[Seabee1425]

I'm curious to know what the opinions are on barrel length of a 38/357 lever rifle. I understand that the shorter carbines are easier to carry and all but what about accuracy at longer ranges? Does a 24" barrel gain you enough to warrant the extra weight and length?

 

[sharps4590]

I expect it does. One thing is certain, it offers an 8 inch longer sight radius which is more important for accuracy than the gain in velocity. For that cartridge I'd opt for the 20 inch barrel as it offers a good compromise between the two. Kinda depends on what's more important to you.

 

[ral357]

The longer sight radius of the 24 " if you will be using the irons is of course an advantage over the shorter options. Longer barrels are no more or less accurate than shorter barrels. Some say shorter barrels tend to be slightly more accurate but its the quality of each barrel not the length that determines accuracy. The velocity gain in the longer barrel will vary greatly depending on the cartridge used. I believe some will actually be slower out of the 24" than the shorter barrels because the 357 is a pistol caliber and the powders used are meant to be used in shorter barrels. Someone that reloads could work up some good loads for the 24" barrel but I wouldn't get over a 20" for a pistol caliber carbine.

 

[Shawlerbrook]

Cannot disagree with the above, but for me, the 357 is the perfect Trapper( 16”) cartridge.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

I have a 20” Henry, and in my opinion it hits the sweet spot for most .357 Mag rounds, while still being good for .38 Special. That said, you can get more velocity out of some handloads using slow pistol powders with a 24”, but you are going to actually see a decrease in velocity over the shorter barrels using fast pistol powders, and 38 Special from a 24” will more than likely be about like shooting from a revolver due to the powder being burned up long before it exits the barrel. There are exceptions and workarounds though, like using very slow pistol powders in your .38 special loads.

There isn’t a huge difference in velocity between the 16” and 20”, but there is some. Again, with handloading you can take advantage of the longer barrel with slower powders, but most factory ammo will be close. 38 special will usually max out at 16” or so.

I think I read somewhere once that the optimal length barrel for a .357 magnum was about 18”, but don’t quote me on that because I can’t remember the source.

 

[ral357]

Cannot disagree with the above, but for me, the 357 is the perfect Trapper( 16”) cartridge.

I agree, I have 16" Rossi in 357. Slick little carbine, balance is just right. No need for a sling on the little bugger.

 

[Hawg]

I like longer barrels. Why? Just because. My 30-06 hunting rifle has a 26 inch barrel. My black powder Hawken has a 31 inch barrel.

 

[soundguy]

While I like a long bbl for most hinting..something to be said about a 16" bbl carbine when stalking in the woods or on horseback.

 

[shootbrownelk]

I like longer barrels. Why? Just because. My 30-06 hunting rifle has a 26 inch barrel. My black powder Hawken has a 31 inch barrel.

My 30.06 has an 18 1/2" barrel. Very handy in the black timer where I hunted elk. Shots were usually short (under 150 yds.) but I did make a 360+ yd. shot on a big 6 point bull. Short barrels work for me.

 

[Hawg]

For woods work I use a Winchester 94 with a 20 inch barrel but I'd prefer a 24.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

For factory ammo, you can take a look at BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: .357 Mag Results. For the examples they have, it looks as though a 16“ barrel is optimal for factory ammo. Personally, I don’t shoot a lot of factory loads from mine, instead using a variety of powders including IMR 4227, 2400, and W296 which do an excellent job of taking advantage of the extra barrel length of my Henry.

 

[Old School or Nothing]

Think my marlin has a 18 which is fine. The 16" on the rossi saddle ring is okay also but I think I like the 18 better. The 20 should be fine. The 20 and 24 may not be as loud with w296 or lil'gun but the shorter ones are faster handling in the brush. The 24" barrels were likely king back in the black powder cartridge days.

Think the 92 Winchesters came in three lengths. 16 carbine/calvalry, short rifle 20, and 24 rifle or sporting in 38-40/44-40/32-20. I think Rossi makes the r92 copy in all three lengths. The saddle ring 16 has a flat plank type stock top with a steel plate like the old calvalry models did (John Wayne style).

I prefer the side eject for optics mounting for my old eyes and a rubber pad on the stock for my older bones. 38s have no recoil to mention but heavy 357 loads kick about like a 30-30.

 

[ms6852]

If I owned or ever bought one I would probably buy the 24" barrel and load 180 gr bullets. I love the aesthetics of how a lever action rifle looks with a longer barrel.

 

[jag1954]

The 16" barrel suits me just fine, I've never had accuracy issues with it and being shorter in stature at 5' 8" (130lbs), for me at least, it strikes a nice balance. Here's my .45 Colt, .357/.38 and .22LR.

 

[johnsxj]

I've got the Rossi 92 .357/.38 and went with the 20" barrel.
Could've gotten the shorter barrel but the 20" has a longer magazine tube so I can run 10+1 of .357 or 12+1 of .38spcl.

 

[stmichps]

Rossi R92, .357 Magnum, Stainless Steel, 24" Barrel. I had the barrel turned down so it was 1/2 Octagon/Round, the wood shaved down to fit the metal as it extended pass the metal and hydro-dip, action job to smooth it up and the finish bead blasted to give it a satin finish.

What I understand by the smith that did the work. Everyone that had seen this rifle on his bench during the process, was as excited to see the finish product as I was.

 

[paul edward]

I'm curious to know what the opinions are on barrel length of a 38/357 lever rifle. I understand that the shorter carbines are easier to carry and all but what about accuracy at longer ranges? Does a 24" barrel gain you enough to warrant the extra weight and length?

Depends on what use you have for this carbine. One of the main advantages of these carbines is their light weight and ease of handling. My 20" Marlin works very well on my favorite quarry, the elusive Rocky Mountain tin can. I don't carry it on long hikes nor in a scabbard when mounted so the barrel length does not matter.

 

[45nut]

I have the Rossi 92 with a 20" barrel. I like the balance of it just fine, and it's more accurate than I am. I have killed 4 or 5 deer with mine between 50 & 100 yards and it dropped all of them with one shot. Good enough for me!!