Lever gun caliber

I have an early 90's Marlin 1894C in .357 and a Marlin 336 in 30-30 and both are fun to shoot. If hunting is not in the picture I would choose the .357. Water filled milk jugs, soda cans, and one liter soda bottles literally explode if hit with either of the mentioned calibers but mostly just piddle when hit with a .22 caliber round. You can also load the .357 with a slower powder (like Accurate #9) for shooting in rifles with great results.

$50 for 500 sized and lubed 240 grain.430 bullets
$99 for 100 pc. .44 Mag Brass from Starline
IMR4227, 2400, Unique, and many others
LP or LR primers

Makes for a great day at the range, and after it is all said and done. You only need to buy the powder, primers and bullets. The cost goes down and down. The best part about shooting .44 Mag or even the .357 Mag is that the hand loading process is much, much easier.
You will be able to use a progressive press, and kick out those 500 rounds you just shot in a couple hours versus the days involved in loading 500 30-30.

Also a LSWC or a RN with a nice meplate made from hard cast lead is a great bullet to shoot. It will knock down black bear, deer, coyote with far more energy and a nice big hole compared to a .357 Mag.

If you want some powder puff loads use Trail Boss. It is very accurate in my .44 Magnums, and doesn't recoil hard at all, but my favorite powder for the .44 Magnum is IMR 4227. A classic that I was turned on to by WalkAlong after having issues with cast bullets and 2400.

Buck13 said:

I was focused on the idea of a Rossi 92, since I already reload .357 and .44, but looking on Armslist, there are so many .30-30s available (some with usable scopes for essentially no extra money) that I'm reconsidering.

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It depends on whether you want to load for another cartridge. A 357 Mag lever action is fun to shoot, I have a Marlin 1894. It is handy that I have 357 magnum revolvers as.

But, there is a little upside in performance to the 30-30 cartridge over the 357 Magnum, the 30-30 and lever actions just go together, and if you enjoy reloading, the 30-30 is another cartridge to learn.

Good luck with your decision. Doing the research is part of the fun.

This might not help, but I think more options are always better. I recently bought a Win 94 30-30 because of price and availability vs. a 357 lever gun. I already reloaded 357 also, like you, but I set up to run cast 165 gr lead over Unique in the 30-30 and I'm enjoying the rifle - also set the rifle up with a Williams FP peep sight. That brings up another good point - loading down the 30-30 will require raising the rear sight a lot - maybe more than the stock sights could manage. The peep sight solves that but it does cost more. I just hate semi buckhorn sights so much that it wasn't an issue of cost for something I was going to do anyway.

No, 30-30 is not near as nice to reload. Yes, rifle bullets in cast lead for 30-30 are a out 2x the cost of 357 lead bullets. But I could more easily find LR primers and 30 cal lead bullets through the shortage than 357 components (SP primers NOWHERE). I enjoy shooting the 30-30 reduced loads, and also reload FMJ full hunting loads for it, but sight adjustments are drastically different (about 10" apart at 100yds), so sights need to be figured out for both loads. Buying the 30-30 was something I couldn't pass up based on price and availability. I like the options to shoot full and reduced loads, though I do still want a 357 lever gun for the rifle-pistol combo - just not as much now that I basically shoot 357 equivalent loads from the 30-30(165 gr loads ~1400fps).

I also didn't hear great things about Rossi quality and could not find a 357 lever gun of any make locally that I could hold and inspect. If I would have found a 357 to look at, who knows what I would have now, but instead I have a 1970 Win94 with some metal dings, scratches but perfect wood, no rust and a shiny bore that i gave $250 for and it's a better quality than a Rossi. I'll probably end up with a Henry or Rossi 357 one day or a used Marlin given that the new Rem-lins are so poor quality, but I'm happy with the Win 30-30 for now. Money not an option, and purely a 100 yd or less range toy, I'd look for a used Marlin 1894 cowboy in 357 online, but prepare yourself for the $1000 shock.

It depends. Don't you love that reply?

I was in the same exact boat as you. I'm trying to rebuild the inherited collection I sold off when I was young, stupid, and hungry.

I wanted a lever action rifle. I thought I wanted a .357, just like you, for the same reasons. A plinking or range-type gun makes you think of a .22... but I'll tell you. I have a gorgeous Browning BL-22 and I pretty much never shoot it. I rarely shoot .22 stuff, as I'm a hand loader and I very much enjoy longer ranges and more power.

