357 rifles

m1978

m1978

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recently got a marlin 1894 ss in 44 mag, can't really say how good it is yet as it is too cold for accuracy testing, however it is FUN to shoot. unfortunately, i'm starting to crave a 357 rifle, which i think would be peachy for knocking out pigeons and pests with. i figured the 44 mag was a little much for that chore , but i could be wrong. :cool:

so, who's had 357 leverguns here, and what was your impression?
 
Both are fun--44 more versitile--better suited to deer size game in appropriate conditions. When using them for Varmints you have to be mindful of ricochets as the bullets won't disintigrate when they hit the gound and they will drill a hole through smaller critters.

44Bore
 
44Bore said:
Both are fun--44 more versitile--better suited to deer size game in appropriate conditions. When using them for Varmints you have to be mindful of ricochets as the bullets won't disintigrate when they hit the gound and they will drill a hole through smaller critters.

44Bore
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i'll have to keep that in mind. i figured the 125 jhp should make a good splash on birds though.
 
i don't believe the .357 is any flatter shooting then the .44 Mag., I'd just load it way down if you want less power.
 
I bought a Stainless steel Rossi .357 from Frontier in Prince Albert this summer. Took it on a camping trip but didn't shoot any critters with it. It is loads of fun to shoot at the range. It was the big favourite with my students at Hunter Ed class. I plan to hunt beavers with it, and will probably use it for deer some time. Just a real fun gun, but not a serious deer rifle.
.38 special brass can be had real cheap, ($2 / 50) and scrap lead is free. This rifle with cast bullet handloads can be shot much cheaper than a .22 mag.
 
I had a Marlin in 357 and it worked great, it even fed 38 Spl with no problems. It was amazing how fast you can go through a tube of 38 Spl rounds.
 
Sweet Jeebus! You must have pigeons the size of pterodactyls if you need a .357 mag.

A .357 is just fine for deer too within it's useful range. We live in the age of supermagnumitis, but not all of us are buying into the new religion.

Hey M1978. Did you get a chance to try shooting your levergun before you bought it? I was suprised at how damned hard the factory .44 magnum loads clapped on my shoulder with that light and slim little levergun, with crescent shaped metal buttplate.

I'm glad I got a chance to try one in .44 before I bought one, now when I get one, I'll be sure to get one in .357.
 
44mag lever

Got my 44 mag marlin couple years ago very comfortable to shoot flATTENED DEER LIKE sledge hammer looking for 357 to be first center fire for grandkids shooting 38's dirt cheap then work up to 357.

supermag
 
Bobby Ironsights said:
Sweet Jeebus! You must have pigeons the size of pterodactyls if you need a .357 mag.

A .357 is just fine for deer too within it's useful range. We live in the age of supermagnumitis, but not all of us are buying into the new religion.

Hey M1978. Did you get a chance to try shooting your levergun before you bought it? I was suprised at how damned hard the factory .44 magnum loads clapped on my shoulder with that light and slim little levergun, with crescent shaped metal buttplate.

I'm glad I got a chance to try one in .44 before I bought one, now when I get one, I'll be sure to get one in .357.
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the 1894 marlin is a pussycat. you must have shot the rossi/puma. i must confess that a metal crescent buttplate is pretty retarded, when looking at the pumas, thats the first thing i would have altered. the marlin has a flat rubber recoil pad. i was going to mainly shoot 44 special through it, but the magnum is actually very very mild, so i may just shoot that as i enjoy the way it tears things up. on the other hand, the 44 spcl is so quiet the mechanic on our farm didn't even hear my shooting it.

personally, i find the recoil very pleasant in the marlin. i just was thinking of a .357 for smaller stuff. my 22 mag kills things fine, but i thought the 357 would really turn them into a cloud of feathers! not to mention that i've read .38 spcl roundnose are nice for rabbits.
 
357 Lever

This thread couldn't come at a better time. I too am considering getting a 357 in a lever. I had wondered about the effectiveness of a 357 at deer sized game under a 100yrds. Also what type of bullet would be a good all around. Thinking of mass reloading without cast bullets for now. So to include plinking, varminting, coyotes, etc. I think if I were to go for deer that I would try the Leverevolutions.

What do you guys recommend? I also am thinking that for cost savings to shoot the 38 spl. in the same gun then get serious with a 357.

I take it a Marlin is the way to go though. What about a winchester. I had thought of a Puma but just from the about comments I am reconsidering.

Bernie
 
i was thinking of looking for something in .44 mag for my first lever gun but i think ill grab a .45-70 or a good old .30-30 first....the problem with 30-30 is i dont think i would use it much:(
 
Quote. I take it a Marlin is the way to go though. What about a winchester. I had thought of a Puma but just from the about comments I am reconsidering.
Marlin is the only way to go. Check out marlinowners .com
 
ff33 said:
Quote. I take it a Marlin is the way to go though. What about a winchester. I had thought of a Puma but just from the about comments I am reconsidering.
Marlin is the only way to go. Check out marlinowners .com
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You don't want a Winchester in .357. Been there, done that. .357 and .38 spl have a tendency to stovepipe in a winnie. Not recommended at all for Cowboy shooting. I switched to a Marlin 94 CB in .357 and never looked back.
 
use a 158gr jacketed soft point, take broadside shots at the ranges you practice with. Deer don't worry about ballistics and as I limit my shots to under 70 yards when I use iron sighted leverguns either do I .
 
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