Puma 44 Mag????

[badgeredd]

Does anyone have one? I'm kinda thinking that a 20" barrel should deliver decent velocities with a midrange weight boolit. Also, I'm curious about what boolits have been found to work well in the Puma rifle. It seems to me that a little more streamlined boolit than the semi-wadcutter should also help feeding and range. Any thoughts?

Thanks guys in advance. I'm sure some of you have some experience with this rifle and have some opinions on the best combo. :bigsmyl2:

Edd

[Dogg]

Have 8 of the Hartfords (puma fancier cousins) in .44, .357 and 45LC. All of them shoot exceptionally well. The .44 has only had 255gr boolits so far but I see no reason it won't eat the 300 grainers just as well. So far they all have shot clover leafs at 30 yds. My old eyes aren't the best so have yet to do the 50 and 100yd thing. A good peep sight has proven to be way better than the regular buckhorns. Good luck with your load developement.
Dogg

[Doc_Stihl]

My puma will digest the Lee 240SWC and 310, but not the 240 RN. OAL is critical, but nose profile seems to have little effect. I see 300FPS more velocity over my Super Redhawk and accuracy is scary.

Soon after I started casting I ran down to the indoor range to try out some 310's in the Puma. Pulled up BANG!. No hole in the paper. Thought, hrmm..that's weird, so I put 2 more down range without a hole. Really started to wonder, hit the switch to bring the paper back from 20 yards only to find 1 overlapping cloverleaf of a hole dead center (cut the x out of the bull). The 310's cut such a perfect wadcutter hole I couldn't see the outline against the backstop.

A 10% under max load of H110 with a 310 lee works real well.

[runfiverun]

the rcbs 240 swc does nice i had to modify my carrier and feed ram just a bit to get the 429421 lyman to feed properly.
but a good rnfp will make your day in the levergun.

[Hanzerik]

I have two. Both have shot good with light loads of some 240gr LSWC bullets I bought locally. 8grs of Unique was a good load, but when I bumped it up to 10grs I started getting key-holing. I went to another local bullet maker and asked him about his bullets, and he said his were actual "hard" cast. And we did a hardness test on one of the bullets that had been key-holing, and one of his, and yep his bullets were hardball, and the others were way down around 8bhn. So hopefully his bullets will handle the faster load of Unique. With jacketed bullets they shoot very accurately. I have a box of 240gr XTPs I bought yesterday, but still need to find a suitable powder. Everybody is out of 2400 and H110.

http://home.bresnan.net/~hanzerik/pics/Puma/Right-Side.JPG

[runfiverun]

use the unique then.
you can push 10 bhn plain based boolits to 1600 easily in the carbines and rifles.
there are other powders like sr-4756 aa-1680 hs-6 and even steel that'll do what 2400 and 110 will

[Southern Son]

I have been thinking about getting one of those. I would like a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem. but I have a HEAP of .44Mag brass (I used to own a Super Blackhawk), .44Mag dies, conversion kit for the Dillon 550 and even some bullets. If I got the .35Rem I would have to get all that stuff from scratch ($1200.00 rifle suddenly becomes a $1500.00 rifle). If I get a .44mag it is all already there. I keep hearing good things about these Rossi carbines and it is leading me towards either the 20 inch or 16 inch barrel.

[NickSS]

I have a 357 and 45 colt rossi rifles and they both shoot well. My 44 mag is a Winchester 94AE trapper carbine and I shoot mostly 44-40 loads in it (200 gr bullet at around 1300 fps). I have loaded some 240 gr LSWC cast from a lee mold in it with a charge of W 296 that was up to around 1800 fps the one time I took it pig hunting. Mostly I use my rossi 45 colt for that purpose.

[Bret4207]

I have two. Both have shot good with light loads of some 240gr LSWC bullets I bought locally. 8grs of Unique was a good load, but when I bumped it up to 10grs I started getting key-holing. I went to another local bullet maker and asked him about his bullets, and he said his were actual "hard" cast. And we did a hardness test on one of the bullets that had been key-holing, and one of his, and yep his bullets were hardball, and the others were way down around 8bhn. So hopefully his bullets will handle the faster load of Unique. With jacketed bullets they shoot very accurately. I have a box of 240gr XTPs I bought yesterday, but still need to find a suitable powder. Everybody is out of 2400 and H110.


Fit my friend. You need a boolit that fits, not necessarily a harder one.

[EDK]

I have been thinking about getting one of those. I would like a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem. but I have a HEAP of .44Mag brass (I used to own a Super Blackhawk), .44Mag dies, conversion kit for the Dillon 550 and even some bullets. If I got the .35Rem I would have to get all that stuff from scratch ($1200.00 rifle suddenly becomes a $1500.00 rifle). If I get a .44mag it is all already there. I keep hearing good things about these Rossi carbines and it is leading me towards either the 20 inch or 16 inch barrel.

John Taffin made the comment "the third most useful firearm is a 357 magnum lever action...#1 and #2 being a rifle and revolver in 22 Long Rifle." A 44 is pretty close behind...or maybe John got the centerfire caliber list mixed up.

