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Lever action in 357 magnum?
- Thread starter Husqvarna
- Start date
44Mag 44Special
Used to have a Rossi 1894 in 44 mag. Since I load my own stuff and 44 special is legal for deer where I live (pistol ammo in a long gun) I put together some 44special with the 265 grain FTX flex tip hornady bullets. The 265's are too long to get through the action in a 44mag case. If you want to use 44 mag you have to load up with the 225FTX for clearance.
NEVER LOAD POINTED BULLETS IN TUBULAR MAGAZINES, except the FTX - it is designed soft and won't chain react with the ones in front in your tube.
I loaded them hot for 44 special since this is a 44mag chamber. They have mild recoil and hit very hard being 265 grain. Pretty accurate with iron peep rear site. I can get about 3 inch groups at 100yds. Good enough for close in deer. Boom-SPAT! is the usual sound at the 100 yard range, you can hear them whacking the backstop!!
My old-old hornady handloading manual mentions that you can shoot any 44 mag pistol round in a rifle and gain about 200-300 fps. But never take rifle specific rounds and shoot in the pistols. My old manual has some rifle specific loads that were pretty hot.
So if you go with 44mag you also have the option of 44mag pistol AND 44 special, which is a delight to shoot target and practice. Or just load up a heavy flex tip in 44 special and boom away. If you only buy handgun ammo and don't reload then you can expect that 200-300 fps bonus in your lever gun.
Used to have a Rossi 1894 in 44 mag. Since I load my own stuff and 44 special is legal for deer where I live (pistol ammo in a long gun) I put together some 44special with the 265 grain FTX flex tip hornady bullets. The 265's are too long to get through the action in a 44mag case. If you want to use 44 mag you have to load up with the 225FTX for clearance.
NEVER LOAD POINTED BULLETS IN TUBULAR MAGAZINES, except the FTX - it is designed soft and won't chain react with the ones in front in your tube.
I loaded them hot for 44 special since this is a 44mag chamber. They have mild recoil and hit very hard being 265 grain. Pretty accurate with iron peep rear site. I can get about 3 inch groups at 100yds. Good enough for close in deer. Boom-SPAT! is the usual sound at the 100 yard range, you can hear them whacking the backstop!!
My old-old hornady handloading manual mentions that you can shoot any 44 mag pistol round in a rifle and gain about 200-300 fps. But never take rifle specific rounds and shoot in the pistols. My old manual has some rifle specific loads that were pretty hot.
So if you go with 44mag you also have the option of 44mag pistol AND 44 special, which is a delight to shoot target and practice. Or just load up a heavy flex tip in 44 special and boom away. If you only buy handgun ammo and don't reload then you can expect that 200-300 fps bonus in your lever gun.
truenorthern
Inactive
Buffalo Bore Ammo
I purchased some .357 Mag by Buffalo Bore. It is 180 Gr. at 1400 FPS. Im my humble opinion that is "Smoking"!
I haven't chrono'd any yet, but other internet postings show a velocity of 1851 FPS.
I purchased some .357 Mag by Buffalo Bore. It is 180 Gr. at 1400 FPS. Im my humble opinion that is "Smoking"!
I haven't chrono'd any yet, but other internet postings show a velocity of 1851 FPS.
jersurf101
New member
I havea rossi 92 in .357 and it is a good gun for the price. Needed a taller front sight post and that is it.
As fat S .357 not being sufficient for deer sized game that is highly debatable. Buffalo bore ammo or stout hand loads should do well under 100 yds.
As fat S .357 not being sufficient for deer sized game that is highly debatable. Buffalo bore ammo or stout hand loads should do well under 100 yds.
A pause for the COZ
New member
I also have a Rossi in 357 magnum. great plinking gun.
Couple issues you need to factor in with the 357 mag version.
The Rossi has a 1 in 30 twist rate, While a Marlin for example has a 1 in 16 twist rate.
1 in 16 would be the preferred twist for a gun you intend to hunt with.
My Rossi has real issues with bullets over 158 gr. I intended to take mine deer hunting but can not hit a 12 inch target at 50 yards. Just wont stabilize the heavies.
125 gr loads are a perfect match for this gun. I can shoot the bull out at 100 yards no problem all day long.
Some have said they can get the heavies to fly with their Rossi's. Not me.
If I were to do it again with the intent to shoot 180 gr loads. I would choose a marlin with the 1 in 16 twist.
Couple issues you need to factor in with the 357 mag version.
The Rossi has a 1 in 30 twist rate, While a Marlin for example has a 1 in 16 twist rate.
1 in 16 would be the preferred twist for a gun you intend to hunt with.
My Rossi has real issues with bullets over 158 gr. I intended to take mine deer hunting but can not hit a 12 inch target at 50 yards. Just wont stabilize the heavies.
125 gr loads are a perfect match for this gun. I can shoot the bull out at 100 yards no problem all day long.
Some have said they can get the heavies to fly with their Rossi's. Not me.
If I were to do it again with the intent to shoot 180 gr loads. I would choose a marlin with the 1 in 16 twist.