.357 mag carbine (any brand)
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Interested in hearing the advice here as I'm looking for a .357 carbine as well. I'm looking new, so I think Marlin is out of the running (poor quality since Remington took over and you can't find one anyways). Interesting that no mentioned the Henry Bigboy, but as far as I can tell, the list of .357s (at least reasonably available) is:
Ruger 77/.357
Rossi 92
Henry Bigboy
Anything else?
Ruger 77/.357
Rossi 92
Henry Bigboy
Anything else?
You CAN find a new Marlin, if you want it. I just bought one with the "buy now" feature on gunbroker. The dealer is in Iowa. The gun should be here early next week, I will see what the quality is like.
Someone mentioned the Winchester Trapper, they are expensive.
Isn't the Henry Bigboy feed through the magazine tube? I like the feed through the receiver feature.
Someone mentioned the Winchester Trapper, they are expensive.
Isn't the Henry Bigboy feed through the magazine tube? I like the feed through the receiver feature.
indiandave
Member
Yes, the Henry is fed through a tube in the front. That's the only draw back on mine. I like the way it shoots. I just wish it was easier to load.
steveracer
Member
the 92 is my preferred lever action platform, and the Rossi is actually very smooth.
The QC on new Marlins (since Remington has taken over) has me worried.... seeing too many of these threads (clicky and clicky) recently, not to mention I've had awful experiences with some of Remington's .22 ammo. Buying anything Remington really scares me now.
I personally don't like internet ordering of firearms, although I do use it gauge general availability... interesting Gunbroker doesn't come up on google shopping searches, but you're right, it does show up as available there.
Agree with not liking the tube fed magazine on the Henry, and that it is also one heavy rifle, but from what I've read, people are very happy with gun, and ecstatic with the service and lifetime warranty.
That Win. Trapper is showing reasonable availability - I'll look into that. I really like the takedown version, but that was much scarcer when I looked.
I personally don't like internet ordering of firearms, although I do use it gauge general availability... interesting Gunbroker doesn't come up on google shopping searches, but you're right, it does show up as available there.
Agree with not liking the tube fed magazine on the Henry, and that it is also one heavy rifle, but from what I've read, people are very happy with gun, and ecstatic with the service and lifetime warranty.
That Win. Trapper is showing reasonable availability - I'll look into that. I really like the takedown version, but that was much scarcer when I looked.
The Termite
Member
My $.02 worth:
1. A .357 carbine is a good deer gun within it's range, which is 100-125 yds, with 150 yds the outer limit.
2. Federal Eagle .357 158 gr JSPs work pretty good. My youngest daughter killed her first deer with the load, and it performed well. They also work good on small to medium hogs.
3. I won't use .357 JHPs fired from a carbine/rifle barrel on deer or hogs. The added velocity frequently causes the bullet to break up, particularly on less than ideal shots. However, a 125gr JHP from my Marlin 1894C is spectacular on amadillos.
4. Either Doubletap's or Buffalo Bore's 180 gr WFN hardcast bullet loads are very good deer and hog loads.
Just my experience and observations. The standard disclaimers apply.(YMMV, buyer beware, etc).
1. A .357 carbine is a good deer gun within it's range, which is 100-125 yds, with 150 yds the outer limit.
2. Federal Eagle .357 158 gr JSPs work pretty good. My youngest daughter killed her first deer with the load, and it performed well. They also work good on small to medium hogs.
3. I won't use .357 JHPs fired from a carbine/rifle barrel on deer or hogs. The added velocity frequently causes the bullet to break up, particularly on less than ideal shots. However, a 125gr JHP from my Marlin 1894C is spectacular on amadillos.
4. Either Doubletap's or Buffalo Bore's 180 gr WFN hardcast bullet loads are very good deer and hog loads.
Just my experience and observations. The standard disclaimers apply.(YMMV, buyer beware, etc).
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Took it to the range today, what a beautiful day, 60 degrees and sunny. Took 15 rounds to zero the red dot at the 35 yd. range pistol range, I didn't feel like going to the 50/100/200/300 range. I shot 130 gr. and 158 gr. .38 spl, then some hot 158 gr. .357 "Deer load" from Georgia Arms. The .357 had a little more kick and louder but still very manageable. Shooting the .38spl was like shooting a .22. It was fun. The best group was around 1" with the .357 and worst was 2" with the 130 gr. 38 spl.
The gun was dry and I didn't take any lube with me. So the action felt sluggish. When I got home I gave it a good lube job and working the lever to get the lube soaked in. It felt much smoother.
