The .357 Magnum was introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1935 as a lengthened, high-pressure .38 Special, and it became the first magnum handgun cartridge. A 158 grain projectile at 1,250 fps from a revolver, or over 1,800 fps from a rifle, gives it a reach and authority the .38 cannot approach.
For Australian Category H shooters its .357 calibre is above the .38 limit applied to general sport pistol licences in most states, so it is typically restricted to approved disciplines such as Metallic Silhouette and Single Action, with the relevant club endorsement. Check your state's requirements before buying. In lever-action rifles it is a different story: a Cat A or B .357 carbine is a popular, quiet, low-recoil pig and goat gun for close scrub work and is legal on ordinary rifle licences.
Any .357 Magnum revolver or rifle will also fire .38 Special, which makes practice cheap, though some lever actions feed the shorter round less reliably. Ammunition is widely available from 125 to 180 grains, and it is an easy cartridge to reload.
We stock .357 Magnum revolvers and lever-action rifles from leading brands, hold hunting and target ammunition, and carry dies, brass and projectiles for reloaders. Firearms are shipped Australia-wide to your nominated dealer.
