Poll: Lever & revolver combo - which caliber?

[oremike]

Here is some randomness from me. If I was looking for a fun range toy to play happy can with that might stand extra duty to feed me some day I'd want the 38/357. It is just that utility and universal. You can find a dusty old box of something that will work on most any general or hardware store shelf in the way out back country.
Next I didn't care to shoot my Rossi 44 mag Carbine with full house magnum loads. The straight stock and steel butt plate hammered on my collar bone particularly when shooting in just a tee shirt. Sure if I was wearing a winter coat and I had to feed myself because I was stuck in a snow bank I probably wouldn't even notice.
Lastly there are 2 very different levels of loads for the 32-20. The modern rifle loads are very similar to ones for the 30 Carbine. In fact looking in the Hornady manual you can load 15.0 grs of H-110 under a 100gr bullet in either cartridge.
Don't try that in a pistol like my S&W Hand ejector. The pistol loads are about the same power level as those for the 32 H&R Mag a100gr bullet running about 1000fps. Rifle loads are approx 2200fps and more than twice the pressures.
As a reloader the 45 Colt would be my second choice nothing against the 38-40 or 44-40 and I've got single actions in all three but it is much easier to find 45 Colt brass than the other 2. My .02 worth what you paid for it.

 

[Spitpatch]

Here is some randomness from me. If I was looking for a fun range toy to play happy can with that might stand extra duty to feed me some day I'd want the 38/357. It is just that utility and universal. You can find a dusty old box of something that will work on most any general or hardware store shelf in the way out back country.
Next I didn't care to shoot my Rossi 44 mag Carbine with full house magnum loads. The straight stock and steel butt plate hammered on my collar bone particularly when shooting in just a tee shirt. Sure if I was wearing a winter coat and I had to feed myself because I was stuck in a snow bank I probably wouldn't even notice.
Lastly there are 2 very different levels of loads for the 32-20. The modern rifle loads are very similar to ones for the 30 Carbine. In fact looking in the Hornady manual you can load 15.0 grs of H-110 under a 100gr bullet in either cartridge.
Don't try that in a pistol like my S&W Hand ejector. The pistol loads are about the same power level as those for the 32 H&R Mag a100gr bullet running about 1000fps. Rifle loads are approx 2200fps and more than twice the pressures.
As a reloader the 45 Colt would be my second choice nothing against the 38-40 or 44-40 and I've got single actions in all three but it is much easier to find 45 Colt brass than the other 2. My .02 worth what you paid for it.

Hell, I'd pay more for that much common sense. (Don't ask how much.)

The very LAST argument (if it even is that) you might hear from a .32 Fed/HRM defender of their existence is ballistics when compared to a .32-20 WCF.

If we insist on a level playing field (gun capable of what the cartridge is), say a Ruger handgun and a Marlin rifle (can chew up and spit out anything you can cram in either .32 case), and dispense with "antigue gun" SAAMI specs for the .32-20, taking advantage of our strong guns (like the Fed/HMR cartridges do), the first point of attention will be case capacity.

It will also be (as it always is) the final factor of what that cartridge is capable of in performance aspects such as velocity.

With a level playing field (strong guns, similar pressures) and case capacity the only concrete feature of increased performance, the Fed/HRM .32's don't even rate SECOND FIDDLE to the .32-20.

The .30 Carbine takes that slot in this class of cartridges. The Fed owes its EXISTENCE to making the HRM match up somehow to the .32-20's capabilities, and it loses the race on case capacity alone.

HRM about 15 grains H2O

.327 Fed about 19 grains

.30 Carbine about 21 grains

.32 WCF about 22.2 grains

 

[FATAL125]

✔ other...

9mm

 

[dan49]

Two of the guns on my bucket list are a lever action rifle and revolver chambered for the same cartridge. If you were going to pick up a combo like this to be used as general purpose firearms, which caliber would you pick and why?

I like my 44 Redhawk and my Winchester 94 in 44 mag.

 

[salmon creek gary]

Paired up already in 9mm with Ruger's LCR9 and PCC (I know that's no lever rifle, but it's what I've got).

In the spirit of things, though, I voted 357 simply because I already own an SP101 and have been looking for "just the right" lever gun to go with it; problem is, I've yet to decide which one that would be.

 

[mhayd93]

A Ruger GP100 and Marlin 1894 in 357 magnum make for an awesome pair!

