Wayward_Son
New member
For many reasons.
1. I love the .357 magnum. It's a reliable, show-stopping round with high velocity and a flat trajectory, available in a variety of factory loads with the option of shooting down to .38sp. So why not take a good thing and make it even better by giving it another 400-500 fps and thump at a longer range with more accuracy? Also, I recently purchased my Very First Gun, a S&W 686P four-inch. And it needs a companion.
2. I like the idea of shooting one box of bullets through both a revolver and a rifle. There's something about the practicality of using ONE ammunition in your handgun and long gun that really appeals to me for some reason.
3. Classic design. I'm looking at Marlin's 1894 Cowboy with it's 20" octagon barrel. The cross bolt safety doesn't bother me. I like the idea of high-capacity (10+1) with a fast action while still being able to keep the sights on the target without moving into the semi auto rifles.
So I've talked myself into this gun. Anyone care to talk me out?
I'd like this to be a multi-purpose rifle: fun at the range, hunting, and home defense if necessary. I do not intend to put a scope on it. This rifle in this caliber appears to have a realistic range of about 100 yards. If I'm hunting I'd really prefer to keep my shots under 75 yards, and my eyes are good enough for those ranges given plenty of practice at the range. I would keep my hunting to small-smallish medium game like the smaller wild hogs and smaller whitetail here in SE Texas. I think this gun in this caliber would be reliable for those animals inside 100 yards.
Which brings up something else: Like I mentioned, I like the idea of using one box of ammo for both pistol and rifle. If I was back in Wyoming, hiking/hunting in a rugged, isolated area I wouldn't want to worry about multiple loads. If my rifle jams and I NEED my pistol, I want to keep things as simple as possible by having only one type of ammunition to load. No worrying about which pocket contains which load or anything like that. One bullet, two guns. I'm not saying this is right, or realistic, and there are probably many of you laughing at my naivete; all I can say is that this idea appeals to me on an instinctual basis. It just feels right.
With that being said, is there one factory bullet that can do it all? I'm thinking a 158grn JHP in full magnum. That should be heavy enough with both penetration and expansion for defense against two- and four-legged predators out of both the S&W and the Marlin. I think it will be big enough medicine for smaller hogs and deer. I'm currently looking at the Federal Premium SD round in 158-gn Hydra-Shok JHP. Is there a better factory round available? Different bullet type, different weight? Something that can meet all of my needs out of these two guns?
Gander Mountain has a 1894 Cowboy .357 on the shelf. It's been there for at least six weeks. They want $779 for it, and I think they're insane. Then again, the other two dealers I've talked to locally can give me a lower price but both of their distributors are out of stock. Can I talk Gander down? Will they haggle? I'd buy the gun for $700 (I know, that's still a high price) but nearly eight-hundred is ridiculous.
1. I love the .357 magnum. It's a reliable, show-stopping round with high velocity and a flat trajectory, available in a variety of factory loads with the option of shooting down to .38sp. So why not take a good thing and make it even better by giving it another 400-500 fps and thump at a longer range with more accuracy? Also, I recently purchased my Very First Gun, a S&W 686P four-inch. And it needs a companion.
2. I like the idea of shooting one box of bullets through both a revolver and a rifle. There's something about the practicality of using ONE ammunition in your handgun and long gun that really appeals to me for some reason.
3. Classic design. I'm looking at Marlin's 1894 Cowboy with it's 20" octagon barrel. The cross bolt safety doesn't bother me. I like the idea of high-capacity (10+1) with a fast action while still being able to keep the sights on the target without moving into the semi auto rifles.
So I've talked myself into this gun. Anyone care to talk me out?
I'd like this to be a multi-purpose rifle: fun at the range, hunting, and home defense if necessary. I do not intend to put a scope on it. This rifle in this caliber appears to have a realistic range of about 100 yards. If I'm hunting I'd really prefer to keep my shots under 75 yards, and my eyes are good enough for those ranges given plenty of practice at the range. I would keep my hunting to small-smallish medium game like the smaller wild hogs and smaller whitetail here in SE Texas. I think this gun in this caliber would be reliable for those animals inside 100 yards.
Which brings up something else: Like I mentioned, I like the idea of using one box of ammo for both pistol and rifle. If I was back in Wyoming, hiking/hunting in a rugged, isolated area I wouldn't want to worry about multiple loads. If my rifle jams and I NEED my pistol, I want to keep things as simple as possible by having only one type of ammunition to load. No worrying about which pocket contains which load or anything like that. One bullet, two guns. I'm not saying this is right, or realistic, and there are probably many of you laughing at my naivete; all I can say is that this idea appeals to me on an instinctual basis. It just feels right.
With that being said, is there one factory bullet that can do it all? I'm thinking a 158grn JHP in full magnum. That should be heavy enough with both penetration and expansion for defense against two- and four-legged predators out of both the S&W and the Marlin. I think it will be big enough medicine for smaller hogs and deer. I'm currently looking at the Federal Premium SD round in 158-gn Hydra-Shok JHP. Is there a better factory round available? Different bullet type, different weight? Something that can meet all of my needs out of these two guns?
Gander Mountain has a 1894 Cowboy .357 on the shelf. It's been there for at least six weeks. They want $779 for it, and I think they're insane. Then again, the other two dealers I've talked to locally can give me a lower price but both of their distributors are out of stock. Can I talk Gander down? Will they haggle? I'd buy the gun for $700 (I know, that's still a high price) but nearly eight-hundred is ridiculous.
