Author Topic: Single action wheel gun in 357Mag?????? (Read 1911 times)

Luckyducker · « **on:** March 28, 2009, 02:17:08 AM »

I try to keep my opinion of 357 revolvers to myself, but I am bored to tears this morning. We are just finishing up a 36 hour blizzard and don't have anything to occupy my mind. Anyway, I have had two 357 double action revolvers that are OK, but when I look at a single action in this caliber it makes me think of taking a umbrella into combat. This mentality kind of reminds me of not liking certain rifle calibers one has never owned or even shot. Does anybody else have weird a bias of this sort? I like single actions and have two, but in larger bores. Like Forrest Gump said " thats all I have to say about that".

greener · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2009, 02:50:00 AM »

I'm not sure what your point is. If I were going into combat or expected a mob to come up the stairs, I'd want a bottom feeder with mags that hold a gozillian rounds. But since my primary carry lately has been a 442, I'm pretty well satisfied with the idea that I probably won't have to use more than 5-10 (speed loader) well placed rounds. I have two revolvers in .38 special and two .357 DA/SA's. Great shooters. I also have a single six, .357 BH and .45 BH. I'm pretty sure the Blackhawks will do in any pinch I foresee. I'm sort of a mind that it isn't how many rounds but where the rounds go.

I shoot single actions because they are fun to shoot. The .357 has the advantage of a wide range of ammo. The .38 special is a darned good target round and, with a Blackhawk, you can load from pitty pat to oh, wow. You can do that with .44's or .45's but the .357/.38 is a great gun for all-round shooting. My Blackhawk will also shoot 9mm, widening the choice of what I can fire. I like .357 DA's.

It's all in what you like or dislike for shooting. Individual choice. My first centerfire SA was .357. No regrets or second thoughts.

Camel 23 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2009, 03:43:25 AM »

I don't like umbrellas so I'd take the 357.

ftlupton · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2009, 07:41:09 AM »

Yep the .357 is fine with me. I have the Security Six with several speed loaders, also have a .45 auto. Which one would I pick in a panic? The .357 without a doubt. If I had a single action, and I might real soon, I would still feel pretty good mainly cause I can hit what I aim at in the 50 yd and under range. All fun though!

Autorim · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2009, 12:47:11 PM »

We could discuss this a lot, but this is really a personal choice. We all buy and shoot what feels good in the hand and shoots well and we all pretty much take the time to do the things we really want to do. I like single actions for shooting fun and hunting, but only with Bisley grips. My personal preferences are .357, .41 mag and .45 Colt.

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:20:47 PM »

I love 'em all. In my view, everyone is entitled to their own preferences, but those who reject a particular type or caliber are cheating themselves out of a learning experience and fun for no good reason.
There are plenty of Bozos out there who would be quite happy for you to not own or use ANY of them .

kitchawan kid · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:33:25 PM »

When you see some of the real good cowboy action shooter with their single actions,I would't like to be 20 ft. in front of them.

Bart Solo · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2009, 07:27:10 AM »

I think kitchawan kid just hit on something. What advantage does a real good cowboy action shooter have over the average person with a gun. Practice, practice, practice. If you put thousands of rounds a year through any handgun you can become pretty darn good and pretty darn fast. I came to the conclusion a long time ago that bullet placement is far more important than anything else when the chips are down. Spray and pray might be the standard operating policy of a lot of folks, but I am not sure that is a really good policy.

Luckyducker · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2009, 07:51:00 AM »

I am not doubting the usefulness of a single action revolver, and a 357Mag double action pistol is okay but in a single action this cartridge just seems out of place to me. I guess beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder. My two single actions are a scoped 6 1/2" Blackhawk in 41Mag and a 4 5/8" Vaquero with adjustable sights added in 45Colt. I think the only serious use for a 357 is a man stopper, I believe it to be a little anemic for large game and too much for small game. I put it in the same category for shooting deer as a rifle in 243Win, as it will work if that is all you have. I really lit the flame-throwers on this one I guess.

kitchawan kid · « **Reply #9 on:** March 29, 2009, 09:04:01 AM »

As far as a man stopper,the .45 I think still rules,that said I think the .357 still is a good choise for small deer and such

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2009, 09:37:23 AM »

Quote from: kitchawan kid on March 29, 2009, 09:04:01 AM

As far as a man stopper,the .45 I think still rules,that said I think the .357 still is a good choise for small deer and such

Acutally the .357 has been proven time and time again to be a superior man stopper, Way more documented one shot stops than any other cartrige. As for deer hunting, I prefer my .357 to a .243. The range is shorter but it puts a nice big hole right where I want it.

kitchawan kid · « **Reply #11 on:** March 29, 2009, 09:45:44 AM »

I think you are right,I mixed up man stopper with knocker over'er

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #12 on:** March 29, 2009, 09:51:44 AM »

Yup The .45 is deffinatly a knock'er over'er.

tomray · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2009, 02:18:42 PM »

I too, have had various 357 wheel guns...........A 357 Ruger BH that got traded, and a Colt Python that became a keeper........I don't shoot the Colt much anymore. I think I have an aversion to the 357 muzzle blast.........To me, that muzzle blast is all out of proportion to the available power at your disposal.
I much prefer my USFA 5 1/2" Cowboy in 45 Colt at about 900 FPS for power, and shooting enjoyment...........As another poster stated, when the SHTF, I'll want a good 1911 in 45ACP or 10MM.

