I fail to see how the 223 con be more versatile all around performer than a 308 or, better, a 30-06.
I would not venture into bear country with a 223 or hunt elk or moose with it, heck it's even illegal on deer in some places as far as I know.
What's the ".357 Magnum" of rifle calibers?
- Thread starter VanGoghComplex
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I fail to see how the 223 con be more versatile all around performer than a 308 or, better, a 30-06.
I would not venture into bear country with a 223 or hunt elk or moose with it, heck it's even illegal on deer in some places as far as I know.
Inebriated
Member
OP isn't hunting.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Amen. It's much cheaper than any centerfire (when you can find it), can be shot places where a centerfire can't (for example, an indoor range), and on a mere 100 yard range you can get in some "long range" shooting.
Inebriated
Member
One of his subsequent posts on page 1 somewhere, he said he doesn't hunt and has no desire to hunt.saturno_v said:
For what he's realistically going to do, .223 is more than adequate.
dakota1911
Member
I would vote the 270 Win. maybe although I don't like them and don't own one but they came along a little earlier than the 357 and were huge when I grew up like the 357 was. I like 30-06 myself in rifle land and 375H&H if the critter is too big for 30-06.
lobo9er
Member
due to it's power and recoil, is a large/heavy pistol as compared to most.
due to it's power and recoil, is a large/heavy pistol as compared to most.
Depends on what "most" you are comparing it to. .45 ACP and down, yes. .357 and UP not to much.
due to it's power and recoil, is a large/heavy pistol as compared to most.
Depends on what "most" you are comparing it to. .45 ACP and down, yes. .357 and UP not to much.
The .357 is slightly more powerful than considered optimal by most mainstream tactitians pf today. It does however cover a wide range of applications and is a fine cartridge. The .38 and ,
.32 cartridges are way less powerful, while the various giant revolver cartridges like the .460, the 454 casull and the 500 sw are way more powerful.
I really think there is some analogy between the 308 and the 357. I'd say the .223 is the 9 mm of the rifle world.
.32 cartridges are way less powerful, while the various giant revolver cartridges like the .460, the 454 casull and the 500 sw are way more powerful.
I really think there is some analogy between the 308 and the 357. I'd say the .223 is the 9 mm of the rifle world.
CoalTrain49
Member
I have a Ruger 77/357. The last time I went to the range I put 100 rds thru it. I reload it for about .25/rd using XTP bullets. That's $25 in ammo costs for custom loaded ammo. If I run 38 it's about .15/rd using lead bullets, which is a nice 50yd. plinker. Some people probably have way more money to spend on ammo than I do, but if all you want to do is plink you aren't going to get any cheaper unless you shoot 22LR which really isn't a 100 yd rifle.
One very nice thing about a 357 is it is becoming a popular cartridge for deer and hogs. There are some pretty potent loads being developed for that cartridge. If you purchased one and wanted to sell it for whatever reason there would be a market for it. 30-30 or 30-06 not so much.
One very nice thing about a 357 is it is becoming a popular cartridge for deer and hogs. There are some pretty potent loads being developed for that cartridge. If you purchased one and wanted to sell it for whatever reason there would be a market for it. 30-30 or 30-06 not so much.
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Macchina
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I agree. The .357 Magnum in a handgun is not a big game cartridge. It's designed to handle moderate tasks in a package that is still easily carried and doesn't require a heavy revolver to be manageable.
In a rifle, it is the same thing: powerful enough for deer and anything smaller but easily fit into a very carry-able rifle that still has manageable recoil.
In a rifle, it is the same thing: powerful enough for deer and anything smaller but easily fit into a very carry-able rifle that still has manageable recoil.
matthewpittinger
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If your looking for one do it all round it all depends on the area in which your gonna use the gun
Here in texas, good ol 223/556 will fit the bill
Here in North America the 06' is king, you could make a case for the 300 win mag
Here on planet Earth it's the 375 H&H
There others thing to look when saying a cartridge is the best median round, at least to me, is the availability of ammo. There's nothing worse than driving half way across the country or flying halfway across the world, only to find you left you box 7.82 Warbird sitting on the kitchen counter.
Here in texas, good ol 223/556 will fit the bill
Here in North America the 06' is king, you could make a case for the 300 win mag
Here on planet Earth it's the 375 H&H
There others thing to look when saying a cartridge is the best median round, at least to me, is the availability of ammo. There's nothing worse than driving half way across the country or flying halfway across the world, only to find you left you box 7.82 Warbird sitting on the kitchen counter.
Hoppes Love Potion
Member
I agree that a .357 Magnum rifle is a good all-around performer for targets, plinking, home defense, and FUN. No need to beat yourself up with a .30 cal rifle round and expensive ammo. Also, most indoor ranges will allow pistol-caliber carbines.
If you like to cast bullets the .458 Win mag is a good choice. Unless you're going after cape buffalo, elephant and other dangerous critters there's really no point in shooting the expensive heavy recoiling 500 gr solids out of this round. A reloaded 405 gr cast lead bullet at around 2000 fps is fine for target shooting or deer or hog hunting. The straight walled case doesn't stretch as fast as the bottleneck cartridges do so case life will be longer.
