pistol caliber carbines & rifles

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Voodoochile

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Sitting here thinking, how many of y'all use pistol caliber carbines or rifles to hunt deer with?

I'm not talking about the 9mm, .40S&W, & .45ACP but the .357 magnum, .44 magnum & .4 Colt models.
use thinking of my .50 caliber muzzle loader shooting a patch & ball where it's average velocity is in the 1600 fps & energy is around 1000 ft. lbs..
Out to 100 yards this is a pretty decent dear load but I know that these more modern carbines & rifles could be possibly 150 yard deer takers.

So how many of y'all have one & take it out on occasion to take a deer or what ever during hunting season?
 
I'll sum up how this thread will turn out:

"AR does it better"
"Get a real rifle"

;)

In all seriousness, any of the revolver round carbines are fine for whitetail when used within their range limitations. With the .357, you would need to pay particular attention to load choice. Buffalo Bore makes some extremely hot (albeit pricey) 158 and 180 grain stuff. The 158 is advertised to break 2k at the muzzle. Nothing to scoff at.
 
Yeah, I had thought of the AR's & have not talked to my buddy about this one knowing he would definitely ring in on that one but then many areas it is not legal to use a .223 to take Deer.
 
I was just being a facetious smartass, poking fun at the fact that every thread on the topic of pistol cal carbines is assaulted almost immediately by the "AR is the be all end all" guys, and the "why not get a real rifle" guys. They just can't fathom that anyone would like a PCC on its own merits.

Anyway, the .357 out of a carbine may be on the same iffy legal ground for medium game as the .223 if your state goes by energy figures. That might be one to check on before committing. The .44 mag will make you good to go pretty much anywhere, but the ammo is a little pricier.
 
my Marlin 1894c clocks at 1900fps using hornaday 158xtp and lil-gun powder. It's enough for deer at 100 yards. If you don't reload check out Buffalo Bore Ammo.The 1894 is light and handy and mounts quickly, I use Skinner sights.
 
LOL, yeah I've seen that too.
I know here in Virginia that you are not allowed to take deer with anything .22 caliber but it's been a while since I've read the regs so don't quote me.

I was thinking of a .44 Mag. or even a .45 Colt lever carbine although I would definitely need to purchase a .44 Mag. or .45 Colt revolver too, oh Honey.
 
Furncliff said:
my Marlin 1894c clocks at 1900fps using hornaday 158xtp and lil-gun powder. It's enough for deer at 100 yards. If you don't reload check out Buffalo Bore Ammo.The 1894 is light and handy and mounts quickly, I use Skinner sights.
Click to expand...
The 1894c is an awesome rifle. Unfortunately, It's a rare find these days. The ruger 77/357 would be an option if you want to mount an optic. If not, the various 1892 clones are an option.

Of course, one might luck into a good used 1894c
 
I've killed a doe at 80 yards with my Rossi 92. I've had it nearly 30 years now, but just don't hunt deer with it. I do carry it out back after squirrels occasionally with a 105 grain SWC over 2.3 grains of B'eye in .38 brass. It makes a pretty danged decent reloadable .22. All it takes for the switch is a sight elevation adjustment. 1.5" at 50 yards accurate.

That's what I like about .357 carbines, the versatility. :D
 
I was just being a facetious smartass, poking fun at the fact that every thread on the topic of pistol cal carbines is assaulted almost immediately by the "AR is the be all end all" guys, and the "why not get a real rifle" guys. They just can't fathom that anyone would like a PCC on its own merits.
Click to expand...

The main reason I got mine, and anyone can call it stupid, don't care, is that I was loading a lot of .38/.357, I have a lot of ammo stored in ammo cans, and I just wanted a rifle I could shoot with it. Loading pistol ammo on a progressive or even my Lee auto index turret is a LOT faster than loading quality, accurate rifle ammo which I also do on a single stage press. I'll go out to my range and put 100 rounds through the Rossi and think nothing of it. Takes a while to load 100 rounds of .308 or .257 or 7 mag. My "real rifles" are hunting arms and most I ever shoot 'em is off my bench at 100 yards for groups. I have as much fun with that Rossi as I do with my .22s shooting spinner targets and other such reactive targets off hand at 25-40 yards on my pistol range with .38 ammo mostly. :D

And, I ain't in to ARs. HATE the ergos of pistol gripped carbines. I won't own one, period, case closed. I'm an old fart set in my ways. I'll leave the ARs for the youngsters that don't know anything else.
 
MCgunner said:
The main reason I got mine, and anyone can call it stupid, don't care, is that I was loading a lot of .38/.357, I have a lot of ammo stored in ammo cans, and I just wanted a rifle I could shoot with it. Loading pistol ammo on a progressive or even my Lee auto index turret is a LOT faster than loading quality, accurate rifle ammo which I also do on a single stage press. I'll go out to my range and put 100 rounds through the Rossi and think nothing of it. Takes a while to load 100 rounds of .308 or .257 or 7 mag. My "real rifles" are hunting arms and most I ever shoot 'em is off my bench at 100 yards for groups. I have as much fun with that Rossi as I do with my .22s shooting spinner targets and other such reactive targets off hand at 25-40 yards on my pistol range with .38 ammo mostly. :D

And, I ain't in to ARs. HATE the ergos of pistol gripped carbines. I won't own one, period, case closed. I'm an old fart set in my ways. I'll leave the ARs for the youngsters that don't know anything else.
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Hey, I'm still young-ish and was never bitten by the AR bug.

I do like .357 mag long guns for the same reasons you stated, particular the versatility. You can load something light, slow, and nearly silent and kill small game with plenty left over to eat, or you can load hot and be good for deer out to 100-125 yards or so.

