As far as power, the .357 Magnum using the right ammunition is in the same class as a good .30-30 load, while shooting a bullet of larger diameter. From a sixteen-inch barrel, factory thirty-thirty ammunition from the big ammo manufacturers drives a 170 grain bullet at just under 1900 feet-per-second (fps). The .357 Ranger Compact, with the same length barrel, drives a 180 grain bullet in excess of 1800 fps, and this too is using factory ammunition available from Buffalo Bore. I tested the Ranger Compact over the chronograph using a variety of factory ammunition, along with two handloads, with the following results:
Load Velocity (fps)
Grizzly Cartridge Co. 180-grain cast lead 1502
Buffalo Bore 180-grain cast lead 1812
Cor-Bon .38 Special 125-grain Jaketed Hollowpoint 1437
Handload 125-grain Jacketed Hollowpoint 2003
Handload 180-grain Hornady XTP Hollowpoint 1831
The carbine extracts much more power from the .357 than is obtainable in a revolver. The reason for including the lightweight Cor-Bon hollowpoints I will get to later.
My favorite hunting handload is with the excellent Hornady 180 grain XTP bullet at over 1800 fps from the little carbine’s 16-inch barrel. Before the emails start flying in, no, I will not give out the exact load data for this handload, as I have not had it pressure tested. I will state however, that it is perfectly safe in my particular rifle. Extraction is easy, the primers are not flattened, and case head expansion is normal. I am using CCI 550 magnum pistol primers and Hodgdon Lil’Gun powder in this load. The XTP bullet really holds together well for deep penetration, but expands beautifully. When zeroed in at 125 yards, the bullet is only two and one-half inches below the point of aim at 150 yards, where it is still traveling 1360 fps. Out to 150 yards, the bullet is never more than two and one-half inches above or below the line of sight. This is where I would draw the line on range, especially for an inexperienced shooter, as the bullet drops almost one foot below line of sight at 200 yards. However, even with a flat shooting high velocity rifle cartridge, I would not encourage a young shooter to shoot any farther.
