@someguy2800 , I reload so whilst .357 is still slightly cheaper, .44 is not in any way prohibitive.
We don't hunt. I understand why many do, but it's not our thing (so far). The rifle would be partly a fun gun for me, but a camp gun for us both. I have a .45-70, and although she'd use it if she had to, if she won't practice with it (and she won't because it's far more than she's comfortable with) or at least practice with a lever action, she probably won't use it effectively. We also have a 4 year plan (long way off, I know) to leave Colorado and move to some acreage in Montana, where we both would like an easy to carry, handy house/property longarm for general protection.
She's not done much shooting with rifles or shotguns, and we need to do more. But she's done enough that I know my .45-70 is not an option for her. She really enjoys the Mini 14, and was fine with birdshot and buckshot out of my Mossberg 590, but refused to shoot more than three 3" slugs from a Benelli Nova pump (18.5" barrel). The Mossberg is quite heavy and not something she can manuver well at all (she does the lean-back with fully outstretched support arm), so I don't think it's the right option. Slugs in a lighter weight shotgun seem very much like more than she'd be willing to practice with. And I'd be glad of more effective range than buckshot can offer.
So the pistol cartridge lever carbine seemed like a good option for a number of reasons.
- Easy to reload for.
- Light and handy.
- Simple to operate.
- Effective to around 100 yards.
It may be effective to longer or shorter ranges depending on the combination of caliber and target, but I can't see needing to use it on anything farther out than that. And a 50 yard max seems more realistic. But of course she needs to practice with it to be effective, and for that it must be mild enough. I suppose I could work up a lighter practice load in .44 mag for her to practice with. I'm somewhat reluctant to go as small as .357 because we camp in black bear and moose territory, will be taking some trips to camp in grizzly territory, and when we move to MT, will very likely be living where all these animals are present.
Edited to say: Neither of us are particularly fearful of wildlife, in fact a large part of the reason we like spending time in the wilderness is to see that wildlife. But we do have a healthy respect for their ability to hurt or kill us, and understand that it is a possibility. And one we like to be prepared for.
