Survival and Emergency Preparedness

Mac66 wrote: ↑Sat May 16, 2020 9:08 am

Ronin.45 wrote: ↑Fri May 15, 2020 10:53 pm

Mac66 wrote: ↑Fri May 15, 2020 8:19 pm Something to consider in lieu of a 357 mag is the 350 Legend. It's like a 357 mag/max on steroids. 356 caliber bullet with better ballistics, longer range, very little recoil and available in all kinds of affordable bolt guns and AR platforms. Of course it's not interchangeable with a pistol but it has a lot going for it.

I'm familiar with it. Basically a 357maximum with a rebated rim. It has potential, but the mag has more upside for me.

The 350 L is considerably more powerful than the 357 Max but I understand not wanting to get into another caliber particularly one that doesn't have a pistol companion. I only suggested it as an alternative as the Ruger Ranch Rifle in 350L is probably cheaper and more available than a 77/357 and it has superior ballistics.

Definitely way cheaper and I do like the American Ranch. My 300blk Ranch was a surprisingly good gun for the money.
I'll save way more in ammo costs over time being able to shoot 38sp though. I'm actually designing matches around hunting rifles so people can get out different toys to play with.

Ronin.45 wrote: ↑Sat May 16, 2020 11:13 am

Mac66 wrote: ↑Sat May 16, 2020 9:08 am

Ronin.45 wrote: ↑Fri May 15, 2020 10:53 pm

I'm familiar with it. Basically a 357maximum with a rebated rim. It has potential, but the mag has more upside for me.

The 350 L is considerably more powerful than the 357 Max but I understand not wanting to get into another caliber particularly one that doesn't have a pistol companion. I only suggested it as an alternative as the Ruger Ranch Rifle in 350L is probably cheaper and more available than a 77/357 and it has superior ballistics.

Definitely way cheaper and I do like the American Ranch. My 300blk Ranch was a surprisingly good gun for the money.
I'll save way more in ammo costs over time being able to shoot 38sp though. I'm actually designing matches around hunting rifles so people can get out different toys to play with.

A rifle in 357 is definitely more versatile. I'm surprised Ruger hasn't made the Ranch rifle in 357 mag or in 44 mag for that matter. With the high cost of lever guns these days a moderately priced bolt gun in those calibers would have a market.

Mac66 wrote: ↑Sat May 16, 2020 1:05 pm

Ronin.45 wrote: ↑Sat May 16, 2020 11:13 am

Mac66 wrote: ↑Sat May 16, 2020 9:08 am

The 350 L is considerably more powerful than the 357 Max but I understand not wanting to get into another caliber particularly one that doesn't have a pistol companion. I only suggested it as an alternative as the Ruger Ranch Rifle in 350L is probably cheaper and more available than a 77/357 and it has superior ballistics.

Definitely way cheaper and I do like the American Ranch. My 300blk Ranch was a surprisingly good gun for the money.
I'll save way more in ammo costs over time being able to shoot 38sp though. I'm actually designing matches around hunting rifles so people can get out different toys to play with.

A rifle in 357 is definitely more versatile. I'm surprised Ruger hasn't made the Ranch rifle in 357 mag or in 44 mag for that matter. With the high cost of lever guns these days a moderately priced bolt gun in those calibers would have a market.

I was really expecting the Ranch to come out in 357 and 44. They could even share mags with the 77 series guns to avoid redesigns. A $400 357 or 44 bolt gun would probably sell like hotcakes in straight wall states.

Ronin.45 wrote: ↑Sat May 16, 2020 2:45 pm

Mac66 wrote: ↑Sat May 16, 2020 1:05 pm

Ronin.45 wrote: ↑Sat May 16, 2020 11:13 am

Definitely way cheaper and I do like the American Ranch. My 300blk Ranch was a surprisingly good gun for the money.
I'll save way more in ammo costs over time being able to shoot 38sp though. I'm actually designing matches around hunting rifles so people can get out different toys to play with.

A rifle in 357 is definitely more versatile. I'm surprised Ruger hasn't made the Ranch rifle in 357 mag or in 44 mag for that matter. With the high cost of lever guns these days a moderately priced bolt gun in those calibers would have a market.

I was really expecting the Ranch to come out in 357 and 44. They could even share mags with the 77 series guns to avoid redesigns. A $400 357 or 44 bolt gun would probably sell like hotcakes in straight wall states.

