357 mag lever action rifle

[Tracer_Bullet]

Winchester '92 (made by Miroku) in .357. Beautiful carbine, buttery smooth action, seems to hit the bullseye like magic, has fed every magnum and special I've ever tried with zero problems.
Unfortunately, pistol caliber carbines, other than .44 magnums, are scarce around these parts for some reason (bought the '92 almost a year ago and the shop hasn't had another one in stock since), so the only thing I can compare it to is a Puma '92 in .45 Colt that I had back about 20 years ago. The Winchester is light years ahead of that old Puma in terms of fit/finish, accuracy, and smoothness of function. I understand the newer Pumas are better than the one I had, however.

 

[ameridaddy]

Before I bought one, I read some shooters had trouble shooting 38 Special from a .357 lever rifle. I bought an Uberti Commanchero 1873 from Taylor's and found I can shoot 38 Special flawlessly using a 158 gr RNFP hard cast bullet. 5.9 gr AA #5 gives me ~1100 fps. I let a friend shoot it, and he remarked it was like shooting a .22 on steroids. It's very accurate, pleasant and economical to shoot if you reload and buy cast bullets in bulk..
I bought the most expensive version of the Uberti 1873, which is absolutely gorgeous, but you can get a less fancy version for about $1K. The fit, finish and function are superb.
Having a toggle bolt, I'm not sure I want to shoot full house 357 from it. For stronger stuff than 38 +P, I'd look for a 1892 or newer action with a stronger bolt.

 

[stan v]

I only load lswc 158 gr

Lots of options for these lever actions. I'm looking at a marlin 1894 but these other choices are tempting. Nothing else to do but buy 2 I guess.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I have a Winchester 94 AE in .357 mag with a scout rifle mounted red dot scope, and I am very pleased with it.

 

[stan v]

I load 38+P lead for my revolvers. 586-4, 66-2 and a 66-4. Will a COL of 1.61 feed any of the mentioned rifles?

 

[Pisgah]

The Marlins are fine little rifles -- but I sold mine and bought Rossi's. There was nothing wrong you could put your finger on with the Marlins, but the '92 just feels better to me.

 

[old 1911 fan]

I can't say anything about .357's but... I bought an Marlin 1894 .44 in 1972 used for $105. Right away I myself installed a Williams peep sight, Redfield front post, removed and plugged the 3/8" dovetail that the factory rear sight left. After developing handloads it shot 2 1/2" groups from sandbags at 100 yds. You will not find a Loading Manuel that lists loads like Lyman had back then. The gun liked them hot! I took a lot of deer with that gun and then another gun looked better for big game, so the sweet little Marlin sat. 15 years ago, having a little better cash flow, I sent it off to Doug Turnbull to get cleaned up a bit. It still shot good but it looked like it was some civil war surplus thing. It came back looking better than a Los Vegas showgirls legs. I can't get it to shoot as well now, it may be my eyes. But it is coming out of the safe and going to Maine this fall for Bear.
One thing you can count on is that a carbine in .357 will handle loads that you will want to keep out of grandpas old S&W M27!


old 1911 fan

 

[Frank46]

Bought my marlin 357 magnum for $160 bucks and stuck a Lyman All American 6x for load developement. Was able to consistently keep all shots on a 4" target. Best these eyes can do. The 357 shows spekling on the receiver and some flitz cleaned it up but still there. The 44 magnum Marlin I got for $240 and again it was used. Call that one thumper as it kicks at both ends. Have had a lot of fun with both and both are the pre lock versions. Frank

 

[RobertJ.]

Call that one thumper as it kicks at both ends. Frank

I was going to mention this myself, but thought I might get my man-card revoked. After all, it's just a .44 Mag, not a .45-70.

But the older I get the less I like recoil, and when loaded for bear, those little rifles thump!

