WhoKnowsWho
Member
If you get a Lever Action in .357 Mag or 44 Mag, do they run okay with .38 Spec or 44 Spec? Or do they jam? Depends on the rifle?
Lever Action compatibility
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blue86buick
Member
from what I've heard...yes, this is perfectly acceptable and will function fine in a lever action. It's actually a good way to shoot/practice/plink for a lower cost.
think of .22 lever guns...they usually take .22 short, .22 long, and .22 long rifle. seems to be the same compatibility.
Also, have you looked at how one works? It's similar to a pump shotgun...as/after the breech opens, and the bolt moves back, a basket drops down, and a single shell is kicked back into it. On the foward stroke, the basket is lifted up (with the shell), and the bolt pushes it into the action. With a shorter shell, it just pushes a little further before going into battery.
Disclaimer: I don't actually *know*, so, um, you might want to wait for a concurring post.
think of .22 lever guns...they usually take .22 short, .22 long, and .22 long rifle. seems to be the same compatibility.
Also, have you looked at how one works? It's similar to a pump shotgun...as/after the breech opens, and the bolt moves back, a basket drops down, and a single shell is kicked back into it. On the foward stroke, the basket is lifted up (with the shell), and the bolt pushes it into the action. With a shorter shell, it just pushes a little further before going into battery.
Disclaimer: I don't actually *know*, so, um, you might want to wait for a concurring post.
MrAcheson
Member
It is rifle dependent. The Henry/Winchester early designs have very little problem with .38s vs .357s, the carrier moves vertically, not at an angle, so you don't have to worry about feeding problems. Most of the other designs have angled carriers and a feed ramp so they don't like some forms of ammo. Lots of magnums will feed specials, but it is not guaranteed. Usually if they won't feed both, a good smith can fix them so that they will.
Wil Terry
Member
ALSO, TAKE A LOOK AT THE CALIBER DESIGNATION ON THE BARREL.
If it says something like " 357 MAG/ 38SPECIAL in all probability it'll feed both. My Marlin '94 and the Rossi '92 have such dual designations.
On the other hand my Browning '92 says " 357 MAGNUM " and when I stuffed the magazine full of 38-125JHP's not a one would feed and it was one king sized mess to clear out.
My Marlin will actually feed 38SPL wadcutter handloads if I put a bit of roll crimp on the flush seated bullet.
If it says something like " 357 MAG/ 38SPECIAL in all probability it'll feed both. My Marlin '94 and the Rossi '92 have such dual designations.
On the other hand my Browning '92 says " 357 MAGNUM " and when I stuffed the magazine full of 38-125JHP's not a one would feed and it was one king sized mess to clear out.
My Marlin will actually feed 38SPL wadcutter handloads if I put a bit of roll crimp on the flush seated bullet.
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