I am kind of disappointed....I really like the Marline 1894 carbine...looks light and scopable..but all of the reviews of how Remington is doing a bad job really has me down. I love that Henry model, but it's a heavy barrel and I just want the light version. I sure hope Remington can get it together soon.
Marlin 357 mag for young deer hunter
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Have owned a Ruger Blackhawk since 1964. Have owned a Henry Big Boy in 357 for almost two years. The Ruger lives in the night stand, the Henry is loaded and on the ready in front row of safe.
Love shooting the Henry. Load the Hornady 180 XTP for it. Have had friends come shoot at my place. One has also bought a Henry in 357, and one more is saving his nickels till he can buy HIS henry. I hear the 44 mag Big Boy is much more bang, and I am not interested in that.
I do most of my long gun shooting at 50 yards and with the Skinner peep on the gun it's fun to shoot. I also load my own ammo, and am still fiddling with finding the "best" load for the Henry. My old eyes seem to be up to the challenge out to 100" yards. Definitely would feel properly gunned for Texas deer with the Henry.
And then..About a year ago my wife TOLD me to buy a gun I was admiring at a gun store that specializes in a by gone era of shooting/guns. The gun I was TOLD to buy is a modern made replica of John Moses Browning's High Wall in 38-55". Now there is a shooter! Almost 10 pound gun, 30" bbl, almost don't need ear muffs. I have had ladies, and young boys shoot it with ease. Oooops almost hijacked this conversation.... But the 38-55 is a lever gun...kinda.
Love shooting the Henry. Load the Hornady 180 XTP for it. Have had friends come shoot at my place. One has also bought a Henry in 357, and one more is saving his nickels till he can buy HIS henry. I hear the 44 mag Big Boy is much more bang, and I am not interested in that.
I do most of my long gun shooting at 50 yards and with the Skinner peep on the gun it's fun to shoot. I also load my own ammo, and am still fiddling with finding the "best" load for the Henry. My old eyes seem to be up to the challenge out to 100" yards. Definitely would feel properly gunned for Texas deer with the Henry.
And then..About a year ago my wife TOLD me to buy a gun I was admiring at a gun store that specializes in a by gone era of shooting/guns. The gun I was TOLD to buy is a modern made replica of John Moses Browning's High Wall in 38-55". Now there is a shooter! Almost 10 pound gun, 30" bbl, almost don't need ear muffs. I have had ladies, and young boys shoot it with ease. Oooops almost hijacked this conversation.... But the 38-55 is a lever gun...kinda.
AABEN
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You could use the 44 SP in it to target shoot and 44 mag to hunt. Both the 357 or 44 will do a good job. GOOD LUCK
Kernel
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Get the Rossi and put one of these neat peep sights on it.
http://store.stevesgunz.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19_20_27&products_id=5
buck460XVR
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Get the Rossi and put one of these neat peep sights on it.
http://store.stevesgunz.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19_20_27&products_id=5
That's a nice upgrade. I have a Rossi stainless 92 in .357 and she is a tack driver. Like many of the Rossi .357s tho, she always wanted to shoot high with virtually any ammo I fed her. A trip to the local smith to install a higher front sight and she now consistently hits the bowlin' pin @ 100 yards without aiming for the bottom. She like all her screws tight also.
The H&R Handi-Rifle in .357 is also a consideration. Altho the frames of the .357 and .44 cannot be upgraded to other calibers, the price of the gun is about what many barrel upgrades would be. They sell for around $275 OTD around here.
mr.fatstacks
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I can't comment on effectiveness of .357 for deer, and don't have any kids so take this for what it's worth. I love my Marlin .357. All the talk of the lack of quality in the newer models had me worried, but I must have got lucky as I have zero issues with the one I bought a couple years ago. My nieces and nephews have shot it without trouble (age range 7-14) at a range of around 60 yards. No, the younger ones can't load it. Yes, they need to be supervised to learn to use it safely. I bought the XS sight systems peeps and rail, and mounted a Leupold ultralight fixed power (2.5x) in QR rings for the best of both worlds. It's one my most fired rifles, enjoyed by everyone who shoots it.
R.W.Dale
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Unfortunately Remington now owns h&r nef and as a result their quality and barrel retrofit program has suffered the same fate as their marlin parent company.
The gun and barrels may be somewhat cheaper but they must be sent in (if they still will) to fit new barrels greatly offsetting the cost difference as a pure function of convience.
The gun and barrels may be somewhat cheaper but they must be sent in (if they still will) to fit new barrels greatly offsetting the cost difference as a pure function of convience.
buck460XVR
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As I mentioned in my previous post.....the .357 and .44 Handi-Rifle frames, unlike their other frames, are not upgradable to other calibers. They are what they are. Only reason I mentioned them was because the price of the complete gun is about the same as just a barrel for the TCs. For many folks it is an inexpensive way to introduce a youth to deer hunting. Don't know how much quality one could expect from a $275 deer gun NIB, but the few I have seen didn't seem too bad.
