357 Lever Guns

[boatbum101]

Am considering getting a 357 carbine / rifle . Was recently looking at 180gr loads for a 180 WFN . 1100-1200 from my 6.5 '' RBH vs 1700-1800 from a longer tube got my attention . So I'm trying to find out what's available & more important what to avoid . I do cast & tend to shoot lead when / where possible . I also want to be able to mount optics .
So far it seems my best choices in a lever gun are either Marlin or Henry . I'd prefer avoiding a micro groove barrel as that would most likely involve new moulds etc to get an oversize bullet . Models that might work are the Henry Big Boy Steel & the 1894C , 1894CP , 1894 CSS , 1894 CSBL , 1894 CB & the CB Ltd . Marlins listed are ballard rifled supposedly .
I'm leaning toward a 16 to 18 inch barrel for ease of handling . The Henry is heavier , maybe too heavy . So any info , suggestions would be appreciated .

 

[ken158]

Read up on the double feed issues that seem to come with pistol (and other) cartridges in lever actions.

 

[growr]

Take a serious look at the 1873 Winchester clones made by Uberti chambered in .357 Mag!!

There is a reason they are so very popular in SASS. 1894 Marlins can be made to run with the '73 clones as well. I use both.

Randy

 

[boatbum101]

Any of the actions that eject out the top make optics mounting iffy . I'm looking for something to launch heavy LBT slugs .

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Read up on the double feed issues that seem to come with pistol (and other) cartridges in lever actions.

Never had one with my Winchesters/Marlins/Interarms or Rossi...........Guess some of you could break an anvil if you tried.

 

[BB57]

I'm a huge fan of the pre-WWII Winchester Model 92, the Armi Sport/ Chiappa made Model 92 copies and the derivative Rossi Model 92.

The Winchester Model 1892 is essentially a shorter version of the Model 1886 downsizes for the smaller pistol sized cartridges like the .44-40, .38-40, .32-20 and .25-20.

The Armi Sport is a very faithful copy of an older Model 1892, is very well made and very smooth and slick operating right out of the box. They also have a very nicely done color case hardened finish.

I have a Model 92 take down rifle from Armi Sport and it's an excellent rifle.

I also have a pair of Rossi 92s in .357 Magnum, a 20" short rifle and a 24" rifle. Rossi has been making Model 92s in modern straight wall pistol cartridges longer than anyone else - over 50 years, and they've got them figured out. They've modernized the design somewhat with coil springs and it has an incredibly strong action, able to manage the .454 Casull's 60,000 psi pressures.

They are also priced about half that of an Armi Sport or a Winchester, but on the negative side tend to need some minor tweaks to operate as smoothly. (Visit Stevesgunz.com for details).

I installed Marbles standard tang sights on both of mine along with Lyman 17AHB globe front sights. In that configuration both of them will produce 2 MOA five shot groups at 100 yards with both 158 gr Federal Champion or American Eagle 158 gr JSP or with handloaded 125 gr or 158 gr XTPs. Velocity is 1820 fps with the 158 gr Federal load and with a 150 yard zero it's maximum mid range trajectory is 3.7" at 80 yards and 4" low at 175 yards where it still has 1277 fps and 570 ft pounds.

The 125 gr XTP has a velocity of 2210 fps and with a 170 yard zero it has a maximum mid range trajectory at 95 yards and and is 4" low at 200 yards where it has 1313 fps and 479 ft pounds remaining.

Just for clarification, I'm pushing 55 real hard and have to use progressive readers as I flunked out of bifocals and then trifocals. However, I have no issues seeing the front sight clearly through the aperture of a tang sight. The aperture performs the same function as a small aperture in a camera - it increases the depth of field, so that even if your eye would not normally bring the front sight in sharp focus it usually can with a tang sight. The rear aperture is never in focus, but its not supposed to be as your eye just centers the front sight in the aperture.

In other words, don't get hung up on an optic. It'll ruin the lines and handling of a lever action and it really isn't needed at pistol caliber lever gun ranges.

 

[Borderboss]

I really love my Marlin 1894 Cowboy II with a 24" octagon barrel. It points perfectly and is really easy to shoot. I've just started shooting 180gr Remington SJHP factory loads in it.

