Advice on first CF Lever Action

Marlin once made a small run of 1894s in 38 Special only for the cowboy competition crowd. They had a shorter throw and slicked up action. Not sure how many there may be in the UK or Europe but I know of at least one I bought from FrankoniaJagd and later sold circa 2006. Was a nice little gun and fed 38's flawlessly unlike many of the 38/357 chambered guns.

SS
 
Hi Marcbo,

Yes someone had mentioned that they exist. From what I’ve seen at club level I think quite a few chaps have a load which is 38Spc ballistics but runs out of a .357 case for the slicker feeding. (Guessing this must be hand loaded and I don’t know the recipe)

I must admit though I don’t think I’d want a .38Spc only gun as I like all my rifles to be useable for hunting and for that I’d like the 357 capability

ATB,

Scrummy
 
Try a Marlin 336 in .35 Remington.
I still have it in a contender 14 incher it was my first cal that I took a beast with in 1992 (pronghorn antelope at 180 steps)
Martin
 
Hi Marcbo,

Yes someone had mentioned that they exist. From what I’ve seen at club level I think quite a few chaps have a load which is 38Spc ballistics but runs out of a .357 case for the slicker feeding. (Guessing this must be hand loaded and I don’t know the recipe)

I must admit though I don’t think I’d want a .38Spc only gun as I like all my rifles to be useable for hunting and for that I’d like the 357 capability

ATB,

Scrummy

I can't think why they do that? We have about 5 of the national squad at my club and they either us Marlins with .38S or .44 Magnum. I don't know anyone in touch with the pack nationally using .357 Magnum.

Typical loading is around 4gn of GM3. In a .38S this might be about 20% case capacity. In the longer .357 case it would be even less.

The reason for .44 Magnum is that they are that much closer to the x and superior ballistic performance at 50m. The .44 magnum has a 2" longer barrel too. The cases being that much bigger and chunkier are easier to handle in a hurry.

Whilst it's possible to load a .357 case with a .38 target load I can't think of any advantage?

I use all three calibres in my Marlins. Nothing to choose from in feeding.
 
I've heard that there are some lever actions that don't like the shorter cartridge.

Asking as I know little about these fun little rifles.

I can't think why they do that? We have about 5 of the national squad at my club and they either us Marlins with .38S or .44 Magnum. I don't know anyone in touch with the pack nationally using .357 Magnum.

Typical loading is around 4gn of GM3. In a .38S this might be about 20% case capacity. In the longer .357 case it would be even less.

The reason for .44 Magnum is that they are that much closer to the x and superior ballistic performance at 50m. The .44 magnum has a 2" longer barrel too. The cases being that much bigger and chunkier are easier to handle in a hurry.

Whilst it's possible to load a .357 case with a .38 target load I can't think of any advantage?

I use all three calibres in my Marlins. Nothing to choose from in feeding.
 
Consider a Marlin 336 lts in 30/30 'outstanding'. Roger @ Rimfire magic aka South Yorkshire shooting supplies are very helpful with lever actions etc, may pay to give him a call.
 
Our club does "Full Bore" gallery shooting once a month using both 38/357s and 44 Underlevers (Iron Sights Only - No scopes allowed for "Full Bore" competition shooting in our club).
One of our members (Who is with GMP) does have his 38/357 "conditioned" for Fox but I don't know if it is also conditioned for Deer.
I have shot most of our "Club Guns" (Most of which have been "Worked On" in various ways - Trigger, Action, etc) and some of the members guns as well so have a "limited experience" with Rossi, Marlin, Winchester and the likes. Personally I prefer the Marlin or the Rossi, but for no other reason than the fact that they have a "nicer feel" to them, and as such if I were going to buy my own (No plans for that in the near future) then they are the two that I would chose from.
I find shooting these "Underlevers" one of the most enjoyable ways to shoot targets but even though I am a reasonable shot with them (I've just won our club's annual trophy for the highest averages through the season with these underlevers) I'm not too sure that I would want to take on a Deer with one - But then again, everyone to their own!
 
Last edited:
Back
Top