So, I started looking around. I found a Rossi. Yep, I'm sure it would have worked, but the fit, finish and quality just didn't float my particular boat. The stock looked a lot like something I'd cut out of a nice quality 4X4. (don't flame me for that okay? we can do that in a different thread) I started to reconsider, and broadened my horizons.

At a local (large) gun show, I started looking at Winchester Model 94s. There's roughly a bazillion (that's a lot) of them out there. Parts are available, history is known and researchable, and in .30-30 (or .30 WCF, same thing), it's extremely easy to hand load for. It's a low pressure cartridge ... and yes it's more expensive than a pistol caliber and all that, and it does kick a bit more but hey, it's a center fire rifle. It's not exactly going to hurt your shoulder.

I would also never factor in the cost of dies, etc. Dies are cheap when you consider they last a lifetime.

Long story shorter, I kept looking around and happened on a totally un-molested 1942 Model 94 in .30 WCF and it's in beautiful condition. Not even drilled for a peep sight or scope or anything. Totally un-molested. Even the screw heads look as if no one has ever touched them. It cost me $500. It shoots great and it's a bit of history sitting in the safe.

All I'm saying is, don't settle for anything if it's not precisely what you want! I don't hunt either, although I have the firearms to hunt anything, and understand the people who do. I enjoy the hand loading and shooting my own loads, and the precision of nice firearms. The Rossi didn't turn me on a whole lot, and the Henrys seemed a little roughly finished to me. All of them will work though, so get what you want for the purpose you want it for.... and enjoy whatever you get.

I agree with pretty much everything handyman163 said, above.

That probably didn't help at all...

I think the Rossi 92 in .357 is a great choice.

I especially enjoy shooting 158gr .38 LRN as a plinking round out of handguns as well as my Interarms (Rossi) 92.

Enjoy the search

Given what you've said, I think I would try to go with the .357 over other calibers.

Since plinking and range use is high on the list and hunting is low, that is my answer. If it were the other way around, I would say get a .30-30.

You may find that you like having a long gun to go along with your .357 revolvers. That's a nice bonus.

You can handload plinking grade .30-30 if you want. The standard hunting ammo you find on most shelves does not strike me as fun plinking ammo.


Marlin makes a stainless .357, but it will be hard to find and expensive when you do. You'll come across a Rossi much easier. Even if you get a .357, don't be surprised if you go on to get a .30-30 later - which I would recommend, actually. That way if you end up hunting, you can always grab the .30-30 and not have to wonder "will it be enough?".

"I think the Rossi 92 in .357 is a great choice."

if you decide to go with a Rossi 92 - send me a PM.
I have a couple of tips for you.

CA R

I'm with hatt, 35 Remington is the way to go!
I bought a few boxes when I first got the rifle, I just shoot reloads using the same hardcast 158 SWC's is use for 38 and 357's and just mix in leveroution ammo when I hunt and add the brass to the pile!

.357 and especially .38 special are going to be cheaper than .30-30, especially in factory ammo, but even if you reload. If all you're doing is killing paper, the extra power of the 30 WCF is largely wasted. If you're only shooting at 100 yards, the extra range of the 30 WCF is wasted.

The .30-30 does make more noise and thump than the pistol calibers, if you enjoy such things. If you plan to take it afield, and actually do something with it, rather than just converting money into noise, the .30-30 is your more efficient hunting tool.

Buck13 said:

I thought of that, although I just learned of the cartridge recently. That would be great, but I think those are rare in the West. I certainly haven't seen any nearby on Armslist this week. OTOH, .30-30s are like a rash on the landscape.

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They aren't as common. But they show up fairly often, and usually close to the price of the similar .30-30.

I have yet to buy a lever rifle, but it's on my list-o-things I want to get someday.

Sometime after the Colt SAA I intend to buy next year.

One of my brothers advised me many years ago to go with one chambered for .357 vice 30-30. His opinion, as an owner of a 30-30, was that the .357 has all the power to reach out and touch a deer where it counts at the typical ranges most people encounter in the woods while not having to deal with the kick of the 30-30.

Whenever I get my lever gun, I'll be taking that into consideration.

First and foremost you need to find that 39A and get it back.

I have 2 39A's, a 1979 Marlin 1894c in 357 and an 70's Ted Williams 30-30. For a plinker and effective HD weapon I would certainly go with the .357 for all the reasons listed above. IMHO Nothing runs like an older Marlin, mine eats .38s all day.

I would like a 45-70 next to the rest of my levers.... just because.

