Chiappa 1892 .357magnum.

[Bigbaz357]

Hi guys, I'm not an expert, I don't shoot much but am looking forward to getting more range and bush time, so any feedback would be great. I'm here in Australia where it's pretty restricted on where and when you can shoot.
I finally took my new 24" lever to the local range this morning. What can I say...it shot beautifully straight from the factory. As my local range is only 25m long I can't say how accurate it will be over longer distances but I managed to stay inside the 8" diameter target with every shot. (Bearing in mind, i haven't shot a long arm in 5 years).
I was using 125gn westcast bullets with 5.5gns of unique pushing them along quite nicely. The action is still a little stiff but I'm sure with more time it will become just right. (Does anyone have a favourite .357 load data to share) Once in every 10 rounds or so the next one to chamber would get hung up inside the action? I'm thinking I was being to kind with the action by cycling it to slow? Any ideas?
There are three bad points if you can call them that, one being I split my thumb nail open when pushing a round into the magazine on the sharp entry point in the side of the action. And second, after pushing 5 into the mag I couldn't fit anymore in(hence the thumb nail). I learnt when I got home that the Italians have a law saying no more than 5 magazine capacity and when I bought mine knowing it was a 12+1 capacity. So after a Dr google consult I found the offending rod inside the tube and removed it in a few minutes flat. Easy for even myself. Thirdly, the case hardening finish scratches so damn easy. I was disappointed in finding scratches after my magazine/thumb problem.
I don't have much experience with the .357mag so if anyone has anything to add, please do. I have a circuit judge coming next week in .44mag so hopefully I can share my experience with that one soon....
Cheers..Baz

 

[big al hunter]

Good day Baz, I think you are correct that you where too gentle on the lever. The 92' is designed for fast manipulation of the action. A good firm stroke, not slamming it hard, should cure the jamming issue.

I always use a bullet to push the last shell into the magazine. I learned the same way you did.

I like H110 in 44 mag, behind a 240 gr. jacketed bullet. It produces more velocity than unique. Don't use H110 with cast bullets to prevent leading the barrel. You should get similar results with H110 in the 357 but I have not loaded any. The jacketed bullets are good for game animals up to about 300 lbs./135 kilo. Given proper bullet placement of course.

Have fun, and I'm looking forward to a range report on the circuit judge.

 

[Ibmikey]

I have a 44-40 SRC that I shot a number of Cowboy Action matches with. I took it apart when first received and stoned the internals making it feed smooth as silk. Also I cut about 4" of deer horn drilled a hole in the fat end for a leather tong and use the pointy end to shove the cartridges through the loading gate without profanity or injury to my thumb. Mine had a large loop which was not much on the range so I swapped it with a Winchester lever I have..works just fine.

 

[Bigbaz357]

Sounds great, hopefully I'll get more time behind the sights soon. Work and family seem to take precedence more these days. So how hard is too hard to work the lever?

 

[mehavey]

I split my thumb nail open when pushing a round into the magazine on the sharp
entry point in the side of the action.

Push the shell into the entry gate -- but not all the way. Leave the rim(+) sitting just outside.

Push the next shell against the base of the first, press down to open the loading gate a bit more, and push the first shell in -- leaving the rim of the 2nd shell exposed...

Repeat as required until the last shell. Then use index finger (not thumb) to press down the gate and push that last shell in.

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Once in every 10 rounds or so the next one to chamber would get hung up inside the action

You don't have to work the action "fast" so much as make sure the lever's travel when opening over the last 1/2 inch is sharply done.. That ensures the cartridge elevator lever arm snaps the next shell up cleanly.
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That 357 Ciappa is a beautifully-finished rifle. Few better