Lever action 38/357 - restricted?

Mochualeix

I have been looking at getting a Lever Action for Gallery Rifle and when looking at options and advice on different models (Rossi vs Marlin vs Henry) I came across a discussion that says the 38/357 calibre would be considered Restricted - can anyone confirm this? I'm far from an expert but as I understand it, up to 308 is Unrestricted and I would have expected the logical conclusion that, in caliber terms, even a 357 would be considered smaller than a 308. I would prefer the carbine versions and so capacity would be 7 rounds for what I'm looking at.

clivej

Yes they are restricted firearms. 38 and 357 are both bigger than a 308, do the math.

Get the Marlin, great rifle and what the majority of shooters use.

freddieot

308 is 7.62mm, which is the max.

38 and 357 are both over 9mm, therefore restricted.

JasonCee

As Clive said stick with a Marlin. Henry's quality has decreased over the years.

BattleCorp

It's not much more difficult to get a restricted firearm. The application is more or less the same as an application for an unrestricted firearm, apart from a few minor extras. You just need to write a letter with the application form stating that you need that calibre to take part in Gallery Rifle CF competitions as that competition can only be entered with a rifle of a calibre between .354 and .455. And also tick the box to say the rifle is restricted. That's more or less it. Some Chief Supers will want an interview with you but most won't.

Oh yeah, nearly forgot. A restricted firearm might warrant extra security. It either depends on the number of firearms you already have or the whim of your Chief Super.

https://nasrpc.ie/gallery-rifle/#:~:text=Centrefire%20Gallery%20Rifle%20(GRCF)%20is,455%20is%20permitted.

I'd recommend either a Marlin 1894 or a Rossi 92, with the Marlin slightly edging it as you need a scout scope with the Rossi 92.

Mochualeix

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

I was trying to make the point in my initial post that I know the projectile in a 357 or 38 is larger, but was really asking if the overall power was considered when measuring calibre - obviously not.

On the recommendations, I'm between the Henry and Marlin, I don't love the top eject on the Rossi.

BattleCorp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120420980#Comment_120420980

You don't notice the top eject on the Rossi 92 when you are shooting it. You don't really see the shells coming out when you are looking through the scope. They eject too fast. I find the Rossi easier to shoot than the Marlin as it's lighter but you'll probably need a cheek riser due to the shape of the stock.

The downside is the scope magnification. You need a scout scope mounted forward of the ejection port on the Rossi as the shells will eject straight into a normal scope. Advantage of a scout scope - quicker target acquisition. Disadvantage of a scout scope - normally less magnification. The quicker target acquisition is very handy in the quickfire 10m and 15m sections of Gallery Rifle comps.

My preference is the Rossi from 10m, 15m and 20m. I prefer the Marlin at 25m and 50m. Unfortunately I can't use two guns in the same comp. 😥

Regarding you being torn between the Henry and the Marlin, I don't know anybody winning competitions with a Henry. Keep that in mind. Competitors with a Marlin win most comps but the Rossi is able to win too from time to time. Maybe someone else can correct me on that but I honestly don't know anyone winning GR comps here in Ireland with a Henry.

One downside with the Marlin is that they were bought out by Remington and the factory was moved. This resulted in some very unreliable batches being produced. The original Marlin rifles with JM stamped on the barrel are very good. And the new batches of Marlin are (I believe) good. It's the ones in between that can be tricky. You could be unlucky and get a bad one. They can mostly be fixed though if you are unlucky enough to get a bad one.

Bottom line. Me personally, I'd pick the Marlin first. Then the Rossi. And I'd forget about the Henry for Gallery Rifle comps if I ever had hopes of being competitive.

I'd recommend trying all options before buying. See what you like/suits you. What suits me might not suit you.

Lever action guns are great fun to shoot. Good luck with your choice.

otmmyboy2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120420980#Comment_120420980

Correct, it is solely based on the diameter of the round being .308(7.62) or under as non restricted, and anything over is restricted.

Because of course a .357 lever action is a lot more dangerous than say a 300 win mag bolt action, thus the higher restriction ;-)

tonysopprano

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120421117#Comment_120421117

BUT, conversely, .303 British, although by nomenclature smaller than .308, is actually between .310 and .313. and is unrestricted. So not based "solely based on the diameter of the round", but as usual in Ireland, the usual focked up, bollshit, dopey uneducated law makers making a show of themselves

otmmyboy2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120421162#Comment_120421162

Heh, yup, one of the best indications of our inane laws.

Or lining up a pair of lever actions, one a 30-30 and the other a 357. One non-restricted and the other restricted. And the non is over twice as powerful. :-P

BSA International

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120421162#Comment_120421162

The .303 analogy. Depends on how worn the bore is?

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120421162#Comment_120421162

It’s based on “caliber” not bullet diameter. A 303 British is ~.303 caliber - when measured via the British method.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120421173#Comment_120421173

That completely true. But power is depended on round not the firearm. Trying to set a limit based on power would be difficult at best and a mess when you get close to the limit.

I sure there could be a better set of more complicated rules. But look how many struggle with really simple restricted laws we currently have.

dalalada

Slightly related but not. Had an old buddy over and wanted to try one of my guns out on land I have for vermin control. I said no. Of course they were not happy but anyways my question whats the legalities of allowing another to use your firearm in your presence?

Cass

Outside of a range, it's not allowed unless they have a license.

If it's a restricted firearm they cannot use it at all without a license, even on a range.

itisnotgrand

Unless they have a licence for any firearm? Or the one they wish to use?

BSA International

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120453097#Comment_120453097

The one they want to use

Cass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120453097#Comment_120453097

You must have a license for any firearms you wish to use. A license per firearm. Same as you or I have to have.

1874

Could someone link the Act or SI that refers to the number of firearms and the requirements regarding keeping, in particular I'm looking at security and numbers of firearms owned around the 5-6 items in ownership. Just want to quickly refer to it for a new application, as I can never recal the Acts/SI's

Cass

SI 307/2009

Zxthinger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120438254#Comment_120438254

I must be using the British method to measure other things too.