There is a large debate in hunting and shooting circles as to the effectivness of the 357 on deer size game. There are many on both sides of the table, but I have come to believe that in a rifle that the 357 is a fine 100yd deer gun.

As Paco says so well, when you begin using the .357 Magnum in a rifle you enter a whole new world.  Careful handloading can get near the level of .30-30 Winchester power in appropriate firearms.  It is possible to run handgun bullets beyond their design capabilities in the rifle.  While these make good varmint loads they would not be the choice for deer and other large game.  Please choose your loads and bullets wisely.

Years ago the only way a person could get a .357 rifle was to have one custom-made.  Winchester Model 92’s in .25-20 and .32-20 were the best choices for leverguns at the time.

Today Winchester, Marlin, Rossi, Uberti, and H&R make rifles in the .357 caliber.  You can get on in the Marlin Model 1894, a copy of the Winchester Model 92 or 73 or a neat single-shot. 

The old toggle-joint action of the Model 1873 is a weak design and should never fired with heavy loads.  Don’t beat a fine old gun to death.  If you want to hot-rod the cartridge be sure you have a firearm that is designed to take it.

A VARIETY OF USES

The .357 levergun is a great Urban Stop-Assault Rifle.  It is not as threatening in appearance as some of the black rifles would-be ninja types seem to love, yet it can be just as effective.  For pest control, whether two-legged or four-legged, fanged or armed, the lever action carbine can be very useful.

Very light quiet loads can be constructed to rid your homestead of small pests without disturbing the neighbors.  Factory +P loads can be had in bullets weights from 110 gr. up to 180 gr. in a wonderful variety of velocities.

For those who do not handload there is a most wonderful array of .38 Special loads available.  This makes practicing with the firearm practical and affordable.  Many of the Cowboy loads now on the market are just plain fun. And if you have never used black powder there are now factory loads that can introduce you to the fun and excitement of yesteryear.  (and you will learn why smokeless powder was invented when it comes cleaning time <smile inserted here>)

HANDLOADING

Please do not just jump in and start handloading with the heaviest load you can find. If you don’t know how to determine a STARTING LOAD - DON’T START LOADING!

Remember - each firearm is a law unto itself and what may be safe in yours may not be in mine … and vice-versa.    WORK UP CAREFULLY.

You can have a lot of fun with the 357 in a rifle.  Let’s keep it fun

 I have used several of the little marlins with a 158gr remington softpoint or hornady xtp hollowpoint fueled by Lil gun to take  many hogs and deer. The 357 in a rifle gets near 30/30 performance with lots less recoil and muzzle blast. My daughter loves the little rifles and has taken numerous head of deer and hog as well as small game using 38 special ammo. Used within 125yds with the bullet placed in the heart and lungs you will not have to look far to find game shot with the mild manered 357. The 357 is also a very accurate round in the little carbines, with my marlin’s shooting 1-11/4″ 5 shot groups at 100yds with their favorite loads. amd burning very little powder to boot.  Using the lighter 125gr bullets you can get velocities in the 22oo fps range and they make great varmint loads as they will expand fast. I would because of the fast expansion never use the lighter bullets on deer size game as you can get splash wounds. Loasded light with 38 specials or cast bullets in 357 cases you can use the same gun on small game and fur bearers with very little damage. You can literally eat up to the hole on rabbits shot with cast 38 loads.

If I am going to go walkabout or off on a atv or in the jeep, the little marlin is the gun I usually grab, it is light,quiet and up to the task at hand. Try one and you might find a favorite as well.