16" or 20" .357? got to add a lever gun in this caliber

[DeadWoodDan]

I'm looking at a Rossi and curious which length to get and why? Other threads i've read say when loading the .357 that it performs better with the 20" barrel, why?

I almost broke down and bought the Henry Big Boy, But man is that thing heavy. would look good above the fireplace if i had one:Fire:

Want something i can shoot a lot and have some cheap fun all summer long

[ReloaderFred]

With the 20" barrel you'll get a little more velocity and more rounds in the longer magazine tube. I also think they balance better, but that's a personal preference.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[TXGunNut]

I like 16" leverguns as a rule but for some reason I like the Rossi models w/ 20" barrels. I would think the .357 would be happy in the 16" but would like to hear why the 20" works better for some folks.
How about you buy one, I buy the other. We'll swap after a year and share thoughts after two.

[BCRider]

If you ever even think you MIGHT shoot in Cowboy Action matches then stick with the 20". The 16 only holds 9 1/2 rounds of .38Spl and obviously even less of .357Mag. The 20 holds 10 rounds of .357Mag.

Even if it's not a big deal for you it'll make the gun far more marketable later on if you should decide to sell it as you'll be looking at the whole cowboy community as well as others.

There's been lots of reports by folks of somewhat iffy wood to metal fits and less than smooth actions lately. The pictures posted of these issues show that there may be some validity to the complaints from what I've seen. I would suggest that you buy where you have a chance to inspect the rifle you are buying before putting down your money.

Wood fit is one thing. Action slicking up is another. The good news on that aspect is that the info for the DIY'ers is out there and well done. Or if you are not a DIY'er for this sort of stuff then a basic slicking up job by a smith shouldn't cost you more than about 1 to 1.5 hours of labour. Of course this is if you find you even think it needs it.

My suggestion would be to shoot it a while then buy the slicking up job for a birthday present to yourself. When slicked up to the basic level the gun becomes silky smooth. I know it does because it's not just me that has found this. I've had a lot of folks comment on how nice the gun is to cycle and numerous offers to buy it. This is partly the work I did. It's mostly the brilliance behind the Winchester '92 design.

[btroj]

And here I am wishing my Marlin had a 24 inch barrel. I don't like the shorter barrels at all. I want a long sight radius and e extra barrel weight just seems to make for better shootability to me.

[DeadWoodDan]

Never thought of aftermarket sale, thats a good point. Reality is that i often have a hard time selling something once i make the purchase. The cowboy action shooting is something thats always interested me and hope to get there some day so guess its a 20".
Thanks
DWD

[6pt-sika]

I've owned two lever actions in 357 MAG and both were Marlin's .

One was an 1894CP which had the little 16 1/2" barrel and the other was a 1894CB with the 24" barrel .

I shot cast in both and liked them both . Never ran them over the Chrony however . Lyman used to make a 35 cal mold for a 215 grain SWC GC that I shot in them both a good bit . I'm sure it wasn't fast by any means but both guns seemed to like it well enough .

[KCSO]

The 16 loses from 75 to 120 fps from a 16 to a 20. I had a 16.20 and 25 at one time and kept the 16 because it packs better on the bike. So far nothing I have shot with the 16 has complained about the lack of velocity. The 16 fits well in the pack basket when I run traps too and if I spot a deer I can slip in a 357 instead of the light 38 rn that do such a good job as finishers and small game loads. Mostly it's what ever YOU like that counts.

[Doc Highwall]

My thoughts on this. How good is your eyesight and how long are you planning on keeping this gun. The reason I ask is as we get older our eye sight does not allow us to focus as well close up and a longer sight radius will help with iron sights. With a scope no problem on barrel length, just balance and weight.

I like my Marlins especially the older ones that are drilled and tapped for both scope and receiver sights.

