Preface: I like to hunt small game on my 22+ acres in Alabama with a lever-action rifle. Most of the game has been rabbit and squirrel, and the range has been less than thirty yards. Until now, I have used a Marlin 39A or 1897T for that duty, and I have been pleased with the results.
Want: Every now and then, I am presented with a shot on something a bit bigger, including turkey. While the .22 LR will work with "proper shot placement", it is a bit underpowered for that game, and I would like something with a bit more oomph. My first thought was another lever action in .22 WMR; however, Marlin only made a few and I am not a fan of the Winchester 94/22. In addition, I can reload small centerfires, including the .22 Hornet, for less than the cost of .22 WMR ammo.
I want to stay with a Marlin lever action due to my comfort with how they work. I considered a .25-20 or .32-20, but was put off by the cost of the rifles and the thin brass of the cases. I considered using an 1894 in .357 Magnum, but I have not had the best of luck in getting .38 Special loads to cycle in the one I once owned.
Idea: I see that Marlin is offering the 1894 Cowboy in .32 H&R Magnum. This seems like a good compromise as the rifle is a bit pricey but the brass is easy to handle. I like the fact that the tube works like the 39A tube, meaning I can empty the rifle without feeding the rounds through the action. The ballistics seem good enough for what I want to do. I also have some .32 S&W Long Brass. The sights may be an issue, but I have a spare Marble peep I can mount on a new 1894.
Questions: Does the .32 H&R Magnum 1894 make sense for this application? Will the .32 H&R Magnum 1894 work with .32 Long brass? Thoughts?
Want: Every now and then, I am presented with a shot on something a bit bigger, including turkey. While the .22 LR will work with "proper shot placement", it is a bit underpowered for that game, and I would like something with a bit more oomph. My first thought was another lever action in .22 WMR; however, Marlin only made a few and I am not a fan of the Winchester 94/22. In addition, I can reload small centerfires, including the .22 Hornet, for less than the cost of .22 WMR ammo.
I want to stay with a Marlin lever action due to my comfort with how they work. I considered a .25-20 or .32-20, but was put off by the cost of the rifles and the thin brass of the cases. I considered using an 1894 in .357 Magnum, but I have not had the best of luck in getting .38 Special loads to cycle in the one I once owned.
Idea: I see that Marlin is offering the 1894 Cowboy in .32 H&R Magnum. This seems like a good compromise as the rifle is a bit pricey but the brass is easy to handle. I like the fact that the tube works like the 39A tube, meaning I can empty the rifle without feeding the rounds through the action. The ballistics seem good enough for what I want to do. I also have some .32 S&W Long Brass. The sights may be an issue, but I have a spare Marble peep I can mount on a new 1894.
Questions: Does the .32 H&R Magnum 1894 make sense for this application? Will the .32 H&R Magnum 1894 work with .32 Long brass? Thoughts?