357 ammo isn’t that much cheaper than 30-30. I have found 357 and 44 lever actions a bit more difficult to load than a 30-30 because of the shorter case length, especially with gloves on in the winter (92 compared to a 94). I’d get a 30-30 for hunting and a lever action 22 as a fun gun
357 or 30-30 lever action
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In a quick search the cheapest .30-30 ammo I see is S&B 150 grain at $31.99/box of 20 = $1.60/round. Cheapest 357 Magnum I can find with a soft point bullet is PMC 158 grain at $37.99/box of 50 = $0.76/round. That is a big difference in cost, less than half the price. Similar with reloading, the .30-30 eats up a lot more powder than a .357, you're also usually able to find 357 brass cheaper/easier than .30-30 brass. Lots of people leave handgun brass on the range, not so much with rifle brass nowadays.
The .30-30 has obvious advantages, but ammo cost is a big plus with the 357.
This basically boils down to weather this is going to be more of a fun gun or a hunting gun.
357 will be somewhat cheaper, and lots of fun, yet still fully capable of taking deer at reasonable ranges, if legal in your area.
30-30 will cost a bit more, still be lots of fun, and is definitely a deer capable round. Larger game too, at reasonable distances.
Chances are you will shoot a 357 a lot more than a 30-30. Best to get both?
When looking at rifles/cartridges like this its wise to forget about paper ballistics, ft/lbs, etc. If you solely go by that, you might be let to think that a 45-70 isn't capable of taking big game, that the bullet might actually bounce off, lol. If you wish to use a 357 for hunting deer, load a hard cast and push it as fast as you can. You will not likely recover one on a broadside deer inside 100 yards.
357 will be somewhat cheaper, and lots of fun, yet still fully capable of taking deer at reasonable ranges, if legal in your area.
30-30 will cost a bit more, still be lots of fun, and is definitely a deer capable round. Larger game too, at reasonable distances.
Chances are you will shoot a 357 a lot more than a 30-30. Best to get both?
When looking at rifles/cartridges like this its wise to forget about paper ballistics, ft/lbs, etc. If you solely go by that, you might be let to think that a 45-70 isn't capable of taking big game, that the bullet might actually bounce off, lol. If you wish to use a 357 for hunting deer, load a hard cast and push it as fast as you can. You will not likely recover one on a broadside deer inside 100 yards.
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
the answer is simple
357 Herrett
357 Herrett
WeatherdoG
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Trenton, ON
If you want a cheap lever to plink with, get a .22lr like the Savage Revel or Henry Golden Boy.
For hunting the 30-30 will give you more "margin" to work with than a pistol caliber.
For hunting the 30-30 will give you more "margin" to work with than a pistol caliber.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
One could get a Rossi R95 in 360 BHMR and have the best of both worlds if they be reloaders. The bullet selection is great in the 357 be it
cast or jacketed. Fookin' easy to dial in loads from mild pest boppers to heavy game at sensible ranges. Make one rifle do the job of 2
separate chamberings without much fuss be my reasoning.
cast or jacketed. Fookin' easy to dial in loads from mild pest boppers to heavy game at sensible ranges. Make one rifle do the job of 2
separate chamberings without much fuss be my reasoning.
Realistically you can do the same with a 30-30 - between 30 carbine bullets, 7.62 Tokarev bullets, cast lead bullets, and Berry's bullets you've got a lot of options for cheap bullets in a 30-30 that are well suited to a variety of velocities and purposes.
360BHMR is a pretty sweet cartridge though!
- Location
- Delta B.C.
If your asking if shooting a deer with a pistol round or a rifle round is better to harvest a critter? The latter is the only answer.. For the critter.... for you... cheers... just my personal opinion. Cheers
Edit: I can shoot some tight groups to 100+ yards with a 30-30 and FMX bullets... It's my side arm carry these days... Fast to load and shoot and load and shoot ect.
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357 ammo is much cheaper and 38 special is a good amount cheaper than 357. Recently got 38 special around 45 cents per round
For levers I have the following
357 marlin cowboy
44 magnum browning bl-92
30-30 winchester trapper
45-70 browning 1886
If your going to shoot far more cans and plates than deer, the 357 is king, especially if you reload. I cast and load about 1000 rounds of 357 magnum every year, lead and powder goes a very long way for this cartridge. I shoot that marlin far more than any 22, a lb of powder will load 1000 target loads. It will work for deer, however it's not my first choice. The cost per round of low enough I dont even bother with 38 specials.
The 30-30 trapper I wanted since I was a kid, it's what I take in the bush as it's light and I have complete faith in it for medium game. Not a target or plinking gun, it might see a half dozen rounds a year.
If I had the choice of one, it be the 357.
357 marlin cowboy
44 magnum browning bl-92
30-30 winchester trapper
45-70 browning 1886
If your going to shoot far more cans and plates than deer, the 357 is king, especially if you reload. I cast and load about 1000 rounds of 357 magnum every year, lead and powder goes a very long way for this cartridge. I shoot that marlin far more than any 22, a lb of powder will load 1000 target loads. It will work for deer, however it's not my first choice. The cost per round of low enough I dont even bother with 38 specials.
The 30-30 trapper I wanted since I was a kid, it's what I take in the bush as it's light and I have complete faith in it for medium game. Not a target or plinking gun, it might see a half dozen rounds a year.
If I had the choice of one, it be the 357.
Here is something to think about in your 357 rifle-
I had a Henry Big Boy in 357. I was shooting "STORE BOUGHT" 357 ammo for it and I had poor FPS readings . It wasnt capable of solid 200 yard shots and not overly impressive strength at 100 yards.
why.... because the ammo off the shelf is made for PISTOLS not Rifles. Its powder burn is spent half way down the barrel !
You need a SLOW burning powder to get the best bang for the buck.
I loaded some 157 gr with 10g off Blue dot "that's what henry recommends" and WOW what a difference. the henry shot with stout authority. I needed only a 6inch hold over at 200 and it hit with Force ! very accurate hard hitting round, Henry was right !
with this load you could take some decent game at distance.
I think I was getting around 1738 FPS out of a 16 inch barrel.
I had a Henry Big Boy in 357. I was shooting "STORE BOUGHT" 357 ammo for it and I had poor FPS readings . It wasnt capable of solid 200 yard shots and not overly impressive strength at 100 yards.
why.... because the ammo off the shelf is made for PISTOLS not Rifles. Its powder burn is spent half way down the barrel !
You need a SLOW burning powder to get the best bang for the buck.
I loaded some 157 gr with 10g off Blue dot "that's what henry recommends" and WOW what a difference. the henry shot with stout authority. I needed only a 6inch hold over at 200 and it hit with Force ! very accurate hard hitting round, Henry was right !
with this load you could take some decent game at distance.
I think I was getting around 1738 FPS out of a 16 inch barrel.
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Leavenworth
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lowermainland B.C.
Not what the OP is asking but it might be appropriate to ask .
What do you gain with 357 lever action rifle that you don’t have with a 357 revolver
Distance etc ?
What do you gain with 357 lever action rifle that you don’t have with a 357 revolver
Distance etc ?
