Lever-action cartridge recommendation? (considering .357/.38, more details inside)

Wheelbrain · Jul 11, 2012

I'm planning on purchasing a lever-action rifle in a pistol caliber, to supplement my Henry Golden Boy (.22) and for ammo compatibility with a revolver. I'mcartridge looking for a cartridge with recoil similar to an M1 carbine - one that doesn't kick like a full-blown rifle cartridge, but retains a slight recoil for fun. I don't hunt, and the hunting capability of a isn't important to me.

What comes to mind is purchasing a pre-Remington Marlin 1894C with an 18" barrel - use the .38 Special for new shooters, and the .357 for more fun. I've heard it's the best fun one can have with a lever-action rifle, but haven't tried it yet. While I imagine the .38 Special would have no recoil, would the .357 deliver the recoil performance I'm looking for? Or would I be better off with .30-30 Winchester (obviously not revolver-compatible) or .44 magnum?

PGTMG · Jul 11, 2012

The 357 will not have recoil but it will have a little bit of muzzle blast. You may be better off with a 44 if you already have a revolver in that caliber.

Kinbote · Jul 11, 2012

30-30 will kick more than an M1 carbine, but it really isn't that big of a deal. Most .44 mag ammo will also kick a little more. .357 and .38 will kick less than an M1 carbine, and ammo for those will be less than .44 or 30-30. If you planned to shoot past 100 yds, the 30-30 would have much better ballistics than the pistol rounds.

mikec · Jul 11, 2012

I have a 2002 Marlin in .357/.38 Special and a work buddy recently got a Henry Big Boy, model H006M, in the same caliber. I think I have put one box of full power .357 ammo through mine. The last time we shot together we used this ammo, http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.a...uila+.38+Spl+158grn+SJHP++50rd+Box&groupid=30 Good plinking ammo and we are saving the brass for reloading.

I wouldn't consider using full power higher cost .357 ammo unless I had to.

smores · Jul 11, 2012

Do it right. .32-20 or .44-40.

They made plenty of revolvers for those cartridges as well.

Bob · Jul 11, 2012

I recently bought the 357 Marlin (Rem) and love the gun. I shoot 357 and get very good accuracy with very little recoil. I was worried about the Remington part after all the negative comments I have read on forums but I have to say I have not had any issues. In fact, the gun looks great and functions flawlessly. I took it apart for a cleaning before firing and was waiting for evidence of a "piece of crap" as some call it but didn't find it. Don't get me wrong, it's not a high dollar, custom firearm by any measure but it was never that even when made by Marlin. I don't have any problem recommending this gun to anyone. If you are looking for a pistol caliber lever gun, go for it. The 44 mag is next for me!

Carlfer · Jul 11, 2012

I've got a Win 94 trapper in 357 mag. Nice blast when shooting hot 357 loads out of that short barrel. Lotso fun.

Jimbob2.0 · Jul 11, 2012

Carlfer said:
I've got a Win 94 trapper in 357 mag. Nice blast when shooting hot 357 loads out of that short barrel. Lotso fun.

Ill second this, if you can find one the .45's are relatively easy to come by but the .357s are scarce. I have both and love em.

Pistol caliber lever guns are some of the most fun things to shoot you will ever get your hands on. Extremely handy in a 16" configuration. I have several.

Generally the .38/.357 will be the cheapest to shoot. If you can find a reasonbly priced pre rem Marlin that would be a good Winchester even better if you can find it.

For a bargain gun, the Rossi .357s really are not a bad choice, you can get a 16" stainless gun for around $450 online about $500 out the door. They are really accurate, though tend to shoot high so some sight modification may be needed, with a little smoothing they load .38s fine as long as you dont baby the lever. I am thinking about ordering one for a camp gun.

Atlasarmory · Jul 11, 2012

I have a winchester and a Rossi both in .357 their both great but IMHO the Rossi's action is slicker both do well feeding 38's

Atlasarmory · Jul 11, 2012

Jimbob2.0 said:
Ill second this, if you can find one the .45's are relatively easy to come by but the .357s are scarce. I have both and love em.

Pistol caliber lever guns are some of the most fun things to shoot you will ever get your hands on. Extremely handy in a 16" configuration. I have several.

Generally the .38/.357 will be the cheapest to shoot. If you can find a reasonbly priced pre rem Marlin that would be a good Winchester even better if you can find it.

For a bargain gun, the Rossi .357s really are not a bad choice, you can get a 16" stainless gun for around $450 online about $500 out the door. They are really accurate, though tend to shoot high so some sight modification may be needed, with a little smoothing they load .38s fine as long as you dont baby the lever. I am thinking about ordering one for a camp gun.

