Pistol Calibre Rifles

MacD · Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 7:31 am Post subject: Pistol Calibre Rifles

My next rifle will be a pistol calibre. I have done some research but, as per normal, there are no clear choices. So who has used/owned one and do you have any insights to share. My somewhat loose criteria:

1. Maximum 20 inch barrel.
2. 357 magnum, 45 Colt or maybe 454 Casull
3. Bolt or lever action.
4. Predrilled for scope.

Note that I am trying to stick to calibres I currently reload or at least mold bullets. My current top contenders are the Rossi R92 or M92.

Aloysius · Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 9:27 am Post subject: Re: Pistol Calibre Rifles

MacD, in my opinion you stick wrong...

I do have a S&W .357RM with 4" barrel and also a Marlin lever action in the same caliber and I can assure you that when I want to hit something (instead of only making some noise) I do need different loads for both.
A lot of pressure is lost in the gap between cylinder and barrel, so a hot load for a revolver is very often an overload for a rifle.

And Marlin is not bad, but Winchester is much much much smoother!
And I would recommend to also consider the .44 RM in a Winchester lever action and/or a Marlin in 45/70

PaulS · Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 3:30 pm Post subject: Re: Pistol Calibre Rifles

Mac,
The 357 will feel a lot like a 22 in a carbine, If you use the 454 Casull you can also fire the 45 Colt from it. All my load data says the loads are the same for revolver and rifle so I would work up a load in the rifle and then see how it was in the revolver. My revolve is fairly accurate with any ammo but I am sure a carbine is going to be a bit more fussy about what you use.

gelandangan · Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 4:34 pm Post subject: Re: Pistol Calibre Rifles

I got a 357 Rossi Puma lever action in 16 inch and a 45LC H&R single shot in 18 inch.
Never regret buying them, truly fun stuff to shoot with.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 7:43 pm Post subject: Re: Pistol Calibre Rifles

I have a Marlin 1894 in .45 Colt and a Winchester 94 in .44 Mag. I like 'em both but prefer the Marlin. It's the "Cowboy" with an octagonal barrel, holds 12 rounds and I used it to win a 400 yard match against other lever guns, almost all rifle calibers. I put a German silver front sight blade and a ladder type rear on it. I'll try to get a pic of it on here this weekend.

I think the Marlin is strong enough to handle the "Ruger" loads but would approach that carefully.

The Win 94 "Wrangler" is fun with milder loads but a bit painful with heavy loads.

Elvis · Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 11:58 pm Post subject: Re: Pistol Calibre Rifles

my pighunting mates had rossi 357s and the rifle loads were good and pistol loads pitifull in the lever rifles, ok for bailed pigs at spitting range but no further, another friend has a rossi .44mag lever with very short barrel. nice rifle to carry and shoot. if you went .45 long colt you can let her rip through a smooth bore .410 as long as it has no choking too. 3 for the price of 1!!!!

slimjim · Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 5:58 am Post subject: Re: Pistol Calibre Rifles

MacD, I've only heard that the larger calibers, e.g., .44 Mag or larger, can kick pretty good which Pkslinger confirmed. It will be interesting to hear about you new adventure.

TRBLSHTR · Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 6:58 am Post subject: Re: Pistol Calibre Rifles

I like mine in .22rf,9mm,45acp,.357mag,.44mag,and am trying to put the 45-70 combo together-got the rifle,now to find the pistol at the right price! Laughing

slimjim · Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 2:16 pm Post subject: Re: Pistol Calibre Rifles

TRBLSHTR wrote:

trying to put the 45-70 combo together-got the rifle,now to find the pistol at the right price!

Isn't that the model with the revolving cylinder is longer than the barrel and you have to lift weights to be able to hold it on target?

The first time my son shot my Remington Rolling Block rebarrelled in .45-70, we said he was glad he wasn't in the army back then. I pondered that then asked why he felt like that. His response - this thing kicks to much to shoot all day long. And I had the lowest pressure loads I could get.

PaulS · Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 8:06 pm Post subject: Re: Pistol Calibre Rifles

The 45-70 can be a punishing round in a light-weight carbine - in a pistol?
I watched a guy shoot his 45-70 thompson contender for too long once and he asked if I would like to shoot it...... I stammered a bit and said, "no, thankyou."

I was trying to get rid of the flinch I had with my 357 and every time that gun went off you could tell that he was fighting to keep from crying out.
I have fired 44 mag, and 454 Casull without a problem but not a steady diet of them. I can shoot my 357 well out to 100 yards now and I will keep using it until I die and my kids have it.

TRBLSHTR · Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 11:09 am Post subject: Re: Pistol Calibre Rifles

The 45-70 pistol that I'm attemping to aquire is called a magnum research-"BFR"(appropriate)!It is all stainless -weighs about 4.++lbs,has a 5 shot cylinder,long barrel-10.5"(guess).Single action. No real need except ones own ego!I don't think that any of the 50 cal magnums(pistols)are equal in ballistics! Shocked

slimjim · Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 2:33 pm Post subject: Re: Pistol Calibre Rifles

Be careful TRBLSHTR. I don't think I'd left my wife or even a friend shot it. Sounds like one of those that could knock you in the head from the recoil!

Elvis · Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 1:24 am Post subject: Re: Pistol Calibre Rifles

PaulS wrote:

. I can shoot my 357 well out to 100 yards now and I will keep using it until I die and my kids have it.

I see they have leverrevolution rounds for that wee number out now too..are they any good??

PaulS · Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 7:40 am Post subject: Re: Pistol Calibre Rifles

I don't know how leverevolution rounds work because I am still loading my own with 19.1 grains of H110 and 140 grain JHP. H110 has been the best powder I have ever used in the "little" magnum. If memory serves I get 1464 fps and accuracy that is better than I can match.

Ominivision1 · Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 10:08 am Post subject: Re: Pistol Calibre Rifles

TRBLSHTR

Why go with the 45-70 bfr when you can have one of these. Very Happy

In all seriousness, I shot one of those bfr 45-70 2 years ago and put 5 rounds down the barrel and it had a muzzle blast that would lay the daisies low. Nothing to say of the recoil which was extreme to say the least. Shocked