Lever or bolt action 357

[nixpap]

Im thinking of buying a rifle in 38/357. Im looking hard at the Ruger 38/357 bolt action and am also considering a lever action in a similar price range. This would be for plinking and or maybe hunting(doubtful).I will be shooting my home cast from WW boolits. Any thoughts on one vs the other? Thanks in advance. nixpap

[danthman114]

my nephew has a rossi 357/38 and it doesnt feed the 38 rounds for some reason...
im going to get the same thing but in 45colt...

[crawfobj]

I have both, and I'd be hard pressed to decide between them. I shoot my Marlin 1894c a little more, mostly with my bulk .38 spl cast loads. It's an absolute blast to shoot and really hard on turtles. (It's pretty much my .22lr substitute these days.)

[sghart3578]

I love my 1894CS. It is accurate as heck with the right cast bullets. It is slick, dependable, light and has enough power to get the job done.

Having said that I am fascinated by the Ruger bolt action 357. I guess you will have to buy both.

To get an idea of the accuracy potential of the Marlin here are three targets fired with a 180 gr WFN bullet from a NOE mold.


Attachment 128862Attachment 128863Attachment 128864

[Surculus]

I can work a bolt action faster [since it doesn't require removing it from the shoulder like a lever does] and the exchangeable rotary mag in the Ruger makes reloading [preloading, when you think about it] quicker. So for me it's a no brainer, unless I was specifically looking for a firearm that would be usable for CAS or some-such. As an "only" gun, the bolt action is probably the smart choice, but there's a lot to be said for the historical connection & feeling like a kid playing "cowboys and rustlers" again of the lever action!

[knifemaker]

I have a Rossi 92 in 357/38 special and it is very accurate and will feed both 357 and 38 sp. I even tried some 38 full wadcutters that was seated flush with the case mouth and it fed them with no problems.

[dragon813gt]

Why doubtful about hunting w/ one?




Know your range limitations and you're good to go

[sghart3578]

I can work a bolt action faster [since it doesn't require removing it from the shoulder like a lever does] and the exchangeable rotary mag in the Ruger makes reloading [preloading, when you think about it] quicker. So for me it's a no brainer, unless I was specifically looking for a firearm that would be usable for CAS or some-such. As an "only" gun, the bolt action is probably the smart choice, but there's a lot to be said for the historical connection & feeling like a kid playing "cowboys and rustlers" again of the lever action!

I cycle through the 10 rounds in my Marlin without taking the gun down or removing my eyes from the target. The Marlin action is very slick and will put out a very high rate of fire. On the other hand, reloading can be cumbersome.

[John Allen]

I have a short barrel Marlin and it is great. I also have a Timberwolf pump which is even more fun.

[nixpap]

I handled the Henry and the Marlin today. Loved the Henry's fit and finish. The weight was not as light as the Marlin of course, but the Marlin was easier to Handle. Fit and finish looked good too. No gaps anywhere. The sights on the Henry were not for me .The Marlin sights did seem easier for me. The Henry had a little smoother action. The Remlins action was fine too. No clunky crunch or anything like I have noticed from other makers.

[Jeff Michel]

I have both, like my Marlin, it's a great shooter but worry about it getting it beat up while hunting. For handling and accuracy the 77/357 beats it every time I like the stainless aspect but my that stock....... I did find out that Boyds does make a replacement so if you abhor synthetic stocks, you have an option.

[Idaho Mule]

I've had my Marlin 1894cs for several years now and it is a great shooter. It is one that I will never get rid of. However, I would LOVE to own one of the new Ruger 77/357's. A fellow member here (rockshooter) allowed me to shoot the one he owned at NCBS awhile back and I just loved the little bolt rifle. I truly think that little Ruger would be equally as fun as my Marlin is. I am on the hunt for one. My answer would be to just get both and be happy. JW

[pull the trigger]

You can keep a lever action magazine topped off like a shotgun alot easier then the mag in a bolt action. And no matter what repeating rifle you are shooting, you should be able to keep it shouldered. Love my levers but the bolt may be more forgiving with different length and style boolits

[targetfreak]

One should be aware that a tubular-magazine fed lever rifle can be picky about which bullets it likes. My Henry .357 doesn't like semi-wadcutters, and prefers flat-roundnose bullets. The Ruger is fed from a box magazine which results in a less-finicky diet of bullet types. I wish that Ruger would introduce a lever-type with a box mag. instead of tubular. If anyone can do it, it's Ruger.

[GhostHawk]

Actually my choice was a H&R Single shot!

Should arrive thursday.

[Fishman]

One should be aware that a tubular-magazine fed lever rifle can be picky about which bullets it likes. My Henry .357 doesn't like semi-wadcutters, and prefers flat-roundnose bullets. The Ruger is fed from a box magazine which results in a less-finicky diet of bullet types. I wish that Ruger would introduce a lever-type with a box mag. instead of tubular. If anyone can do it, it's Ruger.

Well they did, and it was really nice, and they discontinued it. My dad had one but unfortunately traded it away.

[Lonegun1894]

I would vote for the Rossi 92 in .357 Mag. I love mine all around. Having said that, I have read of quality control issues, so inspect carefully before buying, but I heard the same about Remlins too. I have seen a couple bad Remlins, and 1 bad Rossi 92, but that wouldn't, and hasn't stopped me from buying both when I had the chance to inspect before buying.

[Nicholas]

Well they did, and it was really nice, and they discontinued it. My dad had one but unfortunately traded it away.

We both agree it was not a smart move.

It was in 44 Mag. Years ago I had a hammerless lever in 30 carbine, a Marlin as I recall and it was accurate and a hoot to shoot. Gave it away to a family member, and regret that too.

[wrench man]

The only actions faster than a lever are semi auto's, if you're taking a lever rifle off of your shoulder to cycle it, you need to learn how to shoot a lever gun.
I have a Marlin 1894C, pre CBS, never even tried to see if it would cycle 38's??, my 1894 44 Mag won't cycle 44 Specials to save it's life!?, it's been fed a steady diet of 158grn jacketed ammo, the sights suck?, I have a Lyman LA66 to put on it, that should make a fine shooter out of it!

[clum553946]

I wonder if Ruger will ever make the 77 in 357 maximum? i'd be all over that! Have a Marlin 94 in 357 mag & love shooting it!