Just purchased my S&W 686p(.357), and i am looking for a lever rifle to match. The rifle would be mostly for fun plinking(.38), packing on the atv, and critters, but would also like to be able to hunt. Looking at Winchester trails end 20" or trapper 16". Of the Winchester line is there any large differences between the 16" and 20" ( range, accuracy, whatever)? Does the .357 have the stopping power for pigs and deer out to 100 yds. Of course shot placement is eveything,..... but realisticly. Have heard good things about the Marlin 1894c, but still leaning towards the Winchester. Can anyone give be some first hand knowledge to help me make up my mind? Thanks all.
.357 lever gun (need help)
- Thread starter jeffrice6
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Domino
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If I were to get a .357 lever gun I would definately the Marlin 1894C, its a very good quality weapon at a cheaper price than the Winchesters. As far as barrel length I would speculate that the 20" is going to pick up not much more than 150 fps than the 16" of course depending on the load. The 16" will be a little handier and quicker on the draw, but that is all personal preference. I'm sure you could get velocities ranging from 1700 fps tp 1900 fps in those guns with full power .357 loads but I'm not positive. As far as killing pigs and deer it most certainly will but probably not past the 150 yard range as I think accuracy and velocity are going to be comprimised at a further distance. But since this is not first hand help I'll just shut up.
Preacherman
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Even out of a 16" or 20" barrel, the .357 Magnum does not develop sufficient energy to be a reliable and humane "stopper" on deer or hogs beyond about 50 yards - and even that is marginal, relying heavily on good shot placement. If you're seriously considering such hunting, I'd strongly recommend a .44 Magnum or .30-30 lever-action, rather than the .357 Magnum.
That said, I have lever-actions in all 3 calibers, and enjoy shooting the Rossi (clone of the Winchester Model 92) that a friend has in that caliber. It makes the round a lot more potent, and for close-range self-defence purposes (i.e. out to 100 yards, against two-legged targets) would be extremely useful.
That said, I have lever-actions in all 3 calibers, and enjoy shooting the Rossi (clone of the Winchester Model 92) that a friend has in that caliber. It makes the round a lot more potent, and for close-range self-defence purposes (i.e. out to 100 yards, against two-legged targets) would be extremely useful.
MrAcheson
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The Rossi/EMF/Navy Arms guns are all quite nice. They are all the same gun, '92 clone, just with different fit and finish levels. The EMF and Navy Arms guns do not have the idiot safety. Lots of people swear by the marlins too and if you want to scope it, the marlin is the way to go because it side ejects.
Nathanael_Greene
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I love my 1894C.
As for using it on hogs and deer, a lot depends on the size of the prey. Deer here in Texas can be pretty small ("dog deer", as some people call them); hogs can be anything from small to enormous, and everything in-between. It's kind of hard to come up with a one-size-fits-all answer.
The 1894C is so much fun, though, that the purchase of one qualifies as a good idea, as far as I'm concerned.
As for using it on hogs and deer, a lot depends on the size of the prey. Deer here in Texas can be pretty small ("dog deer", as some people call them); hogs can be anything from small to enormous, and everything in-between. It's kind of hard to come up with a one-size-fits-all answer.
The 1894C is so much fun, though, that the purchase of one qualifies as a good idea, as far as I'm concerned.
I have a Winchester Trapper in 357 which I have had for some years.The functioning and accuracy are excellent.Shots at 100 yards from a rest are very good.I like the way the 94 Trapper carries in my hand,it just fits. I lived in the N GA mountains many years and this was the Trapper was what I carried much of the time. While I have not taken a deer with it,I know others who have with shots at about 75 yards.Reserach the 357 carbine for hunting in THR. Good info. Byron
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