Which lever action should I get?

[25-20 Win]

I have recently joined a group that shoots lever actions in several displines, paper and metal silhouette,etc. The longest range will be 200 yards (rams). No scopes allowed, but peep and reciever sight are. Most shots will be offhand. I will be reloading using lead bullets. Most people are using 357 mag., but I am open to suggestions. I also like the idea of an oct. barrel. I realise that it is probably an old question. Could you steer me in the right direction please? Regards.......... Cj ........

[gamekeeper]

Welcome to the fire,
A few years ago I had a Rossi 92 SS in .357 mag. it was fine at 200yds and for close range shooting I used .38 SPL.

[AJMD429]

Easier to scope Marlins, but both 'tang' sight easily. A bit easier to 'peep' a Marlin, with a Williams FP top/scope hole mount one or some are drilled and tapped already for the side mount ones. Puma, Marlin or any other can be drilled and tapped anyway (I scratched the first one I did myself ). I'd get whichever 'feels' right, then get another so you can take a friend to the shoots...

[Borregos]

A warm welcome to you
There are lots of levers that will topple the rams at 200, I use either one of my 30-30's or a 45-70. I have most fun with the Marlin 45-70 using 325gr projectiles moving at around 1080fps

[Ysabel Kid]

Welcome aboard!

Let's see, no scope, topple rams at 200 yards. Off hand, I'd go with a Winchester 1892 or clone (such as the Rossi), or a Marlin 1894, in .44 Magnum. The .357 Magnum will do easily, but to me the .44 gives more flexibility, especially since you are willing to handload it.

Good luck!

[Griff]

1st of all: Welcome to the Forum! Several guys that play those same games also hang around here from time to time. I have, but don't make a steady thing of it. Toppling the Rams @ 200 yards is the key, which is best done with bullets in excess of 200grains. At the top of my list would be a .38-55, for if this cartridge can do it @ 500m, it can surely do it at 200y. But, quite frankly, any of the Winchester 94 traditional cartridges (with the possible exception of the 25-35), could play this game. I might be starting to sound like a broken record, but... fer my money, a .45Colt chambered '73 or '92 clone would be optimal. Choice of factory ammo IS somewhat limited, but for the reloader, it's got bullets available from ~160grains to over 300. In a '73 action I'd keep my loads at factory pressures and not go for the heavy bullets, but... I believe it's still more than adequate to topple the rams with authority. In the modern '92 action, you can load what you can cycle thru the action... and have strength to spare. Both are avail with 24" octagon barrels. In addition, the '92 action is a little handier package than either the '94 or '73, due to its shorter receiver.

I'd recommend that before you purchase, get thee down to the local candy store and try out (fondle) the wares. As I recommend new CAS shooters, go to a match and ask questions... most guys would be willing to let you heft theirs to get a feel what is comfortable for you.

Good luck, and post some pics of what you get... and yer matches.

[Pete44ru]

[Could you steer me in the right direction please? ]

Oh Boy, - Are YOU ever in the right forum !

Welcome to the fire - and fasten yore seatbelt !

.

[ceb]

Octogon barrel, Marlin 1894 Cowboy in either .357 or .44mag

[Old Ironsights]

I have recently joined a group that shoots lever actions in several displines, paper and metal silhouette,etc. The longest range will be 200 yards (rams). No scopes allowed, but peep and reciever sight are. Most shots will be offhand. I will be reloading using lead bullets. Most people are using 357 mag., but I am open to suggestions. I also like the idea of an oct. barrel. I realise that it is probably an old question. Could you steer me in the right direction please? Regards.......... Cj ........

I shoot 200m Rams at my Sillouhette club with my 20" Rossi .357 and a williams peep.

That said, unless you load hot, and even if you do, the .357 is almost not enough poop to consistently knock down a 200m steel ram.

Works great for everything else though.

If you are serious about working the 200m rams with a handgun cartridge, you should look at the .44 or a .45 Colt... or get somthing worked up to take .360 Wesson or .357 Max (talk to Tycer.)

[kimwcook]

Welcome to the forum. I have no experience with silhouette, but their are plenty here with that experience.

[alnitak]

Octogon barrel, Marlin 1894 Cowboy in either .357 or .44mag

My brother had one in .44mag we used to ring gongs at 300 yds. Very accurate and fun, and the .44 should be plenty enough to knock them down.

[RIHMFIRE]

all the rifles in pistol calibers are fine
357, 44, 45LC .....
But I like the 38-55 too....not too abusive....
I think I'll take her out and sling some lead this weekend!

[Streetstar]

all the rifles in pistol calibers are fine
357, 44, 45LC .....
But I like the 38-55 too....not too abusive....
I think I'll take her out and sling some lead this weekend!

oooo --weeee thats a nice lookin rifle

[25-20 Win]

Thanks fellas, sure right about this forum, cannot get over all the replies and encouragement. Does the Marlin's rifling handle cast lead bullets OK, there is some talk around here that it doesn't, also that 357 is "iffy" at the 200 rams unless hit high. I shoot factory 30-30 on feral pigs with a Marlin and am happy with it. I appreciate all your replies. Cj .........................

[jdad]

Remember that silhouette is 90% shooter and 10% equipment.


Find yourself either a 24" barreled Marlin, Rossi, etc chambered in 44mag or 45 Colt and you can shoot both pistol caliber and big bore with the same rifle. Have a Marbles tang sight mounted, get your "click" settings, and you're good to go.

In 2008 the NRA rules were changed, for the 200m rams. The rams now have to be balanced so that a 150gr factory loaded 30-30, shot out of a 20" barreled carbine, will knock them down no matter where they are hit.

I have rung the rams with a 170gr 30-30, on occasion, but a 200gr or larger 44 or 45 leaving the muzzle around 1500fps + will knock the rams down no matter where you hit them.

I use an old Marlin 36A Deluxe (30-30) and a 1894CL (32-20), but would love to switch to an 1894 Cowboy Ltd (24" barrel) in 44mag for both classes.

32-20 does just fine for me in Pistol Caliber.

[Griff]

There are some other guys that shoot Marlin Micro-Groove barrels with lead bullets that seem to have no problems. IIRC, it's a matter of finding the right diameter, appropriate lead hardness and velocity that YOUR barrel likes... gee... just the same as a ballard rifled barrel.

[Old Savage]

"I have rung the rams with a 170gr 30-30, on occasion, but a 200gr or larger 44 or 45 leaving the muzzle around 1500fps + will knock the rams down no matter where you hit them."

Now there is an interesting statement of momentum.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
If this is a lever JUST to compete then go with what is winning.
BUT if this is a lever to use use daily... walk about the woods (for me high altitude desert) hunt, and maybe home defense... get some thing that starts with a 4... I have been toting a 44-40 down here in Peru many a year now. It is NO better than 44 Mag unless you have to reload with Black Powder sometimes. Then it snoots past the 44 Mag with the same size boolit. A 45 colt is right at the same. A 357 is OK... But I would go bigger. You can easily down load a 185 gr to 900 FPS and if need be up to a 250+ grain at 1400+++ fps and take on BIG mean biting critters.
But If you have funds for 2 levers+ well the ball park just opened on a new season and there are a hundred seats available. Me I would not be without a 45-70... Just never know when a stray Buff, or mean horse, or attacking LLama, or run away Toyota Needs stopped now. Then I also Like the 38´s ... 38-55 and 375 Winchester. Real thumpers out to 200 yards and can be down loaded with 200 grainers to Rabbit loads. I Like Big holes ! I have had 30 and 32 and they are OK rounds.. But with Cast Boolits hard to beat a 38 and bigger for all around lever utility.
Mike in Peru