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Post by Woody Williams on Feb 24, 2007 13:13:10 GMT -5
I went to the Knife and Gun show at the 4H center in Evansville this moring with the expressed purpose of looking at lever guns.
Absolutely NO used lever guns in the proper hunting caliber.
Lots of 30.30s though. Even Winchesters.
I did look at new lever guns in the right calibers.
1) The Puma/Rossi - I really liked it's lightweight feel. I didn't like the sights and hated the dinky little safety on top.
Price $419
2) Henry - Great looking gun with polished brass that could be a detriment to deer hunting. Nice feel and some beautiful wood on a coupe of them.
Price $619
3) Marlin - Nice rugged gun that seemed heavier that both the Henry and the Puma.
Price $459
I'm still looking...
BTW - It seems that more and more folks are catching on that these guns will more than likely be legalized for deer hunting. I talked to a young man at one booth that was buying one for that expressed purpose. His choice was a Marlin in .44.
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Post by Old Ironsights on Feb 24, 2007 13:58:41 GMT -5
The safety on the Rossi is easy to remove and plug. Mine has been.
I also added a Williams FP reciever sight and an XS front blade. Some guys I know (Steveb) like replacing the front with a Fire Sight, but still use the FP rear. It's just better.
The Rossi is considerably more difficult to scopet han a Marlin though. Not an issue for me, but it is for some.
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Post by hornharvester on Feb 24, 2007 14:13:49 GMT -5
I saw a lever gun at ft wayne gun show in January that i should have bought. it was a used .357 mag for $200.00. it was blued with some pitting but the price was right. not sure of the brand. h.h.
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Post by hunter480 on Feb 24, 2007 15:59:51 GMT -5
Woody-I haven`t looked lately because I get in trouble everytime I get on there, but I got my Winchester .44 mag at Gun Broker.com-they may still have a good selection.
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Post by RoadKill on Feb 24, 2007 17:10:20 GMT -5
I went to the Knife and Gun show at the 4H center in Evansville this moring with the expressed purpose of looking at lever guns.... And here I've been thinking about selling my Win-94 in 45 Colt! I may have to take to a gunshow and "troll" a little. I've always thought the Puma (?) in 454 would be nice, but I've heard they're not scope friendly. One of the repro. Colt Lighnting's (pump) might be nice. Take care, have fun.... Roger D. in Southern Indiana |
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Post by whitetail1 on Feb 24, 2007 17:29:09 GMT -5
I just ordered a Marlin in 44 mag. I can't wait to get it.
I also looked at the Puma, the Henry, and the Marlin before making my choice and pretty much had the same feelings as Woody on all 3 guns.
For those of you that have the 44 mags, any tips on ammo? What shoots better out of your gun?
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Post by dbd870 on Feb 24, 2007 19:11:09 GMT -5
Important tip; don't use the 265 interlocks. The rate of twist in the Marlin won't stabilize them even with a max load. (Found that out today)
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Post by varmint101 on Feb 24, 2007 19:32:31 GMT -5
Woody, if you plan on scoping the gun, remember the Henry Big Boy doesn't come drilled and tapped. In order to scope it you have to have someone drill on the barrel for a cantilever mount you get from Henry. Real nice gun though. Fit and finish were excellent on the two I've handled.
I've been wanting to fondle a Rossi or EMF for quite a while, but I can't find them anywhere that I've looked around here. Cimarron would be nice, but the price is kind of high for me.
Thing with the Marlin is they aren't supposed to stabalize anything over 270gr because they have a 1:38 twist, but I really liked the actions on the two Marlin 1894 44's I handled and the one 1894CB in 45LC.
If I'm going to get one though I'm going to get a 44 to match my pistol.
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Post by dbd870 on Feb 24, 2007 19:35:01 GMT -5
I'm not going to use anything over 240gr. After what I saw today ie. really severe keyholing.
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Post by bsutravis on Feb 25, 2007 4:24:13 GMT -5
Help me out fellas...... I am not a handgunner..... So, what catridges will be legal (if approved) for the rifles? And......what would most folks consider being the most popular for Indiana deer hunting? One more question....what kind of range are you getting in a pistol cartridge in a rifle? (on average)
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Post by dbd870 on Feb 25, 2007 5:10:43 GMT -5
Rounds would include 357, 41 & 44 mags, 45Colt, 454, 480Ruger, don't know the spec's on the 500 but I think it's OK as well. I'm sure the 44mag will be the most popular. You could go 150yds with one if you know your rifle; zero at 100yds.
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Post by bsutravis on Feb 25, 2007 6:28:37 GMT -5
Excellent....thanks for the info.
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Post by drs on Feb 25, 2007 8:38:53 GMT -5
I just ordered a Marlin in 44 mag. I can't wait to get it. I also looked at the Puma, the Henry, and the Marlin before making my choice and pretty much had the same feelings as Woody on all 3 guns. For those of you that have the 44 mags, any tips on ammo? What shoots better out of your gun? For the best accuracy I receive from my Ruger M-77/44; I reload my ammo using WW-296 or H110 powders & 240 grain Hornady XTP bullets. Also I use Large Pistol Magnum Primers. |
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Post by tenring on Feb 25, 2007 11:28:23 GMT -5
I loaded up several rounds of .44 Magnum to use in my brand new Marlin 1894 that I bought last fall in anticipation of it being legal [$429.00+IN Purchase Penalty Tax]. Using CCI#300 primers, 22.0 grains of 2400 powder behind Hornady 240gr. XTP bullets. POA/POI at 50 yards, same for 100 yards using 4X scope I had laying on a shelf. Haven't put any through a Chrony yet as it is at a friends house. Feels like I'm carrying a small trimming axe as compared to a fence post with my 870 slug gun. Firmly believe that this will encourage more kids and the ladies to go to the woods and offset the loss of hunters.
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Post by tenring on Feb 25, 2007 11:32:19 GMT -5
Forgot to mention, have thought about the possibility of a magazine capicity restriction down the road, unlikely as it may be, so I put myself to thought and now it will hold only 4 in the tube and one in the chamber. So simple I am surprised that Marlin does't include it in the box.
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Post by jajwrigh on Feb 25, 2007 11:46:45 GMT -5
Here are some of my humble observations: The Marlins have a much nicer build quality and feel than the Pumas. I hate the Puma sites. The Henry rifles are pricey and very reflective. Whatever rifles you all decide on I think everything from the .357mag on up with be great for deer hunting. For those who scoff at the .357, remember in a rifle in is a completely different animal and handloading really brings out its potential. More to come...  |
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Post by tony on Feb 25, 2007 12:16:19 GMT -5
picked up an old style Ruger carbine 44 Mag Auto at a gun show the other day .It came already scoped and will shoot 240 gr or 300 gr in a ragged hole at 50 yds. I figured even if this thing won't pass in IN I will still be able to use it in KY
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Post by jajwrigh on Feb 25, 2007 12:20:27 GMT -5
Nice find!
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Post by tony on Feb 25, 2007 12:20:34 GMT -5
Oh BTW if this becomes legal for deer in IN I may have to find me another one because my wife has fell in love with this little carbine and says it will be hers to deer hunt with.
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Post by indianahick on Feb 25, 2007 15:27:58 GMT -5
I think a lot of the Puma's are made for Cowboy Action Shooting and that is why they have the type of sites that they do. I have a 45 LC Puma and I know that it was made for CAS. If I wanted one to hunt deer with I would get a Marlin.
Tony- there is no may in that. You need to go out and get another rifle. That one is history as far as your hunting with it.
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