A lever gun with a 16.5 inch barrel is a jewel. It handles like a big pistol, but 'way more accuracy because of the butt stock and possibly better sights. Mine was an 1894 MARLIN with LYMAN #66LA rear and a #17 front...carried it on my saddle for 20+ years...gave it to innocent (dumb!) step son who traded it off.

:Fire::cbpour::redneck:

[badgeredd]

Thank you guys. I've decided that one will be calling my house home SOON. I was thinking about the 454 also, but since I have gobs of 44 brass, I decided to go with it. Besides in this area, I suspect the 44 would have a better resale. I am impressed with 454 balistics, but the 44 can't be too much of a slouch in the hundred to 125 yard range, which is about the maximum I'll have in most cases. What I'd really like is a 357 Maximun lever and hang the resale!!!!!!

Thanks again.

Edd

[jack19512]

I was thinking about the 454 also








I have been thinking that the .454 would make me a very nice present from Santa this year. I think I have been a good boy. :D

[MT Gianni]

No fit or feed problems with 429421, 429244, 429215 or Lee310. I loaded one of each in 44SPL and Mag cases and made sure they would feed before I bought it. I left the cases un-primed.
Mine is the old Tigre with the cast emblem on the side. Buy a good recoil pad before you shoot this a lot.

[badgeredd]

No fit or feed problems with 429421, 429244, 429215 or Lee310. I loaded one of each in 44SPL and Mag cases and made sure they would feed before I bought it. I left the cases un-primed.
Mine is the old Tigre with the cast emblem on the side. Buy a good recoil pad before you shoot this a lot.



Thanks...sounds like good advice...experience? :kidding:

Edd

[Bullshop]

Is the Puma made by Rossi?
I got a flyer today from Davidsons and they are showing the Rossi M92 in 16" and 20"
blued at $342.99 and stainless at $369.99
That seems like a better price than I have been seeing. Davidsons must be feeling the pinch too because I got two emails and they called also.
BIC/BS

[Southern Son]

Is the Puma made by Rossi?
I got a flyer today from Davidsons and they are showing the Rossi M92 in 16" and 20"
blued at $342.99 and stainless at $369.99
That seems like a better price than I have been seeing. Davidsons must be feeling the pinch too because I got two emails and they called also.
BIC/BS

The stainless ones are going for $800.00 and up over here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[azrednek]

I have three Pumas, 357,44 and 45. I got them cheap from a pawn shop that was closing their door. All three were a bit rough functioning out of the box but the more I use them the smoother they function. Before you consider an action job, shoot it 500 times first.

I use the discontinued Lyman 429434 in my 44 and it slides through like a hot knife through butter. The Lyman and RCBS SWC's are occasionally a bit sticky feeding into the chamber but with 44 Spec brass it swallows everything without a hiccup. My 44 prefers .431 sized slugs.

[jlchucker]

I've got an EMF Hartford in 44 mag, and when you lower the lever, the lower tang is stamped Rossi. That's hidden where you can't see it. Mine's a pre lawyersafety rifle, with wa 24 inch barrel. It shoots pretty well, but before I had my dealer order it he contacted EMF to see if I could get the 44 mag in a 20 inch short rifle. No was the answer. The short rifle was available in other calbers like 357, 45 Colt, and 44-40, though. The carbines were available in 44 mag but I wanted a short rifle. After lots of pondering between getting a 44-40 and the 44 mag, I ended up with the 44 mag. A bit heavy for deer hunting. I haven't gone to my gunsmith to get it shortened (yet), because the way it is (with a receiver sight mounted) it shoots cast bullets very well. Condom ones too. There was when I bought it absolutely nothing wrong with those EMF'ers made by Rossi.

[Bullshop]

So before I invest in a few of these what do yall think of that price?
I would like to hear what these go for from different parts of the country.
The configuration shown in the flyer has the carbine butt not the cresent butt.

[MT Gianni]

Dan, I think that is a good price. I have looked for a used 357 with out much success. I paid $275 for mine used 10 years ago.
Badgeredd, I bruised my shoulder, upper arm and biceps the first time I shot it. I couldn't find a sweet spot and it is a lightweight gun. Mine had the crescent butt and it wears a lace-up pad when it leaves the house but not in storage.

[runfiverun]

the little carbines at that price are fair.
the rifles i've bought with 24" octagon bbl's have been in the 500+ range.
the navy arms rifle i bought over 15 years ago was in the 5+ range then and said rossi under the tang.
the lsi import i bought a couple of years ago in the same style but in stainless don't say rossi under the lever but i know it is.
i am pretty sure rossi is the only one making parts and guns for the 92 nowdays.
the carbines have a bit rougher action than the rifles but they do smooth out some over time.
and the 92 is easy enough to smooth out on your own.
i just wish they would re-do them in 25-20,32-20 38-40.
but if i had to pick one cal it'd be the 45 colt,or maybe the 44. no the 45 i guess since i got two rifles and one carbine in that caliber.