 

[68Dave]

I’ve got an older Rossi 92 carbine. I have not changed any springs or slicked anything up. It runs 357 well, but 38s get squirrelly unless cycled slow. The top eject does limit optic options. I have shot a brass Henry and it was extremely smooth but seemed quite heavy. I’ve only handled Marlins at the LGS. The particular one I cycled was not very smooth.
I’m with you on the extra FPS. I’m looking at slower powder now.
Good luck in your purchase, let us know what you choose.
David

 

[colt_saa]

You also need to decide if you like side gate loading or tube loading. The Henrys load from the tube like most 22LR long guns.

I much prefer the side gate loading since it allows you to top off the magazine while you are walking.

Henry has started to add side gates to some of their models, but I think it is only a few of the rifle cartridges so far

 

[silentflyer]

I know the newer Marlins (Remington) have had some problems, I have an older 1894 Marlin that's great. My buddy's like their Henry's.
I have a couple of Henry rim fire no problems with them.

 

[sw dan]

hi folks,
i have a marlin cowboy 357 mag, 24' barrel. shoot the nra pistol silhouettes, course of fire, 40, 50, 75, 100, yds/meters. most shooters find that these guns shoot best with 125 gn bullets. the 158's give shotgun groups. so you might want to think which bullet you would like to load. good luck, levers are fun to shoot....swdan

 

[Eddietruett]

I have a Rossi 92 .357 in Blue and a 44 Mag in Stainless. There is a rail available now that screws into holes that are neatly hidden under the rear sight. I've mounted red dots on mine and they shoot great. I've had feeding problems and both shoot great

 

[Donn]

I have a Henry Big Boy 357mag. It is a bit heavy due to the octagonal barrel, but it is a sweet shooter. Like a 22 on steroids.

 

[inspcalahan]

I have a Henry Big Boy 357mag. It is a bit heavy due to the octagonal barrel, but it is a sweet shooter. Like a 22 on steroids.

I just picked one up recently the Silver Big Boy - can't wait to get it out and shooting! I like the way it feels but I'm biased to the Henry products anyway.

 

[Imissedagain]

"Don't short stroke the Winchester 1894s and wear a Stetson."
Just repeating a Cowgirl's words about using pistol cartridges in the '94s.

 

[merl67]

I have a Marlin 1894 with my hand loaded Speer 170 Grn soft point I can shoot one inch groups at 100 yards. Feeding is a non issue. I got it for my son to go deer hunting with as he was quite small then took his first deer with it. I have taken a few deer with it too.

 

[white cloud]

I purchased a Marlin 1894 CSBL earlier this year. It was a bit rough to begin with but has turned into a smooth and accurate rifle. It feeds most any .357 reload including flush seated HBWCs with complete reliability. If I load Lyman 358429s in 357 brass at the crimp groove they are too long. My hunting load of a 158 grain Hornady XTP hollow point and a lot of H110 works great on the deer around here.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I have two .357 Carbines.....................

A Winchester Trapper (16"barrel) with Skinner barrel peep sight......

and a

Ruger 77/357 ....... a stainless bolt gun,18" barrel, 5.5lbs, 5rd rotary magazine,synthetic stock....... I topped mine with a 1-3x20 Weaver shotgun scope (also has a skinner barrel peep sight installed as backup).

The Ruger has become my general utility rifle at the cabin in the Pa. Laurel Highlands.

I also have a Ruger American Ranch carbine in 5.56 which used AR mags. Weighs in at 6lb with a 16.12 barrel...... but that's another story.

 

[gwpercle]

Any of the actions that eject out the top make optics mounting iffy . I'm looking for something to launch heavy LBT slugs .

Henry... the weight helps mitigate the recoil of those heavy LBT projectiles .
Side ejecting = easier optic mount . Also do not dismiss a receiver mounted peep sight . Those are still viable options .
Gary

 

[diyj98]

The Marlin are my first pick. I have a Rossi 357 and it's functions just fine, but it's not on the same quality level as the Marlin. The Winchester 94's weren't designed for pistol caliber cartridges and have too long of an action cycle for me. I haven't been impressed with Henry quality.