Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

Guys, I'm thinking about getting a .357 cal lever action rifle to use as a short range brush gun.Most of myshots will be within 75yds, and whitetail will be the largest sizegame hunted with it.There arechoices of 16", 18.5" and 20" barrel lengths. Would a certain barrel length be an advantage or disadvantage over the other with the 357 round? Whattype bulletwould be a good choice to usefor hunting?

If youhave owned one. What types of game have you taken with it? How did it perform? And at what ranges did you sight it in? What kind ofbullet grouping should I expect from one at a given range?

Thanks for any input.

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

I own one a Marlin 1895? I think. I won it in a gun raffle. I played with it a few times, shot maybe 50 rnds through it and didnt like it. I have never taken an animal with it and always felt like I didnt want to possibly waste or lose a deer when even a 30-30 would be a better option. I am no expert with this gun but I dont really care for it.

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

With regards to barrel length, it seems that in the case of lever rifles, shorter barrels tend to perform better. Why, I don't know. I do know that they are easier to carry in the thick stuff, but, are also louder (or at least the shooter perceives it to be louder due to the angle of the muzzle to the left ear). I have a win 94 in 30/30 Ackley Imp. Shoots like a dream. its one of those little Angle Eject numbers. Gunsmith swears the shooter barrels are more accurate, maybe it has something to do with the occilations and a shorter barrel being stiffer than a longer one? All I know is mine shoots great.

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

Which rifle are you looking at? The Marlin 1894 and the Rossi are both great rifles. Go over to the "Leverguns" site. There are some very friendly experts over there.

I like the 357 rifle. If you limit your shot to 75 yards, the caliber is effective on deer. Maybe a touch light, but still effective. As far as barrel length it is personal preference. I think 20 inches is a good length. I prefer the Marlin(I have a couple of them).

The rifle is very inexpensive to shoot. You can get in alot of practice, for very little money.I have seen 38 Special ammo for around 7 or 8 dollars for a box of 50. What other centerfire deer rifle can you shoot so cheap!!! I believe accuracy is paramount.Alot of practice is the answer. I like the Federal Hard Cast loads for hunting-if you do not reload. The Federal's are a stout load, that will kill effectively. Also look at the Buffalo Bore ammo-they load them up also. This ammo also gives good velocity out of short barrels, and is also quite accurate.

After you buy your Marin 1894 you should buy a Marlin 39A in 22 LR. You can practice with the 22, and it will feel just like your deer rifle. You would have a fantastic 2 gun battery that can take on almost all of the game in the US. But then why limit yourself to two?

Good luck, and good shooting. Tom.

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

HEAD0001,
I was looking at both the Win 94s and the Marlins. I'll have a look at the
Rossi's also. I am looking for something economical and versatile all in
one.I'll check out the levergun site.

Thanks,

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

I own an 1894 Marlin .44 Magnum but wasnt able to take any game with it this year. I love the lever guns for thier comfort in the hand and light weight and well balanced feel. I can pack it all day long and still get it balanced for a good shot. Ammo is cheap and I can shoot 50 rounds and not be as sore as I would be after only 10 in my bolt action .270. I havent owned the 357 but I did do a lot of research before I decided on the .44 Magnum. The 357 isnt much good at over 75 yards from what I learned and is kind of light for even that. The plus side is that ammo is cheaper and you can get in more practice. I say go for it if you plan to keep you shots limited to 50 yards, 75 at the most. Part of the reason that I myself chose the .44 Magnum is because I also plan to get a sidearm and here in the state that I live a 357 isnt legal to hunt with, so I will get a 44 Magnum pistol and only have to reload one size of bullet for the two. My cousin had also owned a 44 magnum lever gun and even got an Elk with it in Montana, so that sealed the deal for me lol.

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

I have had a couple Marlins in 357 Mag. I like them and they are fine for whitetails out to maybe 100 yards. The 158 Grain Hornady XTP is a good deer bullet as would be the heavy cast bullet. I have 357 Mag Handi Rifle that is at the Smiths now being reamed to 357 Maximum. With this conversion, its on the heels of the 30-30 with 10 grains less powder and less recoil.

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

I have one. In fact it was the first gun I ever took to the deer woods. I never did get to shoot any deerwith it but it is an easy to carry gun. Very fun to practice with...cheap also.

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

So would I have been better off for deer hunting with the .357 over the .44 magnum?

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

I have shot the Marlin .357. I like the .44 magnum better. It feels like you have a little somethin more in your arms. My father has the Marlin 45 long colt, and swears by it.

It will (.357 rifle) will double over a coyote!

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

I believe the 44 is better than the 357. The 45 Colt can be loaded close to the 44 Mag. It is just personal preference. If your shooting is limited to 75 yards, and you want to shoot alot of less expensive ammo, then the 357 is better. If you would like a little more range, and knockdown(I am gonna catch it for using that word), and you reload(keep ammo cost down), then go with the 44. I would not feel under gunned with either. And what do they say "beware of the man with one gun, for he surely knows how to use it". Tom.

