.357 magnum

[Kilibreaux]

You all know that ammunition has been hard to come by lately, especially .357 magnum, but I was lucky enough to get a couple of boxes of 158 gr/sjhp rounds a couple of weeks ago after having them backordered for what seemed an eternity.

I don't have time to get to the range often, but today I had a day off and brought my 686-1 so it could taste some magnums for a change. After shooting a box of .38 special, I decided to splurge with half a box of .357. Happy to say, I was getting 3" groupings.

To my amazement, after shooting a couple of cylinders, I turned around an saw a group of 20 somethings with their mouths hanging open. "What was that?" they said. ".357 magnum," I replied.

The .357 magnum is serious business! We're currently in a "1911 craze" based on nothing but history and hype....the .357 mag was chosen by the FBI way back in 1935 for a reason!

A .357 with the right loads is light-years ahead of present!

 

[Texas40]

.38/.357 ammo is on of the ones that even during the recent availability crunch was pretty much "on the shelf" in my area. Until about a month ago I didnt own a 38/357 now I have added one to the herd I have picked up a couple boxes of target in 38 for it and a box of defensive in 357 to keep in it JIC I need it....

I have always been a 38/357 fan and true nothing quite like the BOOM of a large bore magnum on the range to turn a few heads.

 

[Fox4Alpha]

I do find it puzzling to read on the net about the terrible recoil of the 357 mag, even in service sized revolvers.
When I owned a 2.5" Model 19, I shot it all the time with magnas and a T-grip...no problem.
Yesterday, I was shooting my 3" GP100. For a while, I watched another club member shoot a 6" Model 28 at 7yds...he was using his range bag for a rest off the bench and was complaining that his shots were all over the paper from the recoil. As I watched him shoot, I noticed his grip...he was holding the grip at least an inch down from the recoil shoulder at the top of the frame, the barrel was really flipping!
I didn't know him, so I didn't give him any pointers. Meanwhile, I was shooting smaller groups, standing offhand at 25yds with my fixed sight 3" Ruger! Even at 7yds, rapid fire DA, I did better.
I have 38's to shoot, my 357 will rarely see any. I really like shooting it.

Today's generation. You just don't build up wrist strength on a video controller. Next they will be saying the .380 has too much recoil! Shoot that .357 Magnum, but be warned, it's habit forming.

 

[Kadonny]

I have always been a 38/357 fan and true nothing quite like the BOOM of a large bore magnum on the range to turn a few heads.

I'm a fan of the 38/357 also, but I wouldn't call it a "large" bore.

Now the 44 magnum, that's a large bore!

 

[David LaPell]

Makes me really miss my Model 27. When I carried that like now in colder weather the guys in the locker room who were "oohing" and "aahing" their polymer framed wonders would all see me take that beast out of its holster and put it in the locker. I recall a few of the newer guys who would give me the "you only have six rounds" to which I would often replied "With the .357 Magnum, that's five more than I should need."

 

[les strat]

I get the same reaction when I shoot my 686 or 629 at the range. They look at you like you pulled out an RPG.

 

[Texas40]

I'm a fan of the 38/357 also, but I wouldn't call it a "large" bore.

Now the 44 magnum, that's a large bore!

True I guess large bore is a stretch. But still they are fun. 44 is definitely a large one.

 

[Kadonny]

Well, I think I just finally found my .357 I've been seeking. A 66-3 that I got here on the classified's. Wow, who would have thought it.

 

[wheelyfun66]

I've owned model 66 snubs, but fed those mostly .38+p ammo.

Just bought a 686-6 (with IL removed and plugged) and am eager to keep it on a steady diet of .357 magnum.

I am a rookie reloader, am will keep my recipe somewhere "middling" for the most part.

Never fired a 686......hoping that the full underlug and heavier frame make it "better" for magnums than my old 66's?

 

[jfp357]

Years ago....in a land far away. I worked hard fitting in Springfield,Ma at S&W. I saw all kinds of revolvers. The model 27 .357mag stuck with me. It was my first handgun when I became licensed to carry. When jackets are required to keep warm here in Massachusetts. The .357 is my carry gun.

 

[MikeyB]

Have to say I love the .357. Fun to shoot and an excellent cartridge for reloading.

 

[TrueTexan]

I love to watch the 20 somethings with their bottom feeder 9mm spray and pray their targets. When I first set up they look and kinda snicker when I pull out the Revolvers. The look of old man and old guns, but when I shoot the full load 357 out of my 686 3 or 6 inch in a tight group their eyes get wide. They get really wide when the Ruger SRH Alaskan and 7.5 inch shoot the Buffalo Bores. I kinda feel sorry for those that just have the little foam earplugs.