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Thread: What optic would you put on 357 carbine ?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master zymguy's Avatar
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    What optic would you put on 357 carbine ?

    I’ve been using a really cheap 3-9 scope at the bench for load development. I have a cheap 2.5 fixed I could use , but it’s bulky. I had been assuming I’d find a nicer more compact fix power scope or a receiver peep sight but now I’m thinking maybe a holographic or red dot would be more fun ? It is a pistol caliber carbine after all !
    It’s mostly used on the dueling tree and maybe in limited white tail hunting. The rifle has a wever rail . What would you do ?



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  2. #2
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    winelover's Avatar
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    My vote go to a mini reflex type red dot. Smallest dot you can find, in your price range.

    Winelover

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    In my very humble opinion, zymguy, if it were mine I'd be thinking quite deeply if, in fact -- as you apparently have, at what to put on it. I have a few pump action central fire rifles, and their recoil/action has been a challenge re optics (?). I put a red-dot Aim-Point on one, which failed to hold its centre dot. It may have been just this optic? I replaced it with a fixed 4x ollllld Weaver 'scope which has worked quite nicely, since.
    Recent technology has come a long way since I was buying... But -- here's the challenge: The ones I have seen -- looking to buy a new one for a S&W 52 pistol -- are far from what I'd call 'cheap'.
    Good luck!
    geo

  4. #4
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    Texas by God's Avatar
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    A vintage 2.5x Weaver, Redfield, or Leupold is all that little gun needs. A Leupold M8 2x would be perfect.

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  5. #5
    Boolit Master Randy Bohannon's Avatar
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    Leupold 1.5x5 ‘Patrol’ with the fire dot , choose from a couple of reticles. I want one of those rifles .

  6. #6
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    On my new Marlin 1894C Dark I borrowed a Bushnell TRS-25 (?) from my son. I had never used a red dot before and I was surprised at how well I can shoot with it out to 100 yards.

    I have another 1894C with a Leupold 1-4X Freedom scope that fits the rifle perfectly and really allows me to squeeze the accuracy potential out of the rifle.

    Both optics have held up well to recoil and I think either choice would work for your rifle.

    BTW, I really like your rifle and a pump action 357 is on my bucket list.

    Best of luck,

    Steve in N CA

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master pietro's Avatar
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    .

    FWIW, I've been using for 10 years, and have found to be dependable, have clear optics, and handle like a receiver peepsight, a Simmons Deerfield 2.5X20 scope.

    The scope is less then 8" long and weighs a mere 7oz, but it's best feature is it's (relatively) long eye relief (6").




    About $35 on E-Bay


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  8. #8
    Boolit Master curioushooter's Avatar
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    Here's what I recommend:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    It's an Ultradot 1" 2MOA. There are often eye relief problems with these carbines. Scout scopes don't work. Pistol scopes are annoying. Regular scopes are too far back. Since these are short range deals anyway the magnification isn't that big of a deal. It's worth it to have a nice precise aiming point and a single focal plane.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master

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    I used a 2x7 leupold for working up loads and switched to a Aimpoint comp for shooting been on there for about 15 years

  10. #10
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    BigAlofPa.'s Avatar
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    I have nothing to add for a scope. But that is a neat rifle!
    One round at a time.
    Member of the NRA,GOA and FAOC. Gun clubs Zerby rod and gun club. Keystone Fish and Game Association.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    You may want to check the caliber of your gun. 44MAg is printed on the barrel in the 2nd photo.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master zymguy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Duckiller View Post
    You may want to check the caliber of your gun. 44MAg is printed on the barrel in the 2nd photo.
    I just used a photo from the internet, Mine is stamped 357


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  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    a low power scope mounted as low as possible .

  14. #14
    Boolit Master MOA's Avatar
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    The Ultradot is a one stop shop.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
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    Holosun 507c V2. (or similar)

    https://www.holosun.com/index/product/item/cid/3.html

    100,000+ hour battery life, solar panel on top, 2 MOA dot or 65 MOA circle or both depending on your needs. Tough enough to mount on the slide of an auto pistol. Mine is riding on my 12ga semi auto shotgun and will put three slugs in a 2” group at 50 yards.

  16. #16
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    W.R.Buchanan's Avatar
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    Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot Sight. <$90 works great, I have 6 of them. This would be the least obtrusive optic you could use that would look OK on the gun. Easy to put on and take off!

    If I had a Marlin Guide Gun (.45-70) it would have one on it, simply because it is the fastest target acquisition system available.

    Randy
    Last edited by W.R.Buchanan; 06-21-2020 at 04:06 PM.
    "It's not how well you do what you know how to do,,,It's how well you do what you DON'T know how to do!"
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  17. #17
    Boolit Master elmacgyver0's Avatar
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    I would put what YOU want on it. It is your rifle.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master Cast10's Avatar
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    I have a SIG Romeo 5 red dot on my 10mm carbine.

  19. #19
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by elmacgyver0 View Post
    I would put what YOU want on it. It is your rifle.
    Yep. This is truly as case where one size does not fit all.

    Like the OP, I do load development with a scope. It is easier for me.

    I have tang sights on my .357 lever actions but will be going over to a scope or Sig Romeo 5 on one of them. Old Eyes suck.
    Don Verna


  20. #20
    Boolit Master
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    I have an old lyman 6x all American scope with just plain wires and used it to do load developement on a Marlin 1894 in 357 magnum. Little difficult to see those tiny holes at 100 yds but didn't overpower the rifle and after load developement instead of irons just left it on that little rifle. Frank

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check