Blackwater
08-25-2005, 07:18 PM
Fellows, I have fallen in love with the Marlin leverguns. Always liked them, but resisted the levergun for a long time, but now I'm adicted. I want an 1894, but can't decide between the .357 and the .44 versions. I like the light recoil and very cheap shooting of the .357, but the .44 will always have a favored place in my heart. It's 95% of what my 1895 in .45/70 is, really, or at least in the field it is. I really want to get a Saeco 265 gr. RF mould, and already have about 6 moulds for the .44's. How does the 1:38" twist work with heavier bullets below 300 gr. in the .44? Also, does anyone shoot the Lee 310 gr. bullet with the big flat point and GC, or will it feed with that broad flat point?
The little .357 has a lot of appeal, with its faster twist, and I can't help but think that my grandson might take to it quickly, too. I wouldn't be opposed to shortening the stock to fit him, using the factory plastic buttplate for that, and then fitting a recoil pad to extend it, and maybe another slip on pad over that to get it back to my length. Sure would solve a lot of problems, and HBWC's from that long rifle length barrel would be as mild as mild could be for my grandson's initiation into the centerfire clan.
The .44 is too much like my Guide Gun to be of real additional utility to me. I just love the little guns, though. The .357 would give me something I really don't have, functionally. Don't you just HATE having to compromise at times like this, instead of getting one of each?
I can load some 200's down in the .44 for my grandson, and I don't have any real doubts that he'd be able to handle those very handily. He's a pretty hale and hardy young lad, and I think there's a good chance that he may LIKE a little "kick" as well as shooting a big bullet. Can shorten the stock as described for the .357, too, and there's no doubt that a mildly loaded .44 can take deer. He sat in the stand with his Dad last year, and behaved admirably, and seemed to really like the experience when Dad got a young doe with the bow. It was his first trip afield with Dad, and my only concern is now he'll think hunting is easy! You just go out and wait a few minutes, and shoot your deer! They were only gone from the house about 25 min. TOTAL for the excursion! Fate's a fickle lady, ain't she???
Anyway, the biggest problem I seem to have in deciding between the .357 and .44 seems to be the concern about that 1:38" twist. I can't remember a lot about whether that's caused many problems with cast, which is what I want to shoot mostly in either caliber carbine. Can you help me? Will it likely shoot that 265 gr. RNFP Saeco? There's also a 240 gr. RNFP Saeco, but I tend to favor the heavier ones, and the 265 looks like a bullet I'd like to try in both rifle and pistol. It's been my experience that most Saecos I've used have cast heavier than rated, so I'm thinking it would likely throw at 275-280 gr., depending on luck of the draw. I'm thinking they've usually cast a bit large as well, which likely won't be a bad thing in the Marlins. There's a 180 gr. RNFP also, both GC and PB for the .357, since I missed the group buy on the custom 6-cav. buy.
I have no doubt I'll love either, and I'll have both ASAP, but if any of you can help me decide between the .357 and .44, I'd appreciate the help, and advice on that 1:38" twist and what it'll shoot will likely help me here.
The little .357 has a lot of appeal, with its faster twist, and I can't help but think that my grandson might take to it quickly, too. I wouldn't be opposed to shortening the stock to fit him, using the factory plastic buttplate for that, and then fitting a recoil pad to extend it, and maybe another slip on pad over that to get it back to my length. Sure would solve a lot of problems, and HBWC's from that long rifle length barrel would be as mild as mild could be for my grandson's initiation into the centerfire clan.
The .44 is too much like my Guide Gun to be of real additional utility to me. I just love the little guns, though. The .357 would give me something I really don't have, functionally. Don't you just HATE having to compromise at times like this, instead of getting one of each?
I can load some 200's down in the .44 for my grandson, and I don't have any real doubts that he'd be able to handle those very handily. He's a pretty hale and hardy young lad, and I think there's a good chance that he may LIKE a little "kick" as well as shooting a big bullet. Can shorten the stock as described for the .357, too, and there's no doubt that a mildly loaded .44 can take deer. He sat in the stand with his Dad last year, and behaved admirably, and seemed to really like the experience when Dad got a young doe with the bow. It was his first trip afield with Dad, and my only concern is now he'll think hunting is easy! You just go out and wait a few minutes, and shoot your deer! They were only gone from the house about 25 min. TOTAL for the excursion! Fate's a fickle lady, ain't she???
Anyway, the biggest problem I seem to have in deciding between the .357 and .44 seems to be the concern about that 1:38" twist. I can't remember a lot about whether that's caused many problems with cast, which is what I want to shoot mostly in either caliber carbine. Can you help me? Will it likely shoot that 265 gr. RNFP Saeco? There's also a 240 gr. RNFP Saeco, but I tend to favor the heavier ones, and the 265 looks like a bullet I'd like to try in both rifle and pistol. It's been my experience that most Saecos I've used have cast heavier than rated, so I'm thinking it would likely throw at 275-280 gr., depending on luck of the draw. I'm thinking they've usually cast a bit large as well, which likely won't be a bad thing in the Marlins. There's a 180 gr. RNFP also, both GC and PB for the .357, since I missed the group buy on the custom 6-cav. buy.
I have no doubt I'll love either, and I'll have both ASAP, but if any of you can help me decide between the .357 and .44, I'd appreciate the help, and advice on that 1:38" twist and what it'll shoot will likely help me here.