For a cartridge born in 1934, the .357 Magnum is still a great choice.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Here are five reasons the iconic .357 Magnum cartridge is still a great all-around pick for shooters.
1. The power level ups the ante.
When considering ammunition caliber, you can choose based on how much power you want. Even within the .357 Magnum cartridge lies several choices to make. Light loads kick a lot less and are perfect for target shooting, vermin and small game. For bipedal threats, hot hollow-points will keep you safe for self-defense. Load up hardcast solids when you could possibly encounter tougher predators, such as moderate-sized bears and mountain lions.
2. You can find .357 Magnum ammo (most of the time).
The current ammo shortage situation not withstanding, the .357 Magnum is a rather universal cartridge you can find at most ammunition retailers. Nowadays, it can be very difficult to find the most popular calibers out there, so having something that fires .356 Magnum can be really nice.
3. You have the ability to shoot .38 Special cartridges.
This is a huge reason why the .357 Magnum is so popular. For cheaper target practice, the .38 Special cartridge does very well in a .357 Magnum revolver.
4. You can hand-load it with ease.
If you're a hand-loader, the straight-walled cases of the .357 Magnum cartridge do a great job of extending case life. Also, with a wide variety of available projectiles, you can decide to load heavy or light (just like we mentioned in number 1).
5. It makes for a great rifle cartridge, too.
If you own a long gun in .357 Magnum, you'll notice higher accuracy and higher velocities. A Henry Arms Rifle chambered in .357 Magnum will make short work of any whitetail from medium distances.
Do you like articles about the outdoors? Click here to view more articles by Eric Nestor. You can follow him @ericthewoodsman on Twitter, The Classic Woodsman on Facebook, and @theclassicwoodsman on Instagram. You can view more Nestor Photography photos at Nestor Photography.
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