First lever gun .357 or .22 ?

[MEGSDAD]

So, I think I want a lever gun strictly as a fun range gun. Trying to decide between a .22 or a .357. Would either be better for bowling pins, steel, water jugs etc.. So which would be more fun?
I do currently reload for .357 revolvers I have. I could reload for other calibers If another caliber would be more fun.
So any suggestions?
Thanks

[tigerpan]

Get whatever is available right now. I do like my Henry 22better than my 44mag.

[BajaJames83]

If you already roll your own 357 that would be my pick as 22lr is hard to come by right now

[pennstater]

Ditto what Baja said. Besides, those .357's in a lever gun are a hoot. Trust me.

MLC

[Garv]

Get the .357, more bang for the bowling ball, noise for the steel and boom for the water jugs.
Recoil in a levergun is low and you can use .38 special as well.
Since you reload, price is not too bad.

My BIL has a Henry octagon .22, certainly fun and inexpensive, but when shooting physical objects, not too impressive by comparison.

[Kokopelli]

Love my Marlin 357 mag lever but my Henry H001 22 is definately more fun. It even shoot 22 shorts and CB caps.

[DueceMcGurk]

357 for me (it also shoots 38 spcl). You may have other needs that would make 22LR the right chambering.

NEVER shoot a 45 Colt lever or you will own two rifles. lol

[200Apples]

Trying to decide between a .22 or a .357. Would either be better for bowling pins, steel, water jugs etc.. So which would be more fun?

We can save you the trouble right here and now.

You will, over the foreseeable future, purchase in the following order:

1. 357

2. 22

3. 45 Colt or .44 Mag

[fmunk]

If you're going to spend the money, 357. 22LR gets boring fast.

[Boarhuntor]

Get both, thank me later

[golfish]

If you're going to spend the money, 357. 22LR gets boring fast.

I agree with fmunk

[bohoki]

i got a couple lever 22s are they as fun as an autoloading eh maybe

i prefer a pump 22 but i sold mine to a friend cause i have way too many 22s

[Horsewright]

I must disagree with my esteemed colleagues. I'd get the .22 first. We've got 3, all Henry's and they get way rounds through them than our .357 lever. Now thats not saying the .357 ain't great cause it IS!!!! Just we shoot up a lot more .22s

[cannon]

It really makes no difference.

I started with a Winchester 22 lever.

Now I have Marlin 22, 38/357 & 45 LC.

Buy one now and you will buy the rest later.

Me? I'd go with the 38/357 since you already load for it. But then again. Why would anybody listen to me.

[darkwater]

If we weren't in apocalyptic times (pandemic, riots/civil unrest, tensions with China, guns & ammo shortages), I'd go with the .22 for more range time on the cheap, but .357 is more practical right now for defense and harvesting game, especially if it will be the only rifle you have that you are set up to reload for.