Which caliber for ranch hand

[DPris]

Well....if you're being facetious, then yeah- Randall's ML fired .45 Superlongs.
Otherwise, the guns were original 92s, which were never originally chambered in .45 Colt.
Denis

[Mainsail]

I got one in .44 magnum because I reload that caliber.

[JEB]

i would go with the .357 version just for cheaper shooting

[M2 Carbine]

Everyone should buy and shoot whatever floats their boat. But I find optics on a .22 Ranch Hand a very strange combination. Just sayin'.

Strange combination?
Maybe not if your eyes are 75 years old.

I put the Red Dot on the 22 because it is capable of decent accuracy at some distance but not if I use the iron sights.

[M2 Carbine]

Good looking rig Mainsail.

[ThusEver2Tyrants]

Thanks everyone for your input!!! Like I said its just cool and fun...no need for practicality. I have more serious rifles and handguns for serious work. And texanscott that is a great idea!!!

We have decided to go with the 357. I do not reload yet so I think it will be a lot cheaper for now. Hell maybe ill buy another in 45 down the road! Lol

Mainsail, that rig is beautiful...does it go on the side of the thigh? And where can I get a quality thigh rig for this thing?

[BSA1]

Just a late thought before you go buy the .357 Magnum version. Magnum factory ammunition is expensive and for most shooters not much fun for regular target shooting and plinking. One of the biggest advantages of a firearm chambered in .357 magnum is it allows for use of .38 Specials which depending on the load selected is much cheaper and much easier to shoot.

One of the big disadvantages of lever action rifles is due to the nature of their design they do not feed .38 Specials well due to the shorter o.a.l. of .38's. If it is your intention to use .38's in this gun you are probably headed for a big disappointment.

[M2 Carbine]

If it is your intention to use .38's in this gun you are probably headed for a big disappointment.

Not necessarily. My Rossi handles 38 Special 158gr lead SWC just fine.
I'd guess I shoot at least a hundred 38 to one .357.

That's why I wanted a 22 Mare's Leg, because I was going through a LOT of 38 Special.



Come to think of it though, a lady friend has a full size lever action 38/.357 (I don't remember the brand).
When shooting 38 she has to be more forceful when closing the lever with 38 than .357, but the gun doesn't jam.
She has shot the gun little. I suspect the action will smooth out with use.

[Mainsail]

Mainsail, that rig is beautiful...does it go on the side of the thigh? And where can I get a quality thigh rig for this thing?

I got it at Cochise Leather, and it has a belt loop at the top. I got to hold the gun to the back of the passenger seat in my jeep or truck. We cannot carry a loaded long gun in a vehicle here, but handguns are OK with a CPL. I can also wear it as a belt holster at open carry events and maybe demonstrations down at the capitol.

[BCRider]

The Rossi action only has issues with the .38Spls if the shooter tries to speed cycle the lever such as during faster cowboy action shooting.

To avoid the issue all that is needed is for the shooter to pause for the slightest noticable instant with the lever in the down and forward position to let the new round settle back on the elevator before completing the lever cycle to chamber the round. We're talking about an 1/8 to 1/10 of a second being enough with my own Rossi action .357.

It's not a bad option anyway as even this slight pause will tend to make folks focus on giving the lever the full travel and avoid short stroking.

[M2 Carbine]

We're talking about an 1/8 to 1/10 of a second being enough with my own Rossi action .357.

OK, I see why my Rossi functions so well with 38 Special.

At 75 years of age I don't have to worry I'm shooting too fast.

[BCRider]

M2, don't look back to quickly. I'm not far behind you....

[BSA1]

I guess it just boils down to expectations.

Problems with 92's chambered for 357 mag. feeding 38 Spl. are well known. While I think most will agree the Ranch Hand is meant for use as a fun and use on the range I personally would not make allowances for a design that require me to manipulate the action slowly and in a certain manner for it to feed correctly.

Fortunately this problem can be corrected by a knowledge gunsmith or sometimes by seating the bullet longer in 38's. Since the Ranch Hand is being sold as handgun maybe they have corrected this.

[scaatylobo]

When I got mine I had a choice as they had them all in stock.

I was into SASS and still have a 'few' rounds of .45 LC around and a Marlin and Colt in that caliber,so that was the caliber I got.

Pleasant to shoot and I doubt there is anything in the N.American continent that will stand up to even a single hit by it.

I got THE holster that J.R. carried [ a copy of course ] and yes the gun is heavy but the 38/357 is actually heavier as there is more steel to the barrel and frame [ same size as the .45 LC ,but less steel removed in production ].

I have some Buffalo Bore and other real ammo for it and would not hesitate to take it deer hunting.But the standard 250 grainer lead will do the job - I am sure.

Hope you enjoy your's as much as I do mine.

Practical - who cares !!.

[Sav .250]

The 45 cal is a cannon. If that`s the flavor of the day, load up on shells and have at it.

[scaatylobo]

I disagree as I have at least a couple of hundred through mine and its easy to shoot one handed,just a bit heavy as I am not as young as when I used to shoot a 870 Rem. with pistol grip = one handed .

[bill3424]

.38/357 because I reload that particular round. It's a fun gun to shoot, that's for sure.

[SDGlock23]

.45 Colt for sure. The Puma '92 leverguns are pretty nice and can handle warm loads as well and come in a variety of different barrel lengths. I had one for a while and it was a good gun.

http://www.legacysports.com/products/puma_m92.html

You can accompany one with a Ruger Blackhawk convertible (.45 Colt and .45 ACP) model.

[meanmrmustard]

Originally Posted by BSA1

Actually, Randall's was a .44-40

I disagree. The rounds he was carry on his cartridge belt were 45 extra extra long. They were rare special made cartridges for only a few Old West bounty hunters knew about. <];-)

Those were 45/70s he carried, for Hollywood effect. Not the true cartridge the rifle chambered.

I'm slow to wit, I know.

[Deaf Smith]

Let the lady take what she wants!!!

She want's a .45, well let her get one!

If I had my own ranch way out in the boondocks I'd just use my .44



Ok I love posting it's picture but...

Again, let her have her wish and get her a real good .45 the way she likes.

Deaf

[Z1D2]

My choice.. 357