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Looking at a new Winchester 1873 case hardened with an octagonal barrel of 24inches in357 /38 special and not primarily going to be used for hunting it would be appealing if I could use it. I would set a limit of 40 yards max and coming out of a rifle barrel the ballistics say it feasible but would like to know if any one has experience with it on deer sized game.
Thanks gang
At those distances & with the properly constructed bullet it should be no problem.
I have a Ruger 96/44 which with 44 mags definitely has no problems out to 100 meters.
A family that hunts with me (father and 2 sons) hunt deer exclusively with .38 special
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I would have no issues using one from a tree stand for deer. Or thick bush hunting
Makes my 410 testing not seem so crazy eh.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sfransky
Location, location, location
looking at the ballistic of the 357 using 158gr bullet and a reasonable distance 100yrd should be no problem I have a henry big boy in that cal. and I reload my best group is 2 inches at 100 yrd I have yet to corno them but I feel they will do the job
Should be okay up close. I just looked in a hand loading manual and velocity of a 170-grain .357 Mag in a Marlin rifle averages 1500 fps. About what you'd get from a 170-grain .30-30 at 100-plus yards. So it ought to kill deer at 50-odd yards. As a "challenge hunt" it would rank up there with vertical bowhunting or traditional muzzleloading.
I have used 2 different 357 mag rifles for deer over the past 7 years. A Marlin 1894 and Rossi 92. Both with receiver sights. Have cleanly harvested 4 buck deer (125-180 lbs) at 42-82 m. One shot each. I load my own ammo, 158gr Speer sp with around 19 gr of lil gun powder. My chrono velocities are 1895 fps. I have found my 357 lever guns to be the most fun I have ever had with a rifle.
Interesting idea
HJ- if you do get this gun and want to Chrono it let me know as you are welcome to use my Labradar. That will give you speed of projectile to 100 yards.
Thanks for the feedback gang and thank you for the offer Big Jack to use the Labradar. Not sure how much deer hunting it will do but good to know that it is an option. Gonna stop in at Epps on the way to the cottage and will most likely pick it up and a few boxes of ammo to play with on the weekend.
Remember, you can run 38 special in a 357 mag, makes for cheaper fun shooting.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hunter John
Thanks Fox. That was the plan. I think this will be a fun piece of kit not to mention one sexy looking rifle.
When I want to plink, I use 158gr lead swc with .7cc charge of 700x in a magnum case. Velocity is 1100fps. This is a fantastic no recoil load. A ton of fun to shoot because it gives you a real rifle feel, hits pretty hard and is just more satisfying than rim fire. I use this load a lot for hunting snowshoe hares.
If your gun does not cycle well with 38 special there are options too, if you reload then lead cast bullets with light cowboy action loads will be a lot easier on the wallet too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hunter John
Keith style lead 150gr slugs can be loaded farther out if needed to give better feeding while still having a crimp grouve. I found that Speer round nose didnt give as much penetration as the Keith style.
Good old 700X has been a staple for light loads but Win 296 is my favourite for bigger targets.
Sweet, they are designed to but lever guns can be finicky with bullet nose type and COAL, similar to semi auto pistols, glad it is all working out well for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hunter John
There is a guy from PA that wanted to use his grandpas 25-20 deer, it is all about shot placement and being ethical with your shot, keep it in the boiler room at a reasonable distance and it will work fine.
I saw a Uberti 45 LC when I was 16 or so, I would have loved to bring that through the deer woods but the grief I would have heard from some of the guys hunting there would have been insane, even though they all started hunting with guys who used 35 WSL, 44-40s and the big gun was a 30-30.
Beautiful gun HJ!Quote:
Originally Posted by Hunter John
My grandfather killed a ton of deer with a 25 20.winchester model 92. I ended up with the rifle. Sweet little bush gun for sureQuote:
Originally Posted by Fox
Tiny round but in the right place works.Quote:
Originally Posted by dutchhunter
I was given one that killed way more deer then I would ever have the chance at, it is no longer legal and was borderline at the time it was used for sustenance, a 25 Stevens Long rimfire, not ideal but inexpensive and better still, they had it and knew how to shoot it.
Hunter John
Very nice rifle. You will thoroughly enjoy owning a 1873. Great photo of 2 icons of freedom, well done.
Thanks Gang. She is a real joy to shoot with the 38s and soon I will play around with the 357s.