.357

[cinok]

Been tossing around what to get for the homestead I thinking about a .357 Rossi and them also a marlin lever action. My thinking is same ammo pretty basic point and shoot and i can cycle .38 ammo to practice and get rest family used to shooting.I would apprecaite any comments or suggestions

[Badger]

The Rossi didn't do too well in the last Gun-Test. I would rather have a good used S&W model 16 or 66. Centerfire System Inc. had S&W model 65's 4'' bbl for $319.99.

[cinok]

Wasnt sure about the rossi been looking for a good used S&W

[kawalekm]

For sure, get the Marlin, but I would suggest a Ruger instead. Simple it disassemble to completely clean and hard as nails. Also, they'll handle hot handloads even better than a Smith.
Michael

[cinok]

Thanks

[OzarksJohn]

Howdy.

Marlin levers and Ruger revolvers are what have won the MODERN frontier homesteaders hearts. One of the most useful family of cartridges ever invented. .38 Special and .357 Magnum.OzarksJohn

[jim]

Welcome back OJ! Thought you'd left us.

jim

[Stinger]

:) 'Simple to take apart and clean' isn't my idea of one of Ruger's strong points. This said, I own both Ruger AND Smith & Wesson revolvers. (Wouldn't touch a Rossi with a 10 foot pole!) :P

The Rugers are built like tanks; if you don't mind spending a little money with a gunsmith you can get a pretty good trigger on a Ruger, too. The lock time will, however, always be longer than on a Smith & Wesson.

Most people will never notice this increased lock time, though; it only comes into play on really long (100 yard +) revolver shots.

Some people do shoot 38 special in 357 magnum revolvers. I don't. Instead, I download my 357 cases to 38 special velocities.

You should be able to find good deals on used Smith & Wesson, 'N' or, 'L' frame revolvers. I will caution you, though, to stay far away from Smith's, 'K' frames. You might find a nice used Ruger, too!

Here's how to checkout a used handgun: Buying A Used Pistol (http://www.chuckhawks.com/used_handgun.htm)

[Lanark_Sixgunner]

I have a Ruger Security Six, it is an awesome gun-and the GP100 should be even better. My personal plinking handload for the .38 is 4 gr. Unique under a 105 or 158 gr. cast bullet.

Have fun!

[88tc]

If I were currently looking to buy a .357, I would consider a Taurus Tracker.

http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=265&category=Revolver

[rice paddy daddy]

Taurus makes a fine revolver. I have 2 in 357, a snubby (for the truck), and a 4" for the house.

[9er]

I have a S&W 16. Awesome gun.

I'm going to pick up a Tarus snub for a CCW soon. I know several folks who have Taurus .357s and rave about them.

I've always wanted a .357 lever too. Maybe someday...

[colby1979]

I had to send my last taurus back to the factory as it had timing problems out of the box. Also, a friend of mine just got one of te new ruger .327s and it is on it's second trip back to the factory. I would stick with a S&W and have a marlin lever gun as a bck up.

[remington]

I too have had problems with Rugers although it was the Super Redhawk. The fired cases stuck in the cylinders no matter what loads were used. The gun was exchanged for another and it did the same thing.

[MissouriFree]

New to the game also.,but by next fall will be in middle of my 40 acres of trees in missouri hills( hopin not to come out to much) and have been giving thought to my list.

1. protection - Ruger 357. mostly cause it was cheaper than an S&W
2. fun/snakes - Ruger Single 6
3. Marlin 336 for nearly everything else.
4. and I would love to have a Ruger Model 1 in 30-30. would be interesting you folks commenting on that one.

[docsoos]

4. and I would love to have a Ruger Model 1 in 30-30. would be interesting you folks commenting on that one. *

Hmmm....I don't know what the retail price is on a new Number 1, but I'd bet it's 3 to 4 times what a NEF Handi-Rifle is. True, the fit and finish of the Number 1 will be first rate, but for accuracy and utility, not to mention price brand new, I don't see the Ruger topping the Handi-rifle.

