I'm STUCK. Recently I put a rossi model 92 357 on layaway at my local sporting goods store as a west texas brush gun. I read up on the caliber and decided I needed more range out of my gun than that caliber can produce. I will shooting a maximum distance of probably 200 yards maybe slightly further but most shots will be taken in this range. The surrounding brush I will be taking on is loate bush and catclaw with the occasional mesquite tree. These are tough brush for a bullet and a conical bullet absolutely can't bear it. I have learned this from personal experience. So now I am stuck between two guns. A marlin 1894 in 44 mag new or a used but in new condition mossberg 30/30. The marlin is around $530 and the mossberg is at 360 or should I have stayed with the nicest gun of the three the 357. The extra 170 bucks saved would support my reloading but I was wondering which gun the masses would suggest. I do not want a marlin or winchester 30/30. Thank you for your input.
marlin 1894 44mag or mossberg 30/30 or rossi/puma 357
- Thread starter snakeman
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robsc
Member
I don`t know the calbers that other hunters in your area are using. You should ask some of them. None of the calibers you listed are 200 yard game takers. The 30-30 is maxed out at 150 yds. The .44mag with right loads could take game out to 125 yards. The .357mag is 50 yards max range. If you have thick scrub brush to hunt over/through, there is no caliber that is a brush buster. Brush busting bullets don`t exist except for very close range shooting with shotgun slugs or the 45/70, 444Marlin, 44mag. with heavy bullets. Bullets are deflected by tiny no see`um twigs/limbs. Those caliber`s rainbow trajectories severely limits the useful range in open country. The game usually escapes wounded and never found.
Short barreled rifles are `brush guns`. It has nothing to do with caliber. Thick brush means a hunter is disadvantaged with a long barreled or heavy rifle. Such conditions require a handy rifle or brush gun because it is more manueverable with it`s light weight and short length.
Short barreled rifles are `brush guns`. It has nothing to do with caliber. Thick brush means a hunter is disadvantaged with a long barreled or heavy rifle. Such conditions require a handy rifle or brush gun because it is more manueverable with it`s light weight and short length.
Shawnee
member
The 30/30 is the only one of the caliber options you listed that will take deer reliably at 200yds., but it will serve you very well if you have any skill.
I looked at a new Mossie 30/30 lever-action just yesterday. Didn't care for the rear iron sight but otherwise was pretty impressed. However you can buy a used Marlin 336C or a used Winnie 94 for less than the Mossberg new and I would choose them over the Mossie, mostly for the sake of "track record."
I looked at a new Mossie 30/30 lever-action just yesterday. Didn't care for the rear iron sight but otherwise was pretty impressed. However you can buy a used Marlin 336C or a used Winnie 94 for less than the Mossberg new and I would choose them over the Mossie, mostly for the sake of "track record."
Robsc
I agree on the ranges that you stated however the range I listed is maximum range that I will shoot it is not likely that I will shoot over 130 yards. However I think these calibers deserve a little more credit. I have personally seen deer taken easily at 200 yards with the 30/30. You just have to know your trajectories. I figure if I can hit a gallon jug at 250 yards with my henry 22 I should be able to handle 175 yards with a 30/30. No offense to you but a blunt bullet is less likely to skip off of a limb that a pointy one. 44 mag from 20" barrel according to hodgdon 2287fps with 180gr hdy sp/ 30/30 170gr 2230 fps with 20" barrel.
I agree on the ranges that you stated however the range I listed is maximum range that I will shoot it is not likely that I will shoot over 130 yards. However I think these calibers deserve a little more credit. I have personally seen deer taken easily at 200 yards with the 30/30. You just have to know your trajectories. I figure if I can hit a gallon jug at 250 yards with my henry 22 I should be able to handle 175 yards with a 30/30. No offense to you but a blunt bullet is less likely to skip off of a limb that a pointy one. 44 mag from 20" barrel according to hodgdon 2287fps with 180gr hdy sp/ 30/30 170gr 2230 fps with 20" barrel.
