What do you think of them? Eventually, I'm gonna have to replace my Marlin .357 I shoulda never let go. Unless the new Remington Marlin quality is VASTLY improved over what it was, I'm not even interested in trying that again. The Ruger intrigues me. Not as handy as the Marlin but close. I also suspect the bolt gun locks up tighter and would give longer case life with heavier loads.

MARLIN 357. LOOK FOR A USED ONE. THE RUGER IS A GOOD RIFLE ALSO BUT NOT A LEVERGUN. I DO LIKE MINE BUT ITS NOT A LEVERGUN. EASY TO SCOPE, SHOOTS WELL BUT IT IS NOT A LEVERGUN.

There is the Rossi 92, I read good reports on them if you want a LA rifle. The oe I ad wes a little picky on bullet shape but shot great.

A close friend sent me a message that he has a brand new Marlin .357 (pre-Remington) he's been holding onto because he figured I'd want it after I sold mine to Rob Leahy. Dumbest thing I ever did. That rifle was a half MOA rifle with a couple of really good loads from a good rest with a quality scope. I hear Jan claimed it. I'm glad it went to a good cause, I have repented and will never make that mistake again! I have to agree with you on the only one rifle comment too. It's efficient, economical, powerful enough for everything I hunt in Texas and easy enough to shoot any kid can shoot them.

1894s again but if the .44s I've seen from the most recent production they should be just fine (aside from the cross-bolt safety) as the new ones are tight but smooth with proper fit of metal-to-metal and wood-to-metal. However, I'd look for a 1982 or earlier gun which will be without the cross-bolt safety.

--
Sincerely,

Hobie

In total agreement! I wanted to buy my sons a firearm of some sort when they were born. I spent a lot of time thinking of something that would be useful for a variety of purposes and something they would enjoy. I ended up getting both of them a Marlin 1894 in .357!

--
https://facebook.com/M2bKydex/

I have had so many Marlin leverguns I've lost count. I can definitely say I have not been without one since '95. I have never heard the dreaded click...except for a Ruger Bisley firmly planted hard on a live hogs head because I let go of the hammer thinking it was fully cocked only to hear it fall and hit the frame rather than the transfer bar...but that's not a crossbar safety issue. Fortunately she thought it wiser to continue her run rather than stop and fight...THANKFULLY:) But anyhow, I just keep it off and subconsciously feel for it to be in the right place. I've thought about puting the filler plug in my Guide Gun but never have. Now the Winchester 94's with the cross bolt safeties are a whole nuther story. That crater is ugly with a capital Ug!

Of course if you are interested in scoping a lever action 357 it is not a good way to go.

...I was just out shooting mine today. I think I may have found a new favorite bullet for that gun -- the NOE 360-180-WFN-GC -- it feeds slick as a whistle and is quite accurate to boot.

Where do you go to buy an NOE mould?

I have two. A 45 Colt (no problems) and a 357 (only feeds 38 specials). I've torn it down several times, bought the video. Maybe new guts will help it feed a 357 round. Even with a standard 125 or 158 JHP of any make it looks like it is entering too steep of an angle. If I rolled another cannelure and seated deeper and worked up the load appropriately it might feed. But it would be too much trouble.

Bob

I went through that pistol-caliber carbine thing and am pretty much over it.* Of course living where the 'shot out the back door' can easily exceed 200 yards is a factor in that. I have seen what the 30-30 will do to 250 and IMO it is just enough. When my brass finally gets tired I load it with a 130 grain cast FP at about 900 fps for a great, quiet 50 yard small critter load.

* Subject to Change W/O Notice

But most of the places I hunt the shots are under 160 and that's easily doable with the .357. I have a .30-06 if I need to reach out there and a Guide Gun if I need to stop a charging Texas armadillo. I thought I could live without my .357 carbine and now there just a deep hole it used to fill:)

....go to: http://www.noebulletmolds.com/NV/

I have certain "can't keep house without 'em" guns myself.

Would you recommend (mould material, number of cavities, etc.)?

I HAVE THAT MOLD ALSO. HAVEN'T TRIED IT IN THE LEVERGUN BUT WORKS GREAT IN A COUPLE 10" RUGER THREE-SCREWS.

you uin the selling .357 leverguns he shouldn't have: You will Notice Jim Taylor's Excellent Puma now resides in Texas...

--
Of the Troops & For the Troops

Was talking to the owner of that rifle about it this morning. Also the source of my replacement Marlin.

....aluminum 360-180-WFN GC mould, and am very pleased with it (in fact, I'm about to go out in the garage and cast some more with it). I went with the GC version because my main use for this bullet is in my Marlin levergun and my .357 Maximum Ruger. If I was just going to shoot this bullet in .357 Magnum revolvers, I would have gone with a plain-based version.

I could go with one of the split moulds but doing both bullet styles would just complicate things. I need simple:)

--
Of the Troops & For the Troops

I had the click on a hog before on a hog with my .45-70. When I hold the rifle in one hand that crossbolt safety is in the perfect place for my right thumb to engage it. I could take it or leave it before that. Now I take the buttstock off and tighten the setscrew on the crossbolt. It can't move and can always be re activated in a couple of minutes.

Replace the sights. Loading gate is a little tough to feed through. How old is yours? Unfortunately I don't think Taurus/Rossi quality control is what it should be. I have a Taurus Millenium Pro I couldn't hit anything with and changed barrels (long story) - shoots great now. I discovered they did a horrible job of crowning the original barrel. Must have used a blindfolded monkey!

Although right now the .50 Beowulf is calling my name; I think it would be a heck of a pig rifle. Then there's the thought that cast .38 loads might be the cheapest way for the boy to do rifle shooting if the prices on .22 ammo stay ridiculous. It never ends...

The Beowulf is pretty darn impressive.

I am really thinking for Jacob I am going to locate a straight grip Marlin buttstock shorten it and fit it to my TDS, and then maybe do the same for the 1894 .357. It would be plenty for deer and smaller hogs and should be easy for him to control.

Don't worry that old Rossi is in good hands my Brother.