Rossi 92 in 16, 20 or 24 inch?

...most pistol calibers run out of steam by about 16"...
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Most pistol calibers loaded with most pistol powders will run out of steam in a 16" barrel. Both the .44/40 & .38/40 can be loaded to impressive velocities using Reloader 7 (check Alliant's 2004 pamphlet with reloading data on it). I would expect that a similar work-up for .44 Mag or .45 Colt may yield gratifying results. I doubt that they'd give stellar performance in a revolver, but that's not really the point.

AA 1680, AA 2015, VV N130, or either of the 4198s would probably work.
 
I have the 20inch - 357mag Rossi 92. Using lead 38spl 158gr semi-wadcutters and a starting load of Clays you can shoot it without hearing protection. It makes less sound than a 22LR.

It has no problem cycling semi-wadcutters but wont cycle full wadcutters. You can load full wadcutters, one at time, directly into the chamber.
 
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I've shot my 148 grain .38 loads in doors from my Model 19 and they are only a bit louder than a .22 Lr. I am curious about how much the longer barrel will affect sound.

Indoors, .17HMR & .22 mag are too loud. .38 Special is close (note: I wear hearing protection, and my concern has more to do with any residual sound being heard outside. You cannot hear a .22 Lr and only if you pay really close attention, can you hear the .38).
 
If you keep to faster powders (231,bullseye even unique) and under 1000 fps 16"+ levers are quieter than 22 HV IMHO.
I've shot a bunch of cowboy level loads from both my 24" 45 Colt and 16" 44 Mag Rossi 92s and even without ear protection it's not bad.
 
This one is a no-brainer--if ya want good target but also quick handling in the dense brush--16" in 44 mag without question! :D

With a reasonable scope and good ammo it'll do MOA at 100 and cloverleafs at 50. Mine likes warm loads of H110 and xtp's--I'm pretty sure with the right shot at 100 or less it's going to drop most game on the planet. At 4.8 lbs and dampening of recoil nothing else quite like it IMHO.

 
I don't really give a rip about ballistic efficiency and peak velocity, my 24" Winchester '92 .44 WCF has the sight radius I need for open sight accuracy and the balance to hold the sights on target.
 
Pic of mine. It's an Interarms Import gun and doesn't have the bolt mounted safety.

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Previous owner painted the stock black. I've since stripped it and refinished it.
 
Got so inspired by this thread that I grabbed my rossi 44 carbine and just went out shootin':D

I tried all the peep sight rigamarole and it was just too frustrating--both cause of my bad eyes and the less than precise adjustments I get from the rudimentary dovetail slots on my rifle.

Nonetheless--I like the quick easy handling that a lever is supposed to be--so today for grins I swapped out my loopie scope for a simple el cheapo 1x millet red dot. Shooting into the bright sunshine I had to turn the millet all the way to it's maximum intensity--which I'm guessing is around 8 to 10 MOA . I grabbed some budget el cheapo federal 44 mag factory ammo at wally world and had a blast plinking at 50 yds. While not as accurate as with a scope (due to my poor eyesight and dot size which covered much of the target--those are my excuses and I'm sticking to them) it's more than good enough for some quick shooting in the woods.

Did I mention how fun this gun is?



 
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if ya want good target but also quick handling in the dense brush--16" in 44 mag without question!

I was following right up til the scope thing lol.
I know to each their own
__________________
rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6
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I know--putting scopes on a lever in heresy--but I tried EVERYTHING I could think of for a traditional irons setup, but I can't see the durn things unless the rear sight is right up next to my eye. A large unmagnified red dot is a compromise I'm willing to make. ;)
 
tried EVERYTHING I could think of for a traditional irons setup, but I can't
see the durn things unless the rear sight is right up next to my eye.
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Did you consider a Marbles tang sight?
 
Did you consider a Marbles tang sight?
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I don't think there is one for the rossi 92--at least not my model. I did think about drilling and tapping the tang but decided it wasn't worth the hassle. My rossi was a "problem child" and I had to do a lot of fixing to get it where it shoots well.
 
I understand, you do what you have to. I've been blessed with very good eyesight, I get yearly testing done at work and it's just started to fade a little but since I'll be the big 50 soon I know I'm on borrowed time.
 
I have a Rossi Interarms 357 16' and love it, shoots nice and quiet when I put 38's in it and the wife likes shooting it. I also have (my favorite) a Marlin 1894 20' 45C cowboy that I love to shoot, makes a perfect addition to my 45C collection. I just wish I had not sold my good friend my Rossi Interarms 16' 45C. I do miss that handy little gun. As to the OP's question, I would get a 20' gun, provides good balance and sight radius and absorbs a good amount of the recoil.
 
Most of the calibers (except maybe 45-70 on up) I figure the extra barrel length isn't buying you much in performance past 100 yds--but the chief reason for my backing the 16" is how easy it is to carry all day in the thick woods--otherwise by all means go longer.
 
I understand, you do what you have to. I've been blessed with very good eyesight, I get yearly testing done at work and it's just started to fade a little but since I'll be the big 50 soon I know I'm on borrowed time.
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May your eyesight and health remain robust well past 50.:)
 
Rossi

When the Rossi '92 was first marketed, the American Rifleman did a review in their Dope Bog section of the magazine. Interestingly enough, they tested the .357 model and the most accurate round at 100 yards was the 148 gr. .38 Spl. full wadcutter. Consistent four inch groups.
 
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