Lever Gun.... .357 or .44 ?

Can someone please elaborate on differences in recoil between the two?

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I think my Rossi 92 .44 mag. recoil compares to a heavy .410 shotshell in a H&R single shot shotgun. With .44 specials, there is virtually no recoil. I've never shot one in .357, either would work for your intended purposes. I'm partial to the .44

I`d go with the .357 because I have one and can speak with a little experience. For deer, I`d keep the shots < 100 yds (75 better) and you shouldn`t have any problems. I have many rifles (AK`s, SKS`s, various 22`s, shotguns, many handguns but my most favorite weapon of all is the Marlin 1894C. It`s a perfect match for the 4 .357`s I have which is an added bonus.
Besides, it`s simply a joy to shoot and eats anything you wish to feed it.

Me personally, since you are already reloading both rounds why not both rifles? I have the 357 because I carry the S&W 686 plus in a 3" barrel.

Your recent comment mentioning u have a lever 30-30 and a bolt Savage .300 really helped. Since u already have two hunting rifles, I'd go w the 357 since u can shoot 38s and plink. Even reloadingn I'd imagine the 38s will cost less than the 44.

Why is the 44 better for reloading? Can't you reload the 357/38?

Both have well supported arguments here, I would say you really can't go wrong.

My 77 Marlin 1894c in .357 is simply a joy to handle and shoot. It goes well with my .357 Blackhawk. I do not reload so obviously it's the cheaper of the two calibers to operate.

In my opinion .357 out of a carbine is pretty much a zero recoil event. It doesn't intimidate my wife to use it and stands at the ready next to my 870 for HD.

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44mag has substantially more recoil than a 357. I'm a skinny guy with no padding on the shoulder, and when I'm shooting off a sandbag 44mag can hurt. Shooting offhand is not a problem. 357 is not a problem at all. recoil is about like a bolt action 223. but with far less muzzle blast.

I'm independently wealthy so I would buy both....not. I have the 1894 in .44mag/spcl and really enjoy it but part of me wishes I had the .357/.38 to compliment my revolvers of the same caliber. Of course now I need to get some .44 revolvers.

I got a 38/357 mag because I already was setup to load for my 38 snubbie.

I don't hunt too much but full power 357 magnums will do the job on the deer and hogs here in Florida.

I keep it loaded with Federal's version of the classic "FBI" 38 special +p load for around the house. Out of the longer barrel it's more quiet than a .22! Plus I'm sure that the load will be quite lethal if needed.

-Dave

Get some Lil'Gun and some 180 gr LRNFP or 180 gr XTP JSP and have some fun. These are some real thumpers in 357.

Lil gun and 180 gr xtps are already in hand sir! They are just waiting their turn at the reloading bench!

-Dave

I do not know if this will make a difference but check your local laws and find out what is the smallest caliber your state will allow you to hunt deer with, this should help you make a decision.

Had the same delima when buying my last revolver. I choose the.44Mag. Glad I did. Fun to shoot, and is not much more to reload for,but packs some serious punch down range. Something about a thumb sized hole that appeals to me. After I get the White Oak AR in, and save for another rifle. It will be a Marlin Stainless .44 mag to match my Ruger.

I own and shoot Marlin 30-30s. I think that the .357 for deer will work fine,but the .44 will work better. I have lost deer with good shots using the 30-30s. Most likely due to bullet choice. I will never use anything but the 125 gr Sierra fnhp in the 30-30 again. Reason I am saying this is the three fifty seven mag lacks in velocity past seventy five yards.not enough shock to make the blood run backwards. With the forty-four mag, you have a lot more mass, higher velocity, and more blood loss. Better for hunting.

I like my 1894 in 44 a lot. I'm a fan of the .44 magnum anyhow. Since you load then you know that, with tuning, you can make the cartridge do just about anything.

My Marlin 1894 CP with the factory 16" barrel is the most fun rifle I own.

If I should need more in the fields I go to my Marlin 336SDT Limited 30-30 that is the factory 16" stainless rifle. Really sweet and shoots true.

With the two above, I really have no need for the 44. Just another caliber to manage, for no advantage.

Good luck.

Fred

I've got a Model 94 Trapper with 16" barrel in .44 Mag. Tons 'o fun to shoot, recoil is not objectionable, even from the bench, and it groups well even with cast slugs. With JHP's groups are well within minute of hog. I load the same for my Super Blackhawk and the 94.

I have been thinking about a lever gun as well. I am wondering about a 444 marlin. From looking at my reloading book, it looks like it would be a little bit better than the 44 mag.

1. The 44 caliber bullet is not going to shrink any.......
2. I have found 44 caliber lever actions are cheaper than the .357 ones.
3. .22lr levers are for plinking.
4. For serious hunting a 44 beats the .357 every time.
5. 44 specials can be used for hunting smaller animals with no recoil.

I wouldn't use either in a dedicated deer rifle, and in a pinch, either will work with a good bullet driven to magnum power level--even though the .44 will have the edge. I look at the lever gun primarily as a plinker and fun gun, so .357 for me. And yes, I reload both .357s and .44s, and have revolvers in both cartridges.

Shoulda made this thread a poll!

I think the .357 lever guns are generally a little more expensive because there seems to be a growing interest in cowboy action shooting and the .357 seems to be what most people use when they first get started due to being a common caliber that can be reloaded for cheaper than a lot of other cowboy calibers.

My father in law just bought my nephew a Puma .357 for his first "deer rifle". He's only 11 years old and doesn't seriously hunt much at all. But we went to the range with it over the holiday weekend and I'm not a big fan of the Puma rifle, but I'm sold on the .357 lever gun! What a ton of fun that thing was. Put some semi-wad .38s in it and it's a ton of fun to fly through the ammo with. And my FIL handloaded some really hot .357 loads and we shot those out of the rifle and the recoil was still tame. I don't own a .44 pistol, but I do own several .357s, so for me I'm on the lookout for a little .357 lever gun to compliment my pistols. You can get some pretty good performance by handloading the .357 too.

Since you're waiting for the right deal, just get the one that comes along first. You'll have the other, sooner or later. I got me a Rossi in .357 with a 16" barrel not too long ago. I guess I have close to 1000 rounds through it now and that this is still a hoot to shoot. When I take it to the range and hit the plates with it, everyone comes over to pop a couple off. It seems that it's made every range trip since I got it. For me, the little lever gun has risen to Ruger MkII status, in that I always take it with me.

The fact that I also have a Blackhawk in .357 and an SP101 in .357 just made it make more sense for me.

Nice choice.

Of course, I would have recommended a Marlin 1894C in .357 mag, but hey, if you like it, that's all that counts.

Of course, no one here will believe that you actually bought it until you post pics of it, range targets, range report, etc.

Besides, I don't think I've ever seen one of the Rossis.