>357 Win 92 Copy by Rossi

[Triphammer]

I just picked up a very gently used 92 Win copy by Rossi in >357 Mag. Any thoughts on this cal from a 20" barrel? I've never been a big fan of 357 though I own & shoot several. I was looking for a 92 copy in .44 mag when this came up at a price I couldn't refuse

 

[Texan Scott]

first, congrats on a nice find... i'm jealous, and you haven't posted pictures.

second, http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/05/chris-dumm/lever-action-ballistics-30-30-vs-357-magnum/

this will tell you a LOT.

third, http://www.gunblast.com/MilesFortis-AKChurch_BuffaloBore.htm

and follow up with the buffalo bore page.

Good shooting!

 

[HOOfan_1]

What do you want to use it for?

 

[Texan Scott]

FWIW, I'd absolutely have no reservations about taking whitetail with that out to 75 yds, with any off-the-shelf 158gr JSP you can find at the hardware store (and 75yds is a heck of a long shot for me).

 

[BCRider]

Well... you've got the exact rifle I use for cowboy action as well as some magnum 200 yard plinking on occasion.

My sights are set up to deal with the roughly 25 to 30 yard shots taken in CAS events. That meant that I not only needed to remove the step wedge on my rear sight but I had to deepen the notch to get to where I was able to aim directly at the 25 to 30 yard shots. As it happens I opened it up so it's sort of like an aperature circle with an open top. Works superbly for what I use it for.

When not shooting the wussy .38Spl rounds at cowboy action steel targets I like to stick some full pressure magnums into it and go for the 200 yard gong set out on my club's rifle range. With magnums my silly low CAS sight setup only means I need to aim about 8 inches high with the magnums to hit the 200 yard gong. I'd say that means that the magnum rounds are sizzling along pretty good even at that distance.

And for plinking duty it's got a nice kick to the shoulder with the magnums. All in all a superbly fun gun to shoot.

I'm not a hunter. But if I was and given the density of the woods typically found up here in BC I'd have no issue at all with using a gun of this sort for some medium size game. Sadly this means that our deer may or may not be suitable. Our deer can look eye to eye with a person that's around 5' 8". And they have a chest that would be found on a fit but fairly stocky human male.

For close in "broadside" shots I'm sure that the .357Mag would be fine. But I'd worry about a frontal deep penetration shot through the chest. I may be wrong on this but I think that a .44Mag would be better at providing the assured penetration for an animal of such size.

But if you're not a hunter then rejoice and go hence and purchase a set of .357Mag dies and begat many rounds to enjoy with your new toy.

PS; if you are a sort of part time hobby gunsmith then there's some great information on how to slick up your Rossi 92. Mine is about 85 to 90% of the way to being a great CAS gun. But with really fast shooting it still tends to point the rounds up at the sky. But that's only happening now because I slicked up the rest so nicely that I can cycle it overly fast. If I actually pause even for an instant at the forward travel limit of the lever then the issue of pointing at the sky never occurs. But when I try to cut that pause down a little too much I have to shove the nose of the bullet down into the chamber mouth now and then. But it DOES feel like it's smooth as warm butter. If you find your Rossi is a little "crunchy" it's not a hard act to fix up unless you're looking at using it at match reloading speeds. For plinking the work I've done makes the rifle absolutely wonderful.

 

[Triphammer]

As far as what do I want to use it for? Don't really know. I've wanted one for years & couldn't justify it because of my other rifles. I've always thought it would be a handy, larger than 22 or 22 mag, off season walkabout rifle. I moved to Az 15 or so years ago & started my ventures into handgunning but I've found that sometimes "Nothing beats a rifle".

 

[ArchAngelCD]

As far as what do I want to use it for? Don't really know. I've wanted one for years & couldn't justify it because of my other rifles. I've always thought it would be a handy, larger than 22 or 22 mag, off season walkabout rifle. I moved to Az 15 or so years ago & started my ventures into handgunning but I've found that sometimes "Nothing beats a rifle".

I agree it's a good walk around woods rifle. I carry my Marlin 1894C along with a Ruger SA revolver on my side also in .357 Magnum.

 

[tryshoot]

Soo jealous. Like 357 mag in rifle better than 44 mag. I'm turning green as I type.

 

[BCRider]

If it were to be a walk about rifle for me I think I'd rather find one of the 16 inch carbine versions. It's a little lighter and more compact.

For myself I had to go with the 20 inch barrel since the 16's magazine would not hold 10 rounds of .38Spl to use for CAS events.

 

[Triphammer]

I'd have preferred a 16, as well. This nearly new, in the box,with papers, fired less than a box, at less thn half the price of new quelled any apprehension about the 4 extra inches of barrel.