Author Topic: A .357 lever action? (Read 7895 times)

Star1pup · « **on:** March 09, 2006, 07:47:37 AM »

When I go for a walk around my property I usually tote my 10/22, but I've been thinking about a rifle in .357. It would pack more punch and I could reload. I alread have the dies. Perhaps a lever action would be lightweight and I could use a sling to carry it. Any suggestions?

horseman308 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2006, 09:58:26 AM »

Out of curiosity, what types of things do you run into to shoot while out and about? I've also thought of getting a "ranch rifle" lever-gun, probably either in .357 or .44 Mag. But I keep thinking about it, and have almost never needed to shoot something that I wasn't intentionally hunting, mostly because the the only real nuisance animals around are my place are coyotes and beavers, which are really good at being gone unless I'm hunting them specifically. In those cases I use my .308. Howver, if I did run into one, a .357 would be great. Okay, I'm rambling. Sorry.

Star1pup · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2006, 11:46:07 AM »

I'm in Ohio so the meanest thing would be a coyote, unless it was a two legged predator. I just figured that the .357 would use the same dies I already have for my GP-100 and I would be able to use the same ammo in both my rifle & handgun. Kind of like the old west cowboys.

SUSQUASH · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2006, 02:19:37 PM »

A Marlin 1894C is a great all a round gun. Its light weight and short length makes easy to carry even in the brush. You can shoot either .357 Magnum or .38 Specials. I have used one here in Michigan for a number of years for deer with excellent results out to 125 yards. The .357 Magnum rifle has significantly higher velocity and energy than the same loads in a handgun. The .38 Specials are particularly pleasant to plink with due to the lesser recoil. Sierra and Hornaday list specific reloading information for the .357 Magnum rifle in their manuals. They list loads for bullets from the 110 grain JHC to the 180 grain FPJ so it is very versitile depending on your needs. Just remember you don't want to use pointed bullets or jacket round nose bullets that might set off the primer of the round ahead of it in the tube magazine.

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2006, 05:42:19 PM »

In my opinion, you positively can't beat a Marlin 1894C for the use you stated. It's light, accurate, tough, and cheap to shoot if you're a handloader.

Like SUSQUASH said, it's a great short range deer rifle, and it's extremely versital from small game hunting to busting predators. I've used one for years on everything from squirrels, and rabbits, to coons, groundhogs, foxes, turkeys, and plenty of deer.

A good 158g SP bullet pushed to around 1700-1800 fps is serious deer medicine up to 100+ yards, and you can achieve this with quite a few powders.

Personally, unless I'm specifically hunting deer, I shoot a mild 357 load in my rifle. For small game like squirrels, or rabbits, your best bet is 38 specials with 125g SP's at around 700-900 fps. You'll get great performance without blowing them up. For an all around plinking/carrying load, a 125g SP loaded to around 1400-1500 fps will take care of anything you'll ever likely shoot out to 100+ yards. I've killed groundhogs past 200 yards with this combo, although that's the extreme limits of it's effective killing ranges on them.

Here's a load that has been very accurate in every rifle, and revolver I've tried it in(there's been a bunch).

125g Remington SP's
CCI 550 primers
7.5g of Unique

This combo will give you roughly 1450-1550 fps, and will reliably thump anything up to coyote sized out to 100 yards. It has very little recoil, is extremely accurate in rifles, and is perfectly safe in any 357 magnum. It'll handle a deer up to 50+ yards with perfect shot placement in the vitals on broadside shots, but I wouldn't push my luck too far on a deer with it. It's quite a bit for squirrels or rabbits, but I've killed a lot of them with it using head shots.

Hope all this helps?

Star1pup · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2006, 02:21:09 AM »

Excellent info, guys. I think I'll start shopping. Since we are not allowed to use rifles on deer here in Ohio, it would mostly be a plinking, groundhog and sometimes coyote gun. I really like the couple of Marlin bolt actions I have so will likely stay with Marlin.

Sixgun · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2006, 03:02:07 AM »

While your are shopping, look at the Rossi 92 carbine in 357. The Quality is just as good and they can usually be purchased at a cheaper price. The action is the old Winchester Model 92 action which is much stouter than a Marlin 94 action.

They are made in Brazil and are sold in the US by several importers, including Legacy and Navy Arms.

