.357mag Lever gun Applications

[BoltActionPrepper]

@salvo, You just shot the last jack-rabbit in the state of Nevada! haha,i kid,i kid.

 

[SabbathWolf]

I didn't need a .30-30 when i got my .357. I already had a .257 Roberts. I now have added a 7mm Rem Mag and a .308 winchester. AND, the .30-30 sux even with squib loads as a small game rifle. I have a .30-30, taken five deer with it, a 12" pistol in the caliber. Good caliber, but some is the .357 within its range limits of 100 yards on medium game.

100 yards is max ya think?
I was wondering about that.
I have a Ruger 357 Blackhawk, and have been SERIOUSLY thinking about a Marlin 357 lever as a companion gun for it.

Is 100 yards about the limit of the carbine in general?
That's still not too bad really at all considering it's a pistol caliber.
I was just wondering.
Is this a hunting limit...or an accuracy limit....or a self-defense limit...or what exactly?
Don't mean to put you on the spot or anything.
But any info would be helpful in my purchase decision.

 

[Water-Man]

I have found 125yds. more than doable on small game (coyote etc)using Hornady Leverevolution 140gr. FTX. I've never shot a deer at that range with .357mag. but it would probably work.

 

[whetrock]

I've been jonesing for a Rossi R92 for quite some time, however, I feel that when it comes to pistol caliber lever actions the 44 Magnum is kinda more versatile than the 357 magnum however, but with the proper loadings like the Buffalo Bore loadings and handloads the 357 magnum (out of a rifle especially) is capable of some very impressive numbers. But for me I want something with a tad more oomph than a 357 but nothing super drastic so for me the 44 mag might be the better choice. With that being said I've always been strangly attracted to PC carbines and their ability to fill a small but important niche in the firearm world filling the thin line between a large bore pistol and a full size rifle in terms of power. As for me there are certain circumstances where I'm out woodsbumming that I need something with more power and slighlty better trajectory than a larger pistol but less than a high power rifle and I believe that a PC carbine might be my answer. I've just about given up on finding a reasonably priced pre Remington Marlin 1894 and will more than likely be looking at R92s when I go shopping.

 

[Furncliff]

I don't hunt and only use my Marlin 1894c for fun. But if you want to hunt you can buy loads from Buffalo Bore Ammo that comes very close to the low end 30-30 rounds. It's cheap and easy to reload for with lots of punch at the upper ranges and reasonably accurate. Mostly it's a lot of fun.

I found my most accurate load in this article by John Taffin.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_12_50/ai_n6275756/?tag=content;col1

 

[tubeshooter]

Point taken, MCgunner. I tend to forget that not everybody likes lever guns like I do, and that the .30-30 isn't a lot of people's cup of tea.


My apologies...

 

[Alaska444]

Today, 11:15 AM #29
whetrock
Member


Join Date: June 23, 2011
Location: Tupelo,Oklahoma
Posts: 196
I've been jonesing for a Rossi R92 for quite some time, however, I feel that when it comes to pistol caliber lever actions the 44 Magnum is kinda more versatile than the 357 magnum however, but with the proper loadings like the Buffalo Bore loadings and handloads the 357 magnum (out of a rifle especially) is capable of some very impressive numbers. But for me I want something with a tad more oomph than a 357 but nothing super drastic so for me the 44 mag might be the better choice. With that being said I've always been strangly attracted to PC carbines and their ability to fill a small but important niche in the firearm world filling the thin line between a large bore pistol and a full size rifle in terms of power. As for me there are certain circumstances where I'm out woodsbumming that I need something with more power and slighlty better trajectory than a larger pistol but less than a high power rifle and I believe that a PC carbine might be my answer. I've just about given up on finding a reasonably priced pre Remington Marlin 1894 and will more than likely be looking at R92s when I go shopping.

I agree. I just picked up a Winchester 94 Packer from my cousin in .44 magnum. I sent an email to Tim Sundles of Buffalo Bore who assured me that I can use their 305 gr. .44 magnum in this rifle without any problems.

Heavy .44 Magnum Ammo - 305 gr. L.B.T.-L.F.N. (1,325 fps/M.E. 1,189 ft. lbs.) - 20 Round Box - Big Game up to 1000 lbs.

Item 4A (305gr. Hard Cast gas Checked LFN) is designed for super deep penetration on large game. The big flat nose keeps the bullet penetrating straight and thus deep. You can expect a good three + feet of penetration in normal flesh and bone. The flat nose also does considerably more damage than a round nosed type of bullet as the flat nose cuts and smashes it way through living matter, while round nosed bullets tend to slip and slide through matter, doing much less damage along the bullet’s path and achieving more shallow penetration due to getting sideways while “slipping and sliding” through matter.
You’ll note my below velocities from over-the-counter revolvers and rifles.

1. Ruger Bisley cut down to 6 inches------1328 fps
2. Ruger Red Hawk 5.5 inch-----------------1331 fps
3. Marlin 1894 18.5 inch----------------------1779 fps

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=49

That is within the lower end of 45-70 ammo power at about 2000 ft-pds of muzzle energy. The .357 Marlin 1894c which I also own with Buffalo Bore gives you near 30-30 power:

Heavy 357 Magnum Ammo - 180 gr. Hard Cast LFN-GC (1,400fps/M.E. 783 ft. lbs.) - 20 Round Box

Our 357 mag. ammo adds more power than ever before to the 357 mag. This ammo is safe to shoot in ANY all steel 357 revolver - this includes J frames. This ammo is no harder on your gun than any other normal 357 ammo. Please don't phone us and ask if this ammo is safe in your gun. It is, providing your gun is in safe condition for use with any normal 357 ammo.

5. 18.5 inch Marlin 1894

a. Item 19A/20-180gr. Hard Cast = 1851 fps
b. Item 19B/20-170gr. JHC = 1860 fps
c. Item 19C/20-158gr. Jacketed Hollow Point = 2153 fps---- Can you believe this?!!!
d. Item 19D/20-125gr. Jacketed Hollow Point = 2298 fps---- Or this?!!!

While this is impressive for a .357 caliber rifle, it is not in the same league as the .44 magnum ammo from BB in a rifle. At this point, i don't have much use for my .357 until the time my wife gets over her recoil hesitancy or the grandkids get older. At that point, it will be an excellent rifle for them and I will hang on to this nice rifle that is a lot of fun to go plinking, but not much else I am using it for at present. Nice gun, but my wife ain't much of a shooter yet.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

The 30-30 works well for hunting. If you were to get a second lever action, how about one in 22 LR? Still fun to shoot and rounds cost much less. Could hunt rabbit and squirrels with it.

 

[jdh]

The proper caliber for a Marlin 336 is 35 Remington not 30-30. You can down load it and use that same bullets as for the 357 for small game and plinking or go back to full power loads for larger game.

An 1894 in 357 is versatile and milder to shoot than either the 35 or 30-30. Ammo is a available in a wider variety off the shelf.

So I have one of each and an 1895 in 45-70 for good measure. I could be convinced to trade the 30-30 for a 39a 22lr if someone had to twist my arm.