Question for the members
- Thread starter Don P
- Start date
6.5swedeforelk
New member
The only bolt action in a handgun caliber that I can think of is the Remington 788 in 44mag- and they are rare.
tahunua001
New member
none whatsoever?
with that little jab out of the way, 357 would be way more useful but please keep in mind that there are HUGE point of impact changes if you plan on using both 38 special and 357 out of them, my brother has experienced as much as 3 feet of vertical spread between loads at 100 yards with them.
personally, I've had good luck with 44 mag would probably go with that. however I prefer 9mm just because I can pack the same ammo for my carbine and sidearm and call it good. I had intended to build a 45ACP carbine so I could have the same ammo interchangeability with my primary bear defense handgun, but it turned out to be too much trouble for the route I wanted to take.
Brotherbadger
New member
I'd go .357. Strong cartridge and easy to find ammo.
I own both 9mm and 357 carbines. If I were facing a band of pillagers, I'd prefer the 9mm with it's high rate of fire. If I was deer hunting, I'd chose the 357 for it's higher bullet weight and velocity.
There's no free lunch-a choice has to be made. The 9mm semi-auto is capable of killing deer @100 yards AND repelling boarders @100' with ammo on board to spare. The 357 lever action is slow to reload if the first 9-10 shots aren't enough and is out of action during the reload while still being a 100-125 yard deer rifle.
There's no free lunch-a choice has to be made. The 9mm semi-auto is capable of killing deer @100 yards AND repelling boarders @100' with ammo on board to spare. The 357 lever action is slow to reload if the first 9-10 shots aren't enough and is out of action during the reload while still being a 100-125 yard deer rifle.
turkeestalker
New member
There is an awesome resource available that I believe pertains to this question.
With a little creativity and understanding of ballistics and mathematics one could apply the information found in it to see just what capabilities a given cartridge had out of a given length of barrel, and it's limitations regarding distance and when it may fall below the magic energy level required to harvest a specific type of game humanely.
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html
With a little creativity and understanding of ballistics and mathematics one could apply the information found in it to see just what capabilities a given cartridge had out of a given length of barrel, and it's limitations regarding distance and when it may fall below the magic energy level required to harvest a specific type of game humanely.
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html
Paul B. - first, I don't know how to quote with the quoted poster's name showing - sorry.
Anyway, thanks for the info! I was simply loading the cast 158 grain RNFP bought for Cowboy Action shooting, didn't measure hardness, and haven't slugged the bore on my Marlin, so you've given me a project to try.
Also - after I posted that I recalled that Marlin started using Ballard rifling in some of their .357 lever guns (and probably other calibers) at some point, so I was off-base there too, in that not all Marlin lever guns are Microgroove.
mapsjanhere
New member
So I love my Marlin 1894C and have a lot of fun plinking in 9 mm, for actual use of a small lightweight effective 100 yards rifle I tend to go for
Someone made 6 Million of them, they're not really hard to find.
Someone made 6 Million of them, they're not really hard to find.
The Verminator
New member
Some of these guys think they all reload like the new Henry's I guess.
mxsailor803
New member
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Ruger 77/357. Handy little rifle. I too would lean towards a .357 or bigger. Personally, I'm a .44mag kinda guy. I can't knock the .357 though. I've killed several hogs with a Ruger GP100 and its my woods gun when ever I'm just walking around. If I'm carrying my Henry .44mag though, I'm carrying my 629 since they like the same ammo.
The Verminator
New member
Sailor, I guess you missed post #19.
mxsailor803
New member
Verminator - Yea you got me on that one lol.
I have a Marlin Camp 9 and Marlin 1894 357 and will keep my comments to the two calibers mentioned. I would go 357.
9mm
Pros: Magazine Capacity, Reload time (if you only count changing magazines), ease of carrying ammo, faster follow up shot time. Projectile performance between pistiol and carbine with same ammo (see Cons)
Cons: Marginal to small velocity gains due to longer barrel but bullets generally perform similarly compare to when fired from pistol, blow back actions require loads in a certain power over time curve to function properly, more limited selection of bullet weights. Tweo weights of bullets were originally made specifically for carbines...147 and 158. Since the 158's were for the heavy bolt Uzi they can be problematic in closed bolt blow back semi autos. Blow back designes don't like +P ammo unless you change sprins; then they dont like some standard pressure loads.
