|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
November 10, 2012, 02:17 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 16, 2012
Location: Idaho
Posts: 432
|
357 magnum carbine VS 30 Carbine?
I am looking for a smaller fun low recoil rifle. I kind of have in narrowed down to these to cartridges (357 magnum or 30 Carbine).
It will be used mostly for plinking and as a first center fire rifle for the young ones. I may use it for hunting game like small deer, hogs and coyotes as well. So which one do you think would be better?
__________________
Always looking for a good hunt! Last edited by CCCLVII; November 10, 2012 at 03:46 PM. |
November 10, 2012, 02:36 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 8, 2000
Location: SLC,Utah
Posts: 2,704
|
I think the wider range of loads available for the .357 Mag will make it a more versatile cartridge for you.
|
November 10, 2012, 04:55 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 23, 2006
Location: South Texas
Posts: 2,010
|
Both are great fun for plinking with the young ones but if you want to hunt, go with the .357. Heavier bullets are available. Although the 110 gr. soft points will kill deer size game, the margin of error is not large. You can shoot 180's out of the .357.
|
November 10, 2012, 05:31 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 1, 2010
Location: Hopewell Junction, NY
Posts: 454
|
I own both a marlin 1894c (357) and an M1 carbine (30 carbine). Although both a lot of fun, the most versatile is certainly the marlin, and if you reload or have 357 handguns, its definitely the best choice.
38 special loads in the marlin are GREAT for plinking. 357 loads can easily be used for close range hunting. Since I have several revolvers chambered for 357, its a no brainer for me. BTW, with the right load (mine being 5.1 of W231 with 125 grain JHP bullet), the marlin has better than average 50 yard groups (1.5 - 2 inch groups with iron sights off a bench) Either way, you can't go wrong in the fun department!!! -George |
November 10, 2012, 07:22 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 26, 2004
Location: Louisville KY
Posts: 13,805
|
When I saw a Carbine fire out of battery at the range, spraying a guy's face with powder after the case head separated, I kinda soured to getting one. His face was sheeting blood...fortunately he was wearing glasses and it was a superficial wound.
|
November 10, 2012, 07:43 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 14, 2010
Location: Border of Idaho & Montana
Posts: 2,584
|
id vote for the 357 as well. My only wish is that they would make a semi-auto version similar to a Coonan or Desert Eagle.
__________________
Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well... |
November 10, 2012, 08:20 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 9, 2009
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 8,273
|
.357
Another vote for the .357. Far more versatile, and available in a variety of loadings and a variety of rifles. (Lever, bolt and pump) The .30 Carbine is pretty much limited in bullet weight and the GI rifle (and its copies) that launch it. (excluding the old Levermatic).
And .38/.357 ammo and components are widespread. |
November 11, 2012, 12:34 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 28, 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 11,755
|
If you want cool factor, U.S. GI M1 Carbine has it flowing. Noisy, a total blast to shoot, horribly easy for anyone to load magazines and extra magazines are cheap. If it's all about plinking and pure fun, M1 Carbine wins, especially if you are not a handloader and you'll be buying all the ammo you sent through it.
Now if you want performance on game, ability to use a wide range of bullets and loads and have much more enjoyment at the load bench, a .357 Magnum chambered rifle or carbine is the easy winner. You won't be able to send as much lead down range as quickly with .357 Magnum, but you can be more effective with it. If you are a handloader, you have a ridiculous range in ability with the .357 Magnum and all of the components are more plentiful, easier to get, (effectively) cheaper and it's just plain easier to handload for.
__________________
Attention Brass rats and other reloaders: I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss. |
November 11, 2012, 02:31 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 20, 2009
Posts: 903
|
I can't comment on the 30 carbine, but I've enjoyed my Marlin 1894c in .357.
I bought the basic Lee Hand Press kit and .38 Special/.357 dies and now load my own plinking cartridges for 13 cents a piece (which is about the same as the higher end .22 ammo: Stingers, Velocitors, etc.). I haven't tried hunting deer with the gun, but if I did, I'd probably consider Buffalo Bore ammo for that purpose. The only problem with buying the Marlin 1894c and the reloading equipment and components is that I then HAD to buy .357 revolver too. |
November 11, 2012, 03:57 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 1, 2010
Posts: 363
|
LOL, I had to the rifle to go with my pistol. I shoot my rifle about 10 times more then my pistol.
|
November 11, 2012, 04:53 AM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 20, 1999
Location: Where they send me
Posts: 1,013
|
Another vote for the .357.
