.357 Mag applications?

[CouchTater]

Hello all, long time lurker, probably my first post here in years if ever.

I'm increasingly interested in the NEF rifles for a switchbarrel setup. One thing they seem to provide, along with the Contender/Encore system, is an easy way to fill the gap between .22LR and full throttle boltguns. I know the .223 can be throttled down to .22 Hornet levels, but I thought it would be interesting to try an inexpensive .357 Mag rifle setup also. There is tons of load data out there for .38Spl/.357Mag ranging from wax bullets all the way to 200 grain thumpers, and I have the impression that straightwalled pistol cartridges handle wide ranges of charge better than bottleneck rifle cartridges.

Reading thru this forum, I see the .357 mentioned quite a bit. Along with full-throttle deer loads, what are you folks using your .357s for? Anyone use a light load for turkey?

[shaner]

i use mine for playin mostly i carry it  for a walkabout rifle  in the summer to pop  groundhogs,  use it target playin with 38spl's , it has dropped a few deer but  thats a bout all i do with it,

[jbtazgrabber]

used lead bullets for tree rats for quite a few years it was cheaper than 22 bullets.....now use airguns...used the plastic bullets 4 indoor shooting before the kids...killed a bunch of deer wit h the max. cardridge.even klled a snake with the shotshells when fishin....of corse it was just about 2 feet away... ::)dont hunt turkeys much but did kill one with 06.and lead bullet at 40 yards with no meat damage....im sure if it would have been the mag it would have been the same....my 7 yaer oldused it deer season this year only shot at a running deer it was a max......he never knew it kicked.....of corse he practices with light loades of 38 s so he can shoot it without the recoil.he dislikes so much......jb

[Datil]

 Hello Couchtater, Welcome Wonderful world of handi's
 More than likley Another Hondi-holic in the makeing.
 I use my 357 mag for every thing, But reamed to a maxmum,
 I think it improved Accurcy of 357 and 38 spl. although havn't
 shot muck 38 & 357's since the ream job. I did my own tool about 15 min.
 Have not shot a deer with it, but Hogs & yotes are my game.
 Come around here often  Good Luck Marv.
 

[Paul5388]

The .357 barrel is probably the most versatile barrel available.  As mentioned, you can shoot wax, plastic, shot or slugs and it can be in a wide variety of brass, from .38 Special to .360 DW in the standard chamber.  Of course, handloads really make it all that much easier to get the most out of it!

The light loads in .38 Special are really nice.  They are accurate, quiet and almost no recoil.  It'll shoot cast or jacketed, either one with good accuracy.  Good accuracy, to me, is 1" at 100 yards. 

There's sufficient power for deer hunting and it can be light enough for tree rats.

My two favorite barrels are .357 and .22 Hornet! 

[CouchTater]

A number of people have mentioned accuracy as a result of reaming to .357 Max. Is this simply because of better QC at the gunsmith than at the factory, or is there something about the dimensions of the Max case or the throating or something that is better?

[Datil]

 I don't know the answer to your question, I did mine, myself by
 hand.I think it possible getting bullet closer to the lands.
 Just a wild guess, Marv.