 

[dan49]

I chose .44mag as it's what I have NOW- an older .44mag Uberti single-action revolver, and a Rossi .44 lever carbine.
Once had a Marlin/Python "system", but dropped the Marlin .357 carbine because the DROP of the 158gr copper-jacketed projectiles over 100+ yards was remarkable indeed.
Still very much like the .357 revolvers, but changed to the .44mag carbine w/ my handloads after a deer-hunting trip in the Ozarks. The .357 just wasnt cutting it, even with my hand-loads.
Since there are several .44mags in my stable, I choose the 5.5" Redhawk as a woods carry revolver. Strong, stainless, double action, and trust-worthy. The .44 carbine is for plinking, not for when it comes to serious hunting.

Yes I like the 44mag.

 

[Tinman357]

A Ruger GP100 and Marlin 1894 in 357 magnum make for an awesome pair!

And that is exactly what I have.

 

[Deavis]

Other: 41 mag

I have a long term love affair with it.

 

[DeanMk]

Do tell.

Attraction to the .32-20 was on the right track.

The Federal and HRM are certainly NO "headway in the field", other than offering lazy handloaders a chance to skip lubricating cases before sizing.

Skeeter Skelton saw right through it, and quite vociferously launched into something similar to,

"There is absolutely no need. The .32-20 has been filling this niche perfectly for over a hundred years."

A good parallel is to imagine if someone came out with a straight-walled .30-30, claiming it was "headway in technology", and somehow better for the misdirected effort.

First impressions are often the best. Yours was.

Show me an ammo maker's box of .32-20 that launches 100-115 gr. bullets at 1300+ MV.
Can't?
Well, it looks like someone developed a round that can produce those results, and thus, it's HEADWAY IN THE FIELD OF .32 CALIBER TECHNOLOGY.
Not everyone handloads, Spitpatch.

 

[DLS]

I get 1424 fps out of my 3-inch SP101 (Lab Radar chrono)

100 gr Hornady XTP
H110 ... 13.2 grains
CCI magnum primer
Starline cases

You won't get nearly that result with a .32-20.

YMMV


Cheers

 

[DeanMk]

That's impressive

 

[DLS]

It's an impressive round!

 

[billdeserthills]

What I want I can't have Rugar Blackhawk in .30 Carbine
What I can't have is the Winchester model 92/94 16" barrel full magazine cause no one has ever made one.

I have a load that would work well in both using a Sierra 125gr FPHP.

Marlin lever action in .30 carbine

 

[Spitpatch]

Show me an ammo maker's box of .32-20 that launches 100-115 gr. bullets at 1300+ MV.
Can't?
Well, it looks like someone developed a round that can produce those results, and thus, it's HEADWAY IN THE FIELD OF .32 CALIBER TECHNOLOGY.
Not everyone handloads, Spitpatch.

By your own definition, it is "HEADWAY" only toward what can be sold as retail ammunition. A step back in ("caliber technology"). Whatever that is.

Remington's former factory "Hi Speed" load for the .32-20 shows an 80 grain bullet at 2100fps. Sorry I don't have a box to "show". nor is that a 100 grain bullet, but I have confidence in your methods of extrapolation.

So, compare factory to factory if you wish. But please include all factory loads (past and current). Granted, only an handloader can (easily) achieve that performance today.

I saw no prohibitions in the OP's post toward handloading, and he in fact spoke profusely regarding it.

The .32-20 is still the king in every way (unless you're out of case lube).

....oh, and I should mention the .45-70 is no longer relegated only to 405gr bullets at 1300fps either.

 

[Spitpatch]

Marlin lever action in .30 carbine

Say no more.



Marlin Model 62, .30 Carbine, "The Levermatic".

 

[Colt Carbine]

Being I have 357 mag and 45LC covered, I couldn't vote just one. One of these days I'd like to replace my Rossi rifles with a Winchester or Marlin but....

 

[orygun]

45-70!

Not really, but I voted "other" with this thought in mind.

I used to have a Ruger Blackhawk and a Marlin 1894 in 41 Mag. Neat combo and the 41 really shined out of a 20" barrel. (the 6.5" Ruger was no slouch) But I sold both of those years ago. I'm much more a fan of the 41 than the 44, but ammo availability is much better with the 44.
I suppose if I was picking from the list, I'd pick 44 over 357. I have both as handguns and neither in a carbine. I "lost" the want for this type of combo with the 41s I had, but if I was lookig for a lever gun to match a revolver that I currently own, it would be the 44.

I did for a time have a Marlin Camp Carbine 45 that was a fantastic companion for anyone with a 1911, because of magazine compatibility also.

 

[orygun]

Say no more.

"The Levermatic".

I always loved that name!

 

[NeoBlackdog]

Say no more.

View attachment 1915202

Marlin Model 62, .30 Carbine, "The Levermatic".

Don't see many of those around.