The only way a 357 can equal a 30 carbine is if you shoot stout loads from a lever gun.
* Surplus 30 carbine ammo has about 900 ft-lbs from an M1 carbine.
* a 357 revolver will have about 500 ft-lbs shooting factory ammo. These same loads will perk up to about 800 ft-lbs out of a rifle.
It would take a stout load from a rifle for a 357 to equal a 30 carbine, but it can be done. Buffalo bore 180gr from a rifle has quite a bit more punch at 1,300 ft-lbs of energy, but thats an extreme example. It would be silly to pretend that any substantial segment of lever gun users focus on that one brand of ammunition. The vast majority of people use commonly available ammunition. You cant find Buffalo bore at Walmart or ACE hardware. The majority of 357 loads are defensive loads, that are loaded for controllable recoil, NOT maximum energy. What you find in most places are Remington and winchester PISTOL loads that have about 450-500 ft-lbs from a revolver, and 750-800 ft-lbs from a rifle.
And yet MYSTERIOUSLY, nobody would ever jump on your butt for shooting a hog with a 357 lever gun.