Looking for Lever Action

[mr surveyor]

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I took the .44 mag out to the range this afternoon and put 4 different loads through it ... one factory Win, the rest handloads. Both me and my son will have some bruises tomorrow. The .357 probably doesn't have near the same smack as the .44 mag, and it's probably due mainly to the steel cresect shaped buttpad, but I'd swear this .44 mag in more punishing than any other rifle I've ever shot. Also, I don't know how well your .357 held up with the rear sight elevator ramp, but my .44 rear sight didn't want to play nice. I'll probably take a file to the ramp steps to give a bit more traction to keep it from slipping every other shot. Actually thinking about the "stevesgunz" rear peep sight kit that will drop into the silly safety switch hole in the bolt. Would probably be better for my bad eyes anyway.

As for the unpleasant orange tint on the wood ..... mine was pretty dry, so I tried the Old English "scratch remover" (dark) furniture polish. So far tonight I've given it about 10 rubs and wipes and the stain is soaking right in. After each coat, I rub it down with a paper coffee filter (my favorite "finishing" medium for wood) and it's getting darker and slicker with each application. Ordinarily I would just remove the wood, sand and bleach it, then stain and refinish with a hand rubbed oil, but thought this might be a simple way to start since the wood was smooth, fairly dry and open grained. It seems to be working well, but I'll know for sure in a few days if it no longer takes the polish and begins to take a nice, smooth dark luster. I think it's gonna work.

surv

[AdioSS]

I haven't put too many rounds through mine yet. I pulled the wood off & it is now black. I REALLY like the black wood with bright stainless. Not too sure how well this finish is going to hold up yet though. I have to say that I had some real trouble with putting the barrel band back on after. The holes for the bolt just wouldn't line up with the notch in the barrel.

The rear sight comes off for a scope installation, so I'm not too worried about that.

While I had the wood off I did a little bit of smoothing of the action. The trigger feels a good bit better now. I wishi would've thought to measure it before & after. I also noticed that the capacity is listed as being an 8+1, but it is really 9+1.

[Texasrpbrock]

Even though this post is a little old, I commented a while back that I had finally got my hands on a late model Win 94AE in 30-30. I finally got to play with it a few days ago. I was shooting 170 grn. Ammo through it. Ouch, ouch and ouch! Kicked like a mule with the stock butt plate and I'm now bruised up a bit. Ran some 150 grns thought it also. A bit more tolerable but still a hard kick and not able to group. Afterwards a trip to LGS and bought a Limbsaver for it. Hoping it makes a considerable difference?

Would like to know from the experts if a 357 mag shoots just as harsh or is easier to manage? I'm eyeing a new Win model 73 in .357 mag but don't want to purchase if it's just eye candy and a bruiser. I've shot a 357 mag wheel gun before and know what to expect but I've never had the opportunity to fire a .357 mag rifle. In short, is it a manageable round in a long gun?

Getting older and losing muscle mass sucks!

[AEA]

You won't even notice you shot the .357!

[CC Italian]

My marlin 336 is great with a limb saver pad. I can shoot over 100 rounds with no soreness or bruising the next day.
A .357 mag in a lever action is a kitten compared to the 30 30 but the 357 isnt even in the same ballpark power wise.The 30 30 44 and hotter 45 colt rounds are closer in felt recoil and are far more powerful.

[AEA]

If you are not hunting bear, .357 should serve your needs for smaller game and humans.

[JALLEN]

Would like to know from the experts if a 357 mag shoots just as harsh or is easier to manage? I'm eyeing a new Win model 73 in .357 mag but don't want to purchase if it's just eye candy and a bruiser. I've shot a 357 mag wheel gun before and know what to expect but I've never had the opportunity to fire a .357 mag rifle. In short, is it a manageable round in a long gun?

Getting older and losing muscle mass sucks!

I am hardly an expert, but do have some experience with the Win 94 in .357 magnum. I shoot both .38 special and .357 magnum and there is a noticeable difference in recoil, of course. Shooting .38 is a bit stouter than a BB gun. Shooting .357 is a lot more. Nowhere near as violent as a 12 ga. and not unpleasant in the least.