Since this is my first Marlin since the Glenfield model 60 that my dad got for me in 1978, I don't have much to judge the quality against. I am pleased with it. It shot straight and it held together for around 100 rounds. The inexpensive Bushnell works fine (I have two, one for my Ruger 10/22), it was easy to sight in and held zero for the mild recoil rifle.
It is definitely a fun gun to keep around.
The gun was dry and I didn't take any lube with me. So the action felt sluggish. When I got home I gave it a good lube job and working the lever to get the lube soaked in. It felt much smoother.
Since this is my first Marlin since the Glenfield model 60 that my dad got for me in 1978, I don't have much to judge the quality against. I am pleased with it. It shot straight and it held together for around 100 rounds. The inexpensive Bushnell works fine (I have two, one for my Ruger 10/22), it was easy to sight in and held zero for the mild recoil rifle.
It is definitely a fun gun to keep around.
R.W.Dale
Member
I've had a stainless steel Rossi. A ruger 1894 and now this little cutie which has been my favorite of em all.
The Rossi was very crude, unreliable and rough to operate.
The Marlin was nice but not particularly accurate.
The rolling block is light, accurate and very well made. A real sweetheart
The Rossi was very crude, unreliable and rough to operate.
The Marlin was nice but not particularly accurate.
The rolling block is light, accurate and very well made. A real sweetheart
I would recommend an older Marlin 1894 if you can find one..
I do not know about the Rossi' and the Henry is a good gun, just it's tube loading (I'm not a fan of that myself).
Here is a pic of my 1894 carbine in SS:
It is an older run the made in 2005/6 and is a 16 1/4" barrel, great for carrying around...
Good Luck in your search.
Lateck,
I do not know about the Rossi' and the Henry is a good gun, just it's tube loading (I'm not a fan of that myself).
Here is a pic of my 1894 carbine in SS:
It is an older run the made in 2005/6 and is a 16 1/4" barrel, great for carrying around...
Good Luck in your search.
Lateck,
76shuvlinoff
Member
I don't hunt but have beautiful 1894c from 1977and I paired it up with a 4 5/8 convertible Blackhawk. I keep the carbine stoked for the wife next to my 870.
CmpsdNoMore
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Is that rolling block made by Uberti?
I like the idea of a very light .357 single shot carbine, seeing as how thick the woods are where I hunt. The only thing is the Uberti I looked at the other day is way out of my price range and I don't feel like playing the odds with an H&R single shot (or the time required in "fixing" one to shoot well).
I like the idea of a very light .357 single shot carbine, seeing as how thick the woods are where I hunt. The only thing is the Uberti I looked at the other day is way out of my price range and I don't feel like playing the odds with an H&R single shot (or the time required in "fixing" one to shoot well).
The marlin .357 mag is a good choice. 158 gr. xtp is fine deer fodder. 180 hard cast gas check puts more penetration and knock down power to the gun. I personally cast a 215 gr. lyman 358627 gc bullet. Shot length of deer at 180 steps. This heavy bullet can be bought from Western Bullets in Missoula, Mt. Great rifle to hunt, plink, or hike. Older gun is better. Got a 92 gr. cast .38 spec. load that gives only 161foot pounds energy. It dents a pop can before it holes it. Quiet fun to shoot bunny load. Have fun and bangaway.
Chose the Rossi 357 with 20" barrel. When I got it, it was very rough and hitchy. I disassembled and took 400 grit sandpaper to the moving parts, cut 1.5 coils off the mainspring, and bought a replacement ejector spring from ace hardware which I trimmed to fit. I shimmed the trigger spring to lighten the pull some with some scrap plastic I had laying around. The original sights sucked so I knocked the rear sight off and installed a williams 94/36 peep sight. Not very difficult to do with a drill press and the correct tap (midway). Next I added a tube mounted uncle mikes sling kit and a $5 sling from the pawn shop.
A good bit of work for a cheap gun, but sure beats having to pay the rediculous prices of used marlins and now I have something more fun to shoot. Costs were
Rifle - 445 out the door (buds gunshop)
sling studs - 12
sling - 5
williams peep sight - 35
drill bit and tap kit - 3
ejector spring - .60
Grand total: $500 give or take a buck
A good bit of work for a cheap gun, but sure beats having to pay the rediculous prices of used marlins and now I have something more fun to shoot. Costs were
Rifle - 445 out the door (buds gunshop)
sling studs - 12
sling - 5
williams peep sight - 35
drill bit and tap kit - 3
ejector spring - .60
Grand total: $500 give or take a buck
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