Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
I have a Marlin 1894C and it is great.
Which is the best lever gun in .357/.38sp? I need your opinion.
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76shuvlinoff
Member
I've read this before about the microgroove rifling and lead. Exactly what is the problem? For what it's worth I run FMJ or JHP or JSN thru my microgroove 1894c Marlin with zero problems, avoiding LRN and wadcutters.
Thanks
- Mark
Thanks
- Mark
My question is, WHY? You didn't say you wanted to do CA shooting, which is one of the few places a "single caliber" battery pays off - cheap target plinking at short range.
Why put a handgun caliber in a rifle? I have also done this analysis before. I am in strong favor of the .357 and .44 magnums as handgun rounds, and own guns in each and carry them in town and the woods frequently. But once I go to the extra effort of toting a long gun, I want something that utilizes the stronger action, longer barrel length, and sight radius I now am obligated to carry. A .30-30 is the minimum I would want. And a lever 20" 30-30 is what I put in the scabbard in the far woods.
I don't disagree with the existence of a 357 or 44 carbine - but compared with what a 30-30 will do in the identical platform, why give up the performance? Only to save a few pennies on ammo? If it's a gun for hunting or defense, I thing that's poor economy. If it's purely for plinking or gaming, then it makes sense.
I am not arguing 357 or 44 carbines don't have their place, but analyze your uses before "down-loading" your carbine to a pistol caliber.
Why put a handgun caliber in a rifle? I have also done this analysis before. I am in strong favor of the .357 and .44 magnums as handgun rounds, and own guns in each and carry them in town and the woods frequently. But once I go to the extra effort of toting a long gun, I want something that utilizes the stronger action, longer barrel length, and sight radius I now am obligated to carry. A .30-30 is the minimum I would want. And a lever 20" 30-30 is what I put in the scabbard in the far woods.
I don't disagree with the existence of a 357 or 44 carbine - but compared with what a 30-30 will do in the identical platform, why give up the performance? Only to save a few pennies on ammo? If it's a gun for hunting or defense, I thing that's poor economy. If it's purely for plinking or gaming, then it makes sense.
I am not arguing 357 or 44 carbines don't have their place, but analyze your uses before "down-loading" your carbine to a pistol caliber.
Bat22
Member
I see no serious issue in wanting a carbine with the same caliber as a handgun. It's convenient in keeping track of the same ammo supply. "If you need one, get two." At least you get to enjoy more variety between a revolver and a carbine than having two auto-loading pistols. And, in terms of defense, I'd say any caliber 9mm or higher makes sense.
My two cents.
My two cents.
greyling22
Member
best 357 I like the marlin.
best 38 I like the winchester designs.
my marlins just don't like 38'a much. maybe if I set the bullet further out to increase the OAL I would have better luck. the microgroove barrel was designed to shoot jacketed bullets better than the ballard rifling. it shoots lead fine.
winchester clones are lighter and handier. rossi made this 16" barrel 92 clone that was a hoot to pack around. the action never slicked up very well though.
best 38 I like the winchester designs.
my marlins just don't like 38'a much. maybe if I set the bullet further out to increase the OAL I would have better luck. the microgroove barrel was designed to shoot jacketed bullets better than the ballard rifling. it shoots lead fine.
winchester clones are lighter and handier. rossi made this 16" barrel 92 clone that was a hoot to pack around. the action never slicked up very well though.
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yotesmoker
Member
Which bbl???
If you were only going to shoot lead bullets,which bbl would be the best,micro groove or ballard.[in 357 marlin]
If you were only going to shoot lead bullets,which bbl would be the best,micro groove or ballard.[in 357 marlin]
Finprof
Member
There are three clubs around here that shoot lever action silhouette. Rimfire and pistol cartrdge are shot at 25-100 yards and rfle cartridges are shot at 50-200 yards offhand. Over 80% of the shooters at any match use a Marlin. The main reason is that they are very accuarate and the trigger can be made to be crisp and light with either the Wild West drop-in or a good gunsmith trigger job. Also, Marlin makes 24 inch barrels available which helps sight radius and balance for offhand shooting. Everbody gripes about quality control in the recent guns and almost everyone has sent one back under warranty.
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