Thinking about buying a Puma 357 lever action in stainless

[Turbo]

I am looking for comments from anyone who has a Puma 357 lever action rifle made by Rossi. I want a stainless steel 38/357 lever action with a 24" or longer barrel. As far as I know, the Puma is the only lever action to fit those requirements.

Here's my questions:
1. Will the Puma feed 38 Specials and 357s equally well? I'll shoot mostly 38 Specials.
2. Do they shoot cast bullets well?
3. Do the Pumas hold up well?
4. Can you mount a scope reasonably easily?

Any information regarding the Puma lever action 38 Special/357 would be greatly appreciated!

Jon

[John Y Cannuck]

No experience with the PUMA, but as to it's parental lineage, the '92 Winchester, I love it. Strong, fast, and light. Shoots well too.

[Blackhawk44]

Good friend has had a Puma for several years.  His a 44.  Actually feeds 44SP better than mag.  Shoots cast loads well.  Seems to hold up like a '92, just not as well fitted.  If you truly have to have a scope, better look for a Marlin.  Over the last 100 years, no one has designed a scope mount that is over the bore and allows the rifle to function.  There used to be mounts to allow the scope to hang along side the bore, but you either get a cheek piece to move you face left or learn to shoot with your left eye.  The only potential functional mount is for a "scout" type arrangement.  Best to look for a tang or receiver peep.

[Sixgun]

I own and shoot a Rossi 357 mag carbine.  I use it in NRA Cowboy Rifle Pistol Cartridge compitition.  My load is Rem brass, CCI small pistol standard primers, 7 gr Unique and a 125gr Rem sjhp.  I use a Lyman Reciever Sight.  At 100 meters, I get under 2 inches from a rest and just over 2 inches shooting offhand.  

My oponion of the rifle is that it is cheaper than a Marlin and much stronger.  It isn't made to mount a scope on.  I had to drill and tap it for the Lyman sight but my gunsmith did it for only $20.  It really is not a gun you would want to shoot with a scope.  Effective range for hunting is only about 100 yards and the receiver sight does just fine out to about 150 yards.  

For hunting in Western Oregon it would be great and at the ranges that you see game over there a scope would be a hindrance anyway.  At close ranges it should be good for anything from black bear to deer and even an elk at close range.  "Elk", yes,  they shoot them wit 50 cal round balls don't they?  I would feel more confident with a 180gr 357 from a 20 inch barrel on an elk than a 50 cal round ball any day.

If you are hunting Western Oregon, take a bigger gun, with a scope.

Just my 2cents.  

Sixgun

[Turbo]

It sounds like the Puma is a good lever action and the scope option is best to be avoided. I'll try one with a Lyman Receiver sight.

Thanks!

[Mainspring]

Have you checked out the EMF line http://www.emf-company.com/ ?  As far as I know, they're made in the same shop as the Puma line is, and they don't have that dumb safety on top of the bolt.

[Turbo]

Mainspring,

Thanks for the info on EMF. I have heard a few comments about the less than perfect safety on the Puma. I'll see if I can find an 1892 clone imported by EMF, to compare with the Puma.

I have some time to visit my gun shop tomorrow and will see what they have.

Thanks!

Jon

[Graybeard]

Jon I have the EMF92 in .45LC. I can vouch for the quality and accuracy of it. You'll be pleased with it and at less money most likely and most importantly without the stupid safety. BTW mine shoots far more accurately than my Marlin Cowboy .45LC did and is much smoother. The Marlin needed an action job to feed smoothly. The EMF works right out of the box.

GB

[Turbo]

Graybeard,

Thanks for the information on your EMF92 in 45 LC. Do you use a receiver or a tang sight with yours? I have been looking at the Marbles Tang Sight in the Brownell's catalog. It looks like a nice addition to the rifle, although a bit expensive.

Jon

[Graybeard]

Jon, nope so far I'm just using the factory installed sights. On an old Marlin in .35 Rem. of mine I have a Williams receiver peep but the EMF is for CAS matches and the targets are up close and big and to me the factory sight is all that's needed. If I were hunting with it I'd likely go with a receiver peep.

GB

[Turbo]

I appreciate all the help and advice about Puma and EMF lever actions. I ended up purchasing an all stainless steel Puma in 454 Casull. My gun shop was not able to locate a stainless 357 with the long barrel and they had a 454 Casull in stock. After spending a few nights laying awake thinking about the 454 Casull, I decided to buy it.

I took it to my range today and it sure is a great shooter! Recoil with 45 Colt cowboy loads is very minimal. I tried some Winchester 454 Casull loads and they were also pleasant to shoot. I'm sure some of the hotter 454 Casull loads will be a bit more brisk.

I slugged the barrel and found the groves to be .4529. I'll load some 45 Colts with .454 diameter bullets as soon as I get my Dillon 550B shell plate.

Jon