If I was going to by a Winchester 94 it would be a 30-30 for two reasons. Firstly, they are very plentiful and cheap used in 30-30, and it is THE caliber for a 94. Secondly, the longer action in the 94 was designed for longer rifle rounds, and feeds them better than shorter pistol rounds. All that being said...if you already have and reload for .357 and .44, one of those two would be my choice. About a year ago, I decided that I wanted a lever action to go with my .357 revolver. I did a lot of research, and ended up with a new Rossi 92. When I got it, the action was a little rough. I followed a few online walk throughs, disassembled the action, cleaned it well, knocked off a few burrs, lubed it and put it back together. The difference was night and day, and I'm really happy with the rifle. It is great for plinking, and shoots really well. Feels almost like a .22 with .38s, and is quite accurate at reasonable distances. The stock sights are so so, I have shot it out to 100 yards, but usually shoot it at 25-50. I got the 20" barrel, because it seemed to balance better for me, and it still is very small and handy. All in all I feel it was a very good purchase, and would buy one again without a doubt. In fact, I'll probably end up with a .44 in stainless at some point.

From you description, I would certainly consider a rimfire lever action. Marlin, Henry and Browning all make good examples. It's much easier and cheaper to burn through a hundred rounds of .22 (even at today's inflated prices!) than any centerfire.

On the other hand, if you insist on a centerfire, I'd look at the Rossi M92 in .357 mag. Its a popular gun that's easy to slick up and reasonably priced (Marlin 1894C rifles in .357 are great rifles, but are almost impossible to find, and are routinely selling for $1,000-1,500 on Gun Broker). A .357 rifle isn't too expensive to feed, and the option to fire .38 special is nice.

Only if you think you might some day want to use the gun for more than targets or plinking, would I consider a .44 magnum or .30-30 Win. They are both better choices for short range deer hunting, but will be significantly more expensive to shoot at the range.

This is the rifle choice at the top of my "I Want List" as well. The Marlin 1894C in .357, specifically. However, I'm going to have to either win the lottery or just get over the sticker shock and do it. I have a 6" 686 revolver, and I reload, too. So, this would be the perfect companion rifle. I know I'll have to consider other options besides the Marlin, but I just don't like the top-eject models (personal preference).

Be sure to let us know what you decide.
...and don't forget to provide pictures.

+1 on the Marlin 1894 in 357 Magnum...

You can load 38's for cheap fun at the range and move up to 180 grain 357's for deer at reasonable ranges.

The 357 Magnum in a lever action carbine barrel is a whole different animal...just check out the ballistic charts to see why.... you are in 30-30 territory with the right loads.

I have a Marlin 1894CSS that is a dream to handle and shoot...I'd hold out for one of those...

I'd replace the Marlin 39 in a hurry to go with that K22, but I have a rimfire bias.

For centerfire, I had a Marlin 336 in 30/30 and it shot about 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards. But if you're never hunting with it, I'd probably listen to everyone with .357 experience.
Good luck,
RT

I have levers in 22, 357, 44, 45, 30/30 and a host of obsolete calibers. For a pure toy, 22 gets the nod. If you want something other than a 22, 357 is the one I grab most often by a long shot. It is the most pleasant, cheapest to load for and 38spls are cheaper to buy than the others. Now, a 30/30 can be had for about half what a pistol caliber lever gun runs, and is certainly a more powerful hunting round. That said, a 30/30 factory round kicks like a mule (comparativly. it's not 300 ultra mag, but it has WAY more recoil than any pistol round I have ever fired)

If you go pistol caliber route, in terms of quality, as of a year and a half ago, I rate the brands thusly: old marlin > rossi > new marlin. I'm not sure where henry fits in there. Their products are nice and slick out of the box, but I've never bought one as I dislike the yellow receiver. I also don't know where the italian replicas fit in either.

CraigC said:

I can't see buying a .30-30 as just a range toy. Seems to me that if it ain't gonna be a .22LR, the .357 is a better choice.

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Your definition of 'range toy' is a narrow one, my son.

Your definition of 'range toy' is a narrow one, my son.

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It probably is but then, I don't typically buy centerfire rifles as a "range toy". Although when you shoot on your own property, your definition of "range toy" is a little different.

I use cast lead bullets and reload my 30-30 Model 94 trapper using Lee powder dippers for a a measure and a Lee hand press to do the heavy lifting. It is a nice reloading break from the fancy stuff I use for serious reloading, and gets you back to basics on a number of different levels.