I'm 67 and in declining health as the ravages of old age and decrepitude take their unwelcome toll, decades of exposure to night air, strong drink and wild women, or something, I guess.

[Texasrpbrock]

Gentlemen, thanks for your input. The 30-30 really surprised me. I was in my teens the last time I handled one and probably felt the recoil back then but boys being boys, didn't want to admit it. This sucker got my attention the other day. My wife noticed the bruises and commented last night. Hopefully the Limbsaver will do the trick. Too nice of a rifle to give up on. I'm bound and determined to get somewhat proficient with it one way or the other. If the Limbsaver works as good on the Winchester as it does on my Rem Wingmaster then I can work with that.

Kinda figured the 357 in a rifle would be much more of a pleasure to shoot but wanted to ask before I make the leap when the time is right.

[CC Italian]

My 30 30 seems to have more recoil then my youth 20 gauge and less then a short barrel 12 gauge Imo. Another thing you could use are those recoil shoulder pads. My father uses them and his limb saver pad when shooting his 12 gauge. He is on blood thinners and will bruise easy without them.

Past is the company that makes the shoulder pad.

[Texasrpbrock]

Shooting a rifle that makes you flinch is no fun. I'm thinking about getting one of the shoulder pads as well. Not sure if it would be worth it or not, but would smoothing out the trigger help any with getting more proficient with my Win 30-30? Or should I just suck it up and keep working with it as-is? Haven't shot it yet with the Limbsaver but I'm hoping it makes a big difference. Thanks for the advice.

[CC Italian]

Try the recoil pad. 150 grain is usually less recoil but other then that the 357 (and you can shoot. 38s) is the next best thing. They are a little lighter also. In a rifle caliber I would go down to the 25.06 or 243 win for less recoil. 270 has way more recoil and I think the 7mm-08 is similar to the 30 30 from what I remember. But those are not lever calibers. 44 mag with hot loads in a lever has more recoil imo but the .44 special is easy to shoot. Same for 45 colt. Standard pressure is easy and those big 300 grain +p have some kick.Also if you want there are reduced recoil loads for 30 30 but you are just slowing down the bullet and running a lighter weight.

[CC Italian]

Honestly after looking back now I would have got the 44 mag or 45 colt. All the game I have taken have been within 40-120 yards with the 30 30 and while it is good for game up to mule deer and supposedly black bear I think the bigger heavier 300 grain + loads are better up 100 yards. Yes the 30 30 shoots flatter and has more energy but my buddies 45 colt +p does 1600+ fps with a 300 grain + bullet. It is better on hogs then the 30 30. That I know first hand!

[Texasrpbrock]

Taking it out later this week for another test drive on the range with the Limbsaver. Boys at the gun shop have assured me it will be a much, much more pleasurable shooting experience. I am hoping to save my lunch money up for one of those new walnut Win model 73s in 357/38 maybe later in the year... then I'll have one of each. Yep, wished I could afford a original real deal of a 94 and a 73 but I want to shoot the snot out of them. You only live once!

[Iunnrais]

+1 on the Limbsaver. I put a grind to fit pad on my .45-70 and it tamed the beast nicely. It's still a cannon but at least my shoulder was in better shape then with the hard rubber 'pad' that came on the rifle. Much more pleasant to shoot and no bruising.

[Texasrpbrock]

Folks, that Limbsaver on the 30-30 made quite a bit of difference! Finally got to spend some time with it on the range today. It still thumps pretty hard on 150 and 170 grs. But after spending a considerable amount of long thought out shots starting at 15 yards and out to 50, I'm getting the hang of it. But on a interesting note, the more rounds I put through it, it seemed like it was shooting better and better after every 5 rounds or so. I drove about 80 rounds though it. So either the previous owner never broke it in, or I'm getting better behind the wheel? Maybe my imagination but thevtrigger smoothed out some. Not ready to shoot apples of anyone's head yet.