They also come in a Short Rifle, which has a 20 inch octagon barrel and a Rifle, which has a 24 inch octagon barrel.

I have 2 carbines, one in 44 mag and one in 357. Both have sub 1 inch accuracy at 100 yards with open sights. I use them to shoot cowboy rifle slihouette. I have no problem using the 357 to knock down 200 meter rams.

Sixgun

Star1pup · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2006, 03:22:06 AM »

Sixgun - How are the Rossis for weight. Sometimes the octagon barrles are pretty heavy.

ihmsa70 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2006, 07:05:27 AM »

Sixgun, what load do you use in your .357? I just got a IMF Hartford (Rossi) carbine, .357. I have RCBS 180 Sil. mould, Lyman 358156 158 gr., and some Rem SJHP 125, 140, and 180. I got pretty good accuracy using LilGun powder in a Win 94. What sights are you using? I have a Marbles tang sight on order. Any other advice?
Thanks,
Clyde

armory414 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 10, 2006, 10:17:27 AM »

I have the Rossi .357 carbine, and my brother has the Marlin 1894 in .357. The Rossi is much lighter, though the Marlin isn't really all that bad. Either is easy to carry.

Dirty Tiger · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2006, 08:08:22 AM »

I have Winchester Trapper in .357 with a scout mounted red dot.

Target acquisition is super quick.

It's a great little gun, If I could only have one gun it would be this one.

If you get a Levergun with a saddle ring you can use a Wilderness Tactical single point sling.

http://thewilderness.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/1_8/products_id/308

You need to get the Single point sling AND the saddle ring adapter.

Star1pup · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2006, 09:39:16 AM »

As anyone been to the Rossi website? All I could get to come up in rifles were break open style.

ihmsa70 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 11, 2006, 09:51:18 AM »

Go to EMF, then rifles and carbines. They have about 40 different models, pretty good prices.
Clyde

Star1pup · « **Reply #13 on:** March 11, 2006, 10:03:09 AM »

EMF? Not sure what that is.

Sixgun · « **Reply #14 on:** March 13, 2006, 04:46:44 AM »

I have been gone for a few days and just noticed that there are some questions for me out there.

I have a Rossi carbine with a blued finish. It wears a Williams FP receiver sight. Empty it weighs 6 lb even. An Octagon barrel will probably weigh more but I doubt it will go very much heavier.

I use two loads for silhouette in my Rossi. For Pistol Cartridge Cowboy Rifle I use a RCBS 124 gr Truncated Cone bullet, intended for the 9mm. With my alloy it weighs 126 gr and I size it to .358. With 5 gr of Bullseye, it goes about 1375 fps and is very accurate. I crimp this bullet in the middle of the driving band, with a Lee Factory Crimp die. I shoot consistent scores in the 35 to 37 range with this load and gun.

I use the above load for chickens in Cowboy Rifle also. For the Pigs, Turkeys and Rams, I use the RCBS 358-180-sil bullet. From my mold with my alloy this bullet weighs 195 gr with a gas check. I load 16 gr of lil' gun. Velocity is 1860 fps and it is very accurate. This bullet is too long to cycle when crimped in the crimping grove, so I crimp it in the front driving band also. This load also does well in a stiff wind. I shot a match with the wind blowing straight across the range at 20 mph with 40 mph gusts. I shot a 32 that day with the Rossi. With the above load I am pretty consistent in the low to middle 30s. I have been shooting Cowboy Rifle for only one year now so I will probably be tweaking and playing around until I get up in the high 30s with this game also.

The alloy I use is quite soft. I get no leading with either of these loads and usually have a deposit of lube on the muzzle of my barrel that I watch for and wipe off, several times, during a match. I use Lee Liquid alox sometimes and sometimes I use RCBS Rifle, stick lube. Velocity seems to be a bit higher with the Lee Liquid Alox, but accuracy and protection are about the same.

ihmsa70 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 14, 2006, 07:14:29 AM »

Sixgun,
Thanks for the info. I have the Lyman 356402, 120 gr. I'll try that. It casts about .358". Ordered a Lee FC die this morning.
Clyde

jeager106 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 02, 2006, 12:48:16 AM »

I have a Marlin 1894 in .44 mag and a Win. Trapper in .357.
I like Marlins over Winchesters but got a deal on the trapper adn the .357 is an effective round for close range plinking.
It's also a dandy defense round.
I put a receiver sight on the trapper and with Rem. 125 h.p. from Wally world I can get 1.5" at 50.