Shawnee
member
The .44 magnum is certainly usable at 200 yds. - if you "zero" it at 200yds. But even then it will drop a foot between 200yds. and 250yds. and that makes things pretty "iffy" unless you can use a rangefinder - and that isn't always possible in the Texas brush.
If 99% of your expected shots will be 150yds. or less the .44 magnum would be perfectly viable, and in a very nice rifle too !
If 99% of your expected shots will be 150yds. or less the .44 magnum would be perfectly viable, and in a very nice rifle too !
Seafarer12
Member
The 30-30 is the only one listed that would reach 200 yards without holding it 2 feet high. Personally I really like my 357 Rossi and wouldn't trade it for any other kind of lever gun but I wouldnt use it over say 120 yards for deer.
rbernie
Contributing Member
The Mossberg in 30/30 is the best choice, but it *is* a Winchester 94clone, as best I can tell.
Why no Winchester or Marlin?
Why no Winchester or Marlin?
I guess it doesn't much matter at this point, but for shots over 100 yards I would opt for the .30-30 Mossberg. While it may or may NOT be a 200 yard whitetail gun, it certainly isn't out of gas at 100 yards, in the same way the pistol rounds will be.
It is true that Mossberg is semi-new to the lever-gun market, but I'd likely try one, based on their considerable skill at executing other shooting concepts that they've undertaken.
It is true that Mossberg is semi-new to the lever-gun market, but I'd likely try one, based on their considerable skill at executing other shooting concepts that they've undertaken.
My 06' is a mossie 100atr and I would recommend over a model 700 remington which I also own due to the sturdiness of the mossie. As for accuracy it holds its own with even browning and weatherby. With that in mind I would see no downfalls in the mossie levergun.
Harve Curry
Member
I voted in your poll for the 1894 Marlin 44 magnum. Consider putting a tang sight zeroed at 200 yards and leave the original zeroed at 75, or whatever works for you.
Harve Curry
Member
Do a eBay search using Marlin sight , or tang sight . Right now there's a Lyman ebay item no. 380045779599 for $68. They usually run about $85.
Marble also makes a good tang sight with widage adj. Also check the numerous Cowboy Action shooting forums like SASS, Open Range, CAS City, or any firearms forum that has a for sale section. Then there's Brownells, Midway, etc.
The tang sight can be folded down so you can still use your barrel mounted rear sight for close up.
With a reciever mounted sight you'll have to remove the factory rear sight because it will be in the way/obscure your vision.
Another option is the SMITH Ent. Ladder sight. It folds flat on the barrel for close up 50 yards or so. Then tip it up and the skys the limit. Not as precise as a tang peep sight but good. It replaces your rear barrel mounted sight and has distinct serations so you can count/feel the clicks up or down. I have mine taped to the stock of a 1881 Marlin out to 300 yards.
If you have trouble with open sights you'll probably want to stay clear of this and get a peep sight.
Marble also makes a good tang sight with widage adj. Also check the numerous Cowboy Action shooting forums like SASS, Open Range, CAS City, or any firearms forum that has a for sale section. Then there's Brownells, Midway, etc.
The tang sight can be folded down so you can still use your barrel mounted rear sight for close up.
With a reciever mounted sight you'll have to remove the factory rear sight because it will be in the way/obscure your vision.
Another option is the SMITH Ent. Ladder sight. It folds flat on the barrel for close up 50 yards or so. Then tip it up and the skys the limit. Not as precise as a tang peep sight but good. It replaces your rear barrel mounted sight and has distinct serations so you can count/feel the clicks up or down. I have mine taped to the stock of a 1881 Marlin out to 300 yards.
If you have trouble with open sights you'll probably want to stay clear of this and get a peep sight.
Thanks for the info. I don't have trouble with open sights I stick to open sights if possible because I can handle them better than a scope. I though some see under rings with a low power range finding reticle scope would help out sighted at 180-200
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