.357 magnum bolt-action?

[NoirFan]

Hello,

So far my only long gun is my CZ 452 trainer. This gun is fantastic and it makes me wonder why no one makes a mag-fed .357 magnum bolt rifle? My reasons are:

1. I love the .357 magnum cartridge.
2. I already have a .357 revolver and ammo.
3. I like bolt rifles.
4. I don’t like lever rifles.

I suppose the biggest problem is the rimmed case on the magnum, but the .22LR has a rim and it’s no problem for my 452. Couldn’t you just scale up the same basic action to fire a .357? Admittedly I am a rifle novice so please let me know if there is a gaping problem with this idea.

 

[Wedge]

No real problem with something like that, many other cartridges are rimmed, 7.62x54R (mosin-nagant) comes to mind.

My guess is that there are so many choices superior to .357 Mag in rifle cartridges and that it makes for a handy quick lever cartridge/rifle combo that there just isn't a market for it. Same as the market for a .30-30 bolt...there are some out there but they are few and far between.

 

[ColdChili]

I like the idea, sign me up for one too, but in 500 S&W and left handed.
I'll also take one in 454 casull, 460 S&W, and 44 Mag.

 

[Shawnee]

The famous Remington 788 was chambered for a limited time in. 44 magnum.
If one could even be found for sale today the price would likely be close to $2000 - a slight increase over its' original sale price of $99.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Don't forget the ruger 77/44 magnum!

 

[Seafarer12]

The famous Remington 788 was chambered for a limited time in. 44 magnum.
If one could even be found for sale today the price would likely be close to $2000 - a slight increase over its' original sale price of $99.

They also came in 30/30. I have a left handed .308 788. I saw one go on gunbroker the other day for 600. If they get any higher I might have to part with mine.

As far as a bolt action I don't know any. I have a lever action .357 and love it. I wish they still made the timberwolf. I really like pumps. I don't see much of a market for a .357 bolt gun. You loose the advantage of quick followups. Just want a little more power if I am going to get a bolt gun.

 

[lmccrock]

In the past, Ruger made a bolt action in 44 mag (77/44). They also had semi-auto and lever action 44 mag. But no .357.

There are pistol caliber semi-autos and lever guns, but bolt action pistol calbers is a very small niche. If you can find a bolt gun with the correct bolt face and magazine (or close enough), then a .357 barrel could probably be chambered and fitted. Probably kindof expensive.

Lee

 

[Ascot500]

The closest "factory" rifle that comes to mind is the Spanish Destroyer carbine in 9 mm Largo.

You might be able to use the same dies with a new shellholder.

 

[SaMx]

I wish they still made the timberwolf.

http://www.remtek.com/arms/imi/timber/index.htm ?

looks cool, why doesn't anyone make it anymore?

 

[ColdChili]

Tarus make something similar but its not as pretty...

the two "rumors" I've heard on why they stopped importing the timberwolf are;
1) Sales suffered because around the time they started to import them was the same time the first assault rifle ban was coming. So one theory it that people were spending their money on AR type toys instead of the pump action pistol caliber carbines.
2) The BATF didn't like them because they could be fired with the buttstock removed.

both of these theories seem pretty weak to me though...then again I'm not an expert on the issue.

I pick up a timberwolf parts kit on gunbroker in april and it took me about 8 months to track down all the missing parts and get it up and running.

 

[ArmedBear]

3. I like bolt rifles.
4. I don’t like lever rifles.

Sounds like you need an attitude adjustment, not a bolt-action .357.

Seriously, though, apart from the fact that I like my bolties and my lever guns, there are good reasons for the .357 being chambered in lever carbines more commonly than bolt guns.

 

[ThomasT]

The rimmed case of the 357 does not work as well as a rimmless round in a bolt. I CAN be made to work but can be a little touchy.

