Pump action 45 Colt or 357 Mag.... Or lever of either?

[BuellSix8]

So I sold some stuff and now looking for a manual loading carbine. I own wheel guns in both 45 Colt and 357 Mag and 38 special so looking for a rifle in one of them.

I know the 357mags will also be able to shoot 38 special which is cool. I'm a lever gun lover but got to handle the Taurus 45 Colt pump today and got me thinking.

Anyone have time behind any of these options? Thoughts?

[BuellSix8]

Uses mostly plinking but cold be used for deer and varmint control

[Cgrutt]

Personally if I were to go with a lever gun in pistol caliber I'd opt for a classic in 45-70, etc. Don't really see the benefit of putting an inferior round through a longer barrel, but I'm sure Mek and some others may disagree. FYI, there's a FS for Ruger Carbine in 9mm which I've avoided for pretty much the same reason...

[BuellSix8]

Yea saw that for sale.

The 357mag / 38 special lever or pump came to mind to pair with my SW wheel gun for fun but then fondled that pump 45 colt and was like man this is cool. I'm a sucker for my old Model 94 30-30 lever gun and want something on the cheaper end to shoot. I reload so the 45 colt aspect doesn't bother me at all.

[Cgrutt]

Nothing wrong with it just not my thing but then again my Model 94 is chambered in .307 Win, lol...

[Meketrefe]

At moderate ranges, the 357 magnum full power is a great deer gun in a short and handy lever action.
I don't know a lot about lever actions other than there are some good marlins and henry's fun to shoot.
One can make 38 spc loads with inexpensive bulk bullets that can be shot dirt cheap and they are fun plinkers.
I think at some point not too long ago it was cheaper to shoo 9mm or 38 reloads than any 22LR one could find, those who were lucky to find rim-fire ammo.
So go with the tides.

[RandallOfLegend]

My Rossi 92 20 inch 357 mag shoots 38s that feel like a 22 and I can shoot 125 grain projectiles nearing 2000 fps. One of my favorite rifles. I am eyeballing the 454 casull version.

[Meketrefe]

My Rossi 92 20 inch 357 mag shoots 38s that feel like a 22 and I can shoot 125 grain projectiles nearing 2000 fps. One of my favorite rifles. I am eyeballing the 454 casull version.

IMO the casull will not do anything the high power 357 or maximum cannot do and kept in the same caliber with same bullets. Also consider a modern 35 remington or even the amazing and affordable 358 winchester with the Browning BLR. to me this is the best lever action system ever devised, vertical mag, accurate and capable of taking game from white tail in NY to large animals in Alaska (Brown bears) and in the African planes as demonstrated by hunters all over.
.. or wait for the 357 gunner... almost ready now.. LOL

[BuellSix8]

Yea....saw the Rossi too.

Man I love guns.

[dsdmmat]

I will never own anything with the Taurus name on it again but I digress. I would say get both calibers. I have lever guns in 41 and 357 to go along with their companion sidearms. I love the look feel and weight of the Henry big boy and my Marlin has always been one of my favorite guns to shoot. Get both and don't look back.

[BuellSix8]

that is the kind of thinking that gets me in trouble lol

[Meketrefe]

Buell are you there? Sent you several pm's. maybe you will see this one from your thread.

[BuellSix8]

Got it and replied to