Thread: 357 lever action popularity in NZ

I heard these are quite popular in NZ as well. Just wondered how many folks use them, and what are the favoured calibres for what game. I use a Rossi 357 with 24" barrel, mostly on pigs. Some blokes recommend the 44 rem right off, I never had problems with the right bullet in 357 though.

mostly used by pig hunters so range of shots is sub 20 yards 90% of the time......a few deer get tipped over with them.I know of a homekill butcher who uses one to good effect.
you hit nail on head with the right bullet comment.

I think that when they first came out here the 357 was popular but over time many pig hunters moved to the 44 mag with say 16" barrel.

Other lever calibers readily available are 45/70 but I don't fancy pulling that trigger in a 4-1/2 lb rifle, or 30/30 if you want a bit more range.
https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Kno...57+Magnum.html

Often in a 16" barrel but I see sizes ranging from 12" up to 24" in length.
Z

What lever action is 4.5 pounds?

who apart from Rossi do a lever gun in 357. I am wondering if one would make a good wobbly gun.

they would be OK for wobblies...BUT the rainbow trajectory past 100 yards would be limiting factor....for that job the .223 is pretty darn hard to beat.

Originally Posted by mikee

who apart from Rossi do a lever gun in 357. I am wondering if one would make a good wobbly gun.

I thought they all did?
Marlin definitely do, pretty sure Henry and Winchester do also.

I've been toying with the idea of a suppressed 357 and shooting 38spl for subsonics, rather than a bolt action 300blk, think 30-30 would be a better comparasion though.

Theres a few videos of suppressed 357 levers on YouTube and they look like a lot of fun.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

they would be OK for wobblies...BUT the rainbow trajectory past 100 yards would be limiting factor....for that job the .223 is pretty darn hard to beat.

Yes but finding 10 shot mags is an issue and also the bottom metal to fit same. the AR's were perfect. My 6.5TCU is perfect but only 5 in the mag (wont fit in 223 mag as too long)

Lever seems it would be easy to shoot quick and safe to reload (side gate) most shots under 100m at least last time they were

Marlin, henry(no side gate), winchester/miroku 1892 ( if you got the cash), uberti 73, rossi and Chiappa 1892, a couple others. The rossi 92 and the marlin 94 are the strongest actions, 2100fps with 158grain no probs in the rossi. If you can find a semi accurate load it will handle 150m shots. Pretty economical for under 20 grains powder. You guys would have fun with supressors, you can load 38 special down to 2.5 grain powder loads, about the same charge as in a 22LR CCI stinger. 3000 rounds plinking for half kg of powder. I always thought they were toys, then got one and ended up using it more than anything else

Ive shot literally hundreds of wobblies with a 6 shot bolt action...many of them on the run.....not often you have more than 2 targets in view at once...using the softest varmit type load you can find it seldom needs morethan one hit per kill.....using cheap ball ammo not so much....the yellow box norinco was exception to that. over the years the bottom two rounds in mag SELDOM get used.....shoot then top up,shoot then top up.

I have a Marlin 1894CS in .357 and a Leupold VXII 1-4x20 in super low Weaver rings.

It comes along on day tramps, running possum lines, checking out new areas... those times when not seriously hunting, but good to have a short handy rifle "just in case".

Used to use Winchester 125 gr JHP that were fast accurate and small animals just about turned inside-out by very rapid expansion (no surprise as this ammo is recommended for personal protection).
Unfortunately had a few failures on big heavily built billy goats so changed to Federal 158 gr JHP which give better penetration.

Sometimes use .38 special 158 gr RNSP for target shooting but velocity so slow the trajectory is like rolling pumpkins.

IMO the .357 cartridge is no powerhouse but with the right bullet and careful shot placement it's reliable to 50 yd on goats and pigs, I consider 100 yds a long shot with this combo.
Brilliant fun for rabbits, possums and I guess wallabies but none around here (yet).

Without trying to derail this thread to much, how do the available Win 92 clones compare? ie Rossi vs Chiappa vs...... etc? Pretty keen on a 92 in 357. Considered the 44 magnum but I have a 30-30 94 trapper and think that for all practical purposes there would not be a lot of difference at open sighted ranges between those two. If people disagree with that last statement I would be keen to hear.

i have a rossi 44, hornady 300 grain projectiles do the business really well. havent shot the marlin 30/30 yet so cant say how effective it is . its busy being a safe queen

@Got-ya heard some not so good words about the new ones but I like my old late 80's-early 90's model

Originally Posted by csmiffy

@Got-ya heard some not so good words about the new ones but I like my old late 80's-early 90's model

Sorry is that the Rossi?