357Mag Rifle
- Thread starter Chasing Crow
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My little brother and I had a Winchester 92 converted to .357 back in the days of "The Rifleman" complete with big lever and set screw. Only mistakes were keeping the rifle length barrel and the curved, rifle buttstock. I inherited it last year when Big T passed on. Somewhere along the line he put an original lever on it.
Smooth as silk, feeds like a Krag (smooth), and is plenty accurate. After my spinal fusion heals a little more, I'm gonna chrono it with a variety of loads.
He did kill a hog with it about twenty years ago.
Smooth as silk, feeds like a Krag (smooth), and is plenty accurate. After my spinal fusion heals a little more, I'm gonna chrono it with a variety of loads.
He did kill a hog with it about twenty years ago.
76shuvlinoff
Member
Love my Marlin 1894c.
Marlin 45 carbine
Member
for what it's worth a shooting buddy has the Marlin he 'massaged' per tips on a website that is a real shooter with his good handloads. I remember him saying one tip was getting the barrel band just right
beverage cans @150 yds off a rest no problem
beverage cans @150 yds off a rest no problem
joe4702
Member
I've got a Marlin 1894CP, which is a discontinued model with a short (16.5" IIRC) ported barrel. Very handy and a fun plinker with a small Millet red dot sight.
I don't like the ports, which tend to spit stuff at shooters next to me. Also recently ran into the dreaded Marlin jam and after one fix attempt failed, had to order a new carrier. The Marlin warranty is only 5 years (the gun is ~10 years old).
I don't like the ports, which tend to spit stuff at shooters next to me. Also recently ran into the dreaded Marlin jam and after one fix attempt failed, had to order a new carrier. The Marlin warranty is only 5 years (the gun is ~10 years old).
I have had a Rossi in 38/357 for almost 20 years. It is one of the early rifles that was made before the cowboy action game took hold and the workmanship is much nicer than the later rifles. It has been 100 percent reliable and plenty accurate for me. I have not shot much 357 through it because I have alot of 38 special ammo. I slicked up the action with a little stoning and it is now like butter. I also have one in 45 LC....chris3
Another plug for the Henry Big Boy, with 20" barrell. It's accurate out to 100 yds. and action is so smooth that I don't pull off target while chambering another round. I prefer their magazine loading system vs. Marlin. Gun is heavier than Marlin but the extra weight helps me hold it steadier. You'll find that the noise out of 18-20" barrell is much less than the revolvers, and that kick is very minimal. The .357 rifle is an excellent combo with the revolver whichever one you get.
Another happy camper here with a Marlin 1894 SS 16 1/4" LTD rifle! 
Looking to get one in .44 Mag when I can find a stainless model.
I like the side ejection port on the Marlins and I am not real happy when I looked at Rossi....
If you (or anyone) can get your hands on a .357 lever you'll NEVER regret it!
Lateck,
Looking to get one in .44 Mag when I can find a stainless model.
I like the side ejection port on the Marlins and I am not real happy when I looked at Rossi....
If you (or anyone) can get your hands on a .357 lever you'll NEVER regret it!
Lateck,
george29
Member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2006
- Messages
- 1,670
Robtattoo
Member
I have a 16" stainless Rossi '92 in 38/357 that is fast becoming my go-to farm gun. I slicked up the action per Stevesgunz instructions (spring kit & an hour stoning the action) & now it's as smooth as my Henry .22
I haven't shot more than a box or so of .357, but what I shot hit what I wanted it to hit (Pie plate at 100yds after a few sighters)
My usual round of choice is handloaded .38 specials with a cast 158gn SWC over 2gn of Bullseye. Very low powered round for a pistol, but excellent out of a 16" tube! Nicely accurate out to 50yds (2½" group offhand) & at that range is perfect for critter control.
I have a Skinner peep sight on order for it right now & at some point I'd like to replace the buttstock with a rifle stock. LOP is just too short for me.
I haven't shot more than a box or so of .357, but what I shot hit what I wanted it to hit (Pie plate at 100yds after a few sighters)
My usual round of choice is handloaded .38 specials with a cast 158gn SWC over 2gn of Bullseye. Very low powered round for a pistol, but excellent out of a 16" tube! Nicely accurate out to 50yds (2½" group offhand) & at that range is perfect for critter control.
I have a Skinner peep sight on order for it right now & at some point I'd like to replace the buttstock with a rifle stock. LOP is just too short for me.
MrDig
Member
Having field stripped both the Marlin 1894c and the Winchester I prefer the Marlins, less moving parts mean less problems.
IMI Timber Wolf is a hard to find gun but I would love to have one.
IMI Timber Wolf is a hard to find gun but I would love to have one.
Certaindeaf
member
george29,
Cool pic. Is that a batbox on that tree?
Cool pic. Is that a batbox on that tree?
WNC Seabee
Member
I've had a recent production Rossi 92 that ran like a champ. I would highly recommend it.
I had opportunity to pick up a Marlin 1894cs for a steal, so I sold the Rossi to fund that purchase. The Marlin is a "nicer" gun, but I would not hesitate to pick up another Rossi.
This Marlin is very accurate, feeds well and is awfully fun to carry. Highly recommended. It's a pre-Remington model with cross-bolt safety.
I had opportunity to pick up a Marlin 1894cs for a steal, so I sold the Rossi to fund that purchase. The Marlin is a "nicer" gun, but I would not hesitate to pick up another Rossi.
