puma carbine or rifle

[hesco]

already have a 357 puma carbine 20 in round barrel very accurate, was planing on gettin another while i can still get the brazilian made ones. are the octagon pumas as accurate as the round barrel models also has anyone tried any of the soft pointed bullets, relize i can use regular pointed bullets would just have to load one at a time.

[Blackhawk44]

   The Rossi octagon barrels could possibly prove superior over time in holding their accuracy.  The octagon models dispense with the “barrel bands” as attachment for the forearm, magazine tube and sights.  These bands can loosen with time and hard use, introducing slop and potential inaccuracy.  I prefer the 20” octagon “short rifle” as Rossi uses a rather heavy untapered octagon barrel, which makes the 24” full rifle rather tiresome in a long offhand session.
   Soft points?  I would imagine that you are referring to the gummy point Hornadys, which I see pretty much as a gimmick with no proven real world benefit within the range limitations of the pistol caliber carbine and its sights.  Their 140gr bullet is also a point against them in the velocity-challenged carbine.  Even with its “point”, the gummy round is only a decimal point or two more aerodynamic than a rock.  With both limited aerodymics and velocity, the only effective way to increase lethality is to increase bullet mass and that means stepping up to the 158gr and 180gr rounds, which, I think you will find to be better performers overall.
   Best of luck and remember, its always better to have too many rifles and pistols than too few.

[Jacko]

I shot my .357 Rossi 24" octagonal barrel rifle at 200 yards for the first time this past weekend using a Tang sight I fitted a few weeks earlier and was really impressed at how flat it shot and how accurate the rifle was . Several times in 10 shot groups when I actually held the same sight picture I strung 3 or 4 bullets into less than 2 1/2" using my handloads and 180 gr cast bullets , they where flukes . Most 10 shot groups where in the 10" to 12" area , I think with practice there is no reason why I couldn't shoot into the vitals of a Pig or Goat at that range - note I do not claim a .357 is a 200 metre game rifle just capable of hitting the vitals at that range . It is good for 3" groups at 50 yards off a wobbly rest , 1/2 that off a solid rest .

The most accurate bullet I use is 125 gr Speer  jacketed soft point , ragged one hole 5 shot groups at 50 yards . I have a box of Hornady LeverEvolution ammo but can't bring myself to shoot it- too bloody expensive to waste on paper and I have doubts about the 140 gr pills effectiveness on anything but medium sized soft skinned game . If the gummy tip projectiles where available in a 158 gr pill I'd be keen to give em a fair go

Hope this feedback is helpfull .

regards Jacko

[NickSS]

I prefer the carbine for fast shooting at close range but when I want accuracy beyond 50 yards I prefer a rifle with a 24 inch barrel.  They allow for more precise aiming and the extra weight keeps the shakes down for off hand shooting.  As a result I have both and find that I use them both depending upon what I am doing with the rifle.