What, if any would be the best lever gun for a 357 max?

The .357 Max is too long for any pistol caliber type actions such as Marlin 1894 or Winchester-Rossi-Puma-Hartford 1892. It would have to be built on either the Marlin 336 or Winchester 1894 but is basically a waste of time and money since those can already be had in .35 Rem or .356 Win which easily exceed the power of the Max.

quote:

Originally posted by Blackhawk44:
The .357 Max is too long for any pistol caliber type actions such as Marlin 1894 or Winchester-Rossi-Puma-Hartford 1892. It would have to be built on either the Marlin 336 or Winchester 1894 but is basically a waste of time and money since those can already be had in .35 Rem or .356 Win which easily exceed the power of the Max.

To add: from what I've read on Marlin forums and the like, the .357 Max conversion (which is doable on the 336 platform) is basically a waste of time. The results I've heard of have been very lackluster, with spotty accuracy and a lot of difficulty chambering the rounds properly. Don't ask me why...just what I've read.

I have a Marlin 336 LTD in .35 Remington. It will drive a 180gr. bullet at 2350fps from it's 18.5" barrel. That's just plain superb performance for a lightweight lever gun.

Building a .357 Maximum on a Marlin 336 lever action might be quite viable and useful for some folks. Though it is true rifles are readily available in .356 Win & .35 Remington (I have both), revolvers are not commonly available in either chambering.

So, if a guy has a Ruger .357 Maximum revolver and wants a rifle which will use the same ammo, a .357 Maximum Marlin 336 could be quite nice.

Come to think of it, I have a pair of Ruger .357 Maxs (one 7-1/2" and one 10"), and now you've got me itching for a spare Marlin to convert...

quote:

Originally posted by Blackhawk44:
It would have to be built on either the Marlin 336 or Winchester 1894 but is basically a waste of time and money since those can already be had in .35 Rem or .356 Win which easily exceed the power of the Max.

Hey Blackhawk44 you see Marlin's in 356 wins?
I only see Win 94 levers at around $1k to $1,200.

Per the reloadbench.com, the Marlin 336ER in .356 Win went into production in 1982 and ended in 1987. It was never available in .307 Win. It may be they're still being used rather than sold. Beats me, vinny.