GAMEOVER44
Member
358 Win.
Oldhandloader
Member
Old Handloader
Well...If you like that particular bore size (.357) why not consider the 35 Whelen? Runs a 200 grain bullet up around 2700 fps. It will be like the big brother of the .357 Mag. I have a Whelen and it is a heck of a gun. Holds about 3 times the powder charge of the revolver cartridge.
Well...If you like that particular bore size (.357) why not consider the 35 Whelen? Runs a 200 grain bullet up around 2700 fps. It will be like the big brother of the .357 Mag. I have a Whelen and it is a heck of a gun. Holds about 3 times the powder charge of the revolver cartridge.
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MCgunner
Member
Yep. I prefer the lighter, shorter rifles in the caliber and performance on deer is just as good. The cartridge is efficient, so shorter barrels don't hurt as bad as they do the 06. And, heck, even the AR guys can shoot .308 in an AR10. It's the great all around big game rifle caliber in short action rifles. I topped mine with a 2x10x40 Weaver KV, so I can go low in the woods to 10x across canyons. Great versatility which is what I think of when I think of my .357s.
Of course, .357 makes a fine carbine caliber...
I'd say .308 is the rifle equivalent. Enough recoil and boom to let you know you're shooting a real gun, not so much as to beat you up.
That said, .223 is my favorite centerfire rifle for range use out to 250 yds or so, and .22lr is my most often used.
A good .22LR will teach you more about shooting rifles well than any other - but not real impressive.
That said, .223 is my favorite centerfire rifle for range use out to 250 yds or so, and .22lr is my most often used.
A good .22LR will teach you more about shooting rifles well than any other - but not real impressive.
litman252
Member
3/4 of the replies used hunting, get rid of those for the OP and it would be interesting. I'll vote for the carbine or rifle in 357. Worse case scenario is you fight use it and decide to sell it for what you have in it.
FWIW....
Tony
FWIW....
Tony
LongbowShooter
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If punching paper is all you want to do, and do it accurately, a .22 lr or .223 would provide a nice balance of accuracy and affordability.
Sometimes though, you just want to make a loud noise while sending the round down range. A 30 caliber (30-30: 308: 30-06: 300 win mag) would all fill the role. Cost of putting the hole in the paper elevates with the power of the round. The 30-30 would generally be considered the least accurate of the choices which, if putting holes close together is one of your goals, may be a consideration in your decision.
Sometimes though, you just want to make a loud noise while sending the round down range. A 30 caliber (30-30: 308: 30-06: 300 win mag) would all fill the role. Cost of putting the hole in the paper elevates with the power of the round. The 30-30 would generally be considered the least accurate of the choices which, if putting holes close together is one of your goals, may be a consideration in your decision.
MCgunner
Member
Good point. I do carry my .357 magnum, one of the other of 'em (have 5), for self defense. I only carry rifles for hunting or just punching paper or plinking (.22LR is king).
But, I have killed deer and hogs with the .357 magnum, so it's a viable hunting round, too, if a bit on the light side with limitations in range and ammo.....which sorta sounds like an AR, in .223 to me. Wow, so many ways to look at this.
With the question about what's the 357mag of rifles, there's the assumption of what is the 41mag and 44mag of rifles as followup questions.
My thoughts are the 357mag is more like the 270 Win and the 41mag is more representative of the 30-'06. 44mag and its offspring would be a crap shoot IMHO.....
My thoughts are the 357mag is more like the 270 Win and the 41mag is more representative of the 30-'06. 44mag and its offspring would be a crap shoot IMHO.....
TimboKhan
Member
I vote .308. Pretty simple reasoning: For what I hunt it is a suitable all around cartridge. It is relatively pleasant to shoot for fun. Ammo can be found relatively cheap and can be reloaded even cheaper. Easy to find.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The .357 is perceived as the best do-all, general purpose handgun cartridge that is good at most things but excels at nothing. Too much and not enough. Just like the .30-06.
ExAgoradzo
Member
The obvious answers are given above:
The 357 (Marlin 1894!) Fun!
The .22 s/l/lr (i.e. a lever action 22) Everyone needs as many as they can get!
the .30-06. I can't believe how many people say 'the .308 is everything the .30-06 is!' Ok, whatever, I don't even have time for that discussion. As great as the .308 is, it isn't the bigger brother .30-06. You may decide that it is right for you and there's no problem with that. But if you want the '.357' of rifle calibers, the .30-06 is your gun!
Get one of each of the above and a solid .223 and you have every base covered besides DG!
Greg
The 357 (Marlin 1894!) Fun!
The .22 s/l/lr (i.e. a lever action 22) Everyone needs as many as they can get!
the .30-06. I can't believe how many people say 'the .308 is everything the .30-06 is!' Ok, whatever, I don't even have time for that discussion. As great as the .308 is, it isn't the bigger brother .30-06. You may decide that it is right for you and there's no problem with that. But if you want the '.357' of rifle calibers, the .30-06 is your gun!
Get one of each of the above and a solid .223 and you have every base covered besides DG!
Greg
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