Ideal short rifle?
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- Old Savage
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Ideal short rifle?
I am inclined to think ( if it shoots well ) that it is the Marlin Cowboy 357 20" barrel.
- horsesoldier03
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- Old Savage
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...In general terms, the rifle and the carbine had some different features.
...The rifle usually, but not always, had a cresent butt plate, a cap on the forearm, and the magazine was attached to the barrel with a screw. Often the rifles had octagonal barrels, and usually came in 24" or 26" lengths. Some had longer barrels.
...The carbines usually, but not always, had an S shaped butt plate that was called a carbine butt plate. The forearm had a barrel band, and there was another barrel band near the muzzle. Their barrels were round, and 22" or shorter in length.
...Special order features will sometimes be found that negates some of the above, or at least blurs the line between rifle and carbine.
...In the case of the Marlin Cowboy, they have the rifle type features of, buttstock, forearm cap, and rifle type attachment of the magazine. They also have octagon barrels. Because of the 20" carbine length barrels, they are called "short " rifles.
...old goat
...The rifle usually, but not always, had a cresent butt plate, a cap on the forearm, and the magazine was attached to the barrel with a screw. Often the rifles had octagonal barrels, and usually came in 24" or 26" lengths. Some had longer barrels.
...The carbines usually, but not always, had an S shaped butt plate that was called a carbine butt plate. The forearm had a barrel band, and there was another barrel band near the muzzle. Their barrels were round, and 22" or shorter in length.
...Special order features will sometimes be found that negates some of the above, or at least blurs the line between rifle and carbine.
...In the case of the Marlin Cowboy, they have the rifle type features of, buttstock, forearm cap, and rifle type attachment of the magazine. They also have octagon barrels. Because of the 20" carbine length barrels, they are called "short " rifles.
...old goat
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Old Savage,Old Savage said:
PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:22 am Post subject: Ideal short rifle?
I am inclined to think ( if it shoots well ) that it is the Marlin Cowboy 357 20" barrel.
I agree with you. I believe this platform is indeed the ideal short rifle. But I think it's the rifle's configuration rather than the specific caliber it's chambered for.
In a thread on the old forum we discussed what kind of sights my 1894 Cowboy would have had if it had been made in 1894. I believe the consensus is that the configuration of the the 1894 Cowboys would have been considered a short rifle rather than a carbine.
I do know that with the octagon barrel, and the bigger .45 Cal bore this 20" barreled short rifle balances beautifully both empty and fully loaded.
Joe
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I've been looking fondly at the Taylors 1892 short rifles, in the 45 LC takedown version. That seems like it may be a pretty good short rifle once Nate K J got done with it. I don't know if anyone here has one. Of course it would be infinitely better if it were born in the USA. http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/products ... ection.tpl
Of the few short rifles I have, I really like the feel of my Marlin 336 SC 35 Rem. If the forend were slimmed down a bit it would be even better. So from actual hands-on expereince, that one gets my vote.
Of the few short rifles I have, I really like the feel of my Marlin 336 SC 35 Rem. If the forend were slimmed down a bit it would be even better. So from actual hands-on expereince, that one gets my vote.
Chad
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- Killer Kanuck
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- Griff
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+2.Killer Kanuck wrote:Have to agree with that. Had mine out on the weekend - comes up to the shoulder and hangs there perfectly.J Miller wrote: I do know that with the octagon barrel, and the bigger .45 Cal bore this 20" barreled short rifle balances beautifully both empty and fully loaded.
Griff,
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There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
I've long been enamored with the idea of convertin a beater 30 WCF into a 38-55 Trapper with a ghost ring sight and a slightly shortened stock and thick shotgun reoil pad.
In addition I would have a butt cuff with 4 rounds and a SIDE mounted sling so the rifle would rest flat against the back.
Someday soon.....the last 3 "beater" 30 WCF I've bought shot clover leaffs with factory ammo.
darn my bad luck!!!
Wm
In addition I would have a butt cuff with 4 rounds and a SIDE mounted sling so the rifle would rest flat against the back.
Someday soon.....the last 3 "beater" 30 WCF I've bought shot clover leaffs with factory ammo.
darn my bad luck!!!

Wm
- Old Savage
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- Old Savage
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I think the ideal one is whichever I happen to have at the time.
Here is one favorite .44 EMF shorty rifle


Here is one favorite .44 EMF shorty rifle

John
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Family, blue steel & wood, hot biscuits, and fresh coffee.
Luke 22:36 Romans 12:17-21 Ephesians 4:26-32
"Life brings sorrow and joy alike. It is what a man does with them - not what they do to him - that is the true test of his mettle." T. Roosevelt
Well, I am not sure, the problem is "what is a short rifle?" I have the "perfect" Carbine: My 375 Winchester M94BB. As a practical course with modern levers, I don't see the difference between a short rifle and a carbine. I could be wrong (It has been known to happen rarely from time to time). I also have a .357 Trapper and love it too, for different reasons and uses than my M94BB.
Jonathan
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- CowboyTutt
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While I hate to be the one to ruffle feathers here, my "short action" BLR in 358 Win can still shoot 357 bullets at reduced velocities, as well as shoot the "full zoot" 358 Win loads. It also balences extremely well, as Old Savage can attest to. I have a Puma 454 levergun with the 20" barrel, and as light as it is, the BLR does better. Sorry guys, but I think the BLR will spank your little Marlin's in this category.
-Tutt

-Tutt
Leve my Marlin 94 .357CB and my Rossi 16" 92 .357, the Rossi is handier, Can"t make a choice, guess I'll have to get a 44.salvo wrote:I'm with you OS, the Marlin 1894CB in .357 is just a perfect combination for a short rifle.
Bigger game go with the 1895.
........Ken M
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I have several lever carbines in several calibers, and I love 'em all. I also have a Ruger RSI in .308 that is the EXACT length on a Winchester 94 carbine. That little Ruger is darned near perfect.
Derek aka "shootnfan"
Middle Tennessee
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You're not ruffling my feathers, I have been a Browning BLR Fan for many years, and a 358 Win fan, too. Maybe since it has a 20 inch barrel, I suppose you could call it a short rifle, but I think it qualifies more in line with a carbine, and a darned good one at that, maybe the best all around Carbine ever made.CowboyTutt wrote:While I hate to be the one to ruffle feathers here, my "short action" BLR in 358 Win can still shoot 357 bullets at reduced velocities, as well as shoot the "full zoot" 358 Win loads. It also balences extremely well, as Old Savage can attest to. I have a Puma 454 levergun with the 20" barrel, and as light as it is, the BLR does better. Sorry guys, but I think the BLR will spank your little Marlin's in this category.![]()
-Tutt