I own a FEW of these, in multiple rifle calibers and shotgun gauges, and they are tack drivers and extremely pleasant to shoot AND to pack through the woods, due to their short, carbine-length barrels.

Best Bang for the Buck, literally, IMHO.

DocSoos

[MissouriFree]

Doc you are certainly right about the price nearly 3 times as much in same caliber. How do you like the break open as compared to the falling block ?

[rice paddy daddy]

I have 2 Handi's, a scoped 22 Hornet for predator control, and a 45-70 just 'cause I like the old timey stuff. Plus a 45-70 will kill anything on the north American continent, in case a grizzly ever shows up in Florida. :D The new rifles don't eject the empties, just extract them.

[Tuckahoe]

Good pair the Marlin 1894 in .357 and S&W revolver.
Remember the pistol is a back up for the rifle.
We went with the 1894 in .44 magnum and Ruger Redhawk .44

[Old_John]

Plus 1, on the Marlin 1894 in .357 mag, and the Ruger, GP100, .357 magnum revolver. Good combination.
Both are built solid.

[cinok]

I've about given up on the marlin can't sem to find one any where

[rice paddy daddy]

There's a Winchester 92 clone made by Rossi (Taurus) sold under the name "Puma". A friend has a 357 (they also come in 45 Colt and 454 Casul) and he likes it. The bad thing is it's been "lawyered up" with a safety on the top of the bolt. Unobtrusive, but there.

[cinok]

I saw them but I am also thinking about the Henry Only drawback besides price it looks so pretty I might what to kiss it instead of shooting it.

[Clem]

The Marlin 1894C in .357 is the logical choice for a rifle.

The choice for a .357 handgun is more difficult, there are so many good choices. The Ruger GP100 and New Model Blackhawk are very good choices. If you prefer S&W revolvers, the 686 and 627 are great choices, depending an whether you prefer L frame or N frame guns. My personal favorite is the 627PC: stainless N frame with a 5" barrel.

[Old_John]

I've about given up on the marlin can't sem to find one any where

All you have to do is go into the friendly neighborhood
gunstore, where you normally do most of your shopping & buying.......And, have them Order one for you, from their distributor.
I've done that with a couple carbines & handguns.
Sometimes you might have to wait a month or two, if the manufacturer only makes the model you want a couple times a year.
I paid a deposit & waited on a Ruger 3" Gp100, for 60 days, last year.
But, it works for me.

[Country_Mike]

Hey Old John I also ordered the 3" Gp100 :D Of course that was way back when I was single and had money, lol. Now just need the lever gun.

[rice paddy daddy]

As an enthusiast of Old West weapons, I bought a Uberti Single Action Army clone in 357. I got the low price one - brass frame, matte blue finish. It's mechanicaly the same as their case hardened/gloss blue models, but about $100 less. It's a copy of the old Colt 1873, so only 5 rounds can be safely carried, leaving an empty chamber under the hammer.
This has since become my "yard gun" that I wear whenever I'm outside the house.
I keep her loaded with Winchester +P 158 grain lead semi wadcutter hollow points - the old "FBI load".
As far as handling and pointability, the old Colts (and clones) cannot be beat.
A Ruger Single Six loaded with magnum snake shot rides on the other hip.
Where I live, my most likely encounter would be with a rattler, rabid animal, or a predator after my chickens, however the Uberti would effectively deal with any man, also.
This is an alternative for the rural homesteader to consider. We all don't need Glock's that hold 14 rounds. Neither do we need a Super Ninja Tactical AR15, a 30-30 lever action is cheaper and will get the job done just as well.

[docsoos]

Doc you are certainly right about the price nearly 3 times as much in same caliber. How do you like the break open as compared to the falling block ?

Sorry it took so long to reply...Been busy this week!

I had a Number One Ruger, stainless steel, in .30-'06. The fit and finish was first-rate, and the accuracy was superb. But, it was $600 USED. ;D

I now have three Handi-Rifles, and I find I actually like the break-open better than the falling block. The Ruger is a MUCH stronger action than the break-open, I'm sure, but unless one is shooting proof-loads, I suspect most standard factory or even handloaded ammo will never stress the action.

