Questions about .357 Magnum rifle and ammo

[GetmeoutaCT]

Hello all -

It's been a while; I've spent the last year trying to stay healthy, and buying guns and ammo that strike my fancy; assuming they can be found and bought without breaking the bank.

I've been trying to fill in my collection with long wished-for additions; most of which fortunately are not the objects of the current hysteria. That said, it ain't been easy.

My #1 unicorn at the moment is a Model 94 in .357 magnum with a 16" barrel. IIRC Winchester sold this as a "trapper" model before the New Haven plant closed in 2007 or so; although I believe it was also sold with a 20" barrel (I have one of those in .44 magnum).

The only Winchester models of the 16" .357 seem to cluster around $1500; and these are later models with the unloved cross bolt safety.

I am aware that Rossi makes a 16" in .357, and I saw but did not handle one at an LGS. It was finished in nickel or stainless, and it looked about as attractive as the metal on a cooking spoon. However, I'm told these also come blued.

Question #1 - are these Rossi's any good? the cost around $550 so the price is right.

Question #2 - .357 magnum seems to be the unicorn of ammo. I can finally find .38 Special again, but narry a box of .357 magnum anywhere, either locally or online. Can't understand this, as I thought everyone was chasing 9mm and 5.56. Any explanation?

If you've read this far, thanks very much!

 

[Mycin]

I have the 16" Rossi 357, blued. Bought it about 5 years ago to pair with my 357 Blackhawk. It continues to be my favorite long gun.

Cons: Fit and finish aren't much to write home about - this isn't a hand-fitted firearm, nor did I expect it to be, at the price. The wood is not particularly impressive-looking. When I got it, the front sight was loose in its dove-tail. Rather than hassle with sending it back under warranty, I simply ordered a replacement sight online for about $20, which fit perfectly.

Pros: It feeds everything I've tried to put through it, both 357 Mag and 38 Spcl. It's pretty accurate and has been very reliable. Shooting 38's isn't exactly like shooting a 22, but the comparison is tempting. Shooting Buffalo Bore 180gr hardcast you know you're firing a real gun. Would love to take it hog hunting.

Did I mention it's my favorite long gun? Well, it is.

 

[Skylerbone]

Speaking to the ammo, I’m seeing it in emails at inflated prices and locally at one farm store. I’ve always loaded both .38 and .357 to avoid their seemingly always high prices and limited availability of loadings.

I own a few Rossi single-shot rifles which are every bit as ugly as the one you described, but both are reasonable shooters. I have read many times that their lever guns are suitable after some slicking up but cannot speak from experience.

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

I have the 16" Rossi 357, blued. Bought it about 5 years ago to pair with my 357 Blackhawk. It continues to be my favorite long gun.

Cons: Fit and finish aren't much to write home about - this isn't a hand-fitted firearm, nor did I expect it to be, at the price. The wood is not particularly impressive-looking. When I got it, the front sight was loose in its dove-tail. Rather than hassle with sending it back under warranty, I simply ordered a replacement sight online for about $20, which fit perfectly.

Pros: It feeds everything I've tried to put through it, both 357 Mag and 38 Spcl. It's pretty accurate and has been very reliable. Shooting 38's isn't exactly like shooting a 22, but the comparison is tempting. Shooting Buffalo Bore 180gr hardcast you know you're firing a real gun. Would love to take it hog hunting.

Did I mention it's my favorite long gun? Well, it is.

Thank you!

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

Speaking to the ammo, I’m seeing it in emails at inflated prices and locally at one farm store. I’ve always loaded both .38 and .357 to avoid their seemingly always high prices and limited availability of loadings.

I own a few Rossi single-shot rifles which are every bit as ugly as the one you described, but both are reasonable shooters. I have read many times that their lever guns are suitable after some slicking up but cannot speak from experience.

Thanks!

 

[Skylerbone]

I’ll add that I do own a Henry lever in .357 which may not appeal visually to traditional lever guys (and I’m with them on its plain-Jane looks). It is however a reasonably smooth action and very accurate without the exorbitant price tag.