Dee · « **Reply #17 on:** April 03, 2006, 05:08:01 PM »

You guys are walking in my territory now. I bought a Navy Arms (Rossi) with walnut stock, 24" octogon barrel in 357mag. Holds 13 rds (I think) in 357 and 1 or 2 more in 38s. Here's what I do. I put 10 rounds of hot 357mags in 158gr jacketed soft points (over 1800fps) in first and then a couple of 38 specials loaded to about 675fps. The 357 mags will do deer and even the large feral hogs we have here. The 38s are extremely short range. I mean 25 or so yards. These are cast 158 gr swc's. Safe to shoot squirrels (head shots) and rabbits if we had any left and quite. Another thing I found when I bought the rifle is the finish was so-so. I stripped off with laqer thinner and hand rubbed it with true oil using several coates. Beautiful walnut. Looks like my 1957 model 94 did when it was new. Had to replace the front site with a fiber optic because of my aging eyes but the rifle is a tack driver. Perhaps a little heavy for some but, to me a rifle should have some weight. Good rifle to spend the day in the woods with.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #18 on:** April 03, 2006, 10:46:40 PM »

another fan of the .357 in a rifle. I have no use for one in a handgun i think all you end up with is a loud 38 as far as game taking ability but in a rifle its a different round all together and can dammed near run with a 3030 in power.

mt3030 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 04, 2006, 04:00:22 AM »

Lever 357? Great rifle! All three of my girls and several nephews went from their 22 LRs to my Marlin 357 Mag. Plus makes a heck of good defense weapon for around the camp. I still carry one in my travel trailer when on vacation

Wally.

pastorp · « **Reply #20 on:** April 04, 2006, 10:49:17 AM »

Lloyd, This is the second post of yours I have read today that you used profanity in (agreed it is mild ) but I don't talk that way to my wife and kids and would appreciate it if you didn't either. Regards, Byron

ihmsa70 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 04, 2006, 02:30:38 PM »

Didn't offend me. I have on my desk a copy of the Constitution, dictionary, Midway catalogue, and the Bible. I opened the Bible just a few minutes ago and read, "Judge not that you be not judged". That's good enough for me.
Clyde

pastorp · « **Reply #22 on:** April 04, 2006, 02:47:21 PM »

Read Graybeards rules. This is a family site. Regards, Byron

pastorp · « **Reply #23 on:** April 04, 2006, 02:54:24 PM »

Jerry, have you used any other marlin beside the 1894C in 357mag? I bought one of those and it did not feed 38's at all and was not really smooth with the 357's. Lately I have been thinking about finding a packer model with the 16" barrel. I had one in 44mag a few years ago. It sure was a handy rifle.

Do you use a scope or open sites? Regards, Byron

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #24 on:** April 04, 2006, 04:54:19 PM »

Quote from: pastorp

Jerry, have you used any other marlin beside the 1894C in 357mag? I bought one of those and it did not feed 38's at all and was not really smooth with the 357's. Lately I have been thinking about finding a packer model with the 16" barrel. I had one in 44mag a few years ago. It sure was a handy rifle.

Do you use a scope or open sites? Regards, Byron

I've only "hunted" with my 1894C's, but I've loaded for a couple with the shorter 16.5" barrels, as well as a few longer versions in 357 magnum. I've shot/used several other calibers such as a couple 44 magnum's, a 444, a few 30-30's, and a couple 45'70's. All of the Marlins I've shot except the 44 magnums were very accurate with the right loads. The 44 magnums shot good enough for deer hunting(3"- 5" at 100 yrd), but not really good enough for small game, or serious target shooting.

I only use a scope when I'm testing loads for accuracy. I have used a reciever sight at times for hunting, but mostly I'm a hardcore "open sights" hunter when it comes to revolvers, or lever actions. I regularly practice at 200+ yards with open sights, and can bust clay birds 10 for 10 offhand on my best shooting days at 100+ yards with my 1894C. I don't shoot like most normal people, as far as my technique, but it allows me full vision of my target no matter how small, or distant, and locks my rifle more securely/stable into my body. I also don't let my guns "surprise" me like so many people do. I basically just pull my trigger when the shot "feels" right. To me, it's all about the feel, and everything else is secondary.

