The Accurate Reloading Forums
Help needed
11 February 2018, 03:29
butchlambertHelp needed
I know practically nothing about lever rifles. I do have a pre64 mod94 in 30-30 that shoots well and a 1895 in 30gov06,but haven't even shot it.
My Grandson is looking at the Winchester mod92,new production, and a Henry. He will want one that shoot the pistol cartridges. I'm thinking it will be a tincan shooter.
What are the pros and cons of these?
Thanks
11 February 2018, 03:57
MickinColoI love my 92 Win 38-40, shoots great and it's a can killer for sure. I would love to own a Henry 1866 in 45 colt or 44-40, they are will made and beautiful, but pricey.
There is nobody that has shot my 92 that didn't want one of their own.
11 February 2018, 05:29
crsheltonThe M92 in .357/38 makes a nice rifle that can plink and kill critters.
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http://www.xplat.net/ 11 February 2018, 19:41
butchlambertThanks, I'll pass this on to my Grandson.
14 February 2018, 10:48
buckeyeshooterCant beat the 92. Great design and double strong for handgun cartridges..... Rossi even chambered it in 454 Casull. Mine is in 44-40 and I love it.
22 February 2018, 18:26
butchlambertWell, He decided on a Henry Big Boy in steel in 38/357. He has dies, brass, and bullets coming. His old Papaw has primers and powder.
22 February 2018, 19:25
OLBIKERGood choice.He can scope the Henry if he wants.
22 February 2018, 23:17
Lamarhe made a fair choice.
my friend just got a new 92 in 357.
all I can say is super wow.
dark blue, nice smooth action, buffed out properly, good wood, just super nice.
the best part is it has a loading gate.
23 February 2018, 00:06
Pa.FrankWhile some brands are definitely better than others, the caliber matters a lot more...
3/357 is definitely the cheapest to shoot and easy to load for. Ammo and brass is plentiful and cheap.
45 Colt would be next. brass is plentiful and not outrageously expensive. Factory ammo is expensive.
44-40 is a PITA to load for, I hear complaints all the time about crushed cases.. and Brass is not cheap. Factory ammo (if you can find it) is not cheap.
My vote would be for the 45 LC... you can load it way down with cast bullets and up to neat 44 mag power with jacketed if you need to..
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23 February 2018, 04:42
butchlambertThanks again for all your help.
23 February 2018, 10:35
CougarzA 92 of course is a fine rifle but you also might want to think about a Marlin 1894 they are also great rifle.
I'm not much of a Henry fan, just can't stand the way they look, feel or function so no help there.
As stated by others a .38/357 would be by far the cheapest route for a tin can shooter.
Roger
___________________________
I'm a trophy hunter - until something better comes along.
*we band of 45-70ers*
06 March 2018, 22:35
AtkinsonIf its a tin can killer or small game then the 38 Special/375 mag. is the way to go...
The 38-40 is the most expensive to shoot, even if you handload. by comparison as is the 44-40 and any large pistol caliber. I have a mod. 92 38/40 serial number 158 and its a good shooter,very poor killer on deer or antelope.
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
06 March 2018, 23:46
butchlambertquote:
Originally posted by Atkinson:
If its a tin can killer or small game then the 38 Special/375 mag. is the way to go...
The 38-40 is the most expensive to shoot, even if you handload. by comparison as is the 44-40 and any large pistol caliber. I have a mod. 92 38/40 serial number 158 and its a good shooter,very poor killer on deer or antelope.
Jared ended up with a Henry Big Boy I think in 38/357
I do have plenty 30-40 loaded ammo and brass though. I also have a new sealed Winchester box of 38-40 brass.
I would have voted for a Henry (Not the new ones) 66 or 73. Why? By far, the coolest and most historic lever actions; using the original toggle link mechanism. And the most fun to shoot. I have a 92 rifle, and a 66 Musket, in 38-40. Both custom of course. The 38-40 is another historic cartridge, and feeds more easily than any other because it is a bottle neck. 180 grain bullet, and just use 44-40 brass; no need to look for 38-40 although it is readily available from Starline. Anyway, the new Henrys seem to be fine, should be as they are just a Marlin 336 copy. But no historical pull on them.
Been shooting lever actions since 1966. I know, Ray was shooting them in the first year of production.
07 March 2018, 03:42
Lamarif he hadn't of had to stand in line out side the factory door, he would have got a lower serial number on that 92.