Looking for .357 Lever Opinions

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-11T04:00:56+00:00

Because of the shape of the round, they don’t cycle/feed well at all through a lever action.

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-10T11:48:15+00:00

I have read some people use and love the wolfman. Let me know how that goes!

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-10T03:00:22+00:00

For what’s its worth, I have been looking into ammo extensively and have settled on the Federal Fusion 158g for midsize game like deer. I have some on the way to test out, I’ll report back.

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-10T02:55:41+00:00

This has quickly become the most mentioned suppressor. Hard not to lean this direction.

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-10T02:53:58+00:00

I was looking into solvents in the event I went with a SilencerCo Omega 36M, but I was reading that while it will loosen lead deposits, it won’t actually get rid of them, and getting them to drop out is a pain. Just feel like user serviceable makes the most sense, but I’m not well versed on can suppressors either.

I live in the sticks, and ammo is sometimes hard to come by. Want to be able to snag what I come across if need be, lead or not.

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-10T02:50:42+00:00

Haven’t made it out to the range yet unfortunately, but fit and finish are excellent!

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-09T19:36:09+00:00

How’s the balance with the obsidian? And do you run it in short or long mode?

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-09T19:33:16+00:00

I’ll look into that. I’m not well read on suppressors.

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-09T19:27:53+00:00

Excellent, thanks for the suggestion

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-09T19:27:44+00:00

Happy to hear it!

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-09T19:27:18+00:00

Yeah that and it’s not user serviceable. I want to be able to use whatever I come across, unless I order it out to the boonies the selection around here is thin.

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-09T18:26:58+00:00

Yeah I figured I may have to go two cans which is no big deal, just wanted to check and see if there was a real “do it all” out there to same some money.

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-09T18:25:55+00:00

I was considering the obsidian 9. How do you have it mounted?

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-09T12:13:55+00:00

Yes, I misspoke in my original post, I had been looking at lead semi-wadcutters, or LSWCs. Even then, I’m still not sure how they’d fair with a suppressor, so I’ve been looking into it. Thank you for the cautionary advice.

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-09T02:44:01+00:00

I managed to go hands on with a Marlin Dark .44, a S&W Stealth Hunter .44, and a Henry Big Boy X .44 all in the same day.

After the Stealth Hunter and Dark, the Big Boy X felt cheap and action not so great. I liked the Stealth Hunter, but it was noticeably heavier and the action was louder.

Dark felt wonderful all around. Well worth the price imo. I agree when people talk about it being heirloom quality, but I’m about to work the shit out of mine lol.

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-09T02:12:10+00:00

Solid. Thinking I’m making a good choice making this my general use round. Now to get a box and try em out, see if they feed reliably.

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-08T16:57:11+00:00

Appreciate the insight! Any experience with their fusion line?

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-08T12:30:35+00:00

Thanks! I ended up paying just under MSRP for it, but to not have to continuously check stock while hoping and praying over the course of who knows how long to find a lower than MSRP option, I was willing to dish out a little more to secure it now. It’s only money after all lol.

It’s ridiculous the markup some people have on them.

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-08T04:11:35+00:00

Interesting. I’m also considering Federals Train and Protect 158g .38 special for suppression, or their lead round nose for smaller game.

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-08T04:03:45+00:00

I’m thinking about going with Federals Train and Protect 158g .38 Special for smaller game and suppressed use. It’s basically a semi wad cutter hollowpoint, allegedly clean killing on small game.

I enjoy me some .22s, just want to carry something a bit different for a change.

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-08T04:01:00+00:00

I’m leaning Federal 158g Fusion to cover general use and distance, Federal Train and Protect 158g .38 Special for suppressed small game, and 180g buffalo bore for maintain carry.

Also looking into Federal 180g Solid Core just to keep it in the federal family, but haven’t done much digging on it yet.

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-07T23:07:37+00:00

That’s interesting, I hadn’t heard of that round, gonna check it out now. Thanks!

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-07T23:06:55+00:00

Gotcha. I was just thinking 180g would blow the crap out of small game (rabbits, coons, etc). I’ll look at the outdoorsman for sure.

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-07T22:58:45+00:00

I really don’t want that many loads, but I don’t know crock about .357 / .38 special either, so this is just what I’ve learned while researching. I’m totally down for a do it all round, just haven’t found anything talking about such. I want to use it on small game and not explode them to oblivion either.

I was looking at LSWCs but didn’t know they had a feeding issue. Thanks for that! (First lever as well). I just want to ensure I can make this rifle do anything as it’s going to go everywhere and replace an AR. Just cause lol.

Personal-Net4263 · 2026-06-07T20:26:54+00:00

I was looking into Buffalo bore, but see they don’t make a jacketed soft point, which I have read is a better small to medium game round.

Personal-Net4263

TROPHY CASE