[4719dave]

I bought a 20'' rossi and never looked backed ..Now to find time to melt some lead lol

[sandman228]

i own the r92 357 in 16 inch and am pretty happy with it but to each there own i guess . my only complaint is its kinda picky with ammo it will chamber my cast swc and wc bullets all day long same with xtp's , but its fussy with lrn bullets in 357 cases . it will chamber the same lrn bullets in 38 cases though . ive read up on it on the taurus form its a pretty common prob with the r92.

[VladViscious]

I have a WInchester 94 Trapper with a 16 inch barrel. It is super fast handeling, light to pack and I took my first deer this year in Northern (Not UP) Michigan this year at 65 yards over open sights with one shot. It shoots well and my wife and friends children love shooting the soft recoil of the 357 out of it, and 38's are accurate and lighter still. I am actually looking to buy a Rossi so I can have a pair .

TANSTAAFL!

[ddixie884]

I have a .357, .44mag, and a .45Colt, all 16". I really like how handy and quick they are.

[MT Gianni]

I bought the 16" and love it. What is not to like about a rifle with an OAL shorter than your pants length.

[metalbender]

I have a Rossi Ranch Hand 44 mag with a carbine butt stock. Installed a Skinner peep/ghost ring on the barrel and woohooo, a fabulous short rifle. I have seen other posts on US sites that a SBR requires a special stamp though. That's about the only thing our Canadian laws got right, non-restricted here, just a rifle. Have shot with 200 gr cast plinkers over Titegroup. Total pleasure to shoot. For seroius business I load up 300 gr XTP with 9.5 gr Titegroup. Same loads I used in my Marlin 94. Have to chrony them yet, too cold so far.

[JHeath]

The 16 loses from 75 to 120 fps from a 16 to a 20. I had a 16.20 and 25 at one time and kept the 16 because it packs better on the bike. So far nothing I have shot with the 16 has complained about the lack of velocity. The 16 fits well in the pack basket when I run traps too and if I spot a deer I can slip in a 357 instead of the light 38 rn that do such a good job as finishers and small game loads. Mostly it's what ever YOU like that counts.

Are those velocity-gain/loss figures with factory handgun ammo? I am interested about whether longer barrels would have an advantage with tailored .357 handloads using slower powder. I am also concerned with muzzle blast and suspect that higher muzzle pressure in the 16" makes it less pleasant to shoot than the longer barrel which would presumably have a pretty low muzzle pressure.

And when you say "bike", what kind? Because, yeah a 24" bbl rifle would be conspicuous strapped the the forks of my DR650.

[jmort]

With factory ammunition, the gain/loss in velocity might surprise you. At around 16" you are at the sweet spot in term of barrel length and more might even be less. See for yourself

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html

[marlin39a]

Don't overlook the 24" Octagon. I was deciding between 16-20-24. I own the 24, and love it.

[jmsj]

I have a Winchester 94 with a 16 1/4" barrel and my wife has a Rossi 92 with 16" barrel. I also own many other lever guns with longer barrels. The shorter barrels just seem easier to pack in the woods and seem quicker. I have not run a velocity comparison between the shorter and longer barrels but I just seem always grab my 16"ers when I head out.
jmsj

[JHeath]

With factory ammunition, the gain/loss in velocity might surprise you. At around 16" you are at the sweet spot in term of barrel length and more might even be less. See for yourself

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html

Interesting but their measured velocities compare a 16" Winchester (no cylinder gap) to an 18" Stoeger Buntline, which I'm pretty sure is a revolver-carbine with a cylinder gap. The gap causes a loss of pressure/velocity. It's like saying a 16" barrel is better than an 18" barrel with a hole drilled in front of the chamber.

It does not surprise me that factory loads with fast powders developed for 4" revolvers make it look like longer barrels don't pay off.

The real question is the velocity at 16" of handloads designed for 20" - 24" barrels.

As a handloader that's the info I need to understand the velocity sacrifice of a shorter barrel.

[practical_man]

I have had both 16 and 20 inch barrels on marlin leverguns. I much prefer the 20 inch tube. It handles better for me and shoots a bit more accurately.

