Author Topic: Lever Action Cartridges (Read 695 times)

GTKF · « **on:** October 30, 2005, 02:13:45 PM »

I've been shooting silhouette for a little over a year but never shot a lever action match. I am thinking about it for next year and need to buy a rifle. I'd like to shoot both Cowboy Lever Action and Pistol Cartridge Lever Action. Can I use one cartride that will do both? It was suggested that a 44 magnum will be Ok for Rams at 200 Meters. Is that correct and are there any other cartridges recomended for both events?

Thanks for any thoughts

Ken

B_Koes · « **Reply #1 on:** October 31, 2005, 05:36:52 AM »

.357 should be just fine for both and I really don't think it would be a problem for the 200M rams. However, with that said there may be some ranges that have "sticky" rams and occasionally leave one. I shoot a .357 for long range cowboy and have never left one that I hit...it's the hitting part that I'm currently having an issue with!

As for the .44, that would be MORE than sufficient to take care of business...

rn122 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2005, 08:28:42 AM »

The 44 magnum would be the way to go. Shoot the lighter bullets for everything else, and use 300 gr jacketed for the 200 meter targets. Cast or plated bullets won't have enough umph to reliably knock over the rams. 357 will be marginal, and will ring about 1/2 of the rams, at least at my range. The rams are full-sized, and set full-footed, not just forward of the topple zone, like BB pistol silo. B_Koes, what load are you using for your rams to get such reliable knockdowns?

Downside of the 44: pretty stiff recoil, esp with a steel crescent buttplate. PAST or some other recoil shield highly recommended.

Eric

B_Koes · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2005, 02:44:41 AM »

I've used factory 158gr loads when I first started shooting so I've just tried to duplicate factory stats on my reloads. When I shoot it's during an IHMSA match so the targets are set partial-foot towards the topple point. I've also loaded some 180gr cast loads that seem to work well, but max out the sight adjustment and are still a little low so I would have to use holdover which I've never found to work very reliably. Instead, I just went out and bought a .30-30 with a 26" barrel and now everthing is better!