lever action which caliber and manufacturer

Status
Not open for further replies.
I'd look for a JM marked Marlin 1894 in .44 Magnum. Oh wait. No, I wouldn't because I already have one. But you might consider one. I'm convinced mine would be good at 100 yards for deer, even Wyoming mulies if I could get that close.
 
I had a Rossi 92 in .45 Colt.
With my hand loads it was accurate at 100 yards and iron sights. Accurate enough to break clays shot after shot. It was also very accurate with Hornady Leverevolution ammo.
Be advised; if you do get a .45 lever gun and try Leverevolution ammo the cases are about 1/10th of an inch shorter than standard .45 Colt cases. Keep them separated for reloading.

Now, my Rossi was cartridge length sensitive. Cartridges at maximum SAAMI specs (1.600”) would cause jams. If I shortened the cartridges to 1.585 it was alright. It was very picky with factory ammo. Annoyingly picky. It never had a problem with the Leverevolution ammo.
My Rossi also developed a problem where when ejecting empty cases live cases on the carrier would launch out of the rifle thus leaving nothing in the chamber when raising the lever and pulling the trigger. Quite an aggravating problem until I discovered I needed to shim the cartridge guides. I fixed it then sold the rifle.
I had a Chinese SKS that had better looking internal parts receiver machining.
Personally, I will never own another Rossi.

I would definitely consider the .45 Colt out to 100 yards from a rifle.
 
My favorite leverguns are Marlin 1895’s, but conceding to case length limitations, my second favorite are Marlin 1894’s in 44mag.

A 92 clone in 454casull could be pretty interesting, however.
 
Walking out of the LGS today and what was on the rack but a Henry Big Boy in 45 Colt. Color Case Hardened and side gate to boot. It’s mine . Pictures when I actually have a moment or I’ll start a new thread when I get to shoot it.
Just thought I should follow up.

Jeff
 
Bartojc said:
Walking out of the LGS today and what was on the rack but a Henry Big Boy in 45 Colt. Color Case Hardened and side gate to boot. It’s mine . Pictures when I actually have a moment or I’ll start a new thread when I get to shoot it.
Just thought I should follow up.

Jeff
Click to expand...


Nice grab! Can't wait to see those pictures.
 
Nice find. It’s a done deal now but I would have voted for the .45 Colt for no other reason then you are already up and running to reload it so it just makes sense.

You have the best of both worlds. Side gate for that old west authenticity and ability to top off the mag and removal of the tube mag for instant unloading. Color case hardening is just the icing on the cake.

Post a pic. Never get tired of looking at lever actions.
 
That’s the going rate thereabouts right now. Don’t see the new Marlins being any cheaper. You didn’t steal it but you did OK considering it’s NIB and has a couple of features folks desire.
 
Bartojc said:
A couple of points. The straight wall cartridge law for hunting in MI limits me to 1.8" for the casing. That eliminates 450 Marlin, 45-70 Govt., etc. I will reload for whatever I get. Budget ? Good question ..... In this case I've concluded that I'll spend around $1000 +/- 15%

From the replies it looks like everyone thinks that 45 Colt is good out to 100 yards, esp if I reload for it. If buying new it feels like Henry and Rossi would be the contenders with what I'm looking to spend. Used may open up a possibility with Marlin, but who knows with used prices today.

If it matters I would probably put a scope on it. I know....... insert all the comments about lever actions were meant to just have irons. My eyes aren't what they used to be and if I buy the rifle it's going to get used in the field and not be a show piece.

-Jeff
Click to expand...

As much as I like my Rossi's, if you're gonna scope it the Henry is a better option as you can mount your scope conventionally over the action.

With the Rossi's you gotta use a forward "scout" type scope.
 
Bartojc said:
If it matters I would probably put a scope on it. I know....... insert all the comments about lever actions were meant to just have irons.
Click to expand...

I am one that thinks a lever action just looks "wrong" with a scope riding on top of it. However I also understand that eyesight make irons sights about useless for many people and I used to be one of those. Thanks to the miracle of modern science that applies to eyes I can now use iron sights again but left the scope on my Henry because I simply shoot more accurately with the scope and now pay no attention to looks or what anyone else thinks about it.

It is your gun, equip it like you want. Pooey on the nay-sayers.
 
My choices.....marlin 1894 .41mag .44 mag .45colt
All of these calibers are more than adequate for a deer rifle. Other than state restrictions a .357 mag would probably work fine as well.
Having never been around a centerfire Henery I cant attest to their qualities.
 
