Rerun-- bbl length for lever .357: 16", 18",or 20"

...am leaning towards the handiness of a 16", at which length the drawback appears to me to be a significant velocity loss. OTOH, it primary use is not game hunting but tincans and legal vehicular-contained anti-personnel traveling companion -- mostly when vising the Eastern Gun-fascist Regions -- where dwell some OK relatives.

Does anyone think that the difference between the 18-20" and the 16" are that significant, in terms of handling? Or is simply that they are easier to stow? The velocity loss has some concerns for me, as well.

The reason for the .357 is that I have a small herd of handguns that are that bore size, and I've been trying to keep it simple as we approach downsizing and travel. I like .45 Colt plenty, but don't really have but a few revolvers in that caliber, and none are terribly concealable, tho I do get a kick out of hip-pocketing or other wise carrying one under a coat in cooler weather.

Anyway...there probly is no one-size fits all answer, but there is quite a bit of guuny lore and wisdom on such subjects here, so Thanks for Your Thoughts.

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...especially a nice slim-taper barrel.

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Shouldn't have any velocity loss after 16" . Pistols in the 357 it maters but in 16" all the powder will be burnt in a 357 pistol rd and there should be no gain in vel from 16 to 20". Sight radius is the only gain I see.. In a handgun you can figure 40FPS loss in one inch of bbl going down from 9" so even if there was any vel to gain in the rifle I would figure half of that max, 16-18" 40FPS 18-20" 40 fps. Doubt anything you shot would notice. J.Michael

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Like uncowboy said, once you reach 16 inches for a 357 the powder is for the most part burned. Anything past that the velocity increase is negligible, at that point it's more up to what ammo you are using. Personally I'd prefer the shorter barrel for easier handling considering you intend to use it as a truck gun, those extra 2-4inches make a difference on where you can store it.

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I played with my brothers Win 94 16" Trapper rifle (regular loop not that stupid big loop) and was really impressed with the gun. I wasn't barrel light at all, although I will say the barrel was pretty large. Handy as could be but need of an action slick up and trigger job and a set of XO sights on it something fierce but a very nice rifle. He even took a muley with it last year using the classic 357 Keith load.

It has become his truck gun as he sure likes and trusts it...

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I WILL TAKE THE 20" THANK YOU VERY MUCH. It points like a magic wand.
Those 16" stubby potlickers handle funny butt heavy.

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many years back, like 10 or 13, I posted on the old Six Shooter board the results of testing 22, 38 and 357 ammo in various guns with barrels of various lengths. There was an appreciable difference in 357 velocities between my Security Six 6" and my Rossi '92, which I think has a barrel of 20", or whatever was stock length back in 1999. That data is still out there someplace, just not in this 'puter. FWIW, I'd stick with 20".
bob

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I find it interesting you get a major increase from 6" to 20" in 357 (around 500 fps) but going from pistol to rifle in other calibers such as 40 S&W you get almost nothing.

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My 20" Rossi holds 10.

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and holds 10-rounds.

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Sincerely,

Hobie

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20' is handy enough and light in the hand. except for the garish look, the round barrel stainless model would have been nice. Dealer got one SS gun at the same time he got two octagon with case coloring models. SS just does not look right in a lever gun though.

Buckhorn rear with that giant lollipop front are not to my preference, but will change if my tang sight will ever show up!

Now if Rossi Had only picked a it faster twist rate.

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Older eyes probably work better with the increased sight radius of the 20" barrel, but for defensive use the 16" as stated above would be easier to handle.

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I'd go 16" for a truck gun. Like has been said, you won't lose much velocity over the 20" and it'll be a far sight handier. Might even consider chopping a few inches off the butt and adding a recoil pad. I'd be more concerned with losing capacity than velocity. For antipersonnel use, just stoke it with some hot loads from Cor Bon or Buffalo Bore. A good buttcuff ammo carrier would help, but might make it even more butt heavy. If you can get a gunsmith to drill and tap for a peep on the rear, it'd help quick accurate shooting a good bit. My Rossi is at a machinist buddy's now and he's setting it up for an XS rear sight like this

[image]

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I would go with 16". I have a 94 45 Colt trapper that is just wonderful for quick accurate shots. I would think the 357 Mag would be just a great. My 94 holds 9 rounds, I would think the 357 would hold as many.

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I like 16", but 18" is a good compromise...

I like 16", but 18" is a good compromise...

I like 16", but 18" is a good compromise...

I like 16", but 18" is a good compromise...