First lever gun .357 or .22 ?

[RNE228]

357 first. Been shooting a JM Marlin; lots of fun to shoot. Matches up with a Ruger Blackhawk nicely too.

A buddy has an older Rossi 22lr pump. That is a ton of fun to shoot; I would take that over a lever 22lr or 10/22...

[GeeBee49]

The only 22 I have is a Revelation semi-auto rifle that was sold at Western Auto stores back in the day. My Mom gave it to my Dad for Christmas shortly after they bought property in Hesperia in the early sixties.

[870classic]

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

^^^^
TOO True.

Followed by the following calibers 30-30, 45-70, etc. etc. etc.

Best regards,
870classic.

[Donkeypunch0420]

Get whichever one presents itself for a good price first. My only 2 lever guns are a .22 and a .38/.357. My lever action itch is scratched for now. A .44 mag and .45/70 are on my long list though.

[Squidward]

The .22lr would be a useful range toy.
The 38/357 would be a useful range toy.
But it would be more capable than the .22lr in other uses if need be.

[duckman1]

If you load for the .357 that's the direction I would lean....I love my .22's and they are pretty cheap to shoot, but they are a little underwhelming when shooting reaction targets.

[Jimi Jah]

American Rifleman mag did a review of several Henry rifles. The .22LR Golden Boy was the most accurate beating their centerfire models.

[five.five-six]

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

[MrRichards]

Mine's a 22 mag - is great fun to shoot & is my kids' fav. My dad purchased it from Sears in 1964 and was the first rifle I fired. Watched Pop take down a couple of deer with it. Rebuilt the action & updated the scope a couple years back - smooth as silk.

He has a unfired Rugar 22wmr lever in his safe right now which I'm planning to talk him out of soon.

[23 Blast]

get a 45-70.

[pennstater]

Not sure I'm reading that^^^right. I load for .357 rifle and handgun: Henry rifle, Ruger BH. Same load, same OAL. They work fine in either one. These are middle of the road loads. Whether 158's or 180's, makes no difference.

MLC

[shadowofnight]

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

get a 45-70.

Having just bought my 3rd 357 lever gun, and you being a reloader....I still agree with Blast...get a 45-70.

You can load them as slow and soft shooting as you want, and those big heavy bullets still knock over anything with authority...makes plinking really fun.

A bulk box of cheap Oregon Trail bullets and some Trail Boss powder equals Heaven to a reloading plinker

[bigbossman]

If you reload, the .357/.38spl. But..... get both.

[norcalAF]

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

I started with a .44 mag, it was situational though as it was a good deal. The next will be a .410!