lever action 357.

[bowtech36]

How many of you guys use one. Whats your set up and brand?

[tman308]

Rossi ranch hand

[Shorty]

If your dead set on a lever gun that's ok, I think they're a fine gun. That being said, Ruger has a new 357mag that is built on their model 77 bolt action. They call it their 77/357 I believe. It is all stainless and a synthetic stock. Weighs just over 5lbs. I've got one on order right now. Looks to be a fine houndsmen's gun if you ask me. I think the bolt gun is a little safer when dealing with people who aren't around guns and adrenalin every day. Seems they always want to chamber another round after a shot with the lever gun. Then it's a pain making sure there is no live round in the chamber. Just my thoughts... at the same time, I love, and do carry a lever gun at times when I'm by myself.

[bowtech36]

that bolt 357 sounds sweet. Did you order from ruger?

[kehrer10]

I just picked up a new Henry .44 mag. They have em in .357 also, smoothest action gun and shoots beautifully. Only draw back is they're almost too pretty to want to use em!

[bowtech36]

They are pretty! I love the looks of levers

[Shorty]

Bowtech36,
I ordered from a guy I deal with alot here in TX. They are on back order right now. I told him just to order one and call me when it got in. I think you can order directly from Ruger though.

[bowtech36]

Those that use one or both do you prefer or see a difference between the 16 or 20 barrel Rossi ranchhand?

[tman308]

The Rossi Ranch Hand has a 12 inch barrel. I wanted a gun that was easy to pack in my backpack, saddle, or on my ATV. The Ranch hand does all that for me. I also wanted a little longer barrel than a 6 inch revolver for those taller trees. That is what lead me to buying it. I considered the short versions of a full size lever action but they all came in around 5-7 pounds. This is just what works for me. I do most of my hunting on foot, snowshoe, or horseback so weight and size is an issue. My brother has the same gun in the 44 version.

[bowtech36]

Oh nice I didn't know it came in twelve as well that's suite. Is the 12 inch accurate up in those tall trees?

[Mike Leonard]

I have an old Rossi 92 in 357 magnum that has probably been carried more miles in saddle scabbard than a whole lot of rifles in the west. It is scratched the stock is JB Welded together ( by the way never load your horse back in the trailer with your carbine still hanging on him). This gun has killed many lions several that made B&C book and others that wouldn't leave livestock alone. I have handed it to others guys under the tree or the bay up to use when they got a little dicey about their hand cannons and it has never failed. It has also taken a lot bigger game than lion but it is not intended for that just happened to be all I had at the moment.

That being said I have to agree with Shorty on novices and lever guns I am mighty careful and explain the hazards as we go. I think a bolt gun is safer and in reality the modern bolt action rifle is the most reliable action going.

Tony De Almieda the famous jaguar hunter who set all the records for monster cats in the swamps of the Matto Grosso and Pantanal of Bolivia would have nothing but a bolt action Mauser type rifle on these hunts along with his faithful Smith and Wesson stainless 357 on his hip. He said he saw lever guns mud up and fail and that auto loaders were a good way to get bit or lose dogs. I am sure this Ruger is much better than the guns Tony had at the time.


Keep me posted once you get your paws on Shorty. Say I watched you pop that nice Barbary Ram this morning on TV and that was a good shot. Was the rifle you used on the javelinas one of those 250 Improved that you and Phil built?

[Shorty]

Mike,
I'll keep you posted. I was looking at the 357mags in place of my old 25-35. I figured it would be nice to have a rifle shooting the same ammo as a side arm. There are so many positives to that as you well know. I was also looking at getting a 218bee revolver to go with my 218bee lever gun. Fact is though, ammo is real hard to come by for the 218 or 25-35.

Anyhow, while looking at what 357 lever gun I would prefer, I stumbled onto the Ruger. I love the bolt for the reasons we already covered. I also like the fact that it's stainless steel with a synthetic stock, which the combo is great in the elements. Then it has an 18.5" barrell which should be plenty quiet shooting a pistol round. All this and it weighs in at 5.5lbs or less. I may cut the barrell down to 16" in the future but I'll play with it first.

The gun you saw take out a couple javelina was indeed a 250 Ackley Improved. That particular on is the one I basicley stoll from pops in law Phil, haha. It's built on a remington 700 short action. I believe it has a Vias barrell with a 1-12" twist and is 24" in length. The only thing I'd do different is change the twist to a 1-10". The 1-12 shoots 100gr bullets great but it's gotta be cooking. I currently have it loaded with 90gr sierra game kings, 1 hole at 100yds all day. Phils is on a Model 70 action and has a 1-10 twist. It shoots the same (great) with the 115VLD. Both guns are real shooters.

[txhoghunter]

I got a Rossi ranch hand recently. It doesn't feed the 357 worth a crap. Anyone have any suggestions ? No problems with the 38s. Thanks

[Kevin D]

I was also looking at getting a 218bee revolver to go with my 218bee lever gun. Fact is though, ammo is real hard to come by for the 218 or 25-35.

Tell me about your .218 Bee lever gun Shorty.......Winchester Model 65's were never that common and only a handful of Model 92's left the Winchester factory as .218 Bees. I'm just curious whether your rifle is one of these rare collectibles or you have a Model 92 that has been refurbished to shoot the .218 Bee......those are the only options I'm aware of for a lever gun in a .218 Bee.

I got a Rossi ranch hand recently. It doesn't feed the 357 worth a crap. Anyone have any suggestions ? No problems with the 38s. Thanks

If you reload, you can seat the bullets deeper and that should help your gun cycle the 357's better.

[Mike Leonard]

Shorty,

As you know I am also a big fan of the 25-35 winchester and Bobbie's Grandad's old 94 comes along on many hunts and has taken a ton of deer and elk over it's life span.

Here is some really great and economical ammo for the 25-35 or what the Europeans call the 6,5 x 52 R cartridge. I have bought a bunch of this and it is top quality stuff!



http://www.midwayusa.com/product/822351 ... -box-of-20