VIDEO HERE (21 minutes)
Monday, October 19, 2020
.357 Magnum vs .44 Magnum Lever Actions - Lucky Gunner
It's time for part two of our Lever Action Rifle Series! Today, we're looking at .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum when fired from lever action rifles (in this case, two identical rifles -- a pair of Henry X Models). What's the useful range of these cartridges with rifle length barrels? We tested that. What kind of performance benefit do they offer versus handguns chambered for the same calibers? We tested that, too. And some ballistic gel testing, hard barrier penetration testing, and a whole bunch of pretty charts, numbers, and spreadsheets... if you're into that kind of thing.
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Ok, I have a pre Rem, Pre cross bolt safety, 1894 Marlin .357 mag and I've added the XS systems sight rail, a Leupold scout scope, and a ranger precision point medium loop lever. It's one of my favorite guns but I don't use for anything out past 100 yards and even that would be pushing it. I mostly use for stalking in the deep woods or for fast shots at close range or for just having fun with. It's also a good entry level center fire rifle for the younguns since the forward mounted scope wont bump them on the head. I couldn't care less what it does at 200 yards. I have other solutions for that kind of shooting.
ReplyDeleteRanger Point Precision medium loop lever... Good call!
DeleteI stand corrected - you're right. The name of the company is Ranger Point Precision not Ranger Precision Point. Good stuff for those of us who like to modify lever guns.
DeleteGot a Henry Big Boy in .41 Magnum to go with my Model 57 Smith & Wesson. Was out with them today. I get a little more than 400 fps more out of the rifle, about 1850. Both will take a white-tail out to about 125 yards. Limited bullet weights are available in 41 caliber jacketed bullet, but you can find a few from 180 to 220 grain in cast. Been thinking about a Henry in 44 Mag as I’m already set up to reload them for pistols. I’ll have to think hard about it though, Henry’s aren’t cheap. Eod1sg Ret
ReplyDeleteGot a Marlin 1894CB in 357. Took off the Marlin sights and put a ghost ring and post on it, and it's the sweetest shooting little rifle I own. I can ring steel at 100yds all day. It's light, points and shoots easily, has minimal recoil, and is easily controlled.
ReplyDeleteIf I need bigger, I go get bigger, but the 357 one just got cleaned up, checked out, and loaded with the Hornady LeverEvolution ballistic tip stuff. If they get past that, then there's the 12 ga with 00buck, and the 12 ga slug gun firing expanding sabot slugs at high velocities. Closer than that, and you're in hand gun range.
I have a lot of 357 rifles and pistols. Yes 44 mag might be the better round but I shoot a ruger black hawk in 44 mag one and cut my thumb on the hammer from recoil.
ReplyDeleteDumb reason but not in my ball park.
I had a Marlin .44 Mag lever rifle, and traded it because I didn't care for the recoil -- my CZ 6.5x55mm kicked me less.
ReplyDeleteI am lusting after a .357 Mag Henry, though, right after I find that $400 S&W 65 revolver.
Yeah, I might have to wait a while.
Kim,
DeleteBuddy of mine has a stainless Henry lever gun in 44 mag. Even w/ full house semi nuclear hand loads, recoil isn't too bad. It pairs up nicely w/ his Smith 44 mag revolver ...