Winchester 24” or 20”??

[maxxlara]

I have a chance to get a Winchester 73 in .357 with a octagon 24 inch barrel or a Winchester 73 in .357 round barrel 20 inch both are the same price. I can’t decide which one to get. Which one would you choose? I like the octagon barrel, but feel 24 inches is a bit long..thanks for any advice.

[green grunt]

I have the std mdl in 20" , 357 mag , it's a bit long due to the receiver length , I would think the 24" would seem very long.... jusy my 2 cents

[NapaCountyShooter]

[Tere_Hanges]

24" oct is a classic, what most '73s looked like back in the day. The 20" round barrels were made popular from all the hollywood westerns. But of course the trade off is weight.

[maxxlara]

I wish they made a 20in octagon barrel, with that heated metal finish. I don’t know if they do, but I only have the 2 choices..

[Catch]

I would choose 20 for a pistol chamber. I wish they case hardened the ol fashion way. I think Turnbull is the only shop now to case harden with coals.

[tmorse]

[200Apples]

Depends on whatcher goane doo whichit.

Only target shoot? and never will rely on having to carry it for whatever reason, even hunting deer in brush country?

Therein lies your answer.


Personally, I'd like to have both, but since I'm a carryin' kind of guy that appreciates short(er), light and handy carbines, I'd first acquire the 20".

[maxxlara]

I’ll prolly never hunt with it. I saw that movie Winchester 73 years ago and I’ve always wanted to own one... I just the the marlin 1894 and the Rossi. I believe I’ve been bit by the lever action bug. There is something nostalgic about these rifles that appeal to me. I do want to own a piece of history by I also plan to shoot this a lot..

[Carcassonne]

The extra 4" of barrel length most likely won't increase velocity. It will probably do the opposite.

The 24" octagon barrel looks better in my opinion.

A 16" barrel would be more practical.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html

Notice the velocities at 16" @ the above link, and how some of the bullets start to slow down as the barrel gets longer.


.

[MyOdessa]

I had your problem, solved by buying both. Then put Marble tang sights on them. No regrets.

[golfish]

I've got a 24" Oct and a 20" Oct, both 38/357 model 92 Rossi's. Both are pretty accurate, I like the 20" a little more.

I'm not a huge fan of the 73 action, it's not made to run .357 mag loads. If you stay with 38sp you can shoot it for life, not so much if you shoot a lot of magnum rounds.

[DueceMcGurk]

Maxx,

For me the octagonal barrel was too heavy. I chose the Marlin '94 for 357 because the action was strong and could take full house rounds.

Lots of lever choice comes down to your purpose for buying. Buy what you want to shoot the most.

[therealnickb]

The extra 4" of barrel length most likely won't increase velocity. It will probably do the opposite.

The 24" octagon barrel looks better in my opinion.

A 16" barrel would be more practical.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html

Notice the velocities at 16" @ the above link, and how some of the bullets start to slow down as the barrel gets longer.


.

[golfish]

Maxx,

For me the octagonal barrel was too heavy. I chose the Marlin '94 for 357 because the action was strong and could take full house rounds.

Lots of lever choice comes down to your purpose for buying. Buy what you want to shoot the most.

I don't know about the Winchester but Rossi uses the same barrel blanks for all their oct rifles, so the .357 is one heavy gun. The 24" was my first lever action rifle. I wouldn't want to drag that sucker around the woods.