I regret having to sell my 1894c and it's accompanying GP-100.
 
And, I ain't in to ARs. HATE the ergos of pistol gripped carbines. I won't own one, period, case closed. I'm an old fart set in my ways. I'll leave the ARs for the youngsters that don't know anything else.
Click to expand...
I'm 64 and I deer hunt with an AR, but it's a custom .358 WSSM

in Indiana there are a lot of guys that deer hunt with .357's and particularly .44's. My hunting buddy took a 183 with his .44 mag.
 
I have not done it, but I would feel confident with my 460 Rowland carbine hunting whitetail deer within 100 yards. Its loads of fun to practice with as an added bonus. Range is limited though and here in AZ it may be required to take a longer shot. That's the main reason I haven't.
 
Ohio made them legal for deer last fall. I bought a Ruger M-77/44 and took a buck with it. Used to use a Savage 220 slug gun shooting Remington Accutips. Guess what? Same ballistics only now I pay .50 cents a shot instead of $3.00. About a third more compact also. Lots more practice too. Before the 220 I often used my old Thompson Center Seneca in .45 cal. Guess what? Using a Maxi Ball, ballistics are the same again. In 45 years I have killed 2 deer over 75 yards away. Within it's limits my pistol caliber rifle suits me just fine.
 
I'll sum up how this thread will turn out:

"AR does it better"
"Get a real rifle"
Click to expand...

Having both lever action carbines and AR's at useable ranges for deer there is not much difference in the 357 mag and 300 blk.
 
At ranges of 100 yards or so the 357 and 44 mag with good loads are just fine. 45 Colt is probably too with handloads. I wouldn't handicap myself with one though unless I just had to in order to be legal. But for the guy who just wants to use those guns, or is required by law, I'm sure they can hunt in confidence.

I can find no practical use for the 9mm, 45, and such pistol caliber carbines.

Like em or not, and I don't personally use one for big game hunting, but an AR, even in 223, with big game bullets is every bit as effective as the 357 and 44 magnum at the same ranges or even a little farther. Once again while it'll work, I don't want to handicap myself with the limitations.
 
Yeah, I had thought of the AR's & have not talked to my buddy about this one knowing he would definitely ring in on that one but then many areas it is not legal to use a .223 to take Deer.
Click to expand...

.300 Blackout is ballistically very similar to the .357 magnum. It uses magnum pistol powders or fast rifle powders, and is capable of driving 150 gr. bullets at a shade over 2,000 FPS from 16" barrels. You would, however, have a little more useful range, due to the higher ballistic coefficient of 150 gr. .308 spitzers vs. 158 gr. .357 pistol bullets.
 
Not a big fan of H&R, but a friend sent a 357 mag Handi-Rifle to a smith in Missouri and had it chambered for 357 Maximum. Loaded with 180 XTPs it does a number on our little whitetails.

One of the neatest H&Rs that has come thru my shop was a Handi that had been restocked with a butt that had a shadowline cheek piece and a mannlicher forearm. Had a low power scope and was chambered for 30-30. I have to admit that it was a handy short carbine that would be a ball to carry and shoot. I may have to make me one of these in a Maximum..
 
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jmr40 said:
At ranges of 100 yards or so the 357 and 44 mag with good loads are just fine. 45 Colt is probably too with handloads. I wouldn't handicap myself with one though unless I just had to in order to be legal. But for the guy who just wants to use those guns, or is required by law, I'm sure they can hunt in confidence.

I can find no practical use for the 9mm, 45, and such pistol caliber carbines.

Like em or not, and I don't personally use one for big game hunting, but an AR, even in 223, with big game bullets is every bit as effective as the 357 and 44 magnum at the same ranges or even a little farther. Once again while it'll work, I don't want to handicap myself with the limitations.
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Depending on the terrain where you'll be hunting, the RCCs (revolver caliber carbines) aren't really a handicap. I wouldn't choose one to hunt pronghorn in Wyoming, but hunting from a blind or tree stand in the woods, no deer is going to know the difference between a .357 or an '06. Though, there might be a little more edible meat left on the deer hit at 35 yards with the .357 as opposed to the '06 at the same range.

And while I'd never argue that the right load in the .223 will get that job done out to 100 yards, the right loads out of a .357 or .44 mag carbine will beat any .223 load in terms of energy, mass, and bore diameter. Plus, the option is there to shoot the same loads from a handgun or to shoot cat sneeze loads at small game that will punch a clean hole and leave edible meat. That's much harder to do with the .223.
 
I love my 1894 .44 mag.
My .357 is finicky on ammo: will not shoot .38 spec.
I love them both. I wish I had the .45 LC because I have the Blackhawk, and I wish I had the Black or better Redhawk to go with the .44.
Don't let anyone talk you out of what you want. Of course I don't own an AR either.
Greg
 
I have a Rossi .357 lever action to go with numerous .357 revolvers and a Ruger PC4 to go with my Glock 23.........
 
I can find no practical use for the 9mm, 45, and such pistol caliber carbines.
Click to expand...

Me, either, but the 9mm in particular seem to be popular right now due to the low cost and availability of the round for those who don't handload. I can see it for plinking considering the state of .22 ammunition availability right now. I thought .22 was coming back a few months ago, started finding some at stores and the price on Wikiarms was coming down, but I checked Wikiarms today and there's nothing cheaper than 10 cents a round, for CRAP ammo that oughta be 4 cents max.

So, yeah, I see where some folks see a use for 9mm carbines. I've been burning my .22 sparingly lately and shooting cap and ball a lot, too. I do handload, so that Rossi 92 gets fed a lot of .38 special. :D
 
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