Lever-Action .357--Best, Worst?

[craZ4Gunz]

I luv this rifle!!!

Mine feeds everything I've shoved into it, and shoots them all better than I do. With a full wadcutter, it takes a slower hand on the lever, just to allow the shell time to settle into the carrier. If you work it too fast, they hang up going into the chamber. Doesn't tie up the gun, but stops the lever dead....

.38s are like shooting a big .22. In a good way. With full-tilt magnums, it's still a light-kicking gun....

It'll cover everything from small game to deer, within it's range envelope. I see no reason to scope mine, the iron sights cover any range at which it'd be responsible to shoot at an animal with it. The power within the gun's natural range, is quite good, but a scope would just encourage me to take longer shots than I should. If eyes are a problem, maybe a fixed 2-4 power would be appropriate.

As a home-defense weapon, it's pretty good, too. Holds 10 rounds of full-power .357s, can be reloaded from a pocket while still being ready to fire, accurate and easy to shoot. Others have commented on lawyerly aspects before, but I'm not really sure that's a real issue.

The only downside is the rate at which it eats ammo. If you shoot it like a big .22, and you will, you'll go through rounds like it was a .22. If you don't reload now, you'll start. You'll have to.

Get one. You'll understand.

--Shannon

Just got me one and totally agree with these comments - we took her out 3 times so far and already through almost a 1000 rds of .38s and .357 mags. Keep her clean and she eats everything - no jams. Like Tubee said - biggest problem is keeping enough components on hand to keep her fed..Put a Skinner rear sight on her and my groups tightened up to 1/2 inch at 100 yds...the gun shoots way better than me - Going back out asap to see if I can get it tighter!!!

 

[brianr23]

Too funny! I was reading the whole thread thinking I really love my Henry Big Boy in .357 and no one mentioned it.....Then I saw the thread was old....Well I still love my Henry

 

[Lone Ranger]

I have a Marlin 1894C. Shoots everything from mag to wadcutter. Fun to shoot. You just have to be deliberate when cycling the lever no matter what round you fire, as that is where the failures arise.

 

[Red Cent]

Father Knows Best knows best.

 

[Lucky Derby]

Well, did the OP ever get a rifle?
Now I would recommend the Henry Big Boy, but that wasn't an option in '06.
I have 2 92's a Rossi in .357 and a Winchester that some previous owner rechambered to .44 Mag. Both shoot well. The Rossi is not as smooth as the Win, but has been 100% reliable with both Specials and Magnums. The Win will not reliably cycle with .44 Special, but will eat Magnums all day long.