[Kosh75287]

The only lever-gun I own (sadly) is a rather nice Rossi M1892 Win. reproduction in .45 Colt. I love it, and I think it's begun to make me a better shot than I really am. I've been seeing some nice-looking Marlin 94s(?) in .44 Mag, and the thought of getting one to convert to .357 B&D occurred to me. Starting with a .44 Magnum carbine would entail rebarreling, and I have no idea of the work involved.
I'm wondering if the simpler conversion would be to start with a lever gun in .357 Magnum, have the chamber reamed to .357 B&D, and then R&R the "bolt" (?) with one having a bolt face for .44 Magnum. R&R-ing the mafazine tube assembly is probably a must-do, also.
Even if the above procedures can be done with reasonable convenience, I wonder what changes might need to be made to the feed way parts to facilitate reliable operation.
Ideas? Comments? Surmises? Guesses? Groans? Hallicinations? All welcome.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

To be honest, I've never heard of the 357 B&D until reading your post...so off to the interwebs I went. Interesting cartridge indeed.

My initial and totally unprofessional in the terms of gunsmithing thoughts are this....

Might be easier to buy a 44mag carbine, then acquire a 357 barrel and have the chamber of that barrel reamed to 357 B&D. One thing to take into consideration with that route is the barrel stock of a 357 chambered barrel may be smaller than that of a 44mag barrel. Not saying this is a fact, but definitely would need looking into. If that option is feasible on that aspect, I would not think any alterations of the bolt or even the lifter would be necessary??

As to the mag tube, I would not suspect a need to alter that either if the rifle is bought as a 44mag to begin with.

If a 357 barrel is smaller than a 44mag barrel the whole idea may be dead in the water absent the willingness to take on considerable expense. I would be concerned with safety to ream a 357 chamber if the barrel OD of a 357 is smaller than that of a 44.

My Win 94 Trapper has a fatter barrel than my 32Spl as well as my 375 Win.

 

[DarkLord]

The only lever-gun I own (sadly) is a rather nice Rossi M1892 Win. reproduction in .45 Colt. I love it, and I think it's begun to make me a better shot than I really am. I've been seeing some nice-looking Marlin 94s(?) in .44 Mag, and the thought of getting one to convert to .357 B&D occurred to me. Starting with a .44 Magnum carbine would entail rebarreling, and I have no idea of the work involved.
I'm wondering if the simpler conversion would be to start with a lever gun in .357 Magnum, have the chamber reamed to .357 B&D, and then R&R the "bolt" (?) with one having a bolt face for .44 Magnum. R&R-ing the mafazine tube assembly is probably a must-do, also.
Even if the above procedures can be done with reasonable convenience, I wonder what changes might need to be made to the feed way parts to facilitate reliable operation.
Ideas? Comments? Surmises? Guesses? Groans? Hallicinations? All welcome.

Aaaah, .357 B&D, I have a couple rounds in my cartridge collection. The .357 Automag is basically a rimless .357 B&D.
You project is the musing of a sick mind, only a true rifle loony would want a .357 B&D lever rifle…I like it!!

I think re-barreling a .44 would be the easier route. To do it right, you’re going to have to remove the barrel anyhow, so might as well just swap in a properly reamed barrel. As for feeding, unless you try some really long bullets, I don’t think feeding will be much of an issue at all. You’ll want to use a very modern Win 92 action, don’t push those kinds of pressures in an original. Yeah the originals can handle the pressure, but eventually you will stretch the receiver, so stick to modern.

 

[shawlerbrook]

Darklord, my feelings exactly. Leverguns in unusual cartridges are addicting.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Darklord, my feelings exactly. Leverguns in unusual cartridges are addicting.

As an owner of lever rifles in 375 Win, 45-60WCF and 45-90WCF, I approve this message 🤣

And there are still more on my wish list

 

[Kosh75287]

So I guess this'd be the wrong time to mention my musings of a Desert Eagle in the same caliber? LOL

 

[MoreBS]

Finally got my 41 mag lever gun, it is nice to have some odd critters!