 

[sixtwoniner]

I have the Henry Big Boy in 44 mag also comes in 357 mag. Great lever gun. I bought a safe queen for $600. I think the retail is a bit under $750. I bought it to complement my 29's. Excellent action, smooth and very quick form the factory. Shoots 44 special very well. Needless to say it's not a safe queen any more.With the long heavy hex barrel the back talk's not to bad even with my heavy hunting loads. Bang Bang!!

Shoot, Shoot, Shoot and then Shoot some more.

 

[stan v]

Do most of you use the same rounds in revolver and rifle? How simple is that!

 

[BAM-BAM]

Do most of you use the same rounds in revolver and rifle? How simple is that!

I have a Winchester Trapper (94)....(Had a Rossi 20" .357 in the 80s)....w/ a Skinner barrel rear peep sight..........

Both were/are good guns ......but at the time felt I was "stepping up" with the Winchester and wanted the shorter 16" barrel.

Both have been replaced as my "Utility gun" at the cabin by a Ruger 77/357.... stainless/polymer stock/ 5rd detachable mags...... bolt gun in .357 with a 1-3 Weaver shotgun scope and Skinner rear barrel (peep) sight as back up.

The rifles tend to be loaded with 158gr soft point .357s while my S&W 3" 66 or 3" 60-10...... tend to be loaded with +P.38s ....... with one or two speed loaders ...... the "Ammo Wallet" on the RZR tends to have a mix of .38 and .357s for the rifle.

But too your point same ammo will work in either gun......which is the whole point of the pistol caliber carbine.

Many comments have been written that the .357 come "close to 30/30 power" out of a 16 inch barrel.

 

[stan v]

The older I get (66) the more I like simple. I'm determined to find an older Marlin to pass on to my son, or maybe a Browning 92. But, I see the value in the Rossi/Henry. And I certainly see the value in using the same load for all of my 357's. Y'all have been fantastic, thank you.

 

[Triathloncoach]

I'm happy with so many commenting on how much they like their Rossi. I have a TB Ruger 77/357 that I love. Would like a lever brother myself and the Rossi are more "marriage friendly" ☺

 

[samandglove1]

I have a Marlin 1894 from the 70's and a Winchester 1894 from the 80's, both in 38/357. They are both excellent rifles, but I prefer the Marlin.

 

[bigwheelzip]

The older I get (66) the more I like simple.... And I certainly see the value in using the same load for all of my 357's.

Since your a reloader, you might be tweaking your handgun loads, just because you can.

I only shoot factory jacketed, and my Rossi eats whatever I feed it, but seems to feed well-crimped rounds the smoothest so that's all I buy now. I enjoy the .357 Federal 158gr JSP the most so far. Very fast and accurate.

If you get a Rossi and are needing reloading data, Rossi Rifleman forum founder, Ranch Dog, can set you up with OAL or anything else.

 

[gregintenn]

This Rossi has been a barrel of fun. Everyone in my family loves plinking with it loaded with light 38 special loads. A full power 357 load would be a formidable deer cartridge I'd think. It's light, fast, and accurate.

I have a 94 Marlin in 44 mag. I believe the marlin is the better quality rifle, but for fun, you won't go wrong with either one.

 

[Donn]

I have a Henry Big Boy Steel in 357. The action was slick from the factory and the wood is very nice. The rifle is more accurate that I am. I couldn't be happier with it.

Me too, had one about a year. It's like a 22 on steroids.

 

[Ranger514]

Got my eye on one of the new steel models Henry came out with. At around $700, it's a great gun for carry compared to the heavier Yellow Boy versions with the octagonal barrels. Only issue I have is that they decided to put a padded butt cushion on the steel model, rather than stick with the curved model 92 style metal butt plate. Otherwise, the wood quality, fit and finish are beautiful. Some don't care for the tube fed magazine.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Who has what? I'm looking for a carbine, Marlin I think. Any favorites?

I've got the Marlin 1894CS (pre-2001). Love it . . .