Am I gonna have to get a .357?

[Nightcrawler]

I was shooting my M25-5 the other day, and it feels great in the hand with the new Pachmayr Gripper grips (I do wish they were wider, though...something that comes up under the trigger guard like they do, but is wider...). We were having a lot of fun, just plinking at snowballs and wooden blocks placed on the berm, as it was an outdoor range and the target stand hadn't survived the winter.

It occurred to me, though. The 90 rounds of ammo I had on me cost me a lot of money. $15.00 for the 20-rounds of Cor-Bon. $14.00 for the 20 rounds of Winchester silvertips. $15.00 for the 50 round box of CCI Blazers, which were pretty crappy.

The Cor-Bons were fun to shoot. I like shooting things that have a little oomph in them, you know? 200 grains at 1100 fps is pretty good. And, if I ever find the space to get a handloading setup (doubtful, until after next year when I move away and get my own apartment), I can tailor some pretty potent loads that are still safe in the Smith...270gr @ 1050fps, for instance.

In the interim, though, I realized that I ended up shooting my CZ-97 a lot more, not because it was any more fun, but because I had well over a hundred rounds for it on hand, because, well, it's cheaper.

Now, I like the .45 caliber. I like big-bore rounds. My two handguns are .45ACP and .45 Colt. I was planning on getting the Taurus .45 Colt snubby.

But...I got to thinking. Even though I'd prefer a bigger hole in the end, and in my eclectic nature I love to have something besides the norm, I'd be able to do a lot more revolver shooting if I bought a .357.

The choice I make now will effect the next few choices. See, if I buy a .357 now, it'll be a full sized, almost certainly a GP-100 with a 4" barrel, unless I happen to get a screaming deal on a 686+ 7-shot, but even then the GP is stronger. But after that, I also want a single action cowboy type gun (need not be especially authentic, though I'd prefer fixed old-style sights) and a snubby.

The same thing applies to these, of course. A .45 Colt Vaquero may seem more natural, but I'd do a lot more shooting with a .357 one. A Ruger SP-101 snubby would be a lot more economical to practice with than the Taurus 450 (in addition to not having any annoying ports and being slightly smaller).

So, what do you think? Stick with my big bores or expand into the medium bores and go for a .357?

 

[Nightcrawler]

Still, though, Cor-Bon's self-defense .45 Colt stuff is good stuff. 1100fps with a 200 grain bullet. 537 foot-pounds of energy.

Neato.

Heck, their "bear defense" .357 load, the 200 grain non-expanding, only does 100 fps faster. 200 @ 1200fps. With handloading .45 Colt could do that easily.

But I don't hand load, either. Yet. Maybe I could make space.

Still, I'd have to shoot a .357 to figure out how much fun it is. That's what I'm looking for here, mind you; fun factor. Either will do for self defense (though the .45 Colt will make a bigger hole). I also have taking a liking to heavier bullet weights (200 grains and up) in handgun rounds, though I don't know why.

On the other hand, though, most "plinking" .45 Colt stuff is anemic cowboy loads, like those blasers. I could tell from the recoil that velocity was inconsistent in Blazers, but sometimes the recoil was actually negligible; like firing a .22.

On the other other hand, some plinking .357 is plenty hot. S&B, for one. I believe someone said the velocity for their 160 grain FMJ load was 1300 fps. That's an even 600 foot-pounds of energy and sounds like a lot of fun to shoot.

And, of course, buying a .357 would expand my gun collection to include a whole 'nother caliber...

 

[stans]

If you get a 357 you will soon be hooked on that caliber. I now own five revolvers in 357, only one in 22 long rifle, two in 44 Magnum and one in 45 ACP. The 357 is quite versatile, easy to shoot, ammo can be cheap, and easy to reload. My very first handgun was a 357, been stuck on them since!

 

[Jim March]

38spl plinking fodder can be had for about $8 a box of 50.

It is by far the cheapest centerfire caliber for a non-reloader to shoot. 357 is only slightly more.

This is indeed a distinct advantage.

 

[caz223]

No revolver collection is complete without a 4" DA .357 magnum.
Just like no auto collection is complete without a 5" 1911.

 

[Standing Wolf]

In my experience, the .357 magnum cartridge is much more versatile than the .45 A.C.P., and components tend to be somewhat less expensive, as well, when you take up loading your own ammunition.

In terms of self-defense, I have considerably more faith in the .357 magnum.

 

[ACP230]

I started reloading with a Lee Loader for the .38 Special. Everything I needed but a mallet and a board to set the decapping die on came in a box about six by seven inches. I kept on with that Lee Loader until I had been shooting Hunter's Pistol Silhouette for a year or more. Then I bought a turret press which I am still using.

If you don't have much space there are hand presses available which don't even have to be bolted to a bench. They should be easier to use than my old Lee Loader too. Lee makes one and prices are pretty reasonable.

Even if you buy a .357 reloading will still usually be cheaper than buying ammo. I did see a thousand rounds of .38 Special jacketed softpoints advertised for $99 in the last Shotgun News. That brings .38s down to a point where I might not even want to reload them. I quit loading 9mm when case prices got down to that level.

