Thinking on a 357 Mag

[northmn]

Every now and then you get an itch and mine has been a Taurus/Rossi 92 copy in a 357 mag. Kind of want something to carry on my 4-wheeler when I cut wood and so forth in case I want to shoot something. Always been fascinated by the 32-20 idea of a good small game/deer gun. I have several pistol molds including one round nose from my pisto days. I could get a used 30-30 cheaper and load it down as I have molds for that but that 92 clone kind of grabs you. Kind of intereste din experience of those with 357 mag rifles.

DP

[AnthonyB]

DP; I looked for one (not seriously) for three years and finally got one a few months ago. It is a Rossie imported by Legacy Arms, and is rapidly becoming a favorite. I have a few hundred jacketed loaded for it, and then have 500 Sierra 140 grain jacketed HPs waiting. Once those are gone I'll switch to the NOE 360-180 FNGC.
Don't know why, but the 357 version feels better in my hands than a B92 in 44 Mag.
Tony

[BSkerj]

DP, I have a 94 Marlin Cowboy and it goes with me just about everytime I go out in the hills. It has become one of my favorite rifles. I found a nice load that matches my 686 S&W so now I just grab a box of shells and one or both and I am good to go. I am using a Miha 125grn mould that shoots great out of both.
Luckily, I bought mine last year at Sportsmans Whsehouse. It was the last one they had in either carbine or cowboy. Now, from what I understand, Remington bought out Marlin and moved their plant to NY. I paid 689.00 for it and now I see that they are going for alot more. It and the 686 would probably be the last to go of all my guns.

[kelbro]

357 levers are as much fun as you can have with your clothes on. Better plan to load a LOT of 357 ammo. I have a Marlin 1894 Cowboy Special that I wouldn't trade or sell for double what I paid for it. Shoots cast or jacketed equally well.

[9.3X62AL]

I don't know what the future holds for Marlin leverguns. I hope they continue in production, but there are still a number of Win 92 repro makers out there. I'm confident that someone will chase that 357 levergun market for quite some time to come.

[fecmech]

I have 2 of the Braztech Rossi 92's, a 20" round barrel and 24" octagon in .357. I think they are one of the best bargains out there in lever rifles. I bought both locally about a year apart and $435 each. Both feed, function and shoot very well. Change out the ejector spring and put a lighter trigger return spring and they are really smooth. The newer ones are D&T'd for a scout scope mount in the round barrel version.

[northmn]

As I have piles of 38 special brass also, do they work Ok?

DP

[robertbank]

As I have piles of 38 special brass also, do they work Ok?

DP

They run like poop through a goose through my Rossi .357mag. My Rossi .357mag is far and away my favourite rifle now. Liked it so much I bought one in .44mag. I team my .357Mag Rossi up with my Ruger 4.2" GP-100. Great combo. Both handle light and hot loads equally well.

Once I get my .44mag, a Redhawk in 4.2" is in the future.

Take Care

Bob

[Artful]

my Rossi 92 is much more friendly to carry about than my 94 winchester - or even my 44 mag marlin - the litte .357 works well with 38 & 357's and recoil is pretty low so it's like shooting a 22 that actually does some whomping. - with the right boolit & load it can be amazingly accurate - after I got this one I quit thinking Paco Kelly was a lair.

[Four Fingers of Death]

The rifle I am shooting in my avitar is a Rossi in 38/357! Apart from a few milsup rifles, it is the cheapest rifle I have ever bought. I bought it used for $AU230 a couple of years ago. I was on holidays and had just bought a 44Mag in the pevious town. I thought it would be a good backup gun and as a loaner for new shooters, etc. I then proceeded to have lots of rifle problems and competed in cowboy action heavily with it. Apart from me forgetting to tighten the screws, it has never missed a beat! It is pretty much the best rifle I have ever owned. It loves 38Specials. It is cheap, nasty and rough looking, but it is well made, reliable and will be the absolute last rifle I part with. It will be still in my safe when they bury me. It is just that good!

[northmn]

I could get a 30-30 cheaper and just laod it down, but htere is something about using a rifle and cartridge matched like that. I have used some very accurate reduced loaded 30-30's but with a 357 there would be little confusion.

DP

[DCP]

I found this

The latest Rossi's are still "Rossi", made in Brazil - some of which used to be branded "Puma" for LSI (who owns the name).

