Caliber is 357 Magnum....



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I am already investigating have these rechambered to 357 Maximum...

[ 08-22-2002, 03:39: Message edited by: mssmagnum ]

Hey Mike!

The Marlin, because you sold me your single shot already. Why a rifle in .357? Moved to New Mexico, so now I am back online. Still loving the Encore, how is your 700? Take any hogs with it yet? Take care,

Larry

Being this is the single shot forum, I gotta vote for the NEF!!!

Still undecided, anyone else??

I'd say to go with the NEF. I got my .280, synthetic, at WalllyWorld for $212 and it shoots sub MOA. Plus you can have barrels added for about $75. Much cheaper than adding them to Contenders. After hunting season, I plan on getting .223 and .243 heavy barrels added to mine.
Should make a good behind-the-truckseat varmit gun.

Nashcat

I like both single shots and the Marlins, so I'de have to say "What is the 'mission'?"
If you are going to have to deal with feral dogs, (no matter 4 or 2-legged), the repeater would have several more very real advantages in the mag. tube.
Around here I have been inclined to the break-action because of the light weight (particularly of the Rossi .357. 4 lbs. after I cut mine down. NEF similarly chopped is 6 lbs.)
Occassionaly you need to deal with a bear or mtn. lion, and I have not seen feral dogs "packed up".
Mostly I carry the rifle when doing chores or horseback, where the even shorter length, greater simplicity, and smaller dia. so I can wrap my stubby paw around the little rifle, (I no longer use a saddle scabbard), are appreciated.
I am going to a Rossi .357 for general use, and my NEF MAX for "specific" deer or bear hunting.

The marlin needs some tinkering before you want to maybe have to depend on it. (1-piece firing pin, rawhide the wrist of the stock.)
Both Marlin or NEF/Rossi will need good sights.

Regards,
Dave 32-20

Hmmm,

That's a toughie. I know the 357 max NEF is a no brainer, and this is a ss forum, but, a 357 max lever gun would be neat-O! Let my know what you find out about the 357 max conversion on the cowboy gun, as I'm thinking that I'm going to have to have a 357 max rifle of some sort or other to be a companion to my 357 max contender peestole.

The NEF is the easy one, but I ask 'Why?', when you can buy a .44 or .444 barrel cheaper. I HATE ported barrels, so there goes the Guide Gun. If it can handle the longer length, perhaps #2 would work. Again, a cheaper path is to buy a used Marlin in .35 Rem. Better cartridge in that bore, and brass is way cheaper...

Hmmm,

that choice depends on the purpose, but for my own hunting, I�d choose that ugly plastic NEF (May I prefer it with wooden stock?). At least it has the advantage of silent loading, which is essential when stalking roe or other shy forest game. To load a repeater means a lot of disturbing noice, although it has some other fine functions.

Best regards,

Fritz

My vote goes to the Marlin. Of course I am some what bias about them. I only own 4 at the moment (22,35,444 & 45/70), but I'm always looking for more.

I am interested in why you want to do this mssmagnum. If you make it happen, make sure to keep us up on the progress of your project.

Dan, you're in luck they quit porting the guide guns. So put them back on your list.

I don`t have any experience with the marlins,but the nef`s are pretty good guns for the price,my 45-70 shoots like a bench gun,loves cast bullets from 330-540grns.my 223 is only a fair grouper,but maybe fire lapping will help it.also extra barrels are cheap,not like the ones for my encore,and they don`t shoot any better.the 357 max should be a nice cast-bullet shooter too.if you get the nef get the free factory trigger tune-up,I did both of mine myself before finding out the factory would take care of it w/out affecting the warranty.

I'm a single-shot fan, but in this case, I'd go with the Marlin!!

To quote Elmer "whats it good for"?

My vote is neither.

The Marlins will not stand the pressure of the 357 maximum . so if you want the max it will have to be the single shot.

The .357 Maximum is an excellent cartridge. Capable of duplicating factory .35 Rem ballistics (200 grains at 1800-1900 fps) it really shines with the 180 grain Hornady SSP or Lead Heads 205 grain GC.

Unfortunately, I don't think that it is short enough to run through the Marlin M1894 action. I've owned one and just don't see this as a cost effective or viable choice. The NEF will work, you might consider the Contender as well.

Good shooting.