Looking for a good single action .357
- Thread starter metalslug
- Start date
Unless you're on an unlimited budget there's really only a couple of options.
First off is a Ruger. Then there's the Italian clones.
And if you further want to shoot a variety of ammo that actually hits where you aim then it narrows down to only one.... well, two. The first and easiest to find is the Ruger Blackhawk. The adjustable sights make this a clear winner. It lets you shoot any bullet and load power combination and adjust the sights so the POA is also the POI. It means you need to keep track of what you're shooting and adjust frequently. But at least you CAN adjust it.
Uberti makes ONE model of their single action gun which has an adjustable sight. But they seem to be rare to find.
On the other hand if you will be happy with zeroing in on and using only ONE ammo load with the gun then you can consider the sleeker looking fixed sight models. And there is no doubt at all that these are far more ###y looking with the non-lumpy top straps and low profile front blades. But they are "One Load Wonders" that at best will shoot maybe TWO different ammo loads to the same POA.
So.... let's say Ruger Blackhawk. So which one? The regular in .357Mag only or the convertible that comes with a 9mm cylinder? Read around on this decision. The bore size is a compromise to work with the ammo that varies in size by a couple of thou. That means it's not perfect for either. There's lots of reports of both good and bad accuracy from the convertibles.
My own feeling is that I'd rather save my 9mm for semi autos and shoot regular and easier to load, thanks to the length, proper cartridges from a proper bore size. So for my money the extra 9mm cylinder is a useless bit of kit that would hardly ever see the light of day.
Now let's go a little further..... If you're shooting much in the way of full load magnums you're quickly going to run into sticker shock at the price of the ammo. So for a long time my advice has always been that anything with "Magnum" in the name or anything that starts with a ".4" is stuff that justifies getting into reloading. It's literally 1/4 to 1/3 the price to reload vs buy factory ammo in these sizes.
So if you're going to be reloading anyway I've got a question for you. .357Mag will run around 18 to 22 cents a pop. But I can reload a .44Mag or .45Colt for around 24 to 28 cents a pop. The cost range is based on the powder options. Mouse fart loads use a couple of pennies worth of regular powder while full house boomers use full casings worth of H110 or similar powders. Hence the cost spread to the higher figures per round.
And if I'm reloading I can also control the load power to produce any recoil power from a rimfire like pop to a wrist wrecking BOOOOOM! ! ! and anything in between. So...... what about bumping up to a .44Mag or .45Colt?
On the other hand if you're already reloading in .38Spl and .357Mag and don't want to diversify too widely then it makes good sense to stick to this size.
First off is a Ruger. Then there's the Italian clones.
And if you further want to shoot a variety of ammo that actually hits where you aim then it narrows down to only one.... well, two. The first and easiest to find is the Ruger Blackhawk. The adjustable sights make this a clear winner. It lets you shoot any bullet and load power combination and adjust the sights so the POA is also the POI. It means you need to keep track of what you're shooting and adjust frequently. But at least you CAN adjust it.
Uberti makes ONE model of their single action gun which has an adjustable sight. But they seem to be rare to find.
On the other hand if you will be happy with zeroing in on and using only ONE ammo load with the gun then you can consider the sleeker looking fixed sight models. And there is no doubt at all that these are far more ###y looking with the non-lumpy top straps and low profile front blades. But they are "One Load Wonders" that at best will shoot maybe TWO different ammo loads to the same POA.
So.... let's say Ruger Blackhawk. So which one? The regular in .357Mag only or the convertible that comes with a 9mm cylinder? Read around on this decision. The bore size is a compromise to work with the ammo that varies in size by a couple of thou. That means it's not perfect for either. There's lots of reports of both good and bad accuracy from the convertibles.
My own feeling is that I'd rather save my 9mm for semi autos and shoot regular and easier to load, thanks to the length, proper cartridges from a proper bore size. So for my money the extra 9mm cylinder is a useless bit of kit that would hardly ever see the light of day.
Now let's go a little further..... If you're shooting much in the way of full load magnums you're quickly going to run into sticker shock at the price of the ammo. So for a long time my advice has always been that anything with "Magnum" in the name or anything that starts with a ".4" is stuff that justifies getting into reloading. It's literally 1/4 to 1/3 the price to reload vs buy factory ammo in these sizes.
So if you're going to be reloading anyway I've got a question for you. .357Mag will run around 18 to 22 cents a pop. But I can reload a .44Mag or .45Colt for around 24 to 28 cents a pop. The cost range is based on the powder options. Mouse fart loads use a couple of pennies worth of regular powder while full house boomers use full casings worth of H110 or similar powders. Hence the cost spread to the higher figures per round.
And if I'm reloading I can also control the load power to produce any recoil power from a rimfire like pop to a wrist wrecking BOOOOOM! ! ! and anything in between. So...... what about bumping up to a .44Mag or .45Colt?
On the other hand if you're already reloading in .38Spl and .357Mag and don't want to diversify too widely then it makes good sense to stick to this size.
Pietta was my own choice for cowboy action. But being a fixed sights gun it only shoots one load accurately in elevation. Which is why I posted about this issue and the reason for the Ruger Blackhawk.
Otherwise it's a great option. My two have been dead on reliable for 5 years now. And others with them have gotten the same reliability.
And just to illustrate why I'm so avid on the sights issue. Load up the same gun with similar weight bullets but with some in .357Mag and the others in .38Spl and shoot at a dot. At 15 yards out the magnums will print a group that is roughly 2.5 inches lower than the .38Spl's. And that's why it's important to have a gun with adjustable sights if a wide variety of ammo power options will be used.
If you're not after a Colt 1893 clone, then I'd say the Ruger Blackhawk like everyone else as it's built like a tank and can take pretty stout 357Mag loads to mild 38sp ones.
If you're after an 1873 clone, I'd say the Ruger New Vaquero although it isn't functionally 100% identical since it uses a transfer safety bar and one way indexing cylinder.
Closer to the 1873 clone, Pietta is on the economical end. They're pretty solid performers and good value for the $$. Next up would be the Beretta Stampede (though similar to the Vaquero ie uses transfer bar), Uberti makes some awesome ones and the El Patron model is factory tuned. If you want smooth, tough to pass up a Taylor & Co SAA.
If you're after an 1873 clone, I'd say the Ruger New Vaquero although it isn't functionally 100% identical since it uses a transfer safety bar and one way indexing cylinder.
Closer to the 1873 clone, Pietta is on the economical end. They're pretty solid performers and good value for the $$. Next up would be the Beretta Stampede (though similar to the Vaquero ie uses transfer bar), Uberti makes some awesome ones and the El Patron model is factory tuned. If you want smooth, tough to pass up a Taylor & Co SAA.
