looking for a good 6-8" SS 357 Mag

[140orbetter]

I'd like some advice as to a good reasonable SS 357Mag, to mount a scope or red dot on. With a barrel at least 6" and/or up to 8". My main intended use is to target shoot but it will see duty as a hunter as well.
 I own a Ruger Blk Hwk 45 Colt unscoped that I carry for deer. And a Taurus 971 22 mag for plinking and tree rats.
 I'd like to keep the price around $400 less the scope an mount.
 Thanks for the advice. 140OB

[New Hampshire]

Ruger GP-100 SS with 6" bbl and B-Square no drill/tap mount that replaces the front and rear sights.  The GP is bull strong and the scope mount is full length.
Brian M.

[Badnews Bob]

Yep! I've had mine 10 years with zero problems or complaints, never put a scope on it, I figured as long as I can bust clays with it at 100 yards......It don't need one.

[safetysheriff]

But I'll add this, in agreement with the gp-100 fans already posted, buy a GP-100 that has a tight barrel/cylinder gap, and Very Little endplay as well.    I recently saw a gp-100 that probably had .0035 endplay in the cylinder, with a .0065 b/c gap as well.   The gap is within Ruger spec's; but Ruger wouldn't answer me over the phone re: what is acceptable endplay!    That surprised me!

I own a 6" GP-100 stainless with approx .001 endplay and approx' .004 b/c gap.....nice and tight; which makes the frame on the revolver last longer if the handloads are reasonable.    Just a thought, but I'd take some good feeler-gauges with me when buying your next revolver.

Take care.

[140orbetter]

thank you both, 140OB

[doghouse95]

An 8" Python is almost impossible to beat.  They are spendy, but boy are they sweat.  I won a GP100, and it is a good gun.  The Python is a a good two or three steps above the Ruger. The Python is a great handgun.  You only have to roll the hammer back and pull the trigger one time to feel the difference.

[stevinator]

Check out the 357 taurus tracker also. I have one in 6''. They come in ss and ported barrel with vent rib.The scope mount goes on the vent rib and you don't have to remove the sights. I use mine for deer hunting and I really like it. Also it's in the price range you're looking for.

[Ringo Steele]

S&W 686 is also a fine revolver, though a little more expensive thatn the GP-100. Mine is a mid-80's vintage, and the trigger is like glass on greased glass, straight from the factory.

The various Ruger Blackhawks and Bisleys are also worth a lot of consideration in that price range.

All the best,
Ringo

[HAMMERHEAD]

I'll agree with doghouse95. I've owned several good .357 revolvers and the Python is the cream of the crop. Mine is a new 6" S/S model. The double action trigger is SMOOOOOTH. The single action trigger is better than any firearm I've ever shot, including fine rifles.
     Another advantage to Pythons is their fast rifling twist rate of 1:14". This makes them tuned into the heavier bullets of 180 grains.
     I have a B-square see through scope mount with a Trijicon reflex II 'scope' that I use ocasionally. With this set up it will put six Win. Supreme 180gr partition gold rounds into 2-1/2" at 50 yards from a rest.
      I can't imagine a better .357 hunting setup.
I you don't want to spend that kind of money, the S&W 686 would be my next choice with a Weigand mount and Millet 1" red dot or a Leupold 2x with Fed 158 jsp's.
      Rugers are good robust pistols but I havn't gotten top notch long range (50-75 yards) accuracy with them.

[Savage]

Bought a like new Security Six SS with a 6" barrel. Paid $200 for it. It's a hell of a shooter, and well within your price range. There are still quite a few of these old guns out there at bargin prices! Mine's not for sale!
Savage