[badgeredd]

Badgeredd, I bruised my shoulder, upper arm and biceps the first time I shot it. I couldn't find a sweet spot and it is a lightweight gun. Mine had the crescent butt and it wears a lace-up pad when it leaves the house but not in storage.

I kinda figured it was something like that. I just put a recoil pad on a gun I built last year cause I shot it without a jacket on and beat the **** out of myself. I really should have expected it , but....duh on my part since I built it. BTW it is a 45-60 on an old H&R shotgun frame with a 18" heavy barrel. Turns out the barrel isn't as heavy as I thought!!!!! ;)

Edd

[Triggerhappy]

I was looking for one of these Puma's in .44 for my father in law. I have had a .38-.357 model for years and dearly love it. After looking around for him I'm now looking for a .454 Casull for myself. I'd really like one in stainless. One more thing to put on my watch list.

Very nice rifles.

TH

[RobS]

The Puma's are nice lever guns that are a bit "rough around the edges". As stated they can be worked by "slicking up the action" which involves reworking the springs and sanding down all the burs etc. I've done it and it really does help the action. I have a 454 Puma and I really enjoy it. A 44 mag would be perfect if you already shot a revolver in that caliber. To no surprise I chose the Puma 454 since I tote around 454 casull revolvers.

They are nice rifles.

[saz]

If you are looking for a 454, keep checking in on gun broker. My wife (god love her) bought me a stainless 16" on there- after shipping and ffl fee I have $545 into it. I didnt think that was too bad. Didnt get a chance to shoot it yet but I have been collecting molds for it here and there. Cant wait.....

The next one is going to be a 24" 357........... Always wanted one.

Also, Dan; Yeah that is very cheap.

[Warhawk]

Is the Puma made by Rossi?
I got a flyer today from Davidsons and they are showing the Rossi M92 in 16" and 20"
blued at $342.99 and stainless at $369.99
That seems like a better price than I have been seeing. Davidsons must be feeling the pinch too because I got two emails and they called also.
BIC/BS

I ordered a 16 inch stainless 357 from Sporting Arms (Lewisville, TX) for $425, it's in and I am picking it up tomorrow.

[RobS]

saz:

If you like lever actions you'll enjoy the 454 puma, very fun to shoot and mine is very accurate. I can hit a pie plate with the RCBS 45-300-SWC bullet open sights at 200 yards. SWEEEET

[Cactus Farmer]

I've had a Rossi in 357 for years,it might be the first one to hit this town. I like pistol rifle combos so when I got my S&W 629 I was looking.....and a Browning 92 in 44 mag showed up at the gun show. $325! I all but lost my pocket as I grabbed my money......I had 3 or 4 guys trying to buy it as I was paying the guy.
Awsome pretty wood and flawless finish,almost as new. It shoots like a dream,now,should I drill and tap it for a peep sight? It sure is tempting.....

[Dogg]

Cactus Farmer, don't drill it, contact Skinner Sights, he will make you a peep sight that replaces your dovetailed rear sight. I've done that on 4 92s. I put a 1/2 inch Lyman peep disc in instead of the peep that comes with it which gives my old eyes a more defined ring and in my mind looks a little better.
http://skinnersights.com/

[Bull Schmitt]

If you have a Rossi 92 and would like to slick it up take a look at these pages:

http://marauder.homestead.com/files/Rossitune.htm

http://www.cascity.com/cgi-bin/news/print.pl?article=10


After "tuning" my rifle I published one of the first descriptions on how to do it. My rifle is slicker than snot on a door knob!:bigsmyl2: Since then spring kits and other modifications have come along that improve on the rifles handling.

[RobS]

As Bull Schmitt mentioned the website

http://www.cascity.com/cgi-bin/news/print.pl?article=10

is a good site to learn from. I used this site as well as another one which I can't seem to find since the "crash" of my computer. I never used the spring kits just modified the springs myself and then retempered them. Slicking up the action can be scarry, but if you have mechanical aptitude then it's not hard.

I now have a rifle that I take out to shoot anything from rabit to deer or hog and wouldn't hesitate to shoot just about anything with it.

[Four Fingers of Death]

If you are looking for a 454, keep checking in on gun broker. My wife (god love her) bought me a stainless 16" .



That would be a job for ear muffs I'm thinking. I think I'll stick with the 45/70, half the pressure, same results.

[cajun shooter]

Steve Young AKA Nate Kiowa Jones is known as the 92 GURU. He sells a DVD that shows you step by step on how to work on your own 92. He can do the work also but is running about 6 months behind since the last election. Steve is a well known cowboy shooter and gunsmith out of Port Arthur, Texas. His number is 409-984-5473. Later David

[helice]

Bullshop,
$350 sounds like a very sweet price for the Pumas. I picked one up from CDNN 6-8 yrs ago and paid near that much. My Puma is a 45 Colt and I kick myself that I didn't get a 357 too. Had to wait for that one but picked up a converterd Winchester and then a Browning. You can't go wrong on these 92s.

Doc Stihl,
I second your load of 10% under max with H110. Works for me. Helice