You said you don't like levers and thats too bad. The lever action is a fantastic platform for a rimmed cartridge. Have you ever shot a 357 lever gun? If you haven't then you owe it to yourself to at least try one. A friend shot mine a couple of weeks ago and now can't stop talking about it. He has tried to order one but no one has any in stock. Marlin is supposed to running them now and they should be available in April.

My Marlin 357 is hands down my favorite rifle and would be the last to go. Its just too useful to sell.

 

[ArmedBear]

My Marlin 357 is hands down my favorite rifle and would be the last to go. Its just too useful to sell.

Between that and my Marlin .22LR lever guns, I'd have a hard time choosing which is my favorite. Ditto for anyone else who tries shooting one.

Come on in. The water's fine.

 

[rcmodel]

Timberwolf pumps demise:

1) Sales suffered because around the time they started to import them was the same time the first assault rifle ban was coming. So one theory it that people were spending their money on AR type toys instead of the pump action pistol caliber carbines.
2) The BATF didn't like them because they could be fired with the buttstock removed.

2. Any number of antique as well as modern firearms can be fired with the buttstock removed.

1. Could also have been because a great many of them simply didn't work right.
Quality Control was a totally foreign concept to them!


rcmodel

 

[ColdChili]

I can't stress "rumor" enough.

1. Could also have been because a great many of them simply didn't work right.
Quality Control was a totally foreign concept to them!

Come on man, its valentines day, where's the love for the timberwolf?

 

[Timthinker]

Oh, that darned law of supply and demand again. This summarizes the issue. There is nothing wrong with a rifle chambered for a rimmed cartridge if it functions safely and reliably. Unfortunately, the demand for a bolt-action .357 Magnum is not too great. But a custom rifle could be built-for a price.


Timthinker

 

[Seafarer12]

Tarus make something similar but its not as pretty...

Or work from guys that I know that have bought them.

 

[SaMx]

2. Any number of antique as well as modern firearms can be fired with the buttstock removed.

1. Could also have been because a great many of them simply didn't work right.
Quality Control was a totally foreign concept to them!

That's too bad. Why aren't there more pump action revolver caliber rifles? Frankly I don't really care for lever action rifles (I know, I know), but pump action rifles feel more natural to me.

 

[ArmedBear]

There are several pump action revolver caliber rifles available. None of them are cheap. Most are beautiful, though.

That said, a lever gun has a rigid foreend and can be held in a greater variety of ways to suit your preference. As with a shotgun, a pump action has its advantages and disadvantages.

 

[NoirFan]

Sounds like you need an attitude adjustment, not a bolt-action .357.

This might very well be true! I have only held and cycled a lever action rifle, but never fired it. Even then I did not really like the feel of the operation though, but I will try firing one before I pass permanent judgment.

Not to mention the looks! Too hokey, too cornball, too COWBOY ! *catches last train out of town just ahead of a lever-action-wielding angry posse*

But seriously, thanks for answering my question. So the problem is economic and not mechanical.

 

[Seafarer12]

There are several pump action revolver caliber rifles available. None of them are cheap. Most are beautiful, though.

Taurus is cheap but dont have the reliability. I guess you get what you pay for. I never cared for the lightning replicas all that much. I guess there is the Remington pump in .35 remington. You can use the same bullets if you reload.

 

[iowahapkido]

You could try a handi rifle in 357.

 

[ArmedBear]

The infamous Remington 788 was chambered for a limited time in. 44 magnum.

There. Fixed it.

The Ruger 77 was available until recently in .44 Magnum. They're around, and not too expensive. Seems they weren't overly popular.

 

[ArmedBear]

The infamous Remington 788 was chambered for a limited time in. 44 magnum.

There. Fixed it.

The Ruger 77 was available until recently in .44 Magnum. They're around, and not too expensive. Seems they weren't overly popular.

 

[tallpaul]

I see someone already suggested the handi rifle. I like mine to single shot and 357... might ream mine to the .357 max and shoot .38,.357 or .357 max