The Italian gunmaker, Chiappa (formerly Armi Sport) now also makes higher grade (and more expensive) M92's for several US importers (Taylor/Cimmaron/Navy/etc), besides US importer LSI - who still gets their M92's (now from Chiappa) branded "Puma".

[Four Fingers of Death]

I found this

The latest Rossi's are still "Rossi", made in Brazil - some of which used to be branded "Puma" for LSI (who owns the name).

The Italian gunmaker, Chiappa (formerly Armi Sport) now also makes higher grade (and more expensive) M92's for several US importers (Taylor/Cimmaron/Navy/etc), besides US importer LSI - who still gets their M92's (now from Chiappa) branded "Puma".

Those Chiappas are nice rifles, but they would want to be, they are dearer than a new Deluxe Model70 bolt rifle :(

[zxcvbob]

As I have piles of 38 special brass also, do they work Ok?

DPYes, except for wadcutters (those are too short)

This spring I'm going to try loading some .357 Magnum DEWC max loads and see how those handle (they'll probably lead really bad.) They cycle manually just fine, and I can fit 2 extra rounds in the magazine.

[GH1]

I own a .357 Marlin levergun and I absolutley love it. It's a fun, accurate, and powerful weapon capable if killing deer, hog, coyote, and varmits. For plinking it's tough to beat when loaded with .38's, the recoil is on par with a .22.
While I don't have any experience with the Rossi, I can't imagine it's that much different to shoot.
GH1

[6pt-sika]

I "owned" a pair of Marlin's in 357 . The first was a 24" barreled 1894CB which I don't think would be good for hauling around on a ATV .

The second however was the Marlin 1894CP . This was a 357 with a 16 1/4" barrel . The one I had did very nicely with any cast bullet I saw fit to shoot in it . Lyman used to make a 215 grain SWC GC mold in .358" . I had one of these molds and the heavy bullet shot very nicely in the little 1894CP with a decent charge of H110 .

[6pt-sika]

I had the Marlin 1894P also . That was a 44 MAG with the 16 1/4" barrel . That would most likely be my first choice for what you want . Used the 1894P I had to kill deer out to 135 yards on a couple occasions .

This one you could load with the Ranch Dog 432-265GC and 23 grains of H110 for a very nice deer or anything else load ! If you wanted heavier you could use the Ranch Dog 432-300GC and 21 grains of H110 . Got those loads straight from the Dog himself and they worked well in 3 different Marlin 44 MAG's I had !

[northmn]

Not really knocking the 44 so much as the fact that I have several powerful rifles including a recently acquired 35 Remington. I looked at the 44 version and it did not do much for me. Sometimes there's too much of a good thing. I may even load the 357 down a mite for my uses. Also I already have a lot of stuff for one as I used to own several handguns in that caliber. Its more the matter of the itch than a reasonable choice. My 24" Marlin CB fits Ok across the ATC and the tractor but I kind of hate to beat it up in that manner. I have a cradle I made on my tractor to carry a rifle or shotgun also. 44's are nice guns also.

DP

[6pt-sika]

Not really knocking the 44 so much as the fact that I have several powerful rifles including a recently acquired 35 Remington. I looked at the 44 version and it did not do much for me. Sometimes there's too much of a good thing. I may even load the 357 down a mite for my uses. Also I already have a lot of stuff for one as I used to own several handguns in that caliber. Its more the matter of the itch than a reasonable choice. My 24" Marlin CB fits Ok across the ATC and the tractor but I kind of hate to beat it up in that manner. I have a cradle I made on my tractor to carry a rifle or shotgun also. 44's are nice guns also.

DP

Again a matter where everything is relative !

I kinda look at the 44 MAG as a light gun since my cast efforts are mainly with the 444 and 45-70 !

Yeah my reasoning behind not carrying the 1894CB was getting it beaten up ! But that little 1894CP shouldn't poke out to far .

I understand your reasoning behind the 357 and I've had thoughts along those lines myself !

[1Shirt]

Have a 94 Win 357, and a Marlin 44. As far as pure enjoyment and fun, the 357 wins hands down for me. In addition fo less recoil, it is cheaper to load, gets more shots to the pound of lead than the 44, and is in mine a bit more accurate. What more can I ask? Not going to sell the 44 however.
1Shirt!:coffee:

[northmn]

I listened to all the good reasons for buying one and went out and got the Rossi today.

DP

[Fire_stick]

Man, I already have one, and now I want another.

[1Shirt]

Just can't have enought of a good thing, particularly if it is built around a trigger!
1Shirt!:coffeecom