Other than the .5 lbs, 2 more rounds in the magazine and $10 in price, is there a signifigant performance difference between a 16" and 20" barrel in a .357 lever action carbine?
I envision it as a survival firearm used for light hunting and self-defense.
I pretty much shoot whatever in that caliber and don't really have a preference, but do keep in mind that for a long time guns with fixed sights were sighted in with 158 grain loads if that makes any difference in your situation. So I guess it depends on your revolver.
If nothing else, there's always adjustable sights.
I do know that a heavy .38 Special load in such a rifle is relatively quiet and has no felt recoil to speak of.
As Euc said, most of the older revolvers were sighted for 158gr, and all but my 642 fall into that catagory. That's the weight I try to stick with in my K frames as I have heard of forcing cone wear when using the 125gr magnum loads.
I load for my revo .357's and use same in 16" Win 94.
158 cast SWC's with gas check. Not quite max loads - 14 grains N-110 used - but they give good results and out of lever, very adequate. I doubt the slight extra FPS really matters too much here, tho with my 94' Marlin in .44 mag - do feel that exploits the round a shade better.
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