My pet handload for the .30-'06 is a 165 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, and it's moving pretty fast, but I've NEVER had any sticky extractions. Matter of fact, if I break open the action fairly quick, it ejects the spent cartridge brass about 3 feet to my right and rear! I have gotten pretty quick on fast-reloads and follow-up shots with the Handi-Rifles.

DocSoos

[OzarksJohn]

Howdy

With the mention of single shot rifles here, I thought that I might mention a custom rifle that I read about once in one of Ragnar Benson's books. He had a custom falling block .25/20 Winchester as I recall. He had loads that were good for everything from squirrels and turkeys to deer for that little death ray. He even had it figured out that 10 lbs of lead, 1 pound of powder, and a thousand primers coupled with 100 cartridge cases would easily feed his family for 10 years assuming there was game to shoot. His theory seemed sound to me. His choice of cartridge might be subject to debate, but the reality of it is that there are several small to medium bore cartridges that would serve just as well. A real argument could be made that a similar rifle in .357 Mag. would offer even MORE options, especially if considering deer and bear or even elk and moose as a regular possibility. I do know from experience that a .35 caliber SWC bullet of 150 grains can be loaded to punch .35 caliber holes through small game without undue damage to edible portions while still having enough oomph to punch to the opposite wall of the chest cavity on a deer. I've long considered the .38/357 duo (and now trio if you consider the .357 MAX) to be so useful that it's dang near blasphemy not to have one or more available. I've never had a carbine but it's on the wish list. A while back i got the bug to buy a .35 REM Marlin and did so. I probably should have bought a .357 Marlin instead. OzarksJohn

[DM]

With the mention of single shot rifles here, I thought that I might mention a custom rifle that I read about once in one of Ragnar Benson's books. He had a custom falling block .25/20 Winchester as I recall. He had loads that were good for everything from squirrels and turkeys to deer for that little death ray.

Speaking of custom single shots and the 25/20 WCF, here's one for you... It's a one of a kind, left hand T-bolt that i came up with and a friend and i built.

http://www.fototime.com/99A45A3F74EE139/standard.jpg

I wouldn't call a 25/20 a "death ray" on anything the size of a deer, but it sure workes well on small game, and is very inexpensive to reload for.

I also have a custom revolver to go with it, and bullets i custom swage for both...

DM

[martialcanine45cal]

Been tossing around what to get for the homestead I thinking about a .357 Rossi and them also a marlin lever action. My thinking is same ammo pretty basic point and shoot and i can cycle .38 ammo to practice and get rest family used to shooting.I would apprecaite any comments or suggestions

Based on the criteria you've listed, I would say you are on the right path with the .357Mag round; I would recommend a Marlin 1894 lever action and Ruger New Model Blackhawk single action revolver. These are excellent firearms for 'the homestead', and they would serve the purpose of protection as well though not ideal.

I own a Marlin 1895CB in 45-70Govt and a Ruger NMB in .45Colt. Those are excellent firearms and rounds for homesteads, *but as you pointed out, 38Spl can be fired through a revolver chambered for 357, which is handy for less expensive plinking and introducing new shooters to the range. I'm not sure if .38Spl's can be reliably shot in all .357Mag rifles or if they perform well. I'd research for the official word before trying it, but in a rifle, .357Mag would't be hard to shoot anyway.

I only have a little experience with Rossi but have not been impressed with the quality. If you can afford it - even quality used - I would go with Marlin and a Ruger or a S&W.

[martialcanine45cal]

Ah, also, they are right about ordering firearms at the gun shop; it is how I purchase all my firearms mainly because I don't normally find exactly what I want in stock.

It is extremely painless and with the increased face-time can lead to a good relationship with your dealer, reaping rewards and discounts down the road.

Some shops may not be overjoyed about ordering since they prefer to get rid of inventory on their shelves, but that will tell you straight away whether they're customer-oriented and worth dealing with.