Questions about .357 Magnum rifle and ammo

The 16" Puma 92 I have is a joy.

The level of smoothness or polish you get with Rossis is a bit of a dice roll.... there is a lot of variance in their quality control. I got one where it clicked and the action is even smoother than my Marlin. I have two of their revolvers that are as rough as their reputation. Luck of the draw, I guess. I would recommend buying a Rossi in person if you can, even if it costs a few extra $$$. See what card you're drawing.

The one thing that all Rossis will have is stupid light weight... their website claims something like 4.5 pounds and I believe them. They feel like a BB gun. Feed it some 38s that have ZERO kick in a rifle, and you have yourself one hell of a big boy toy.

The Henry is a beautiful gun with an outstanding action, but the weight is a dealbreaker for me. They are around 8 pounds, with a thick front-heavy octagonal barreI. It carries like a full sized 30-06, and that's a hard sell after you've been spoiled by the Rossi.

I own one of those “cooking spoon” Rossi rifles in .357. Mine is very lovely to gaze upon. The finish is excellent enough for this ole country boy. It operates very smoothly, and is accurate out to my hunting range. I have killed quite a few hogs with it, and each of them lay down stone dead for me.....up to 300#. Mine has given me good service, and it will be my friend until the end of my watch here on this rock. To each their own.....stay safe.

Many years ago I had a 20" Rossi 357 and it shot jacketed bullets very well. Nice 100 yard groups. But no matter what I tried it would not shoot lead bullets. Everything from slow light loads to full power lead bullets and at 30 yards they were starting to tip and at 100 yards they hit the target sideways. I called Interarms and asked what twist they used and they said 1/30 across the board for all lever guns.

I sold it and bought a brand new Marlin in 2002. Man what a difference. It shoots everything well. It has an 18.5" barrel. My bud bought a brand new Rossi about 5 years ago and I shot it a little when also shooting me Marlin. I short stroked the Rossi a couple of times because the lever throw is longer on the Rossi. If I saw a deal on a Rossi I would buy it but it would have to be really inexpensive before I bought another one.

And I believe the rifling on the Marlin is a 1/18 twist. My gun has the Ballard and not Micro-Groove rifling.

Got a blued 16” .357 Rossi last spring. No problems whatever. But, yes, the wood was less than special. Did a refinish with Minwax Gunstock and satin poly. Still utilitarian but definitely much better.

Love my Rossi 92 in 357 Mag. I've had a 20" barrel Blued Rossi 92 in 357 Mag since mid 1990s. I bought it new. It was advertised as a Puma with saddle ring, but what I got was a newer model without the saddle ring. It doesn't have the button safety either, so that's a plus. It just has the traditional tried and true half-cocked safety and it's never failed me. Aftermarket saddle rings are available for it, I just haven't got around to it.

It was a little stiff right out of the box with a heavy, but crisp trigger. It slicked up in short order just by putting rounds through it. The Brazilian hardwood is very nice. Mine has a handsome pattern to the grain IMO, but I think that's hit or miss. I was just lucky.

It's accurate and reliable. I've put mostly 38 Spl semi-wadcutters through it at the range. It likes most 357 rounds I've put through it. Federal American Eagle 158gr semi-jacketed flatpoint is my go-to in 357 Mag, but it likes Remington 125gr and 158gr just as well. It likes Fiocchi 142gr and their 148gr semi-jacketed hollow point too.

A word about Fiocchi... their listed velocities are based on a 10" test barrel so can be misleading. US domestic 357 Mag listed velocities are based on a 4" test barrel.

As far as 357 Mag ammo availability, I see it here in the Midwest at places like Farm & Fleet, and Rural King farm stores. Prices are crazy high everywhere when you can find it, but if you need it, you need it. Buy once, cry once and move on.

I accidentally stocked up on 357 ammo by picking up a few boxes here and there when it was on sale over the years. I've got plenty on hand, and I'll wait until this current crisis is over and prices come down before I buy any more.

My Rossi 92 is from the Interarms days, pre Braztech. It's a K-Series, stamped "Model 92 SRC, Interarms, Alexandria Virginia." It came stock with 10+1 ammo capacity for 357 Mag.



I've heard there's not as much love for newer model Rossi 92s even though they're still made by the same family owned business in Brazil. But I've never handled the newer models, so all I can do is pass along a perhaps unsubstantiated rumor.

~ Beck

Beck, I'll say this;that is one of the finest looking Rossi's I've seen. Very nice indeed. I'd certainly keep that one too!

