Who knew in 1935 that the 357 magnum would go on to become one of the most successful handgun cartridges ever! While the early guns were too heavy to lug around in a holster, and too expensive for the average man, we have a plethora of affordable offerings today that would amaze those first shooters of the early registered magnums. In addition to revolvers like the originals built oh so long ago, we have the option to get semi autos and lever guns in the chambering too. While diminutive in relation to the modern 454 and 460 magnums, the 357 is as capable today as it ever was in grampa's day to take every species of game known to man. If I was to pick a chambering to do it all, it would be the 357 magnum! Oh poop you say, yer 44 will do anything the 357 will do better! That argument falls short when one tries to download the larger calibers for target shooting and small game. The 44 mag becomes very inefficient and the 44 special wastes too much lead to wack one tiny rabbit. This holds true for the larger 45 cartridges too. Then we have the 327 Federal. By George you say, that's a better mouse killer! Yes, I love the 32s also, but they lack the bullet weight and penetration needed to hunt really large game over 300 pounds. So that brings me back to the middleweight champion of the world, the 357 magnum. If one were limited to just 1 gun or 1 chambering. It would be hard to beat the 357 lever gun with a pocket full of 38s and 357s to take care of anything that needs shootin from the size of rabbits to moose and even bear inside of 50 yards. No, the 357 doesn't do anything best, but in the middle it does everything well! And so I predict the 357 magnum will continue to be as popular in 80 years as it is today! rc