I am going to buy a new rifle this year to deer hunt with okay mainly for my wife to use also. But I am trying to decide between a 44 single shot or a 357 single shot and boring it to a 357 max. I know I have to load ammo but not a big deal I already reload many other calibers including 38. But I am so back and forth on which one to buy 357 max or 44. I have read where a 357max has some serious punch. Please explain why I should go with one more than other.
357 max or 44 deer hunting
- Thread starter badbowtie
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44 mag will be more readily available than 357 max.buy an nef single shot and order it with both barrels
I am not buying a nef I am aware the 44 is more readily available but I figured if I get brass and load couple hundred rounds it will last me many many years. how far out will the 44 shoot compared to the 357 max.
kanook
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.357max shoots flatter.
Get a .357mag and load long. The 180gr XTP's have 2 grooves for loading. seat it in the second groove if you want.
I've been using the .357mag in a rifle seated normal, but with the original .357mag loads.
So far the deer and hawgs don't like it and can't tell that it is a .357mag and not a 30/06 that's hitting them.
Get a .357mag and load long. The 180gr XTP's have 2 grooves for loading. seat it in the second groove if you want.
I've been using the .357mag in a rifle seated normal, but with the original .357mag loads.
So far the deer and hawgs don't like it and can't tell that it is a .357mag and not a 30/06 that's hitting them.
buck460XVR
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If I was only going to shoot a coupla hundred rounds over the course of "many, many years" I wouldn't bother buying the dies to reload, nor go to the expense of having a barrel re-bored. I would just buy decent factory ammo and a .44 and be done with it. If I wanted something with more distance and velocity than the .44 could give, I'd look at something is a standard rifle cartridge.
WestKentucky
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I would go 44mag just for availability. Guns are available, ammo is available, data is available... I like 357 max but for your purposes the 44 makes more sense.
illinoisburt
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20 inch rifle barrels:
357MAX = 180 gr bullet @ 1900 fps
44MAG = 240 gr bullet @ 1800 fps
Both start dropping fast past 100 yards due to bullet shape, though the 357 will be a few inches less at the 150 mark which is about max effective range for either.
Both will work for deer, hogs, or smaller game. Under 100 yards, no question the 44 is more powerful. Since single shots aren't going to have quick follow-ups sticking with the bigger round is probably the better choice though neither is likely to disappoint.
However 44mag is readily available in factory ammo while 357 max is not. Sure you can underload with 38's or 357's, but then you give up performance. Any box of 240 grain JSP 44mag will do what you ask of it. (You mentioned a couple hundred rounds = 4 boxes, probably not worth the investment in new dies and brass to reload that low of volume.)
Still, the 357max would be unique and certainly works for what you have planned. Pick what you like
357MAX = 180 gr bullet @ 1900 fps
44MAG = 240 gr bullet @ 1800 fps
Both start dropping fast past 100 yards due to bullet shape, though the 357 will be a few inches less at the 150 mark which is about max effective range for either.
Both will work for deer, hogs, or smaller game. Under 100 yards, no question the 44 is more powerful. Since single shots aren't going to have quick follow-ups sticking with the bigger round is probably the better choice though neither is likely to disappoint.
However 44mag is readily available in factory ammo while 357 max is not. Sure you can underload with 38's or 357's, but then you give up performance. Any box of 240 grain JSP 44mag will do what you ask of it. (You mentioned a couple hundred rounds = 4 boxes, probably not worth the investment in new dies and brass to reload that low of volume.)
Still, the 357max would be unique and certainly works for what you have planned. Pick what you like
swampcrawler
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Well Just for the update I did end up buying a h&r 357 and already thru a scope on it and shooting some good hornady 357 rounds it is a tack driver at my 50 yard range I have at home. The best part is my wife loved shooting it so I am going to see if I can buy the tool to bore it myself do to another friend looking at buying one know. I also have another friend that already has one so their will be three of us that I will load for. I also think I am going to go back and buy one of the 44's with in the next week or so for myself.
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