Reliability cycling 38spcl in a 357mag lever

[meanc]

I've owned/fired several 357mag lever guns. Only two reside with me now.These are the only two that can cycle the 38spcls just as quick and reliably as 357mag and neither have had any work done on them.

What has been you experience, be it a Marlin, Winchester, Rossi, uberti, Henry, etc...?

[rjohns94]

My rossi cycles them fine. (thanks STEVE!) however, since I don't own a .38special anymore, Ive gone to using only .357 cases.

[Lefty Dude]

This can be hit and miss, with each independent Rifle.
My .357/38 Marlin Cowboy Limited 24" octagon barreled 94 will feed 38's like corn thru a Goose. As long as the length is over 1.45", which is standard 38 special COAL,IIRC.
I gave this piece to my Son, who now shoots CAS/SASS with me. He reloads on a Dillon SDB.

[J Miller]

The only .357 lever gun I've owned was a Marlin 1894. It was totally dependent on bullet design. Proper bullets and it didn't care what case was in it, it would feed either slick as grease. Wrong bullet and it was a jam-a-matic with either.

Joe

[firefuzz]

The only .357 lever gun I've owned was a Marlin 1894. It was totally dependent on bullet design. Proper bullets and it didn't care what case was in it, it would feed either slick as grease. Wrong bullet and it was a jam-a-matic with either.

Joe

That's pretty much been my finding with my Browning B92 and my Beretta Gold Rush pump. The longer case does make both of them a little more forgiving on the bullet choice for some reason tho.

Rob

[gamekeeper]

My SS Rossi had an equal amount of 38spl and 357mag put through it with no problems!
That was with factory ammo and my buddies hand loads.

[Papa]

My Rossi SRC does fine with either as long as I'm not using SWC's.

My Trapper on the other hand doesn't do very well with either. Tends to let a round from the mag jump under the elevator and jam up the gun. Does it with both cartridges. I understand there's some kind of button or something on the back of the loading gate that's supposed to stop this from happening, but I couldn't find the thread that discussed it

[RKrodle]

My Marlin 1894CB would feed anything you put in it including CCI snake shot. My current manufactured 1894c would not feed 38 SWC but after some work I managed to get it to feed them some. Both of those rifles are gone. My current 1894c is a first year production and feeds better then my previous c but not as good as the CB. So a least for me it has been hit and miss. But, they all feed 357 very well.

[cshold]

The only .357 lever gun I've owned was a Marlin 1894. It was totally dependent on bullet design. Proper bullets and it didn't care what case was in it, it would feed either slick as grease. Wrong bullet and it was a jam-a-matic with either.

Joe

That's pretty much been my finding with my Browning B92 and my Beretta Gold Rush pump. The longer case does make both of them a little more forgiving on the bullet choice for some reason tho.

Rob

+1 for my B92 except 38 spl. wad-cutters, they don't work to well.