Nice. I picked up a Win M94 in 45 Colt several years ago just for fun, and then Michigan goes and opens up for pistol cartridges for deer. I load some midrange 255 SWCs that will shoot in both the rifle and blackhawk.

FYI for those asking, the DNR came out and said the rule is based on the cartridge marking on the rifle not on the actual case you happen to have in the rifle, so a cutdown 45-70, 444 or 450 marlin would not be legal.
 
Risky buisness said:
My choices.....marlin 1894 .41mag .44 mag .45colt
All of these calibers are more than adequate for a deer rifle. Other than state restrictions a .357 mag would probably work fine as well.
Having never been around a centerfire Henery I cant attest to their qualities.
Click to expand...

The Henry's will work just fine in all the same calibers.
 
Pat Riot said:
Personally, I will never own another Rossi.
Click to expand...

Rossi's are so "hit and miss". I have one that's pretty close to perfect. Feeds everything. On the other hand, some guys were making money on videos on how to fix and tune them. I think the '92 is a design that requires hand fitting at the factory. I believe the Rossi factory just assembles them, maybe runs a couple of dummy cartridges through and calls it good.

When you get one that works well, like mine, I think that means that all the parts just happened to all fall into spec/tolerances by chance. ? I would never let my Rossi go, but I understand not wanting to take the gamble.
 
Beck said:
They also offer a 24" barrel "Sporter" in 357 Magnum, but IMO that's a bit too long for a pistol cartridge. The velocity will be less than the 20" barrel with certain rounds.
Click to expand...

True with "certain rounds", if they are low powered rounds, such as .38sp, .44spl, or standard velocity .45 Colt loaded with Unique, or other fast burning powder. However, with full power loads and slow burning powders, the pistol caliber rifles will produce higher velocity with the 22" and 24" barrels. A .45 Colt loaded "healthy" with WW296 for instance will benefit from a longer barrel. And of course a 20" will be fine for 100 yard hunting too.
 
Ugly Sauce said:
Rossi's are so "hit and miss". I have one that's pretty close to perfect. Feeds everything. On the other hand, some guys were making money on videos on how to fix and tune them. I think the '92 is a design that requires hand fitting at the factory. I believe the Rossi factory just assembles them, maybe runs a couple of dummy cartridges through and calls it good.

When you get one that works well, like mine, I think that means that all the parts just happened to all fall into spec/tolerances by chance. ? I would never let my Rossi go, but I understand not wanting to take the gamble.
Click to expand...

Mine feeds everything except some reloads using hollow points with big ol' holes in them. They would hang up on the top of the chamber. Newer HP"S with smaller holes cured the problem. It feeds about anything loaded in a 38 special case. About means full wadcutter bullets do not feed in either case. They just lay there on the tray.

The spring kit from Steves'sGunz make an OK rifle into a great rifle and the set is inexpensive.

My Rossi wears a peep sight. It works for plinking just fine and I'm pretty sure i could do in a coyote out to around a 100 yards with it if I ran across such a critter. I haven't seen one in many months.
 
Have not tried a wide variety in mine, but no jams with what I have shot. Any .38spl seems to feed fine. My standard load for my Rossi and what I have it sighted in for is a cast 200 grain bullet with a pretty flat nose to it.

The only hollow point I've shot is the Remington 158 grain HP factory load and it feeds good. I'm more than pretty sure you could drop a coyote at 100 yards with a .357magnum carbine. I'd bet on it.
 
I like Henry for new stuff, have one in 45-70. Sometimes I wonder who makes the rules with cartridges in previous shotgun zones. My Knight muzzle-loader has more fps and a flatter trajectory than most any 45-70 round. That’s a 45 cal, shooting a .400” bullet at 2218 fps, Blackhorn 209 powder.

Yeah, I just use my M-L over a shotgun or restricted centerfire cartridge. I’m use to setting up the the cleaning requirements.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Huntolive
  • Locked
Lever Action 44 Magnum?
2
Replies
39
Views
4K
RainDodger
RainDodger
P
  • Locked
Lever action .22?
2 3
Replies
52
Views
4K
thomis
thomis
L
  • Locked
44 mag lever guns
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
scaevola
S
S
  • Locked
Lever action conundrum
2 3
Replies
59
Views
3K
Tommygunn
Tommygunn
Solomonson
  • Locked
Which pump 22 for action shooting -- Rossi Gallery 22 or Henry Pump Action 22?
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
Solomonson
Solomonson
Back
Top