 

[5118ar]

A buddy just traded for 357 mag Rossi in SS, I looked it over, and seems kinda puny/small to me, and not what I'd want. Gun seems to be good quality, just to small & light for me. 38+ ammo looks to be about .70$ a round down here, and close to 357 mag punch, but not quite.

 

[.308 Norma]

Question #2 - .357 magnum seems to be the unicorn of ammo. I can finally find .38 Special again, but narry a box of .357 magnum anywhere, either locally or online. Can't understand this, as I thought everyone was chasing 9mm and 5.56. Any explanation?

I think one explanation is as good as another, and as far as I can tell from the all of the "ammunition shortage" posts here on THR in the last year and a half or so, there's a dozen or so explanations as to why some type of ammunition is in shorter supply than another type of ammunition. So, here's my explanation as to why .357 Magnum ammo is somewhat of a "unicorn" nowadays: if I was running an ammunition factory, and I was having trouble getting components anyway, I'd keep my people busy building whatever type(s) of ammunition was in the most demand at the time - i.e. "9mm and 5.56, as you said.
I've also noticed from the various "ammunition shortage" posts here on THR that what type(s) of ammunition is like a "unicorn" kinda depends on where you are. I mean, I haven't looked, but there's a chance I can find somewhat of a selection of .357 Magnum ammo here, while you might not be able to find any .357 Magnum ammo where you are.

 

[Mycin]

Speaking to the ammo, I’m seeing it in emails at inflated prices and locally at one farm store. I’ve always loaded both .38 and .357 to avoid their seemingly always high prices and limited availability of loadings.

I own a few Rossi single-shot rifles which are every bit as ugly as the one you described, but both are reasonable shooters. I have read many times that their lever guns are suitable after some slicking up but cannot speak from experience.

Before buying mine, I'd read people complaining about the Rossi lever guns needing to be slicked up. Maybe these are CAS competitors who are trying to shave off the last few fractions of a second from their time or something. I just don't see the problem. I've also tried the action on another Rossi at a gun store -- also seemed perfectly fine to me. Mine HAS slicked up some with use, but even out of the box it was easy to work the action while keeping the rifle shouldered. And I'm not some lever-gun expert with lots of skill. This is the first lever gun I've shot since my dad's model 94 30-30 back 40-odd years ago.

 

[Seedy Character]

I prefer the Henry over the Rossi. I have 2 friends that love their Rossi .357, though.

I would say, it is all a matter of personal choice and how the rifle works for your needs.

Good news, if you don't like it, you can easily sell it.

 

[dieselchief]

16in barrelled rossi shooter. handles like a 22. cant see having a handy carbine that weighs as much as a full size rifle. it works well with 38s also. i did have a bunch of lead cowboy action bullets, (rnfp). they feed wonderfully.....dc

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I have a Rossi in 45 Colt, loking for one in 357, but around here, it seems that if you aren't there when they get put on the gun rack in the store, you are out of luck, whether it's Rossi, Henry, or a nice used Marlin. The Henry is a bit nicer rifle IMHO, but I've had good luck with my Rossi.

 

[wiscoaster]

I bought a box of .357 Mag about a week ago at Scheel's, but the price was outrageous, and a two-box limit was posted, and there were only a half dozen boxes on the shelf. I only have two guns that shoot that caliber so I suppose it's not that big of a deal. S&W 66-1 and a Henry Big Boy.

 

[Speedo66]

My .357 Rossi 92 is a pleasure, shoots both .38spl and .357, factory and hand loads, without a hitch.

Short, light, and accurate.

There are some stories about problems, but mine performed perfectly right out of the box. Working the action a number of times smoothed things out.

I replaced the ejector spring with a less powerful one which made two things happen, the action became even lighter to operate, and empties weren’t ejected as far. Not absolutely necessary, but it was helpful.

OP, I think you’ll enjoy one.