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

And dont forget that with the .44, if you just want to shoot, and shoot it on the cheap you can use the .44 specials. I am not sure how much cheaper they are, but they are cheaper. Like .38's through the .357.

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

guys i have a 1894 in 41 mag, mainly because i have a S&W pistol in the same caliber, when i was shopping for the 1894 i questioned which caliber also, several people told me that shooting the 38/44 specials that i would experience cycling problems so i opted for the 41 (love it BTW) just thought i'd mention this since it was mentioned to me, i'll try to find the post, because i had more than a few people tell me this...

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1308854&mpage=1&key=&#130885 4

it may have been on levergun forums or somewhere, just thought i'd throw that out there, BTW like i mentioned, i love mine, even bought a 22 lever;)

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

Do you guys know if theres a significant deference in muzzle jump
between the 44 and 357? I don't want something that may cause
me to start flinching. Some brands may not be as bad as others
about this. But I'd like to go witha caliber and Mfg that would be
comfortable to shoot. Sorry to seem so picky but I'm curious.

Thanks

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

neither will not bother you at all, my wife will shoot the 44 i've got in a ruger auto, and the 41 lever, shes 5'3" 125, she also shoots a model 7 in .260 rem

you'll be fine, keith

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

I agree with m.t. hands about the 41 Magnum. It is a fine cartridge. IMHO it is extremely close to the 44. The only shortcoming is the slightly smaller diameter bullet, which is no big deal.

However I disagree about the recoil. I believe the 357 rifle recoil is noticably less than the 44 magnum recoil. And when practicing with 38's there would barely be any noticable recoil. 44 Special's for a light (cheaper?) load would also have more recoil than your 357's. Tom.

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

whoops[:-]failed to mention my 44 mag rifle is the ruger auto, and recoil on it is minimal at best, great brush gun, but i have a friend that shoots CAS and the lever guns have always been cool for me;)

thats why i bought the 1894 and the 22 lever gun, sorry for the confusion[&:]

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

The recoil with my 44 levergun is about on par with a .223 centrfire in a bolt action. Which is to say that it is hardly noticeable at all. I have had 2 shoulder surgeries and my neck is badly messed up as well and the 44 is probably the easiest gun to shoot that I own. I can run a box of 50 through it and only be about as sore as I would be if I shot 5-10 out of my .270. Thats why I bought my 44 Magnum is because I was looking for an easy to pack, and easy to shoot rifle that I can kill deer with.

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

Sounds like either caliber would sufficiently fulfill my needs.
Our sportsmans warehouse has a few on hand. I'm going up
there and put a few to my shoulder, and decide from there.
Iwanted to getsomeinformation from hands on shooters
rather than a sales clerk prior to purchase.
I'm much obliged to you fellas for the help.

Thanks,

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

Well thank you for giving us the opportunity to help. I sure wish that I would have found this forum before a couple of gun purchases that I have made in the past. Have fun, I dont think that you will go wrong with any of the lever gun calibers.

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

I have a 16" Winchester in .357 mag. It is awesomely fun and really great with .38 specials. I reload my own rounds for it and use 180gr Hornady XTP's for hunting loads. Keep shots within 100yds and you'll do well.

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

You can use a .357 on SELECT shots within 50 yards or less. However,I really would reccomend a larger or faster cartridge as the .357 is underpowered. The 16 in barrels work good with almost any short range brush rifle because of the balance and handiness.

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

I own a 357 marlin I have killed whitetail deer with mine up to 100 yrds I like the rifle I use 357 star in 120 grain bullets heve had very positive results I have the 16 in barrel

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

I dont have a 357 lever rifle (yet) but i do have a marlin 1894 in 44 mag and my buddy has a winchester in 44 mag... IMHO i think the marlins a nicer rifle. I think the 44 mag would suit your purpose a little better than the 357. The 357 will work fine if thats what you choose. Its all a matter of personal preference. try both out and see what you like better if possable

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

A fun rifle to plink with if nothing else. I shot my pal's rossi 357 mag lever rifle and it was fun and fairly accurate. Now I know you can get upwards of 1800 fps out of it, but if you do want a lever rifle I would stick with a 30-30 chambering or something with a little better ballistics. I am shure it would do the trick, but seeing a deer at distances beyond 100 yards is very possible and I would hate to see anyone dissapointed for lack of firearm capability. So, if it is a second rifle and the first one is a 270 or something comparible, go ahead and get it. If this is a primary deer hunting rifle, think twice about the chambering. EJ

RE: Need some opinions on a 357 lever action.
 

You might want to ask around some of your gunsmiths first. I have an older marlin 357 and it has the shallow rifling, which works great with jacketed bullets. Along came Cowboy shooting, and they wanted deeper rifling for cast bullets. You may want an older one for deer hunting. Then again my old one shot cast just fine.