This Marlin is very accurate, feeds well and is awfully fun to carry. Highly recommended. It's a pre-Remington model with cross-bolt safety.
mainmech48
Member
IME, having a good revolver and a handy carbine which can use the same rounds is every bit as useful, practical and versatile an idea now as it was when Colt began to chamber their SAA for the .44 WCF to pair with the Winchester 1873 back around 1878.
For where I live and most all of my most common tasks, the .357/.38 Spl. has proven to be about perfect. I presently own three carbines and two different brands of revolvers in the caliber.
It started out with my beloved IMI Timberwolf pump way back circa 1993. I was looking for a Marlin LA and happened to run across a shop where they had a NIB Timberwolf for nearly $100 less than Wally World was selling Marlins for. I bought it and it turned into love at first shot. I wouldn't part with it now for diamonds.
I've since added two pre-Taurus M92's to the fold. One standard 20" carbine and a nifty little 16" 'Trapper' model. While nowhere as smooth working OTB as the Timberwolf both have slicked-up very nicely with use.
All of the three are capable of delivering groups far better than I can hold for standing on my own two feet. All feed and function reliably with any configuration of .357 or .38 Spl. ammo except full WC loads. All will group 5 rds. of my standard general purpose handload of a 158 gr. LSWC over 5 gr. of Unique in .357 cases into 1 5/8" or less at 50 yds from a bench when I do my part right, despite my aging eyes and iron sights.
While it'll never replace the Timberwolf in my heart, that little Trapper M92 makes for an almost ideal woods bumming and "truck" carbine. With the addition of a Lyman 66A receiver sight and an Uncle Mike's QD swivel set for a carry strap it's about as compact and handy a set up as they come. Right around 5 1/4#, 35" OAL and 8 rds. on tap. I've taken a bunch of edible small game and assorted varmints with it.
I've even come to prefer a .357 carbine and my handloads to a .22 RF and HV LR loads for squirrels and rabbits. It seems to me that the report from my handloads doesn't "spook" the other squirrels as much and they'll start to reappear a good deal sooner after a shot.
No matter what brand or type you finally choose, IMO getting a .357 carbine is something you aren't likely to regret. I surely don't.
For where I live and most all of my most common tasks, the .357/.38 Spl. has proven to be about perfect. I presently own three carbines and two different brands of revolvers in the caliber.
It started out with my beloved IMI Timberwolf pump way back circa 1993. I was looking for a Marlin LA and happened to run across a shop where they had a NIB Timberwolf for nearly $100 less than Wally World was selling Marlins for. I bought it and it turned into love at first shot. I wouldn't part with it now for diamonds.
I've since added two pre-Taurus M92's to the fold. One standard 20" carbine and a nifty little 16" 'Trapper' model. While nowhere as smooth working OTB as the Timberwolf both have slicked-up very nicely with use.
All of the three are capable of delivering groups far better than I can hold for standing on my own two feet. All feed and function reliably with any configuration of .357 or .38 Spl. ammo except full WC loads. All will group 5 rds. of my standard general purpose handload of a 158 gr. LSWC over 5 gr. of Unique in .357 cases into 1 5/8" or less at 50 yds from a bench when I do my part right, despite my aging eyes and iron sights.
While it'll never replace the Timberwolf in my heart, that little Trapper M92 makes for an almost ideal woods bumming and "truck" carbine. With the addition of a Lyman 66A receiver sight and an Uncle Mike's QD swivel set for a carry strap it's about as compact and handy a set up as they come. Right around 5 1/4#, 35" OAL and 8 rds. on tap. I've taken a bunch of edible small game and assorted varmints with it.
I've even come to prefer a .357 carbine and my handloads to a .22 RF and HV LR loads for squirrels and rabbits. It seems to me that the report from my handloads doesn't "spook" the other squirrels as much and they'll start to reappear a good deal sooner after a shot.
No matter what brand or type you finally choose, IMO getting a .357 carbine is something you aren't likely to regret. I surely don't.
I have a 22" Handi rifle in .357, an older one with an ejector and click adjustable open sights. Terrific fun gun. Quiet, .38 spl level loads make for pleasant plinking and accuracy is terrific out to 100 yards.
Sold all my .357 leverguns.
Sold all my .357 leverguns.
Doc.Holliday
Member
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2011
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- 32
In my experience 357 mag chambered rifles work just fine as long as you use 357 mag ammo. If your buying one to shoot cheaper or low powered 38 spl many users have experienced problems due to O.A.L of cartridges causing feeding problems.
Doc.
Doc.
T.R.
Member
This deer sized impala was slain with 357 MAG carbine. Hunt took place in South Africa. Photo courtesy of Paco Kelly's Leverguns.
TR
TR
Doc.Holliday, I have heard of problems with 38spls in Malin carbines. But out of six diferent ones I have shot, they all have fed from wadcutters to max loads. Guess I've been lucky. Yes the length and profile of the shell are what is important not the pressure of the load. Just a matter of tolerences.
Cheers,
ts
Cheers,
ts
I've had 6 Rossis, two of which were 357 mag 92 copies. I fiddled with them. A lot. I finally got them to feed smoothly after a LOT of polishing, fitting and more polishing. Never could get one to shoot accurately. I've given up on them. Unless their quality has gone WAY up in the last ten years, I'd say look elsewhere.
I have a Marlin 1894 in 44 mag that I'm very happy with. I also have a Savage 24 in 357 mag/20 ga.
The best 357 rifle is probably the 92 copy made by Miroku and sold by Browning. Very well made.
I have a Marlin 1894 in 44 mag that I'm very happy with. I also have a Savage 24 in 357 mag/20 ga.
The best 357 rifle is probably the 92 copy made by Miroku and sold by Browning. Very well made.
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