Long barreled lever action rifles?

[Bowhunter57]

I'd like to purchase a lever action rifle, but would like it to have one of the longer barrel lengths. Most of what I've been seeing is 18", 20" and 22" barrel lengths. Accuracy is what I'm looking for, within the cartridge's capability. So, am I concerned about this for no good reason?

I know Marlin makes one, but are there any other manufacturers?
As for a caliber, I prefer a handgun cartridge/caliber. Something in a 45LC, 44Mag or 357Mag. would work well.
This rifle will be used for varmints such as groundhogs, coyotes, etc.

Your opinions and experiences are appreciated.
Thank you, Bowhunter57

[Aardvark]

 I think the Marlin Cowboy would fill the bill.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/Cowboy/1894_45Colt.aspx


Or for the Big Boy:
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/Cowboy/1895Cowboy.aspx


Or the old Cimarrons:
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/images/CivHenry.jpg
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/RepeatingRifles/1873.htm
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/RepeatingRifles/OrigFinRifles.htm

You might also check into some of the Brownings. I am not too up on what they offer, then there is the Uberti's.

[Bowhunter57]

Aardvark,
Thank you for the reply and the links. 
I really like the Cimerron rifles, but they look like they cost a pretty penny. I've always stayed away from Brownings....just never cared for them. Marlin might be what I'll go with, but I've not looked the Uberti rifles yet.

Good hunting, Bowhunter57

[Lloyd Smale]

yup barrel lenght has nothing to do with the accuracy of rifles and usually a short stiff barrel will outshoot a long one.

I'd like to purchase a lever action rifle, but would like it to have one of the longer barrel lengths. Most of what I've been seeing is 18", 20" and 22" barrel lengths. Accuracy is what I'm looking for, within the cartridge's capability. So, am I concerned about this for no good reason?

I know Marlin makes one, but are there any other manufacturers?
As for a caliber, I prefer a handgun cartridge/caliber. Something in a 45LC, 44Mag or 357Mag. would work well.
This rifle will be used for varmints such as groundhogs, coyotes, etc.

Your opinions and experiences are appreciated.
Thank you, Bowhunter57

[Keith L]

Also, unless you reload specifically for long barrels the rounds you specify are factory loaded to use short barrels.  You won't get more perfromance from a longer barrel.  Any legal rifle barrel (more than 16 inches) will get the job done with those.  It is fine to get a longer barrel because you want one, but it won't outperform the shorter ones.

Have fun with whatever you get.

[DalesCarpentry]

The longer barrel will add velosity.

[Keith L]

Not with pistol ammo.  It is intended to give velocity in inches in a pistol barrel.  You may even loose velocity with the drag in a longer barrel.  You could reload for a rifle in pistol cases and perhaps gain velocity.

[jgalar]

I find a longer and heavier barrel easier to shoot well off hand than a short carbine model. The longer sight radius helps also. So to me a long barreled gun is more accurate.

It doesn't really matter, you don't need to have a reason for getting the gun other than you want it.

[Keith L]

"It doesn't really matter, you don't need to have a reason for getting the gun other than you want it." 
 
 Thats a fact!! 
 

[Aardvark]

  I would think a longer barrel would make a small difference at 200yds or so and definitely a bunch of difference at trying shots over 300yds.

[Keith L]

Think about the question that started this thread: long barrel with pistol ammo.  Not so good at 300 yards.

[Aardvark]

  Definitely, but I am spoiled as I have handloaded for many years and don't stop to think sometimes that others do not jump to the next level...A good example I have is a Win 92 in 38-40...As pistol loads go, I shoot 50-100 yds. then for longer range I load a slower burning, higher volume powder...I wonder why they don't commercially produce a .357 mag for carbines and rifles...Same for any other pistol cartridge.

[Keith L]

Most likely so someone doesn't use them in pistols and are unhappy or worse, injured.  I commented a while back on how mild factory loads were for my 45LC and the clerk at the gun shop pointed out that there were a bunch of old revolvers chambered for 45LC that could easily come apart if loads that my Vaquero or Contender could handle were used.  I suspect some of the same thinking applies here.  I think that even with loading ourselves we must be careful not to have similar appearing rounds for two different guns.  Mistakes are to easy to make and can have very bad results.

[Echo4Lima]

Long barrels provide more velocity and the longer sight radius is more accurate.

However, like Aardvark and others have said, the pistol ammo will LOOSE and may not even leave your barrel!! I loaded a 32-20 that was supposed to be a "quiet" load and the bullet stopped 4" from the end of my 22" barrel. The original loader had a 18" barrel so it worked in his.

Diminishing returns?