357's are great, if you like them. I think everyone cuts their teeth on a 357, but most, move on to other calibers............At least it seems that way to me.............What do you think??

Tom

Barbegris · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2009, 08:18:41 AM »

Some of my favorite SA's are .22's.......I don't have a problem with .357 or any cartridge really.
I like em all!

Brett · « **Reply #15 on:** April 04, 2009, 04:24:16 PM »

Quote from: Barbegris on April 04, 2009, 08:18:41 AM

Some of my favorite SA's are .22's.......I don't have a problem with .357 or any cartridge really.
I like em all!
[/quotte]

That's precisely what my problem is... I like them all. $:-\$

timothy · « **Reply #16 on:** April 04, 2009, 09:08:55 PM »

I think I know what you mean about putting things in catagories in your head then they seem out of place otherwise after a while. It sounds like you've divided revolvers into da/sa hunting/defense catagories. I think todays marketing is the reason with everything having a specific application, we want to use each tool for a specific job. Its a lame mentality however, dont hesitate to step outside the description in the catalogs. 20 years ago remington made a walnut bolt action iron sighted rifle for law enforcement, the 44mag was an exellent man stopper, the colt python hunter was being offered, and 22 deringers were great carry guns. Guns are just guns use em for whatever the heck you want. I've been trying to think about them less and use them more myself.

454Puma · « **Reply #17 on:** April 06, 2009, 06:36:38 PM »

I would have no problem with a single action in and SD situation! If 6 rounds can't end it -then it will get me to some bigger fire pwoer that will! And in my single action I can load some very serious fire power in 357 Mag! More power then any bottom feeder!

Axehandle · « **Reply #18 on:** April 07, 2009, 08:13:03 AM »

Didn't Skeeter say something to the effect of... "Make mine a 357"
Anyone own and shoot a FA 83 in 357? Read JTs words about it when you get a chance.
My single actions span .17 to .510... I love them ALL....
The most recent SAs to arrive at my house are a 4 5/8 3 screw Blackhawk and a 5.5 inch 2nd generation Colt New Frontier....both 357s

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #19 on:** June 23, 2009, 10:04:40 AM »

I get bored with my .357; unless they're max loads, I may as well be shooting a .22. The problem is, when I shoot max loads, they're too damned loud!

salvo · « **Reply #20 on:** June 23, 2009, 03:11:56 PM »

I understand what Luckyducker is saying, I use to feel that way. My first center-fire revolver was a nice 4" Security Six, I sure wish I never sold it, but I got into bigger and better and the .357 just got boring. Took a few years to come back around to the .357 first was a Marlin 1894CB and boy did those rounds come alive in an 18" barrel! Then I came into a 1957 Flat Top and I fell back into love with the .357. Picked up a 50th Anniversary Flat top so I would not wear the 57 out and a 16" Puma 92 came along also. I do a bit of coyote hunting and the .357 single action is the perfect back up to the stand rifle and does a fun job on it's own. Gives me comfort if I should happen to call in a mountain lion too! .44 or larger just seems like to much gun for coyote and a .22 seem like not quite enough, well at least that's how I justify it

I also feel 100% comfortable with a .357 lever behind the seat of the pick up too.

salvo · « **Reply #21 on:** June 28, 2009, 11:23:05 AM »

I went coyote hunting this week end, no luck calling any though, decided to thin the jackrabbit population and my .357 FlatTop came in handy again.

Old Griz · « **Reply #22 on:** July 05, 2009, 10:16:39 PM »

Good shootin' salvo!

Ya see, the problem with hunting with a .357 is that you've gotta be good! Ya gotta be a good hunter, and get in close, and you gotta have good shot placement. Some folks rely on small cannons and hope that if they miss, the concussion from the blast will knock out the critter. The fireball can start the cookin' process as well.

I haven't been able to go coyote huntin' for a couple of years now, but I agree with salvo on that, too. I use a Marlin 1894 in .357 for yotes, however, I must confess that a lot of times I have .38s in my rifle and .357s in my handgun. I found a .38 load that is just so darn accurate I hate to switch.

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #23 on:** July 06, 2009, 02:16:57 AM »

I wouldn't see anything wrong with a .38 on coyotes, but ya might wanna try a .357 max load of H-110 under a 125 semi jacketed soft hollow point; from a carbine, it oughta do about .30-30 velocities or better.