Dee · « **Reply #25 on:** April 04, 2006, 05:47:53 PM »

Just a comment on the reference to the Bible and what it actually says. True we are not to judge the sinner. However, we ARE to judge the sin. I didn't say it. God did. I'm just repeating it. I wasn't offended by his language either. But one thing does lead to another sometimes. :wink:

ihmsa70 · « **Reply #26 on:** April 05, 2006, 09:23:32 AM »

"Judge not that you be not judged." Mathew 7-1.

Can you give me the Book, chapter, and verse that requires me to judge the sin? I couldn't find it.
Thanks,
Clyde

Sorry, I couldn't resist. No more.

pastorp · « **Reply #27 on:** April 05, 2006, 02:48:28 PM »

Jerry, what is it about the 357 carbine you like as opposed to the 444, 30-30, ect.

I can remember having good enought eyesight to shoot well with open sights but for me those days are gone. I can still shoot a peep well in good light. It seams as I grow older I need more light as well as the sights get real fuzzy. A low powered scope 2-3 power is my favorite now.

Recoil is becoming and issue with me also because of some medical problems. I used to shoot 375H&H mag etc. and 454casule but don't have the strength or feeling in my hands to handle it any longer. I'm thinking a little 357 packer carbine would work fine on these little blacktails we have here in southeast alaska. Of course I hunt in brown bear country some of the time. I have read that when the 357mag. first came out Wesson killed all kinds of big game with a smith revolver including grizzlies. Any thoughts on this issue. Regards, Byron :grin:

Dee · « **Reply #28 on:** April 05, 2006, 04:14:11 PM »

To recognize sin we must judge it to be sin. Once so judged as sin your duty is. Proverbs Chapter 24 verse 25, Chapter 15 verse 5, Chapter 25 verse 12. Luke Chapter 17 verse 3, Ephesians Chapter 5 verse 11, 1st Timothy Chapter 5 verse 20, 2nd Timothy Chapter 4 verse 2, Titus Chapter 2 verse 15, Psalms Chapter 141 verse 5, Ecclesiastes Chapter 7 verse 5, and Hebrews Chapter 12 verse 5 :wink:

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #29 on:** April 05, 2006, 06:49:22 PM »

Quote from: pastorp

Jerry, what is it about the 357 carbine you like as opposed to the 444, 30-30, ect.

I can remember having good enought eyesight to shoot well with open sights but for me those days are gone. I can still shoot a peep well in good light. It seams as I grow older I need more light as well as the sights get real fuzzy. A low powered scope 2-3 power is my favorite now.

Recoil is becoming and issue with me also because of some medical problems. I used to shoot 375H&H mag etc. and 454casule but don't have the strength or feeling in my hands to handle it any longer. I'm thinking a little 357 packer carbine would work fine on these little blacktails we have here in southeast alaska. Of course I hunt in brown bear country some of the time. I have read that when the 357mag. first came out Wesson killed all kinds of big game with a smith revolver including grizzlies. Any thoughts on this issue. Regards, Byron :grin:

The 357 magnum is my favorite mainly because it's so versital. It's the "only" caliber I've ever hunted with that, through handloading, can take squirrels or rabbits with little more damage than a 22 LR, but then with full house 357's, can cleanly kill deer. Of course it's perfectly suited to every animal we have here in Virginia. A very close second reason is that 357 rifles are just plain accurate. Out of the slew of lever actions I've shot, or seen shot, the 357 magnums consistantly shine on accuracy.

I'd feel pretty confident with a 357 rifle, using a sensibly stout/maximum, tough bullet load on a normal sized black bear. With that said though, and as much as I preach about the 357's killing power, I'd have to be pretty desperate to tackle a grizzly with one! :lol:

I'd also suggest that if you did buy a 357 rifle, you'd be very hard pressed to beat a Marlin 1894C. It's not really much longer than the 16.5" version(it's 18.5"), and I've yet to see one that didn't shoot as good or better than a lot of bolt action rifles. I hunt with mine mostly in thickets, and it's plenty compact enough even if I'm forced to belly crawl under laural bushes, or such.