lever action rifle in .357 magnum
- Thread starter Disco Bob
- Start date
BullOnParade
CGN Regular
- Location
- Eastern Ontario
For what?
I know this will bring on some slagging, but I have a Rossi .357 that I am happy with. I shoot mostly cast .38 loads, maybe a bit stouter than what I would use for target work in a revolver. Not sure if I've shot any .357 out of it. Maybe a few factory rounds. I had my buddy do the slick job and springs. Came as a kit with a how-to CD.
kjohn: No slagging here! The Rossi '92's are great little low budget rifles. They may be a bit rough around the edges. But, are durable, accurate and fun to shoot. You owe it to yourself to shoot more .357 rounds through it, though. I found that's where these rifles really shine.
Though these rifles function just fine with .38 ammo... they perform best when cycling .357. Preferably: RNFP bullets. Mine prefers 125 grainers. But, cycles 158 grain bullets...even semi-wadcutters, without a hitch. One advantage of using the longer round....none of those pesky stovepipes that occur once in a while, with .38 Specials.
Since you reload .38 Special already, the transition to lead bullets should be an easy one. I shoot .357 exclusively in mine, now. Rifle runs without a hitch. I slicked mine up, too. Spring kit, plus internal polishing, etc. Runs very fast and smooth, now. The 'Steve's Gunz' disc is a great help, too.
Al
Though these rifles function just fine with .38 ammo... they perform best when cycling .357. Preferably: RNFP bullets. Mine prefers 125 grainers. But, cycles 158 grain bullets...even semi-wadcutters, without a hitch. One advantage of using the longer round....none of those pesky stovepipes that occur once in a while, with .38 Specials.
Since you reload .38 Special already, the transition to lead bullets should be an easy one. I shoot .357 exclusively in mine, now. Rifle runs without a hitch. I slicked mine up, too. Spring kit, plus internal polishing, etc. Runs very fast and smooth, now. The 'Steve's Gunz' disc is a great help, too.
Al
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
If ye find a tidy Rossi for a decent price, they are good rifles to tinker on & they can shoot dang tight with good sights and loads they prefer.
All the ones I've had were good. I still got my RH carbine in .45 Colt which be one of me "croaker keepers".
All the ones I've had were good. I still got my RH carbine in .45 Colt which be one of me "croaker keepers".
Disco Bo
There are several good choices available, in .357 lever rifles. Your choice will depend on your budget.
The Marlin 1894 is always a good choice. Latest production of these rifles is quite good. It seems Remington has finally fixed some of the quality control issues with the earlier Remington-made Marlin rifles. Accurate and reliable.
Next: Henry Big Boy. Excellent build quality. Accurate and dependable. With arguably the best customer warranty and service in the industry. Unlike some lever action rifles, the Big Boy features a loading tube(under the barrel), rather than loading through the 'traditional' loading gate on the side of the rifle's receiver. Henry has recently introduced a combination loading gate/loading tube model, though. The Henry Model-X. If you like a more 'tactical' look to your rifle, this one may interest.
Finally, we get into the 1866/1873/1892 rifles, as manufactured by Uberti, and Miroku-Winchester. These high-end rifles feature excellent build quality, reliability and accuracy. As already mentioned, Uberti is always a good choice, due to the ready availabilty of aftermarket parts. Particularly for competition. So, if cowboy action may be a future goal, Uberti makes a good choice.
Next: 1866/1873 Miroku-Winchester. Outstanding build quality, fit and finish make these rifles another excellent choice. Very smooth functioning, right out of the box. Becoming very popular among competitive cowboy action shooters. But also make excellent plinking and target shooting rifle
Winchester's model '92 is another outstanding choice, if you prefer a lighter, stronger rifle, capable of handling much hotter rounds than its '66 and '73 cousins.
Rossi '92: If you can find one of these rifles, they too make good plinkers. The rifles are on the low end of price, compared to the other models. But, they are still rugged, dependable and accurate.
Chiappa: I have no firsthand experience with these rifles(unlike all the others above)...so can't comment on their performance. But, one of these may be an option for you, too.
Hope some of this info is useful.
There are several good choices available, in .357 lever rifles. Your choice will depend on your budget.The Marlin 1894 is always a good choice. Latest production of these rifles is quite good. It seems Remington has finally fixed some of the quality control issues with the earlier Remington-made Marlin rifles. Accurate and reliable.