 

[LeadPumper]

Are you gonna have to get A .357?

No.


You must get several.


To experience the awsome diversity in the wonderful combinations available.


Unless you went with a Ruger Blackhawk convertable 45/45. .45 Colt in one cylinder, then swap it out for a .45 ACP cylinder when you want to plink.


No wait! Buy them both!

-LeadPumper

 

[MoNsTeR]

Jim March, that's not cheap, that's expensive! 9mm is easily the cheapest centerfire, with $11/100 Walmart packs.

.357 will be a cheaper than .45 Colt but it's still really expensive. Revolver shooters NEED to reload, no ifs ands or buts.

 

[Greybeard]

Agree that 9mm is cheapest centerfire load for plinking. In these parts, Oshmans and Academy sell the CCI Blazer loads for just under $4 a box, making even the Wally World "value packs" seem expensive ...

Yea, .357s are very versatile ... As someone above mentioned tho, the new Blackhawk "convertible" in .45LC/.45ACP has got my "wanter" going ...

 

[461]

How could you not get a .357? .357's have been a favorite for years, and I'll always have a few around. Reloading doesn't take as much space as you think, it takes a lot of room when you become a reloading enthusiast on top of being a shooting enthusiast. Just loading to shoot can be done very easily out of a fifty caliber ammo can.

 

[chaim]

Am I gonna have to get a .357?

You mean you still don't have one!?

Seriously, cost issues aside, how can you be a serious handgunner and NOT have a .38spl, .357mag or better yet BOTH?



If you don't handload, like you've noticed, cost can be a big factor. Around here the usual price for good .357mag ammo is about $15, for good .45LC it is $20 (in both cases boxes of 50). You can get decent discount stuff, like the Winchester White Box, for about $12 or so (sometimes less) in .357mag and I haven't seen .45LC here for less than $17 yet. Also, you can download a .357 with .38+P which are still a blast to shoot (pun intended) and cost about $12 for decent stuff and $10 for the cheaper stuff. Then of course, there is the standard velocity .38spl- you can buy this stuff pretty easily for $8 a box at just about any sporting goods store or Walmart type store that sells ammo. Online, at gun shows or from catalogues you can do even better buying in bulk.

Then there is size. You are in a carry state so this could turn into an issue as you may later decide you wish to carry a revolver. The J-frame .38 and .357 snubs are much smaller than the smallest .45LC (the Taurus 450 probably), in fact these could fit in a pocket. The K-frame S&Ws, old Ruger Speed/Security Sixes and the Taurus medium framed guns are just about perfect for carry (esp. w/ the 3" barrels).

There is nothing wrong with a .45LC, but if you were to limit yourself to only one revolver caliber (why would you want to do that) .357 or even .38 would probably be a better choice.

See, if I buy a .357 now, it'll be a full sized, almost certainly a GP-100 with a 4" barrel, unless I happen to get a screaming deal on a 686+ 7-shot...

You know, since you already have the 25 which could handle the heavier jobs (actually, in moderation a K-frame could too) I would suggest getting a 3" or 4" K-frame or equivelent first. It is a bit smaller and several oz lighter so if you decide to carry it the K-frame would carry much easier. They point and handle very well. While many people say you have to limit your use of .357mag they aren't exactly fragile. With the high velocity 125 and 110 gr stuff you do have to pay attention to the forcing cone, but it will take as much magnum fodder as most people will put into it. With +Ps they will last forever and you will still enjoy them. Also, due to cost savings many (most?) people find themselves shooting mostly .38s and +Ps out of them anyway. I think if one was to only have one revolver a 3" or 4" K-frame in .357mag is the best choice.

Later on, if you decide you still want the large gun too, go ahead and buy it.


Now if you really want to maximize your use of your 25 you may want to consider reloading. I had long thought like you, however looking into it there are ways for those like us to get involved. I have bought a Lee hand press which takes far less space than a standard turret or single stage press. It does require all the other accessories though. If space is really at a premium Lee offers another option as well, the Lee Loader (for about $20 and about the size of a bathroom or car sized first aid kit it has most of the equipment you need for one caliber). Here is a link to their site: http://www.leeprecision.com/catalog/browse.cgi?1050507198.2583=dies-p4.html#LeeLoader . Now with limited space people like you and I may not want to buy our components in bulk (which will do away with some of the savings). However if you decide on one or two powders and buy a smaller container, keep about 100 peices of brass and a few hundred bullets and primers on hand the components won't really take up much more space than a case of pre-loaded ammo (and compared to factory ammo the cost savings will still be significant). I am starting to take my own advice and within a couple weeks I'll have all the equipment and I'll start reloading if all goes as planned. It doesn't have to take as much room as it may seem at first (though you do need to be able to clear a decent work surface).

 

[22luvr]

I shot my first .357 mag waaaay back..

