Lever action 357

[Sniper977]

I have the Marlin 1984 in stainless. Had the action timed properly and smoothed out by Jimmy Spurs at Cowboy GunWorks in Derry, NH. Great guy and he does amazing work. I have it paired with a Ruger GP100 6" stainless with an Aimpoint R-1. Looking to get a GP100 4" stainless with Bowen Rough Country sights next.

 

[dwarven1]

i wouldn't allow rifles, the pins fly apart as is, you start getting just a little more energy from a round from a rifle and you might kill all my pins.

Let me get .44 dies and I'll start loading .44 special for pin shooting. That should cure that problem, no?

 

[yogi]

So, i am still looking. I hve even broaden my search to include 30-30. Found a nice Winchester 94 in 30-30 used, minor wear on the outside, for $570. Not sure how old it is. I really need a new gun fix!

 

[Taipan]

Hi guys, not trying to threadjack but I have a few questions. I'm interested in a .357 lever gun. Planning on using it for plinking and maybe for cowboy action at some point.

Was looking for a Marlin 1894c, but they seem to be pretty rare at the moment. I'm thinking of picking up a Rossi, would that be a mistake? Should I keep trying to hunt down a Marlin? Are there significant quality/price differences?

 

[yogi]

Undercover arms in clinton has, as of yesterday, the marlin 1894c for $659. I fondled it a lot but it wasnt hat i was looking for...i have bought from them and they are good people.

 

[Bob P]

Hi guys, not trying to threadjack but I have a few questions. I'm interested in a .357 lever gun. Planning on using it for plinking and maybe for cowboy action at some point.

Was looking for a Marlin 1894c, but they seem to be pretty rare at the moment. I'm thinking of picking up a Rossi, would that be a mistake? Should I keep trying to hunt down a Marlin? Are there significant quality/price differences?

Rossi has a spotty reliability reputation. DISCLAIMER: I have no personal experience with Rossi - I'm just here because I'm thinking of a .357 lever myself and have been researching. What I've read is steering me away from Rossi.

 

[Taipan]

Yogi, thanks for the tip! I'll have to give them a call. Bit pricier than I'd hoped... Was it a new gun?

Bob P, I've heard that about Rossi's which is why I'm leaning towards a Marlin. However, I've also heard some bad things about Marlin's quality recently. It's tough to know what's just internet BS and what's a legitimate complaint.

 

[Bob P]

Yogi, thanks for the tip! I'll have to give them a call. Bit pricier than I'd hoped... Was it a new gun?

Bob P, I've heard that about Rossi's which is why I'm leaning towards a Marlin. However, I've also heard some bad things about Marlin's quality recently. It's tough to know what's just internet BS and what's a legitimate complaint.

Rossi is owned by Taurus. I've friends who have first hand experience with Taurus QC. Not good. OTOH, I own a Kel Tec and have had nothing but good luck with it. YMMV

 

[Zappa]

Rossi has a spotty reliability reputation. DISCLAIMER: I have no personal experience with Rossi - I'm just here because I'm thinking of a .357 lever myself and have been researching. What I've read is steering me away from Rossi.

That may be true because I had a bad experience with a Rossi myself, but that was an early 90's Puma .357.
It was a horrendous POS that turned me off to Rossi products for the next two decades.
However, last year I bought a current production stainless R-92 (16") in .44 magnum and I've had no problems with it at all, it functions perfectly with both .44 Mags and .44 Specials. The quality is light years ahead of that early Puma.

 

[Taipan]

Hmmm... The consensus seems to be that Rossi's are more miss than hit. Don't really feel like fixing something that shouldn't be broken to begin with. Thanks.

 

[Colt Delta Elite]

.357 in lever guns is a great round. 94 Winchester I have is fun to shoot and the rifle length barrel uses up all that powder for extra velocity here's a cheapy steel target that was rated for .44 mag , the .357 lever gun made short work of it to my surprise. You can't go wrong with a Winchester or Marlin.

 

[Zappa]

.357 in lever guns is a great round. 94 Winchester I have is fun to shoot and the rifle length barrel uses up all that powder for extra velocity here's a cheapy steel target that was rated for .44 mag , the .357 lever gun made short work of it to my surprise. You can't go wrong with a Winchester or Marlin.

I've always preferred the Model 92 action to the Model 94, it cycles a lot smoother and faster.
However, the 92's only came in pistol calibers while the 94 was available in both pistol and rifle calibers, because the 94 action is stronger and rated for higher pressures.

 

[dwarven1]

Taurus QC.

Ah, another oxymoron - sort of like "jumbo shrimp" or "honest politician".

 

[Colt Delta Elite]

I've always preferred the Model 92 action to the Model 94, it cycles a lot smoother and faster.
However, the 92's only came in pistol calibers while the 94 was available in both pistol and rifle calibers, because the 94 action is stronger and rated for higher pressures.

Nothing wrong with the 92's either

 

[yogi]

Well, the stars aligned and I finally scored a Henry Big Boy in 357. . I am picking it up Saturday. Cant wait to get it to the range. Will be interesting to see how my reloads shoot.

 

[whacko]

Well, the stars aligned and I finally scored a Henry Big Boy in 357. . I am picking it up Saturday. Cant wait to get it to the range. Will be interesting to see how my reloads shoot.

you are a lucky man!!!!!!!

 

[atilla]

Well, the stars aligned and I finally scored a Henry Big Boy in 357. . I am picking it up Saturday. Cant wait to get it to the range. Will be interesting to see how my reloads shoot.

killer. super jealous.

 

[Zappa]

Well, the stars aligned and I finally scored a Henry Big Boy in 357. . I am picking it up Saturday. Cant wait to get it to the range. Will be interesting to see how my reloads shoot.

Nice.
It only took you six months to find one, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

 

[yogi]

Picked it up and put 100 flawless rounds through it (half factory, half my reloads). For anybody on the fence, levers are freaking cool! The 357 coming out of that long barrel is a whole new round. I could clearly hear the "whap" when the hollow points hit the target. Hopefully Santa brings me a chrony so I can compare. I feel like the kid in Christmas Story tonight .

 

[SJan]

The 357 coming out of that long barrel is a whole new round. I could clearly hear the "whap" when the hollow points hit the target. Hopefully Santa brings me a chrony so I can compare. I feel like the kid in Christmas Story tonight .

My reloads fired from my 18" Marlin's barrel average about 200FPS faster than when fired from my 5" revolver
Try using one of the slower burning pistol powders

 

[Zappa]

Picked it up and put 100 flawless rounds through it (half factory, half my reloads). For anybody on the fence, levers are freaking cool! The 357 coming out of that long barrel is a whole new round. I could clearly hear the "whap" when the hollow points hit the target. Hopefully Santa brings me a chrony so I can compare. I feel like the kid in Christmas Story tonight .

Since I have rifles and pistols chambered in .357, .44M and .45LC, I use different loading data depending on what gun I intend to shoot them from.
Yes, the stuff loaded for pistols will work OK in the rifles, but the rifle data uses heavier charges and slower powders, so you can take full advantage of the longer barrels and really get some cranking velocities.