round in a rifle length barrel. Thanks for your help.
Browning Low wall .357 Magnum
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M1885 Browning "Low Wall" certainly is a work of art. At a MSRP of $ 1,289 it would need more that looks to attract me.
There are concerns about the practicality and/or usefulness of a M1885 Browning in 357 Magnum. Among those concerns would be: (1) the small case capacity; (2) the 24" barrel length.
Let's face it, the .357 Magnum is a handgun caliber and just does not have the powder capacity to generate higher velocities in longer barrel length. Probably the 18" barrel would be the maximum useful barrel length for the .357 Magnum. Personally I would prefer nothing longer than a 16.5" barrel.
Given that factory handgun ammo uses relatively "fast-burning" powder, the powder charge will be burned out before 18" of barrel length. Furthermore, reloading the .357 Magnum with relatively "slower burning" powder would not be practical as this powder has more bulk (takes up more space). The smaller case capacity of the .357 Magnum is not suitable for "slower burning" powder.
Finally, you should consider that the velocity of a .357 Magnum having reached the maximum in approximately 18 inches the bullet will likely begin to slow down in a 24 inch barrel. You could actually lose velocity in a longer barrel.
One year ago I was considering a Winchester lever rifle in .357 Magnum. The barrel length was 26 inches! It was a beautiful rifle but the question remains: How much more or LESS FPS will I get from 26 inches as compared to 18 inches? Well I passed up that Winchester. Longer barrelled rifles in .357 Magnum are just not practical.
There are concerns about the practicality and/or usefulness of a M1885 Browning in 357 Magnum. Among those concerns would be: (1) the small case capacity; (2) the 24" barrel length.
Let's face it, the .357 Magnum is a handgun caliber and just does not have the powder capacity to generate higher velocities in longer barrel length. Probably the 18" barrel would be the maximum useful barrel length for the .357 Magnum. Personally I would prefer nothing longer than a 16.5" barrel.
Given that factory handgun ammo uses relatively "fast-burning" powder, the powder charge will be burned out before 18" of barrel length. Furthermore, reloading the .357 Magnum with relatively "slower burning" powder would not be practical as this powder has more bulk (takes up more space). The smaller case capacity of the .357 Magnum is not suitable for "slower burning" powder.
Finally, you should consider that the velocity of a .357 Magnum having reached the maximum in approximately 18 inches the bullet will likely begin to slow down in a 24 inch barrel. You could actually lose velocity in a longer barrel.
One year ago I was considering a Winchester lever rifle in .357 Magnum. The barrel length was 26 inches! It was a beautiful rifle but the question remains: How much more or LESS FPS will I get from 26 inches as compared to 18 inches? Well I passed up that Winchester. Longer barrelled rifles in .357 Magnum are just not practical.
357 in a long gun.
There are many that don't have a concept of what actual performance can be achieved with a 357 Mag with good cast bullets out of carbines. With a Ruger OAL (1.62")loading length and some H110 you'll be in the 1900fps area with a 180gr FNGC. Try varmint hunting with a 110gr Jacketed at 2800fps.
A lot of fun. For woods loafing use a 38spl, 6.2gr AA#5 and a 160gr BBFN for 1200+fps. Sight in at 75yd and it'll be +1.5@50yd and -1.7@100yd. Velocity is still in excess of 1000fps. The wound channel will be 3/4". What lives after being hit with that? The 110gr jacketed is out of a 24" barrel and the cast are from a 20"Rossi Carbine. Last year that 180gr loading blew thru the front shoulders of a 500+lb elk. Complete penetration at 135yds. End of story.
There are many that don't have a concept of what actual performance can be achieved with a 357 Mag with good cast bullets out of carbines. With a Ruger OAL (1.62")loading length and some H110 you'll be in the 1900fps area with a 180gr FNGC. Try varmint hunting with a 110gr Jacketed at 2800fps.
A lot of fun. For woods loafing use a 38spl, 6.2gr AA#5 and a 160gr BBFN for 1200+fps. Sight in at 75yd and it'll be +1.5@50yd and -1.7@100yd. Velocity is still in excess of 1000fps. The wound channel will be 3/4". What lives after being hit with that? The 110gr jacketed is out of a 24" barrel and the cast are from a 20"Rossi Carbine. Last year that 180gr loading blew thru the front shoulders of a 500+lb elk. Complete penetration at 135yds. End of story.