I just picked one of these up from another forum member and I love it :thumbsup:

Jimbob2.0 · Jul 11, 2012

Atlasarmory said:
[/COLOR]

I just picked one of these up from another forum member and I love it

They do rock, I had one in 20" I sold to my father after I snagged my Winchester other than shooting about 6" high on 38s (handloads) it would group half inch with irons. Im just going to buy another one for a shooter/camp gun as I am a deadly at close to medium range with one of these than anything else. Prefer .45 in general, even reloading its pricey.

Get one, you can always sell it for nearly what you have in it and trade-up.

leroygibbs · Jul 11, 2012

smores said:
Do it right....44-40.

I couldn't have said it better. Smores, I'm amazed at how impeccable your taste is....

Jimbob2.0 · Jul 11, 2012

leroygibbs said:
I couldn't have said it better. Smores, I'm amazed at how impeccable your taste is....

Are you guys kidding me. As much as I love the thought of .44-40 what more does it do than .45LC (or .357) and at what cost? Not being critical, but just wondering why? Seems like the OP wants something in the range of .30 carbine in cost and performance, .38/.357 fits the bill hands down without getting exotic.

corelokt · Jul 12, 2012

45-70 gubmint

byf43 · Jul 12, 2012

Marlin (pre-Marlington/Remlin) 1894CB (Cowboy gun!) in either .357 magnum or .44 magnum!!!!

I owned (and sold, like a fool!) a Marlin 1894S in .44 magnum, several years ago.

I found an 1894CB in .44 magnum (actual Marlin manuf. gun!) at Green Top (just north of Richmond) and this is one FANTASTIC rifle!! :thumbsup:

Mdeng · Jul 12, 2012

I have lever guns in 357 mag, 44 mag, 30-30, 35 remington and 45-70.

Out of all of them, for the wants you described I would recomend the 44 mag. It can be loaded with 44 Spl for less recoil although the mags don't recoil much.

If you hand load you can tailor the loads to your needs.

jimbobborg · Jul 12, 2012

My one and only lever gun is a late 1990s Win 94 saddle ring carbine in .45 Colt. I finally picked up a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt last year after I sold my Sheriff's Model a few years ago. The Winchester has a small red dot on the front scope mount. It's shooting a little low for my new reloads, which are 255gr lead bullets. I need to learn how to run a lever gun, as I usually end up lowering the rifle, racking the action, then mounting for the next shot.

hodgepodge · Jul 12, 2012

Jimbob2.0 said:
Are you guys kidding me. As much as I love the thought of .44-40 what more does it do than .45LC (or .357) and at what cost? Not being critical, but just wondering why? Seems like the OP wants something in the range of .30 carbine in cost and performance, .38/.357 fits the bill hands down without getting exotic.

.44-40 for the authenticity. But .357/.38 for ease of finding ammunition and it's close enough. .45LC for authenticity in the handguns and close enough in rifles.

leroygibbs · Jul 12, 2012

Jimbob2.0 said:
Are you guys kidding me. As much as I love the thought of .44-40 what more does it do than .45LC (or .357) and at what cost? Not being critical, but just wondering why? Seems like the OP wants something in the range of .30 carbine in cost and performance, .38/.357 fits the bill hands down without getting exotic.

Because I wanna be a cowboy! And the .357 came along well after the west was won.

All joking aside, if you look at it from a cost and performance perspective, go .357. The .44-40 has that slight bottleneck, which can make it a PITA, and if you don't reload (and try to find dies/supplies!) it's stinkin' expensive....

Vince55 · Jul 12, 2012

Wheelbrain said:
I'm planning on purchasing a lever-action rifle in a pistol caliber, to supplement my Henry Golden Boy (.22) and for ammo compatibility with a revolver. I'mcartridge looking for a cartridge with recoil similar to an M1 carbine - one that doesn't kick like a full-blown rifle cartridge, but retains a slight recoil for fun. I don't hunt, and the hunting capability of a isn't important to me.

What comes to mind is purchasing a pre-Remington Marlin 1894C with an 18" barrel - use the .38 Special for new shooters, and the .357 for more fun. I've heard it's the best fun one can have with a lever-action rifle, but haven't tried it yet. While I imagine the .38 Special would have no recoil, would the .357 deliver the recoil performance I'm looking for? Or would I be better off with .30-30 Winchester (obviously not revolver-compatible) or .44 magnum?

I have the Henry Big Boy in .44 and a Ruger Blackhawk in .44

Lever-action cartridge recommendation? (considering .357/.38, more details inside)

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