357 vs 44 mag lever action opinion

I was a little concerned at first when I started looking for this 24" octagon barrel. I knew it would weigh a little bit more. It weighs in at 7.7 lbs. The traditional Marlin 1894C weighs in at 6 lbs. But that's the difference between an 18.5" barrel and a 24" octagon. But, for the extra 1.7 lbs, I get a magazine capacity of 12 rounds and it feels more comfortable. Like I mentioned earlier, I love my Marlin 336 30-30 and it's 20" barrel. The 1894C was just too small.

As for the Henry; the only one that I knew of and could find in 357 magnum is the "Big Boy". While I could get the 20" I liked, it was definitely heavier. And extra 1 lb even over the Rossi M92 I got. And they are VERY PROUD of their prices. Talking $300-$400 more. That just didn't seem worth it to me. And while I'm not really into "CAS" Cowboy Action Shooting; a lot of people in Wyoming and the country are. The Newer Rossi's have definitely gotten a lot of kudos in that group.

This will never be a primary hunting gun. Hell; my Marlin 336 30-30 will never become my primary hunting gun. A typical lever action rifle out in these parts is rarely ever going to be someones primary hunting rifle. I say typical, meaning the 30-30, 45-70, 44mag, 357mag, etc... This is NOT 100-150 yard hunting range normally. Can you get lucky? Sure; if you sit in a tree or the edge of a draw for hours and sit and wait. But a lot of hunting involves pockets of trees with 300+ yards of open land in between. Shooting across a 300-400 yard ridge. Antelope at 300+ yards on the plains. I've had quite a few friends from back east where I grew up buy out of state hunting tags and I would take them hunting. When they call and ask which of their rifles they should bring; usually a 30-30 or similar; I tell them that if they don't own at least a 30-06, to just avoid the whole weapons transport thing and I'll let them use mine. They fall in love with my 7mm and 300 mags. Obviously, not as practical in Pennsylvania and New Jersey; but out here it's almost required. "Along with other lighter flat shooters like 270, 30-06, 243, etc..." Anyway; I'd bring this Rossi M92 or my Marlin 336 on a hunt and leave it in the case as a backup. But mainly, it's for plinking and shooting cheap ammo.

And Steve; I have no problem admitting I don't NEED any more guns. I know it's all in fun, but when you see the look on the wife's face when I had to buy a 3rd gun safe, all rationalizing goes out the door. LOL!!! Luckily finances isn't an issue. But yesterday when I told her we didn't need to go to Sydney Nebraska this weekend to go to cabelas, the first thing out of her mouth was: "What did you buy"?

Anyway; hope to get out this weekend and see how she shoots. I'll definitely be keeping it stock. I.e. I'm not going to adapt it to fit a scope. And I have about 2000 rounds of 38spl/357mag that I can experiment with. Should be a fun day. We'll see.

Not a good pic. "Cell phone", but I think it will do.
Rossi-M92.jpg
 
Last edited:
Back
Top