Could get a .44 if you need more thump. Or, there are many 9mm/40 options out there if you think hunting will be less likely it's use and you want an auto. The .30 is really neat, but ammo cost/availability can be issues.
__________________
He who dares wins. NRA Life Benefactor Member |
November 12, 2012, 12:13 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 29, 2008
Location: now living in alabama
Posts: 2,433
|
Why is it that everyone thinks that 110 gr is all you can fire in 30 carbine. If you reload, you can go a bit higher. 130 works good too. I have even loaded 150gr fp cast lead and moved out to max cyl length for my blackhawk. But that round wont chamber in the carbine.
__________________
No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it. |
November 12, 2012, 07:08 AM | #13 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 23, 2001
Posts: 1,552
|
Quote:
__________________
A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." - George Washington, January 8, 1790, First State of the Union Address |
|
November 12, 2012, 10:35 AM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 27, 2009
Posts: 3,968
|
Lever action .357 all the way.
__________________
Sic Semper Tyrannis |
November 12, 2012, 11:38 AM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 17, 2008
Location: ex upstate ny...now free
Posts: 119
|
uh....the only logical answer is: BOTH!
__________________
Now I don't know, but I been told it's hard to run with the weight of gold. Other hand I have heard it said, it's just as hard with the weight of lead. hunter/garcia (new speedway boogie) |
November 12, 2012, 11:38 AM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 25, 2002
Location: Campbell Ca
Posts: 1,090
|
.30 carbine is a great plinker
Is even good at small game and easy on the wallet.
I'd opt for the .357 though. In carbine length barrels it really reaches the potential of that big old case. |
November 12, 2012, 01:42 PM | #17 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 2, 2006
Posts: 280
|
Quote:
__________________
"The more law-abiding people that have guns, the better off we are," Hamilton County [Cincinnati] Prosecutor Joe Deters said. "Because the bad guys always have guns, You look at these school shootings or church shootings, the ones that have been stopped, it was because someone there had a gun." |
|
November 16, 2012, 12:47 AM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 26, 2004
Location: Louisville KY
Posts: 13,805
|
I've seen the results of an M1 carbine firing out of battery. It wasn't pretty for the shooter. Go for the 357.
|
November 16, 2012, 01:17 AM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 29, 2008
Location: now living in alabama
Posts: 2,433
|
Any semi auto fired out of battery is not a pretty scene.
__________________
No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it. |
November 16, 2012, 06:39 AM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 11, 2010
Location: East Texas USA
Posts: 1,805
|
I love both Rifles, but I would have to say a 357 Magnum Rifle would be easy to find shells for, If I was this torn between the two however I would try to find a way to end up with both of them. Good luck
|
November 16, 2012, 10:03 AM | #21 | ||
Senior Member
Join Date: February 27, 2008
Location: midwest
Posts: 4,209
|
Quote:
__________________
rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6 Quote:
|
||
November 16, 2012, 10:17 AM | #22 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 12, 2002
Location: MO
Posts: 5,453
|
I'd go with the .357 for its advantage in brass availability, it better ability to handle 180 grain bullets and for the wide variety of bullets available.
__________________
People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice. |
November 16, 2012, 10:25 AM | #23 |
Member
Join Date: September 4, 2012
Location: USofA
Posts: 80
|
Another vote for the .357 magnum (I suggest a 77/357).
|
November 16, 2012, 10:43 AM | #24 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 21, 2011
Location: Southern Louisiana
Posts: 1,399
|
Quote:
I took a slicked-up Rossi 357 lever action and an M1 carbine. He shot the lever action a couple of times, but he loved the M1 and would have spent all day on it if we had let him. Best thing to do is get both. |
|
November 16, 2012, 03:46 PM | #25 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 19, 2005
Location: Tx Panhandle Territory
Posts: 4,159
|
It's just a darn sobbing and nearly crying shame that the M1 Carbine wasn't designed from the git-go around a rimless .357 Magnum. They were sitting around a drawing board drinking coffee and probably flinging paperclips at each other anyway. A little more thought on the matter wouldn't have hurt anything.
__________________
Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two. |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|