I am glad to here that. I think I was hoping someone had a good experience.
You know, sometimes you need the "hey it will be a good deer gun for the kids" excuse to get that next family heirloom.
buck460XVR
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I am glad to here that. I think I was hoping someone had a good experience.
You know, sometimes you need the "hey it will be a good deer gun for the kids" excuse to get that next family heirloom.
One never really "needs" an excuse for the next family heirloom........altho sometimes we think we need to justify it to the wife somehow.
I have 4 lever actions, two in handgun calibers and two in rifle. They are a hoot to shoot(especially the handgun calibers) and within their limitations make for great deer carbines. I just think for a youth hunter, there are other options out there that are safer and easier to use. Again, I grew up using levers for deer as did all of my friends and siblings. I remember jackin' ammo out with cold hands or with gloves on. I remember pickin' jacked ammo outta the snow with frozen fingers and every once and a while losing one(cartridges that is, not fingers). I remember how I watched in envy as other folks in the group unloaded their guns by simply droppin' the mag. While I never had a round go off while puttin' them on safety, hearing a shot in the distance in the dark on opening morning generally meant someone did. Two weeks ago with a group of friends shooting handguns and the carbines, the only shot that missed the berm was one by an adult who accidentally hit the trigger with his finger as he worked the action. Thankfully he was practicing safe gun handling procedures and it went harmlessly into the bluff. I consider handgun caliber rifles a very sound choice for new deer hunters. It limits their range to a practical distance for their skill level and it also means that a errant round won't go for miles. Within that distance they are accurate and efficient. They also produce less recoil and noise than many other big game cartridges and generally are in lightweight packages.
Well...I have checked around, nobody has a Marlin 1894 in 357 and H&H isn't able to order one. They said it was marked as "unavailable."
Does it look like this is going to get discontinued? Is Remington just having problems stopped production?
I would think that the lever action in 357 would be very popular. I think a lot of cowboy action shooters go for these.
July looks like a big gun show season. Every weekend here in OKC. Guess I will do some searching and see if they want an arm and a leg.
Even Gun broker seems to be way over priced.
Does it look like this is going to get discontinued? Is Remington just having problems stopped production?
I would think that the lever action in 357 would be very popular. I think a lot of cowboy action shooters go for these.
July looks like a big gun show season. Every weekend here in OKC. Guess I will do some searching and see if they want an arm and a leg.
Even Gun broker seems to be way over priced.
Well....I sent Remington an email....they responded with
"Freedom Group is an investment company that owns multiple companies including Remington. Marlin was purchased by Freedom Group in 2010. Remington does not own any other companies.
The 1894C is scheduled for production in August and through the remainder of the year. August production should make the rifle available in October."
"Freedom Group is an investment company that owns multiple companies including Remington. Marlin was purchased by Freedom Group in 2010. Remington does not own any other companies.
The 1894C is scheduled for production in August and through the remainder of the year. August production should make the rifle available in October."
tubeshooter
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That's good news. Even with the troubles I have heard about, I'd rather see them (Freedom Group) get it right and keep making them than to discontinue them.
Hang in there. You'll be glad you did. It will be worth the wait.
Hang in there. You'll be glad you did. It will be worth the wait.
If you are a hand loader. I would get a 30-30 if I were to get a lever gun. I have said this many, many times, but you can load a 125 grain FNHP from Sierra to 2100-2200 fps using H4895, RL7 or VV N120, and it has zero recoil, and as the child grows he can have a full power .30-30 for other hunts like pig and elk.
Also, you can train with these lighter loads, and then hunt with a full power load that will be more productive at farther ranges than the .357 from a rifle.
And the 125 grain can be loaded up to 2500 fps safely. The BC isn't there, but man what a deer stopper.
I am having one of my .30-30s sent out for an Ackley Improved modification. I will be shooting a 125 grain Sierra FNHP @ 2700 fps from my 30-30 and it will be safe and sound, and will trump any 357 or factory 30-30 in any loading, and then I could bump a 170 hard lead cast gas check to 2300+ for some serious penetration if needed.
Go with a 30-30 is my opinion. Much more versatile, and can grow with the young hunter.
Also, you can train with these lighter loads, and then hunt with a full power load that will be more productive at farther ranges than the .357 from a rifle.
And the 125 grain can be loaded up to 2500 fps safely. The BC isn't there, but man what a deer stopper.
I am having one of my .30-30s sent out for an Ackley Improved modification. I will be shooting a 125 grain Sierra FNHP @ 2700 fps from my 30-30 and it will be safe and sound, and will trump any 357 or factory 30-30 in any loading, and then I could bump a 170 hard lead cast gas check to 2300+ for some serious penetration if needed.
Go with a 30-30 is my opinion. Much more versatile, and can grow with the young hunter.
I see the point of the 30-30 and how it will scale better for deer as they age.
