Lever carbine

[Stiletto Null]

Well, .45ACP is pretty anemic in terms of kinetic energy.

Yet it seems to thump people down even in roundnose hardball form disproportionately better than 9mm.

Of course, terminal effects studies are horribly subjective, but I think as a rule of thumb, if you have two projectiles of equivalent kinetic energy, the one that's wider/heavier is probably going to do more damage.

 

[madmike]

If there were such a thing as a bullet that would knock someone off their feet, that might be a convincing argument.

In this case, the bullet that transfers the energy to the target will do the most damage.

Whether it shatters or mushrooms, the Ke goes into the target.

I'll have to send Old Painless some ammo to compare.

 

[madmike]

Well, .45ACP is pretty anemic in terms of kinetic energy.

Um... .45 is SUBSTANTIALLY more powerful than 9mm. Especially if you load it to the same pressures as modern 9mm, which is "hot" compared to the original.

9mm: 270-440 foot pounds

.45: 355-600 foot pounds

 

[RKellogg]

NOT TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT TO MUCH , BUT HAS ANYONE EVER HUNTED DEER WITH THE 357 - 44 MAG LEVERS . WHAT KIND OF GROUPS DO YOU GET AT 100 YARDS . I HAVE BEEN ON A LEVER ACTION KICK LATELY AND THESE SOUND LIKE THEY WOULD BE FUN TO HUNT DEER WITH .

 

[Stiletto Null]

WHOA THERE EASY ON THE CAPS

Anyway, Ruger calls their semiauto .44 carbine the "Deerslayer". Take that as you will.

I hear that people do juts fine with their .357 and .44 leverguns in hunting deer; just remember to keep your shots inside 100yd or so, they're really not meant for long range shooting.

 

[ArmedBear]

In this case, the bullet that transfers the energy to the target will do the most damage.

Well, first off, stopping is not about damage, it's about stopping. But you have the right idea.

That's where terminal performance comes in. A larger-caliber, heavier bullet will behave differently from a smaller caliber, lighter bullet. Energy matters, but there's more to life than ft-lbs. Transfer is not just about the energy that hits the target, but rather what happens to it then.

Otherwise, birdshot and buckshot would be equivalent in terms of penetration, and they're not. They do different things when they hit.

Less dramatic, but perhaps just as important, is the difference between a .223 bullet and a .357 bullet.

 

[sm]

madmike,
Your Posts #26 and #24 make this lever action .357 a no brainer.

Basically your wife picked out this action and caliber. Right there, no need to go further.
To futher support this action and caliber, she prefers, she also likes and carries a .357.

Hey madmike, we understand covering your backside - and preventing Gunhilda from writing about you.

I say your are covered on all flanks. Post pics of wife's new lever action in .357...

Steve

 

[madmike]

I have to get one and refit it with a pistol grip instead of straight stock, first. Then we'll see if she'll pose for Oleg again, like the infamous black powder revolver image.

 

[High Planes Drifter]

madmike wrote:
I have to get one and refit it with a pistol grip instead of straight stock, first.
---------------------------------

How would you do that with the gun being a leveraction Mike? If you find a way to attach a pistol grip, please post pics!

RKellog, both the .357 and 44 mag are fine deer guns for close work. My FIL killed an elk years ago with his Marlin .357.

 

[madmike]

Please look up the definition of a "pistol grip stock," and see Marlin and Winchester lever action catalogs for examples.

 

[Brian Williams]

Refitting a lever from a straight to a pistol grip is really fitting a pistol grip floorplate or triggerplate and lever along with all the requsite goodies on the floorplate and the buttstock. Some people have reported buying a new gun that was the opposite of what they had and swapping all the parts then selling the left over gun.

 

[madmike]

I've taken extensive looks and seen one mod. It can be done with some smithing to the tangs and a lever change.

Swapping two guns out may be the easiest, though not the cheapest. But it's an idea.

 

[ndh87]

NOT TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT TO MUCH , BUT HAS ANYONE EVER HUNTED DEER WITH THE 357 - 44 MAG LEVERS . WHAT KIND OF GROUPS DO YOU GET AT 100 YARDS . I HAVE BEEN ON A LEVER ACTION KICK LATELY AND THESE SOUND LIKE THEY WOULD BE FUN TO HUNT DEER WITH .

I've hunted with my marlin model 1894ss (.44mag) it drops deer without a problem anywhere inside 100 yards (assuming you get a good hit) and the accuracy is EXCELENT. Its quite easily my favorite rifle.

 

[ArmedBear]

You can buy a pistol grip .357. It's a tad more expensive than a Marlin 1894, but it's a rather fine-looking piece.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,3422.htm

 

[madmike]

That's actually a semi pistol grip, and I can buy 3-4 Marlins for that price.

 

[sm]

madmike,
YOU are having too much fun with all this. Pistol Grip - next you will share your wife wants a Pony and that will lead to needing a scabbard.

"Sorry about the mess in your studio Mr.Volk." clop, clop, clop...

Gee, you sound like the kind of guy that would give his daughter a purple poodle shooter...

"Daughter, does this Pistol Grip lever action in .357 make mommie's butt look big?"
"No mom, but that wood clashes really bad with those shoes..."

<ducks>

Steve

 

[madmike]

Pony, bah.

She wants a Thompson and a gloss red Auburn coupe.

 

[sm]

That will get her style points...

 

[ARKIESTEEL]

I got a .45 long colt 1894 that I have used for deer in brush behind the house. 200 grain corbons work great.

 

[madmike]

The last photo got her style points and me braggin rights

 

[Mike_in_OC]

Best thing about a .357 Lever is the variety of ammo. You can shoot very mild .38 specials up to hot 180-200gr .357.

Its my trunk gun.

 

[jjohnson]

It will Do!

Oh, come on, if the lady likes it, you already have your answer.

Good thing is, it's not a bad answer at all. Points made are all pretty good - if you stick with the original question. Sure, other calibers may be better, other actions may be more appropriate, (mention of SKS) but if the real question is about the .357 in a lever carbine for the lady - thumbs up

I have a Rossi (Puma, 92) in .357 and it's easy to hit with, the 125gr hollow points are lethal, and at anything like a 'defense' range, plenty of firepower, easy for the 'casual' shooter (like my wife) to deal with. And oh, yeah, ammo is a no brainer there. Cheap 158gr lead RN .38s for plinking (if you don't reload) available anywhere, hot magnum ammo for real business - there's not a down side to the equation. External hammer is a bonus, too, when you hand a 'casual shooter' a weapon or have one of those 'home defense' situations - it's easy to tell if it's ready to go or not.

 

[madmike]

She's a combat photographer for the Army. Not exactly a "casual shooter." She just likes levers.

And I also wanted the secondary answer about .223 vs .357, since there is a Browning lever in .223 and it would match with our other ammo.

 

[ArmedBear]

Don't touch the Browning lever. It's a dangerous gun to handle, unless you have the money budgeted.

Seriously, though, they don't list .223 Rem on the website. They list .22-250 Rem and .243 Win.

 

[madmike]

It used to be in .223, but I prefer the Marlin.