.45Coltguy said:

Beck, I'll say this;that is one of the finest looking Rossi's I've seen. Very nice indeed. I'd certainly keep that one too!

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Thanks for the kudos. Yeah, I'll be hanging onto it and ultimately passing it down to on of my sons someday.

One of my 44 magnum rifles was giving
me fits when I was trying to use some
LSWC bullets I've used in some of my
handguns. After about 50 yards they'd all
keyhole with whatever load. After trying to
pull out hair that I don't have, I finally remembered that I should probably slug
the barrel to get some idea of what was
happening. Yeah, after getting some bullets of the proper diameter, I didn't have any more problems and my junker became a tack driver by just a change of bullets.
( I should have known better since the rifle was within proper SAAMI specs for a rifle
and not a peestol )
Probably lots of people around in the same
leaky boat that only needs a stopper.

I guess if you live long enough, you get some stories that work out great. I bought a plain jane Big 5 Model 94AE Trapper in 2006 right after US production of Winchesters shut down. I had been waiting and vacillating until then, since the 94s would come up occasionally on sale in the weekly flier. I waited another two weeks, biting my lip. The sale came up on the flier, and I bought the last Model 94 in my area. The sales guy laughed at the $320 price, and said management must not know what's going on putting that rifle in the flier.

The rifle has been great. It's light and comes to the shoulder really fast. The buckhorn sights naturally line up with my eye. It's still in great condition. Sure, the action is not super smooth. You have to work it like you mean it, but it doesn't short stroke for me, and I don't compete in cowboy matches.

I have handguns and I have rifles, but have never had a rifle that shoots a “handgun caliber”. What is the motivation? I’m not judging at all, I’m genuinely asking since I have no experience in this area. Is there a benefit to shooting 357 instead of say 30-30?

hey smepl this said:

I have handguns and I have rifles, but have never had a rifle that shoots a “handgun caliber”. What is the motivation

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I have an 1873 and 1885 Winchester, one in 45 Colt the other 44 mag. My only motivation for choosing these calibers was so I could shoot a rifle in Michigan’s shotgun zone

hey smepl this said:

I have handguns and I have rifles, but have never had a rifle that shoots a “handgun caliber”. What is the motivation? I’m not judging at all, I’m genuinely asking since I have no experience in this area. Is there a benefit to shooting 357 instead of say 30-30?

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The Fun Factor! Say, .357 lever gun and the same in revolver. Win-win.

hey smepl this said:

I have handguns and I have rifles, but have never had a rifle that shoots a “handgun caliber”. What is the motivation? I’m not judging at all, I’m genuinely asking since I have no experience in this area. Is there a benefit to shooting 357 instead of say 30-30?

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There's quite a few reasons to enjoy a 92.

They're trim, handy carbines. The first time I handled one I broke out giggling. A 16" 92 has the proportions of a 22lr it seems. It dosen't feel like a toy, they're solidly built, all steel rifles. They're just small. Very quick handling, easy to navigate through thick brush with.

Within 100yrds they're "enough" cartridge to deal with deer. Which coincidentally is the largest animal most people are going to chase after.

I had a Marlin 336 in 35Rem as my first lever gun, and thought it was great. But once I got my hands on a 92, I knew I needed one.

Few years ago I fixed a Win .357 trapper with a broken lifter. Found one after a bit of online searching and found that it needed to be fitted (a little filing and polishing) to get the rounds to feed smoothly. So my own concern now would be parts availability. Around the same time I got a .357 92 Rossi cowboy. No problems whatsoever. Like it a lot. +1 on loading 38 special. 125 grain cast is easy on my lead stash and light loads equals less powder.

I've got a 24" octagon barreled 357 Rossi in stainless and it's a hoot at the range. It'll run 38 special with ease and really likes full house jacketed 158 grn ammo. I really can't believe how easy it is to shoot, points like it's part of your body, and mine cycles great. Bought it used and I couldn't be happier with it.

hey smepl this said:

I have handguns and I have rifles, but have never had a rifle that shoots a “handgun caliber”. What is the motivation? I’m not judging at all, I’m genuinely asking since I have no experience in this area. Is there a benefit to shooting 357 instead of say 30-30?

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Some States require straight wall cartridge for hunting. .30-30 is bottlenecked.

Otherwise, carrying a revolver and a rifle in the same caliber means 16 + or - rounds loaded and only carrying 1 caliber.

Just plain FUN.