Next: Henry Big Boy. Excellent build quality. Accurate and dependable. With arguably the best customer warranty and service in the industry. Unlike some lever action rifles, the Big Boy features a loading tube(under the barrel), rather than loading through the 'traditional' loading gate on the side of the rifle's receiver. Henry has recently introduced a combination loading gate/loading tube model, though. The Henry Model-X. If you like a more 'tactical' look to your rifle, this one may interest.
Finally, we get into the 1866/1873/1892 rifles, as manufactured by Uberti, and Miroku-Winchester. These high-end rifles feature excellent build quality, reliability and accuracy. As already mentioned, Uberti is always a good choice, due to the ready availabilty of aftermarket parts. Particularly for competition. So, if cowboy action may be a future goal, Uberti makes a good choice.
Next: 1866/1873 Miroku-Winchester. Outstanding build quality, fit and finish make these rifles another excellent choice. Very smooth functioning, right out of the box. Becoming very popular among competitive cowboy action shooters. But also make excellent plinking and target shooting rifle
Winchester's model '92 is another outstanding choice, if you prefer a lighter, stronger rifle, capable of handling much hotter rounds than its '66 and '73 cousins.
Rossi '92: If you can find one of these rifles, they too make good plinkers. The rifles are on the low end of price, compared to the other models. But, they are still rugged, dependable and accurate.
Chiappa: I have no firsthand experience with these rifles(unlike all the others above)...so can't comment on their performance. But, one of these may be an option for you, too.
Hope some of this info is useful.
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Disco Bo
The Marlin 1894 is always a good choice. Latest production of these rifles is quite good. It seems Remington has finally fixed some of the quality control issues with the earlier Remington-made Marlin rifles. Accurate and reliable.
Next: Henry Big Boy. Excellent build quality. Accurate and dependable. With arguably the best customer warranty and service in the industry. Unlike some lever action rifles, the Big Boy features a loading tube(under the barrel), rather than loading through the 'traditional' loading gate on the side of the rifle's receiver. Henry has recently introduced a combination loading gate/loading tube model, though. The Henry Model-X. If you like a more 'tactical' look to your rifle, this one may interest.
Finally, we get into the 1866/1873/1892 rifles, as manufactured by Uberti, and Miroku-Winchester. These high-end rifles feature excellent build quality, reliability and accuracy. As already mentioned, Uberti is always a good choice, due to the ready availabilty of aftermarket parts. Particularly for competition. So, if cowboy action may be a future goal, Uberti makes a good choice.
Next: 1866/1873 Miroku-Winchester. Outstanding build quality, fit and finish make these rifles another excellent choice. Very smooth functioning, right out of the box. Becoming very popular among competitive cowboy action shooters. But also make excellent plinking and target shooting rifle
Winchester's model '92 is another outstanding choice, if you prefer a lighter, stronger rifle, capable of handling much hotter rounds than its '66 and '73 cousins.
Rossi '92: If you can find one of these rifles, they too make good plinkers. The rifles are on the low end of price, compared to the other models. But, they are still rugged, dependable and accurate.
Chiappa: I have no firsthand experience with these rifles(unlike all the others above)...so can't comment on their performance. But, one of these may be an option for you, too.
Hope some of this info is useful.
Thank you Alex!
My only frame of reference, was my Octagon Chiappa. I liked it, but I won't pretend for a moment, that it wasn't finicky.
Other than looks, since it's undeniably beautiful, it wouldn't be my first choice for plinking if I was buying today.
It liked to be manhandled. Treat it gently and it jammed. Cycle it like you hate it and it'd never fail.
Not exactly ideal for bench shooting.
Other than looks, since it's undeniably beautiful, it wouldn't be my first choice for plinking if I was buying today.
It liked to be manhandled. Treat it gently and it jammed. Cycle it like you hate it and it'd never fail.
Not exactly ideal for bench shooting.
Id definitely go for the side loading gate. Marlin 1894 or henry big boy.
I have a marlin weighing in at 6.5lbs, Its light enough, wouldnt want one heavier.
You have no idea how much you'll enjoy the 38spl/357 caliber in a rifle. So fun to shoot
I have a marlin weighing in at 6.5lbs, Its light enough, wouldnt want one heavier.
You have no idea how much you'll enjoy the 38spl/357 caliber in a rifle. So fun to shoot