 

[Hokkmike]

Saw a Model 94 in .45LC at a gun show. It lasted on the table less than hour before being bought. These things are in HIGH demand..... I imagine the same is true of .357.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

My brother had one of the Rossi's, purchased back in the 1990s. I shot it a few times, but found the lever more of a chore to manipulate than the 1873 clones I've tried and sold it off in hopes of finding a reasonably-priced 1873. Prices for the latter have only gone higher since then, and I could have gotten much more for the Rossi if I'd kept it another two years -- live and learn.

I didn't find anything functionally wrong with the Rossi as compared with 1892s by other makers. It's a stronger action than the 1873, but a beast of a design to take apart and reassemble by comparison.

 

[doubleh]

I have a Rossi 92 with a 20" barrel. It was sort of OK out of the box with a fairly heavy trigger, ejected empties almost into the stratosphere, and needed Superman to shove cartridges into the magazine tube. Installing a spring kit and cutting the magazine spring turned it into a very nice little rifle. Nice smooth trigger, empties fall right at your feet, and no more gritting my teeth when loading the magazine. It prefers round nose flat point bullets.

 

[Crunchy Frog]

The Winchester 1892 was a pistol caliber rifle, intended as a replacement for the 1873. The 1894 has a longer receiver to accommodate rifle cartridges like the .30-30. When cowboy action shooting came about Winchester began producing 1894s in pistol calipers. I assume the .357 1894 is one of those. These rifles do not enjoy a favorable reputation in cowboy action shooting circles. They might work OK if you don’t try to shoot them quickly. The same is true of some other pistol caliber lever action rifles.

The current Winchester 1892s are manufactured by Miroku in Japan. Very good quality but they have a rebounding hammer and a tang safety that was not part of JMB’s original design. You can get an 1873 from Winchester/Miroku or from Uberti for about the same price.

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

I’ll add that I do own a Henry lever in .357 which may not appeal visually to traditional lever guys (and I’m with them on its plain-Jane looks). It is however a reasonably smooth action and very accurate without the exorbitant price tag.

Thanks again - I like the Henrys but I just can't get past the loading method.

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

The Winchester 1892 was a pistol caliber rifle, intended as a replacement for the 1873. The 1894 has a longer receiver to accommodate rifle cartridges like the .30-30. When cowboy action shooting came about Winchester began producing 1894s in pistol calipers. I assume the .357 1894 is one of those. These rifles do not enjoy a favorable reputation in cowboy action shooting circles. They might work OK if you don’t try to shoot them quickly. The same is true of some other pistol caliber lever action rifles.

The current Winchester 1892s are manufactured by Miroku in Japan. Very good quality but they have a rebounding hammer and a tang safety that was not part of JMB’s original design. You can get an 1873 from Winchester/Miroku or from Uberti for about the same price.

Thank you; that is good advice. I had read that about the 94's issues with pistol calibers but had forgotten that. I will check out the Miroku and Uberti 92's.

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

Thanks to all who responded to whom I did not thank specifically. Good advice.

I believe I'll look for a Miroku or Uberti 92 in .357, with the Rossi as a back up if those are unavailable or too dear.

 

[Skylerbone]

Thanks again - I like the Henrys but I just can't get past the loading method.

Don't forget Henry now makes rifles with side gate loading including the BigBoy Steel, Case Hardened, and Large Lever to name a few. I don’t find their rendering as gracefully executed as the Winchesters but functionally they work.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Thanks again - I like the Henrys but I just can't get past the loading method.

The newer Henry's do offer what you're looking for with a side gate; 16.5" or 20" barrel. I have two 20" Henry's: .357 and .45 Colt. I'm keeping 'em.

 

[roscoe]

The Rossi will be lighter and handier. The Henry will be heavier, but the finish will be nicer. Both will shoot fine. For .357, my advice is reload, eve on a single stage. Ammo is just too high these days for fun shooting any other way.

 

[Skylerbone]

And reloading .38 Special with a bit of Clays is like having a pop gun. The first round I ran through my Henry had me believing it was a squib despite seeing a hole in my fresh target. Loading the way you want is the real beauty of loading your own.