Why do some people dislike .357 magnum?

Okay, the last 'chance' I had to buy Federal they were around $20 per 500. That has been several months (maybe even a year ... or two?) ago as I haven't seen any since in the surrounding area. A month or two ago, I picked up some 'yuck' Winchester at $18 for 350 just because my Single Six doesn't mind shooting it, ... it just doesn't run in my pistols. Slim pick'n alright. By this time of year, you'd think we'd have pallets of Federal sitting in the isles like we used to have..... :rolleyes: Gets me to wondering where it 'really' is going.... I won't pay +$30 a box of .22 (until actual inflation gets us there of course... and printing more money like crazy and national debt is going to really help in that regard sooner than later).


Hal, First I didn't bring up the .22 vs .357 comparison ... And I understand what you are saying, but I plink 90% of the time (you know, cans, gophers, steel plates, pine cones, hip shooting, etc.) . 100 yards is about max for my revolver/pistol practicing. Therefore, the bulk ammo is very relevant for my type of shooting.... To do the same type of shooting with .357 will cost more, even though my .357 may shoot better due to the reloading/refining of loads that are 'accurate' (which I have found of course over the years of testing different powders).
 
I now own only 1 .357. a 6" gp100. Its a blast with handloads. Lots of love for the 357 from me. I would like to have a .44 in addition to, rather than instead of my gp though, but before then it will be time to get a bigger safe.
 
I think the traditional full house 125s are too intense to shoot under any circumstances without hearing protection.

But there are more and more alternatives popping up now, like very hot .38 SPLs and Buffalo Bore's milder .357 158 gr JHP @ 1100 fps (overlaps with some mega hot .38 SPLs in terms of energy).

As far as recreational shooting is concerned, I think .357 is fantastic. If you think of popular combat calibers like .45 and 9mm being similar in popular defense loads, try setting up some targets at 50 yds instead of the usual 25 yds and report back to us. ;)
 
This reminds me of hunters that use a 300 Winchester Magnum for whitetail or antelope, claiming that a 243 is just too wimpy. If you need that excuse to use a canon, well help yourself!

The .357 Mag has fallen out of favor to some degree, but still fills the bill for a SD weapon extremely well, IMO.

Hornady ammo is the basis for the following comparison:

357 Mag Critical Defense 2" bbl 125 gr---muzzle velocity 1200 fps/400 ft. lbs
40 S&W Critical Defense 3" bbl 165 gr-------------------1055 fps/408 ft. lbs
9 mm Luger Critical Duty NA bbl 135 gr------------------1110 fps/369 ft. lbs
357 Sig Critical Defense NA bbl 115 gr------------------1235 fps/389 ft. lbs
45 ACP Critical Defense 5" bbl 185 gr------------------1000 fps/411 ft. lbs
44 Mag Critical Defense 2 5/8"bbl 180 gr----------------1235 fps/610 ft. lbs.

The 44 mag offers 50% more energy with a snubbie revolver. Complaints about muzzle blast in 357 in snubbies seem common (and I agree) but the 44 mag in a snub won't be exactly whisper quiet.

Anyway, in comparison, the 357 mag seems about equal to a lot of popular calibers.
 
I dont think there is a better round out there.

If I had to pick only 1 round for everything the 357 magnum would be it. I have seen it loaded in every thing from Pocket revolvers to Carbines/rifles to semi-autos to bolt actions to Derringers to duty weapons.

Common factory bullets run from 110-180 grain and can be found if you look all they way up to 230 grain and down to about 90 grains.

The down side is the noise. Not only is the muzzle blast huge.The Bullet is usually supersonic which gives in that high pitched noise that some people hate. Its a poor choice for an inexperienced shooter (other than the carbine)

The recoil is simular to a 44 special or a 45LC only its flatter shooting.
 
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For pure pleasure there's nothing like shooting full tilt 357s in either my SW 28 or my 5 inch GP100. 158 cast bullet and 15 grains of 2400...still have 2 pounds of that left...on a hunt for 2400...
 
The people who don't like 357 magnums are usually obsessed with 45acp :D

I actually enjoy both. To my ears both are loud and necessitate ear protection.
 
shafter said:
The people who don't like 357 magnums are usually obsessed with 45acp :D

I actually enjoy both. To my ears both are loud and necessitate ear protection.
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Small and fast, versus big and slow. It's the perfect match up. If it were a fight, it would be a classic.

Of course .45 Auto is better. :)
 
The .357 magnum is a great and versatile round and a lot of people like it, including myself. Even though I like the round, I don't like its muzzle blast coming out of a short barrel. It is definitely not a plinker round unless you are wearing good hearing protection.

I think the .357 mag is at its best out of a longer 4" to 6" barrel. When used in a snubnose revolver, it can't make full use of all powder in the case so you will lose velocity and energy while getting more muzzle blast.

I'd bet that the people who don't like .357 magnum were shooting it out of short barreled revolvers.
 
I think it is the classic compromise issue. 357 can do most anything OK, but there is also something better for almost everything. It is that simple. When I needed a gun to hunt deer with, defense, and range all in one I went with a 357 GP100, but oince I bought a G27 for defense, and assortment for the range, and an Encore for hunting, the 357 really didn't do much for me.
 
I'm a huge fan of the .357 Mag. I've been shooting and reloading for it since 1976. I don't shoot it out of teensy weensy guns, though. I have no interest in owning or shooting the .357 out of anything less than a 4" barrel, and it would never be my choice as a home defense arm.

I currently own 3 .357's...an old Security Six, a GP100 and a Smith 686-3. I've also owned a Python, a Trooper MKIII and a Taurus 66. All were 6" guns, with the exception of the Taurus, which had a 4" barrel.

Personally, I like the blast and recoil of the .357. That thump I feel in the palm of my hand gives me great comfort. I like the inherent accuracy of the round even more. Achieving tight groups with the 6" guns is almost like child's play. Water filled 1 gallon milk jugs are incredibly entertaining when squarely hit with a 125 JHP at about 1400fps.

As a reloader, I also enjoy the wide range of bullet weights and styles, and the large variety of powders that will work in that caliber. It's easy to achieve any load you might be after, from mild to wild.

I have handguns of 9 calibers in my safe, and the .357 will always remain one of my biggest favorites.
 
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