When I was shooting at the Sunnyvale Rod and Gun club back in the mid 70's, a fellow shooter liked the looks of my Stoeger .22 Parabellum and asked if he could shoot it. He offered me his Smith 4" barreled .357 mag. My first shot I wasn't really aiming, just being apprehensive of the recoil and blast. After the first shot, I just said to myself "OH YYYEEEEEEEEHHHHHH !!!" I shot the whole cyinder on SA and marveled at the accuracy as I lost my virginity on this wonderful caliber. Get thee to a gun store or gun show post-haste!

 

[Mike Irwin]

You should start handloading.

AND get a .357 Mag.

 

[foghornl]

My favorite "fun gun" is the short-barrel 'Sheriff's Model' Vaquero in .357 Mag. But now I want a 4" or 6" GP-100 to keep it company. Waaaaahhh!

Just to answer your original question, YES You gotta have at least 1 .357Mag. It is a basic rule of the Universe.

Since you don't 'roll your own' ammo right now, I really can't think of any calibre more versatile...from the very lightest .38Spl loads, all the way up to the knock down the wall insanely powered stuff.....right off the shelf

 

[Nightcrawler]

I was suprised, though, from doing comparisons at what .45 Colt can do, in pressures safe enough for the 25-5. It really is a grand old cartridge. It can do anything .357 can do with the 165-200 grain bullets, and can use heavier bullets than that, all the way up to like 325 grains.

In a Ruger revolver, .45 Colt can even outdo .44 Magnum.

However, as I've found, .357 makes for more economical plinking with some oomph to it for the fun factor. And S&B's stuff, if my data is right, sounds right on the money. 158-160 grain FMJ at 1300 FPS. That's spicy right there.

You guys are right, I think I'll go for the GP100. But the question is, then after that...should I get the Vaquero in .357 or .45 Colt??

 

[caz223]

As for .357 of .45 for vaquero, it six/half dozen.
I chose .45 because I like the big hole look, and they're prolly a little lighter to pack.
If you reload, the cost about the same to shoot, so you wouldn't need to get a vaquero in .357 right away.
But you need to start reloading, and you need a DA .357 mag revolver in 4" trim.
The only reason more people aren't chastising you is because they think everybody has one, and you're just pulling our leg about not having one.

 

[Nightcrawler]

I was GOING to buy one, but then I found my 25-5 for $300, and they don't make 'em anymore...

 

[caz223]

Now the hard part is deciding on which one to get.
They make so many good ones....

 

[mikey357]

...well, you don't really HAVE TO buy a .357...probably don't even NEED TO...but you most certainly SHOULD buy one...the sooner the better!!!...My FIRST handgun purchase was a Smith & Wesson Model 19...so lond ago that Dad had to fill out the "yellow sheet"...and it was about $175 "out-the-door", NEW!!!...my LAST handgun purchase was ALSO a .357...one of the "Stocking Dealer" Model 66's with the "Hi-Viz" sights, bought off an internet auction site for about DOUBLE what the 19 cost almost thirty years ago...oh, yeah, I LIKEE .357's...look at my "Handle"!!!....mikey357

 

[chaim]

But the question is, then after that...should I get the Vaquero in .357 or .45 Colt??

Yes

Seriously, I will probably buy both, the .357 due to its versatility the .45LC due to being more "right" in that kind of gun. Which I get first depends on my mood when the time comes (if it was about 6 months ago it would have been the .357, now it would be the .45, when I am ready it will be...who knows which). If you'd only get one I'd say go .45LC because it is more "right" and obviously the cost doesn't bother you that much since you've been doing it so long w/ the 25.

 

[CMcDermott]

I know you said you like big bore handguns, but seriously you should be looking at a 22, not a 357. You just can't beat the cost of rimfire ammo, not even reloading your own centerfire ammo with your own handcast bullets from free wheelweights with all of your time counted for free.
No, the holes aren't as big, and the recoil factor just isn't there either, but the fun of shooting still is and you can shoot for an afternoon (500 rounds) for $10. 22 revolver's are also cheaper than the centefire counterparts, whether K-frame, J-frame, or Single-Six vs the Blackhawks.

 

[Nightcrawler]

I don't want a .22.

I just don't. I know the ammo is cheap, and I might buy one eventually, but I started off with serious guns and I'm going to be sticking with them for awhile, again, unless I find a good deal.

 

[Sir Galahad]

I didn't know what I was missing until I got my first S&W M66 w/ 6" barrel. It made a revolver man out of me! I could take or leave an auto, but my Smith!! Never!

 

[JohnKSa]

If I could only own one handgun, it would be a .357 revolver.

I think many agree--in fact, I think you could get more gunnies to agree to that statement than almost any other regarding handguns & calibers.

It is probably the only caliber that you can buy ammo for ANYWHERE, that is fun to shoot, cheap enough to enjoy plinking, accurate enough for target work, an excellent choice for self-defense and still powerful enough for many hunting applications. Mostly due to the WIDE variety of ammunition available in .38SPL and .357Mag.

It's a must have for any gun owner...

My list of "must haves" follows:

.357 Mag revolver
Autopistol using a bullet diameter of .355",.40" or .451"
.22 pistol or revolver
12 Ga Shotgun
Rifle using a bullet diameter of .308"
.22 rifle