357
Pros: Mag can be topped off while gun hot / ready to go. larger selection of bullet weights, Lighter bullets become varmint bullets (see cons), substantial velocity gains vs. hand gun velocities are achieveable, works with a much braoder velocity / power range (from mild to wild).
Cons: Bullets can behave much differently than in a handgun. slower for a full reload, carrying spare ammo either loose or loose in box, less ammo capacity, learning curve for people to not take gun from shoulder when chambering next round (I've seen this all too often) resulting in much slower follow up shots than necessary
Note: Capacity.... The OP is in Florida which to my knowledge does not restrict magazine capacity for semi-automatics. As such, he can use 15, 20, or 30 round mags if he wants. Tube mags on a lever or box on a turn bolt are what they are.
9mm
Pros: Magazine Capacity, Reload time (if you only count changing magazines), ease of carrying ammo, faster follow up shot time. Projectile performance between pistiol and carbine with same ammo (see Cons)
Cons: Marginal to small velocity gains due to longer barrel but bullets generally perform similarly compare to when fired from pistol, blow back actions require loads in a certain power over time curve to function properly, more limited selection of bullet weights. Tweo weights of bullets were originally made specifically for carbines...147 and 158. Since the 158's were for the heavy bolt Uzi they can be problematic in closed bolt blow back semi autos. Blow back designes don't like +P ammo unless you change sprins; then they dont like some standard pressure loads.
357
Pros: Mag can be topped off while gun hot / ready to go. larger selection of bullet weights, Lighter bullets become varmint bullets (see cons), substantial velocity gains vs. hand gun velocities are achieveable, works with a much braoder velocity / power range (from mild to wild).
Cons: Bullets can behave much differently than in a handgun. slower for a full reload, carrying spare ammo either loose or loose in box, less ammo capacity, learning curve for people to not take gun from shoulder when chambering next round (I've seen this all too often) resulting in much slower follow up shots than necessary
Note: Capacity.... The OP is in Florida which to my knowledge does not restrict magazine capacity for semi-automatics. As such, he can use 15, 20, or 30 round mags if he wants. Tube mags on a lever or box on a turn bolt are what they are.
grab a used hi-point 9mm carbine, its a very "decent" gun, and you can pretty much sell it for what you pay for it. that'll at least let you know if a PCC is something you want to further persue. and if it is, then start looking into 9mm ARs, or berretta carbine, jr carbine, Taurus 9mm carbine(sweet gun BTW) or whatever. if it the hi-point doesn't do what you want it to do, then start thinkin about other levers. but I think everyone should have a good semi-auto PCC AND a great 357 lever-action. the are both pretty much must-haves. one for giggles and apocalyptic fantasy and one for a no-frills grab and go small hunting rifle. plus lever-actions and pure fun, beautiful, and sophisticatedly simple
aarondhgraham
New member
There is another very nice bolt in .357,,,
There is another very nice bolt in .357,,,
It's pricey as all get-out,,,
But a good rifle.
Ruger 77/357 Rotary Magazine.
There is also the 77/44 in .44 Magnum.
I own an H&R Handi-rifle in .357 Mag,,,
Using Remington 110 Grain JHP's,,,
2.5" bench groups at 100 yards.
I own a Hi-point Carbine in 9mm,,,
Its not scoped so the best I can do at 100 yards is about 5" groups.
I've taken armadillo with both rifles,,,
Not a very noble game animal for certain,,,
But good enough to gauge the effectiveness with.
In my not-so-humble opinion,,,
The .357 cartridge is highly superior to the 9mm cartridge.
Let's say that I could only own one centerfire rifle,,,
I think I might opt for a lever-gun in .357.
Aarond
.
There is another very nice bolt in .357,,,
It's pricey as all get-out,,,
But a good rifle.
Ruger 77/357 Rotary Magazine.
There is also the 77/44 in .44 Magnum.
I own an H&R Handi-rifle in .357 Mag,,,
Using Remington 110 Grain JHP's,,,
2.5" bench groups at 100 yards.
I own a Hi-point Carbine in 9mm,,,
Its not scoped so the best I can do at 100 yards is about 5" groups.
I've taken armadillo with both rifles,,,
Not a very noble game animal for certain,,,
But good enough to gauge the effectiveness with.
In my not-so-humble opinion,,,
The .357 cartridge is highly superior to the 9mm cartridge.
Let's say that I could only own one centerfire rifle,,,
I think I might opt for a lever-gun in .357.
Aarond
.