Oh hell yes and not just in straight wall states either. I hunt in upper Michigan where it's unrestricted. I've been using my 44 mag rifles the last 3 years and the 450BM and 350L this past fall. I'm 5 for 5 on one shot kills using straight wall cartridges. I have a Marlin lever and a Ruger semi auto carbine in 44 mag and AR uppers in 450 & 350. I would happily give up the Ruger carbine and buy Ranch rifles in 44 and 357 if they were available.

Mac66 wrote: ↑Sat May 16, 2020 1:05 pm A rifle in 357 is definitely more versatile. I'm surprised Ruger hasn't made the Ranch rifle in 357 mag or in 44 mag for that matter. With the high cost of lever guns these days a moderately priced bolt gun in those calibers would have a market.

Ruger did make a 44 mag ranch type rifle, It use to be a side kick to the SW mod 29 when hunting...( got stolen back in '91 )
hard to find now but a great gun at it's time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vOurk_kuKQ

Actually - looking to maybe handled some .357 MINIMUMs

hehehe - you guys know what that's for?

tom mac wrote: ↑Sun May 17, 2020 8:37 am

Mac66 wrote: ↑Sat May 16, 2020 1:05 pm A rifle in 357 is definitely more versatile. I'm surprised Ruger hasn't made the Ranch rifle in 357 mag or in 44 mag for that matter. With the high cost of lever guns these days a moderately priced bolt gun in those calibers would have a market.

Ruger did make a 44 mag ranch type rifle, It use to be a side kick to the SW mod 29 when hunting...( got stolen back in '91 )
hard to find now but a great gun at it's time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vOurk_kuKQ

Yeah, I got one of those, killed a couple deer with it. It's handy to hunt with and a cool little rifle that I always wanted. Picked one up about 4 or 5 years ago. While mine works fine it's now more of a collectable and parts are no longer available for them. I would consider selling it to fund a pair of American Ranch Rifles in 44 mag and 357 mag if they were available. A bolt gun is lighter and more versatile with using different types of ammo and hand loads.



Ruger also made a 44 carbine from '00-'06 based on the Mini 14 as well as a lever action 44 mag called the 96/44 from '96-'09. Neither one sold very well and were discontinued. They were expensive to make and to buy. I think a bolt gun, particularly based one American Ranch would sell well these days. Both the 357 and 44 mags are a completely different animal out of rifle than a pistol.

Finally got the call from my buddy. He found the Timberwolf! Picked it up this morning.



For those who don't know the Timberwolf is a pump/slide action rifle that was made by IMI in 357 (and 44) mag for a short time in 1989-91. It has a screw on the left side of the receiver for quick take down of the stock. Because it can be fired without the stock OAL is under 26", it was eventually banned from importation by ATF. This one is blue steel and walnut. They also imported some stainless steel versions. The 44 mag version came late and very few were imported. Both the 357 and 44 are highly desirable and go for big bucks on Gunbroker.





This one has a few issues so I got it for a reasonable price. First my buddy didn't like the integral scope rail so he machined it off. I've since reblued it. I will have to drill and tap the receiver if I ever want to mount a scope. Second there is a small chip out of the stock.



It has an 18" bbl which is pretty thick. This is not a light weight rifle. Holds 10 rounds



My buddy intended to cut the barrel down to 16" and thread it. He has access to the machine shop at work. When he goes back to work I may eventually have him do that for me but I'll take it up to the cabin and shoot it for awhile before I decide.

Overall it is a high quality rifle. The finish/bluing is excellent and the walnut stock is very nice. Now all it needs is a stock cuff/ammo holder and a leather sling.

Cutting the magazine tube always complicates threading guns like this. At least it loads from the action unlike the Henry lever guns that were even tougher to cut back.

I'm at my property and just got finished putting about 100 rounds through it. It wasn't 100% but I attribute some of that to learning how the gun operated. Once I shot it awhile i didnt have any more problems with it. I was clearing plate racks pretty quickly. It's fun to shoot 38s out of it

Update;

Put another 50 rounds through in on Thursday. Still have a few issues but I sure it will shake out once I break it in. It's still pretty stiff to operate.

Back to the loading bench today to run some more 38s, then back up to the property tomorrow.