I have, use, love my .30-30. Does not deter from use or love of my 92 .44mag, Henry .45Colt, Marlin 94 .22mag or Browning .22LR, with a SA revolver in each caliber to match.

I have a Rossi m92 in 45 colt. Mine is stainless not polished yet... I know a guy that might polish it.
Mine was rough in the action when new and didn't want to improve.
I took it apart and took a stone to the offending parts, even smoothed up the bolt raceways.
Now, it is slick. Took me about 3 hours. Mine is picky about loading certain bullets as they have to cam into the chamber. No wad cutters.

Have used a Marlin 357 for +30 years, put a receiver sight on it.
Probably my favorite rifle; accurate, reliable and pragmatic.
Loaded a Sierra 170 gr bullet with a max amount of win296 and 550 primers.
Incredibly effective on everything from woodchuck to deer and hogs.
When Sierra stopped making the 170, transitioned to the Speer 170 plated bullet.
This too worked well, especially larger game and hogs.
This bullet too seems to be phased out.
Now trying CPC 180 gr LBT, appears to work well with game.
Sierra JHP was still a better all around bullet.
23 years ago, my older son was needing more than a 22rf,
Was able to get a Win 94 youth model in 357.
This was/is a great little rifle, he took to it like a duck to water.
Loaded 140 gr TCFP bullet with around 8 gr Herco and regular primers.
Perhaps it is rose colored glasses,
Seemed like bullets, powder and primers were inexpensive at the time,
I think a reload was then $.05-06.
My son would prep, size, expand cases with a handloader.
Dad would prime them, charge them and fit bullet into case mouth.
Son would seat bullet- then we would crimp the batch.
Now have two sons, each calling the little Win "their" rifle.
They both have brought girlfriends to the house for shooting lessons,
When I get out a 22 for this, they want to use "their" rifle.
Everyone should have a 357 mag carbine in their gun closet.

I don’t know what an out of the box Rossi 92 .357 feels like. I bought mine online from a CAS smith who did an action job on it. Very nice trigger and lever can be operated with one finger. I think it was $100 extra. Well worth it in my book. Loading is still a chore though with sharp edge on the gate.

Kicking myself for not writing down the sellers name. I’d love a 16” to compare to my 20”

Uffdaphil said:

Loading is still a chore though with sharp edge on the gate.

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Peening the loading gate and surrounding area by rubbing with the upper part of a drill bit flattened out the sharp edges and made loading the gun a lot more comfortable.

Beck said:

As far as 357 Mag ammo availability, I see it here in the Midwest at places like Farm & Fleet, and Rural King farm stores. Prices are crazy high everywhere when you can find it, but if you need it, you need it. Buy once, cry once and move on.

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I'm jealous, I check Farm & Fleet and Rural King on the regular for 38 and 357, haven't seen a round in over a year. They get shotgun ammo in pretty consistently, 5.56/223 and 7.62/308 pop up and stick around a little while. 270 and 350 Legend seem to be pretty consistently available. Rural King has started to have semi-auto handguns calibers more consistently so hopefully that's a good sign.

When you buy a 357 rifle, load it like a rifle, not a pistol. If you do not reload, it is a good place to start. You just keep the OAL so to clear a 357 revolver cylinder face so it turns, with a heavy crimp and it will feed through the action of the lever gun. H-110/296 works real well with heavy bullets in the rifle.

Speedo66 said:

Peening the loading gate and surrounding area by rubbing with the upper part of a drill bit flattened out the sharp edges and made loading the gun a lot more comfortable.

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Good tip. Thanks!

BigBL87 said:

I'm jealous, I check Farm & Fleet and Rural King on the regular for 38 and 357, haven't seen a round in over a year. They get shotgun ammo in pretty consistently, 5.56/223 and 7.62/308 pop up and stick around a little while. 270 and 350 Legend seem to be pretty consistently available. Rural King has started to have semi-auto handguns calibers more consistently so hopefully that's a good sign.

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Davenport store (Farm & Fleet and Theissen's) is getting both in stock on Tuesdays.

Skylerbone said:

Davenport store (Farm & Fleet and Theissen's) is getting both in stock on Tuesdays.

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Man, wish Davenport was less of a road trip for me. I'd just like to have a little more 38 to try out the S&W 15-3 of my grandpa's my uncle gave me. Right now I think I have about 30 rounds so I'd rather not run try just trying it out. Unfortunately, 38/357 wasn't a priority when I was building up stock slowly across my calibers since I don't shoot my revolvers often. Biting me in the butt now, haha.