16in50calNavalRifle
Member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2009
- Messages
- 355
As always before posting questions I've tried to find and read through everything already posted that might be relevant. This has helped me (I hope) narrow my questions down.
I'd like to add a lever action rifle to the line-up. Specifically a repro of a classic model.
I will not be hunting with this rifle. I will not be competing in formal cowboy action events; however I may use it for silhouette events. It will mostly be for plinking, and for fun.
For various reasons (including that I will be adding a 45LC revolver and want the "reloading synergies") I've settled on 45 Colt among the calibers available in these platforms.
So with these parameters in place, a few questions:
* apart from the obvious differences in price, finish quality, and perhaps resale value if sold down the line, is there any functional difference between the major brands (Winchester, Uberti, Rossi, Marlin, Henry) for my intended uses?
* seems my model choices would be 1866, 1873, 1892, and 1894. Among those, any reason apart from personal preference to pick one over another, or eliminate one? For my intended uses.
* I've read (including here) that the 1866 has a weaker action, and 1892 (?) the strongest action, of the classic levers. Is that correct, and would that be a consideration for my uses? Are standard pressure loads sufficient for silhouette, and why would I want/need to leave myself the option of higher pressure loads? I don't want to carelessly limit my options for things I might want to do. Should I want to some day put the rifle into a home defense role, do I need to consider pressure requirements for modern expanding ammo?
* barrel length: seems I can choose between carbine, short rifle, and full length. Should carbine or short rifle length be all I need - as that would be my first inclination, due to weight.
All things being equal, I'm inclined to get one of the "prettier" rifles, as the industrial art and design are part of the appeal. Of course this means $$$, so as usual I will probably be patient and lie in wait for a bargain, which has worked in a few of my other firearm hunts.
Appreciate all input.
I'd like to add a lever action rifle to the line-up. Specifically a repro of a classic model.
I will not be hunting with this rifle. I will not be competing in formal cowboy action events; however I may use it for silhouette events. It will mostly be for plinking, and for fun.
For various reasons (including that I will be adding a 45LC revolver and want the "reloading synergies") I've settled on 45 Colt among the calibers available in these platforms.
So with these parameters in place, a few questions:
* apart from the obvious differences in price, finish quality, and perhaps resale value if sold down the line, is there any functional difference between the major brands (Winchester, Uberti, Rossi, Marlin, Henry) for my intended uses?
* seems my model choices would be 1866, 1873, 1892, and 1894. Among those, any reason apart from personal preference to pick one over another, or eliminate one? For my intended uses.
* I've read (including here) that the 1866 has a weaker action, and 1892 (?) the strongest action, of the classic levers. Is that correct, and would that be a consideration for my uses? Are standard pressure loads sufficient for silhouette, and why would I want/need to leave myself the option of higher pressure loads? I don't want to carelessly limit my options for things I might want to do. Should I want to some day put the rifle into a home defense role, do I need to consider pressure requirements for modern expanding ammo?
* barrel length: seems I can choose between carbine, short rifle, and full length. Should carbine or short rifle length be all I need - as that would be my first inclination, due to weight.
All things being equal, I'm inclined to get one of the "prettier" rifles, as the industrial art and design are part of the appeal. Of course this means $$$, so as usual I will probably be patient and lie in wait for a bargain, which has worked in a few of my other firearm hunts.
Appreciate all input.