Rossi 357 lever action with lead cast reloads

[Tennjed]

Anybody have any issues using reloads in a Rossi 357 lever action. I am looking to pick up one. It is a 24" with an octagon barrel. I reload 357 with lead cast RN, SWC, & wad cutters. I assume the wad cutters and semi wad cutters may give me feeding issues.

Also it says 12 rd capacity. Will it hold more 38sp since they are shorter?

[gregintenn]

 

Also it says 12 rd capacity. Will it hold more 38sp since they are shorter?          

I have a shorter saddle ring carbine, and it does hold another round or two of 38 than 357.

 

I shoot lead round nose 38s in it, and they shoot and feed well. I haven't yet tried wadcutters nor semi wadcutters. I wouldn't expect them to feed well, but I guess I could get it out and see.

 

They are really neat rifles. You'll like it a lot.

[Tennjed]

I have a shorter saddle ring carbine, and it does hold another round or two of 38 than 357.

I shoot lead round nose 38s in it, and they shoot and feed well. I haven't yet tried wadcutters nor semi wadcutters. I wouldn't expect them to feed well, but I guess I could get it out and see.

They are really neat rifles. You'll like it a lot.

Thanks, yeah I have been wanting one for a while I am just a little nervous on feeding and extraction issues. A Internet search turns up mostly positive results but there are a fair number of complaints about feeding and extraction.

Do most people that shoot them in cowboy action matches shoot reloads or factory? One day I plan on getting into that and that is one reason I want the rossi. I have one vaquero in 357 and will pick another one up soon

[gregintenn]

I just tried wadcutters in mine, and they didn't want to feed properly. It'll feed all manners of 38/357 flatnose, round nose, hollow point, etc., just like corn through a goose. I wonder if it is a length issue with the wadcutters, or a shape issue. I don't have any SWCs loaded to try.

 

I know nothing about cowboy action shooting, but it does look like fun.

[frmus66]

It is a gun issue  my marlin feeds wadcutters and semi-wadcutters  perfectly

[Sidinman]

I've got one and mine was having feeding issues with alot of the 38's and some SWC's. I have since shortened the magazine spring and solved most of those problems. Seems that alot of the Rossi s have extra long springs. Can't remember where I read about it, but I tried cutting a couple inches off and it has helped tremendously. YMMV

[Tennjed]

Thanks guys. I will be meeting the guy in a couple of days to look it over. It is stainless (high polish) but it has had the barrel bead blasted. He had a gun smith do it to keep the glare down. Sounds like a good idea, but the pics he sent me were crappy cell phone pics. Has anyone seen one done that way? I am afraid the high polished body may not look right with the bead blasted barrels.

[gregintenn]

I would be concerned about what else he's dinked with on the rifle. Some of it you may not be able to see.

[Will H]

My Rossi shoots reloads fine, although I only use SWCs.  I also added the Gunslinger kit, and it's smooth as can be.

[Handsome Rob]

I had trouble with fully flat wadcutters in my .357/.38 too. Everything else fed fine. I also have feeding trouble with my .45lc, if the C.O.A.L. is a thou over the standard 1.6"

[tartanphantom]

My Rossi .357 is the 20" barrel version, and it feeds anything I put in it with no problems. Just lucky, I guess.

I did see some vids about shortening the magazine spring and replacing the follower with the aftermarket metal one, but I haven't done either yet, although both mods are on the "to do" list.

[broylz]

one of these is on my short list to get. I could imagine the sharper angles of the wadcutters causing issues. I would personally use round nose flat points most likely. ive been running som SCW in my revolver but will move to the round nose flat points next. had a couple SWC shoulders hang up on faster reloads.