[DeadWoodDan]

Anyone have a Henry Big Boy in .357? I had a chance to pick one up and wow it was heavy! as was the price tag $785. not sure i want something that hefty. Still can't locate a Rossi. would rather buy and fine tune for the money they cost. Plus its going to get used and not sit in the safe.

[fouronesix]

No info on the Rossi. Have several original Win 92s.

I know the 94 Marlin 357 carbine pre-safety standard bbl length is (was) 18.5". It seems very handy for me and not overly short or heavy or long or bulky. Ballistically I don't think it gives up much to longer barrel lengths---- after all it's a pistol cartridge!

I see quite a few of them on GB and they get lots of bidding action so apparently they are popular (for a reason ya think?) so are not cheap. Probably in the rifle type cartridges like the 30-30, I prefer a little longer barrel, but the 18.5" seems to work well for the pistol length. I have no problem with mine out to about 100 yards for shooting paper or hitting small metal plates. Easy to load down to 38 Spl levels.

[bobthenailer]

I have a Marlin in 357 mag with a 18.5 inch barrel and i really like it ! mine has a aimpoint red dot sight as i cant see the iron sights any more .
As a general rule i like short barreled rifles i currently have 3 other rifles with barrels shorter than
20" and ive owned 3 or 4 others in the past . there just so handy!

[jonp]

If you ever even think you MIGHT shoot in Cowboy Action matches then stick with the 20". The 16 only holds 9 1/2 rounds of .38Spl and obviously even less of .357Mag. The 20 holds 10 rounds of .357Mag.

Even if it's not a big deal for you it'll make the gun far more marketable later on if you should decide to sell it as you'll be looking at the whole cowboy community as well as others.

There's been lots of reports by folks of somewhat iffy wood to metal fits and less than smooth actions lately. The pictures posted of these issues show that there may be some validity to the complaints from what I've seen. I would suggest that you buy where you have a chance to inspect the rifle you are buying before putting down your money.

Wood fit is one thing. Action slicking up is another. The good news on that aspect is that the info for the DIY'ers is out there and well done. Or if you are not a DIY'er for this sort of stuff then a basic slicking up job by a smith shouldn't cost you more than about 1 to 1.5 hours of labour. Of course this is if you find you even think it needs it.

My suggestion would be to shoot it a while then buy the slicking up job for a birthday present to yourself. When slicked up to the basic level the gun becomes silky smooth. I know it does because it's not just me that has found this. I've had a lot of folks comment on how nice the gun is to cycle and numerous offers to buy it. This is partly the work I did. It's mostly the brilliance behind the Winchester '92 design.

9 1/2 rounds?

[jonp]

Depends on what you are doing with it. If your cowboy action shooting or target shooting then probably the 20in. If your hunting the swamps and brush in northern New England like I did then the 16in is very nice and you never notice the shorter barrel except when your trying to bust through the cedar or hemlock.

[Alan]

I have marlins, the .44 is 20" and the .357 is 18". I like the 20" better, and I'm a fan of short handy rifles.

[BCRider]

9 1/2 rounds?

Yep, we had to cut the last one apart to get the half to fit. Took a while to figure out if we should put in the part with the primer or the other part with the bullet and dribbling powder.... :D

No doubt if I were getting a 92 to carry around or just for fun plinking I'd likely go with a .44Mag and 16 inch barrel. It would be a superb camp or wood protection rifle that slings easily on the shoulder and is compact enough to pack around well without hitting ever little thing that I walk past. Even for the cowboy action use I really wanted that 16 to work. But sadly it just didn't quite hold enough to do the job.

[jlchucker]

My thoughts on this. How good is your eyesight and how long are you planning on keeping this gun. The reason I ask is as we get older our eye sight does not allow us to focus as well close up and a longer sight radius will help with iron sights. With a scope no problem on barrel length, just balance and weight.

I like my Marlins especially the older ones that are drilled and tapped for both scope and receiver sights.

