All-around Carbine: .357 Mag vs 7.62X39

[slabsides]

So what your saying is that this guy would be better off buying a .357 lever gun AND a reloading press with all the necessary components and load up some exotic carbine loads with it than simply buying a $200 saiga?

Well....yes.

 

[lawboy]

glad you made up your mind and bought yourself a nice rifle. enjoy it. regarding the debate about how fast a 357 carbine can push a 180gr. bullet, 1600 fps is child's play. I am pushing 1800 fps. in a 16-inch 94 trapper using lil'gun powder and i am not at max yet. accuracy is about 1.2 inches at 50 yards using a red dot sight. I am using hornady xtp bullets and regular ww small pistol primers. I am seeing zero high pressure signs and the primer pockets are holding up fine after 2 loadings. I believe I can push it to 1900 fps. while remaining safe. Also, this load was worked up in 90+ degree northern california weather. I don't know if the 357 is the equal of the 7.62x39, but for most U.S. citizens, it will handle all plinking chores, small game chores, most large game chores, and the vast majority of social work where a rifle would be appropriate and a private citizen would be within his rights to wield a rifle. Of course all of that means nothing if you want the Russian round and, if so, get it. It would work fine too