.357 Leverguns legal in PA

[Lonestar]

I'm finally taking the plunge, and I'm going to start Deer hunting next year (too late now ). I live in PA and many of my friends hunt, but with work and family it has been hard to take the time to do it. I have finally settled into my business, and with the kids being older, my wife (got to love her) actually suggested the I should relax and go hunting with my friends.

I have been into target shooting for many years and I own a lot of pistols, but no hunting rifles. I was figuring on getting a used 30/30 lever action just to start, since I can shoot 30/30 at my indoor range,and I'm dealing with heavy brush in PA, but I was wondering if I can use a .357 lever gun. I already own .357 revolvers and as I understand coming out of a long barrel the 30/30 and the .357 are very similar. So is a .357 lever gun legal, and in term of killing a deer with one is it easier/harder/same as using a 30/30?

 

[115grfmj]

I have hunted the pocono region....

The short answer is yup.....their legal. I've used mine to good sucess, my sugestion is to pick up some of Buffalo Bores 158gr rounds or their 180gr. There the fastest thing there is for .357mag's. The're 25 round boxes at 20 buck's, cabelas has em. Sight in for 3" high at 100yds, for a dead on hold out to 175yrds. This round doesnt drop to the muzzle velocity of a 4" revolver until it crosses the 170yrd mark. Are you planning to scope or peep sight your rifle?? I have a reciever peep sight and a williams firesight on mine, I felt the scope took away from the slick lines of the rifle. Also scope isn't really needed for these kinds of ranges anyway. Whatever you choose, great choice in a rifle , and good luck

BTW the bufflao Bore 158gr round's surpass the standard 30/30 150gr loading, with a larger diameter heavier bullet, they just sink faster (Ie. 3 inches high at 100yrds, and dead on hold to 175yds, But they are accurate, 2 inch groups from my peep equipped 1894c at 100 yrds)

 

[Brian Williams]

Yep, do a search for 1894C and 357, you will find a lot of stuff and info on them.

My favorite is my handloaded 357s with a 165gr LSWCGC over 17gr of Lil'Gun. It actually makes that pop gun kick a little.


Also You can not go wrong with a 30/30 either.

 

[Lonestar]

I'm sticking with Iron sites for now. I just wanted to make sure the .357 was not too light for deer. I'll definately look into the buffalo bores.

 

[Brian Williams]

Iron sights are great, as long as they include a Peep. I think a tang sight is a vast improvement over a barrel mounted open sight.

 

[Legionnaire]

Lonestar, where in PA are you located?