Doc, that analysis of yours about eyesight is right on. I bought my Rossi in the 16 inch version. Now, after a couple of years, and a couple of pairs of bifocals later, I wish I'd gotten the 20 inch.

[Rusty Goose]

I just picked up a pre-safety Marlin in .357 yesterday. It has the 18" barrel, I chompin at the bit to try it out. The p/o drilled holes through the stock and fore end to tie his sling on with nylon cord, when I saw that I about puked in my socks. Anyone have a decent stock set they let go?

[BCRider]

Doc, that analysis of yours about eyesight is right on. I bought my Rossi in the 16 inch version. Now, after a couple of years, and a couple of pairs of bifocals later, I wish I'd gotten the 20 inch.

Based on this finding we'll all either need to shift to using scopes or start shopping for 36 to 48 inch long barrels so we can get the front sight out there far enough.... :D

[Doc Highwall]

Na just change the length of pull and you will look like a 80 Lb. kid shooting it.

[jlchucker]

Based on this finding we'll all either need to shift to using scopes or start shopping for 36 to 48 inch long barrels so we can get the front sight out there far enough.... :D

I dread the day! I'll have to start using my muzzle loader for everything! So far though, I'm still good to go with 20, 24, and 26 inch leverguns. I've only got one bolt action rifle--a 7mm08 and it has a scope. I suppose when the time comes I'll start using that.

[hornady308]

I have the two extremes: a 24" oct. in 45LC, and a 16" round barrel in 44mag. The short barrel is great for carrying when hunting in thickets and patches of mountain laurel. Unfortunately, sight distance has become a problem over the last year as my eyes have decided to show their age, so I have installed a 2x scout scope on the barrel of the 16". Oh well, can't stop time. At least the tang sight on the 24" is still visible.

[BAGTIC]

That is why they invented peep sights.

[DEVERS454]

I much prefer a 20 or 24 inch barrel for any serious distance with the 357mag and a 158gr boolit with a gas check. A2400 or H110...

The 2400 still has burn out of the 20 and H110 works in my 24 inch barreled Rossi.

I have tried the flex tip from hornady but find that my barrels don't like them. My Ruger Blackhawk loves the ftx, though.

I can get over 1500 fps from my rifles with hollow points and they keep 500 ft-lbs at 50 yards. I took down a spike buck with the ranch dog mold from a group buy long ago.

[jonp]

I tried some of these and put them on all of my lever guns that I use for hunting.

http://xssights.com/index.php?nID=sights&cID=Sights&pID=sights&sID=rifle

[detox]

I like the basic Marble's tang mounted peep site. The windage adjustment is a nice feature. Plus it comes with 3 different size aperatures. Midway has these in stock.

I am not a fan of Marbles new improved version with taller post options. Some say they are a little flemsy.
http://www.marblearms.com/standardPeepTang.html

[FergusonTO35]

I really like my 1894 with 18.5" tube. It wears a Williams 5D receiver sight and Redfield Sourdough front. Too much fun!

[ukrifleman]

I have 2 Rossi `92's, a 45 Colt with an octagonal stainless 20" barrel and a .357 with a 24" octagonal barrel. I find the 20" is much better balanced than the 24"

As for eyesight problems with iron sights, invest in a set of `EyePal`shooting aids, they certainly took years off my eyesight, enabling me to see both sights and the target clearly.
ukrifleman.

[DeadWoodDan]

Finally pulled the trigger two weeks ago, was patient and got a new in the box at Wall Mart prices
Going to go nice with the BH. had to cast up some Lee 358-105 SW the next day. Picked up this mold earlier this year used. Took me awhile to start getting nice boolits, but still haven't got all the bugs worked out. I seem to be getting a little wing at the base almost like the sprue plate isn't flat. Its only in one area on two of the cavities.

66955

[fouronesix]

What is it?

[DeadWoodDan]

Rossi R92 20" in .357

[jonp]

Add powder, stir and the result is fun!