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Marlin Cowboy Rifle Question

Lanark SixgunnerLanark Sixgunner Member Posts: 130 ✭✭
edited February 2007 in Ask the Experts
I am thinking of getting a Marlin Cowboy rifle in .357 Magnum and having it cut down to 16" for a short saddle gun. How much velosity would the gun lose? Would it be okay for close range deer hunting? What would the max effective range be?

Thanks,

Lanark Sixgunner
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Comments

  • mbsamsmbsams Member Posts: 1,076 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have shot 2 deer in the boiler room at no more than 15 yards - Both ran off and were never recovered. 357 sold - 44mag in service now- no failures out to 100 yds. Past that I get the '06
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  • gotstolefromgotstolefrom Member Posts: 1,479 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    How much do you plan to cut off ? If it's just 2", don't worry about it. There is more velocity variation between different loads than the loss for a particular load in a 2" shorter bbl.

    If it is 4", you MAY have to change the load to get back to where you are now. Do you know you current ballistics ? It may still shoot just fine for your needs.

    Before I would cut it, make sure you'll get exactly what you want. After you cut it, re-crown, replace the front sight, and do a little finish work, the money will have added up.

    Either way you should still be fine, power wise, for CAS.
    As for hunting, people bring down deer with 357 mag in hunting handguns, and people have lost them with 44 mag and hotter rifles. As you know....there's always plenty to " go wrong ".
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  • wtroperwtroper Member Posts: 736 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    In the 357 I strongly recommend 180 gr loads for hunting. As a handgun hunter, I do not hunt with 357 (I use 41 mag) but I know people who do. Choosing the right bullet is very important in the 357. mbsams - 15 yards? 357 should have worked if the bullet performed and the shot was correctly placed.
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You can expect to lose approximately 50 fps for each inch removed.
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  • Lanark SixgunnerLanark Sixgunner Member Posts: 130 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the info guys. the Marlin has a 20" barrel so I would plan on cutting off 4".

    Thanks again,

    Lanark Sixgunner
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  • rustyd02359rustyd02359 Member Posts: 8 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't they have 16 in guns? Winchester has a nice Trapper Model I bought a few years back. It has a 16" barrel and I got it in 45 LC so I can use same loads as a sixgun. I then bought a large loop lever from the parts dept. and now I have a small, light, fast handling gun the Rifleman would be proud of.
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