I guess I kind of see it like this. I think this will be primarily a plinking gun. That is how we do most of our shooting. So I was thinking, I could just grab some factory ammo in 38 spl....or load a bunch up and blow through it in an afternoon. I think I would have reservations about burning up that much 30-30 ammo. Then on occasion, I could set up in a tent near one of the food plots with some hand loaded deer loads. Those shots would all be less than 100....more like 50 or 60.
Then when I feel like he is ready to go off into the woods on his own....I would step him up to a bolt gun...maybe a featherweight 243....or possibly a 30-30 if he is just set on the lever.
I guess I kind of see it like this. I think this will be primarily a plinking gun. That is how we do most of our shooting. So I was thinking, I could just grab some factory ammo in 38 spl....or load a bunch up and blow through it in an afternoon. I think I would have reservations about burning up that much 30-30 ammo. Then on occasion, I could set up in a tent near one of the food plots with some hand loaded deer loads. Those shots would all be less than 100....more like 50 or 60.
Then when I feel like he is ready to go off into the woods on his own....I would step him up to a bolt gun...maybe a featherweight 243....or possibly a 30-30 if he is just set on the lever.
I understand completely. I figured you'd had thought it out, but never hurts to have conversation. Thanks for responding.
I'd like to have an 1894C, but my wife would be upset with me. You know when you buy a new rifle or handgun that isn't where it stops. Now you have to buy new dies, bullets, cases, and sometimes powder. ha..
Since I have a few 30-30s I just have to load them down to .357 levergun power for the wife and daughter. The son isn't old enough to shoot yet. He is in firearms training. He's three.
Good luck. I bet you can't wait to see that smile when they put the deer down. Make sure they know that it'll take off on them, but will go down close, and by all means don't let him make the same mistake I made when I had my levergun on my own for the first time, a 30-30, at a young age. A had about 30 it seemed run up on me around 50 yards away. I shot the first one of the bunch. They all scattered like scooby doo with his tail tied when he sees a ghost.
I let loose with all ten shots in that 30-30 on them, but as you know I had 6 in the tube and one in the chamber. I fired three times empty. Buck fever got the best of me.
I learned a lot that day. When every hunter around wearing orange got up off the ground they all had a lesson for me. Which I knew already. I was taught well, but that Buck Fever and killing my first deer on my own. Well.
Nobody was hurt.
I'd like to have an 1894C, but my wife would be upset with me. You know when you buy a new rifle or handgun that isn't where it stops. Now you have to buy new dies, bullets, cases, and sometimes powder. ha..
Since I have a few 30-30s I just have to load them down to .357 levergun power for the wife and daughter. The son isn't old enough to shoot yet. He is in firearms training. He's three.
Good luck. I bet you can't wait to see that smile when they put the deer down. Make sure they know that it'll take off on them, but will go down close, and by all means don't let him make the same mistake I made when I had my levergun on my own for the first time, a 30-30, at a young age. A had about 30 it seemed run up on me around 50 yards away. I shot the first one of the bunch. They all scattered like scooby doo with his tail tied when he sees a ghost.
I let loose with all ten shots in that 30-30 on them, but as you know I had 6 in the tube and one in the chamber. I fired three times empty. Buck fever got the best of me.
I learned a lot that day. When every hunter around wearing orange got up off the ground they all had a lesson for me. Which I knew already. I was taught well, but that Buck Fever and killing my first deer on my own. Well.
Nobody was hurt.
LOL...I keep hearing stories of young hunters and the buck fever. That is why his first few kills will be with me in the tent...or maybe in the woods. But I will be there unarmed so I can help control the fever and the gun if need be. Hopefully, I can reduce some of that before I send him into the woods on his own. We of course know our land well and plan our hunts so that nobody is in shooting range/direction.
I've read most of this thread and am curious myself about the effectiveness of .357 out of a rifle on deer. I own two lever action carbines. Both are Winchester 94s one in .44 and one in .357. Factory .357 loads it kicks less than any AR I've ever shot, with .38 loads its not much different than shooting my 10/22. As for the .44 its recoil is considerably less than a .243 with normal loads. I've loaded both of them hotter but not needed.
The one thing I have noticed is when trying to shoot .38 or .44 special loads my accuracy is greatly decreased even at 25 yards. By significant I'm talking from 1.5 in groups to 4-5 inch groups. The only thing I can attribute that too is the shorter case which makes the bullet jump and get cock-eyed before hitting the lands and grooves.
Oh and mine will not feed full wad cutter boolits.
M3m
The one thing I have noticed is when trying to shoot .38 or .44 special loads my accuracy is greatly decreased even at 25 yards. By significant I'm talking from 1.5 in groups to 4-5 inch groups. The only thing I can attribute that too is the shorter case which makes the bullet jump and get cock-eyed before hitting the lands and grooves.
Oh and mine will not feed full wad cutter boolits.
M3m
Fred in Wisc
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I'd take a look at both rifles side by side before considering the 30-30. No problem with the cartridge, but the Marlin 336 long action gun is a LOT bigger and heavier than the 1894 short action gun. The 1894 is a lot lighter to carry and points a lot quicker. Heavy guns and kids are not the best combo unless you hunt from a stand.
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