Hi all,

I'm contemplating a 44mag levergun purchase for hunting out to 100 yards (it's not needed for CAS), and of course, all the fun that comes with practicing at the range. I want to limit the barrel length to 20" for ease of carry and hunting in the woods considerations. I've settled on either a Henry Big Boy 44 (octagonal bbl only) or a 20" blued Puma 44 with a round barrel. Which do you find more accurate out of the box? Any other purchase considerations among these two?

I know the Henry is heavier, but Henry says they'll group 2.9" at 100 yds. LSI/Puma simply says they ought to group fine. I've owned Marlins, Winchesters, and a round-barreled 20" Puma in SS in the past, so I'm familiar with them. The Ruger lever is not in the running, as part of the purchase consideration is the traditional levergun receiver/action.

I'm not much of a tuner except for handloading to improve group size. I understand from prior purchases that buying any one particular rifle is kind of a crapshoot- no outfit makes every unit perfectly.

I don't own any rifles at this point; this will be my only one. Don't worry about my buying one and rushing right out to hunt with it; I'll practice with it and "hunt" for a load until next year- I can wait that long, anyway.

Can't think of anything else to tell to help with comments, but I sure appreciate your feedback!

Thanks,

1x

this may help (http://www.ssaa.org.au/OFFICIALREVIEWS/largeleveraction/leveraction.htm#rossi44)
Cheers

AussieT3Shooter,

Thanks! :)

Any more shooters out there with experiences?

1x2

1x2,

I personally really like my Rossi M92's, and the .44 mag is a real joy to carry and shoot. I'll have to say up-front however, that it wasn't a great shooter out of the box! While I don't consider the Rossi a "Kit Gun" as you descrbed in another thread, regarding your Marlin experiences, these Rossi M92's do have very thin barrel walls, and as such, where the rear sight is dovetailed into the barrel, and the front barrel band retaining screw is slotted into the bottom of the barrel, as well as the slot for the forearm band retaining screw being slotted on the underside of the barrel, at all three of these locations there are significant constrictions in the bore.

In the example of my personal Rossi 92 in .44 mag, this constriction was .004" ! This of course necessitated firelapping the barrel to releive the constriction. However, once properly lapped and polished, it's really hard to do anything wrong with this gun in regard to load development! It literally digests just about any reasonable load perfectly, and with astounding accuracy!

For the money these are great little guns, once you get past the bore constrictions inherent with these leverguns.

Enjoy when you get yours!

God bless,

Thanks, Marshall, it's the truth I'm looking for. :)

1x2

1x2,

I'm new to this forum, but I have been lurking for several months now. I love my little Puma 92, but it kicks like crazy with hot loads. The solution to this was relatively simple. The 454 versions of the Pumas have recoil pads, so I called Mike at M&M Gunsmithing and ordered a butt stock for the 454s. It was a drop-in fit.

M&M Gunsmithing
204 South Union St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 739-2150
email: mmgunsmithing@juno.com

Good luck.

rt

Thanks, rt, I've been pondering that butt stock/recoil pad also, if I make the jump in favor of a Puma, and thanks for your "vote" , glad you're happy with it.

The 2.9" groups Henry's factory says they'll stand behind (I think I understood them to say they'll stand behind) would be hard to ignore, even with the extra 2 1/2 lbs and gaudy softer brass receiver to lug around.... :)

1x2

1x2

My little 92 Rossi in .44 will shoot basically a ragged hole at 50 yards, and with open sights at 100 about 3" (this is about all I get with any open sights due to my eyesight.... a Lyman 66LA is on it's way for this gun now!) This accuracy of course was post-lapping the barrel.... this gun has been the careful process of much note-taking and photo ops for an upcoming article on the 92's (this and other 92's in my stable). However, it's a great shooter, and I'd highly recommend the Rossi for quality, affordability, portability and good clean fun, if you're willing to lap the barrel.

God bless,

...if you're willing to lap the barrel.

Oh, all right. :)


Thanks,

1x2

The ventilated butt pad on my Legacy Puma 92 .454 Casull makes an amazing difference in comfort compared to the hard-end butts on my Winchester 92's and 94's. It's really needed with the .454, not necessary with .44mag/.45 Colt, though it does make a nice difference even when I'm just shooting .45 Colt in the Puma. Plus the rubber butt keeps the rifle from sliding andkeeps it upright when I put the butt on a hard floor and lean the rifle against the wall! ;)

Legacy/Rossi '92 Ltd. 16" Trapper - .454 Casull
http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/Puma454.jpg

DHart,

I believe it! The Marlins I used to own that came with recoil pads were quite comfortable to shoot. I called LSI about that, where i was considering the .357 or .44 puma, the salesman with whom I spoke said he'd ask the gunsmith if there were any spare buttstocks for the 454 around and get back to me, but I never received a return call [sigh].

1x2

I recently purchased a Puma M92 in .44 mag. How many lap round did it take you? I also put 10 down any barrel then try to slug it looking for tight or rough spots. By the way my rifle appears to have the shallowest grooves I have seen in a while. Is this typical? thanks

Farmer,

In my experience with the .44 Rossi '92 I put roughly 40 lap loads down the bore to releive 0.004" constriction in the barrel. Once completed however, the little bugger just shoots like a house-afire.

Yes, the Rossi/LSI Puma rifles have very shallow groove rifling. This is why, coupled with the fact that their .44's have generously proportioned barrel dimensions, that they thrive on .432" diameter bullets.

Hope this helps answer your questions.

God bless,