.357mag from a rifle for varmints, any good?

[10 Ringer']

A suggestion I once got on a lighter-kicking yet still accurate and potent woodchuck setup was a pistol round from a rifle for 100yd shots and less. Just based on the physics of a heavier gun than a pistol, balanced better, held with two seperate hands, and with a longer barrel meaning extra velocity and stability sounds like a winner up to the 100yd mark or a bit beyond.

Something like a .357mag, .41mag or even .44mag. would then sound like a good woodchuck eradicator from a quick acting rifle or carbine like a lever action or pump gun- low power scope optional. I just can't find the kind of ballistics tables for .357mags exiting out of the typcial 16-24 inch barrels common to modern lever guns. Any suggestions in this area... or any cowboy shooters outthere who shot pistol cartridge rifles or hunted small game with them?

 

[Gordon]

The old timers used the 25-20 and the 32-20 to kill varmints up to deer sized up to 150yards or so in things like the 92 winchester and 94 Marlin. Later they used the 25-35 and .219 Zipper in model 64 winchesters and such which stretched range to 225 yards or so. The 110 and 125grain JHP .357's from most factory loading do about 2000fps in a 18-20" carbine barrel , which makes them deadly to 200yards IF you can hit bitty targets with course sights!

 

[Preacherman]

Remington used to make "Accelerator" loads in .30-30, using a saboted 55gr. .223 bullet doing about 3,500 fps out of a standard 20" lever-action barrel. Should be just the ticket for varmints.