Best small cartridge for a handgun/rifle combo

[red rick]

For small game I would get the .22 LR and stock up on ammo that the guns likes , and keep it stored for hard times . Even if want to reload you would have to have components in stock for when things get short . I got into reloading at the wrong time ( during the ammo shortage ) and I had a hard time finding jacketed bullets and powder for most calibers and .22 store bought will be cheaper than anything you can reload , you can reload 9mm almost as cheap if you have free brass .

 

[TN Outlaw]

Keltec PMR30/CZ 512-.22WMR semi-auto's, this is a combo im thinking of myself. Already have the rifle.

A 9mm would seem a good logical choice to me for several reasons. Of course, 38/357 is always a good combo too. If you can find the Raging Hornet, 22 hornet would be fun.

You can buy one of the Ruger Blackhawk Conv like 9mm/38/357 or 45acp/45lc and get 2 different combo rifles if you wanted.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You made me smile, ArchAngelCD. My dad, and my granddad before him were both "anything .32" guys.

So was my Granddad. My Grandfather was born in 1896. His deer rifle was a Winchester in 25-35. He eventually got a 30-30 but if be took that out for deer his friends would laugh at his and ask why he needed such a big rifle for deer.

How is that for a change in mindset? These days there are some who feel you need a 300 Win Mag for deer lol. For some reason be never did like the 32 Win Special even though it and the 30-30 have almost identical ballistics. Go figure...

 

[.308 Norma]

For some reason be never did like the 32 Win Special even though it and the 30-30 have almost identical ballistics. Go figure...

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! That's funny! I remember my dad arguing with his deer hunting buddies that a 32 Special "kills better" than a 30-30. Yet I don't think he ever actually killed a deer with a 32 Special.
I do remember Dad telling the story about the one small doe he emptied a Model 94, 30-30 into before she went down. After that, he stepped up to a 30-06 that "kicked too hard." So he traded the 30-06 for a Model 100, 308 Winchester. He used that rifle for deer and elk for the rest of his life.

 

[bannockburn]

For small game I would probably go with a Ruger Single Six in .22LR with a suitable carbine in the same chambering. If looking to move up in caliber then I would opt for a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 and a Rossi Model 92 to go along with it.

 

[Stationary Smell]

Well I decided to go the 357/38 special route. I already have a Taurus model 65 4 inch revolver and just purchased a H&R Handi Rifle originally chambered in .357. The previous owner had it reamed out so a 360 Dan Wesson cartridge will fit. So I will be able to shoot the lightest 38 special wadcutters from around 700 fps all the way up to full house 360 DW loads that can be around 1950 fps...

 

[Cannibul]

,327 Fed Mag.

Henry has a rifle hitting the street soon and Ruger and S&W make handguns.

 

[hdwhit]

I can't for a moment suggest that it is really "the best" combination, but I was always drawn to the 30 Carbine as a rifle and as a cartridge for the Ruger Blackhawk chambered in it.

 

[.308 Norma]

Well I decided to go the 357/38 special route. I already have a Taurus model 65 4 inch revolver and just purchased a H&R Handi Rifle originally chambered in .357. The previous owner had it reamed out so a 360 Dan Wesson cartridge will fit. So I will be able to shoot the lightest 38 special wadcutters from around 700 fps all the way up to full house 360 DW loads that can be around 1950 fps...

Good choice IMO. And thanks - I learned something new! I'd never even heard of a 360 Dan Wesson before. I looked it up after you said the previous owner of your Handi Rifle had the original .357 chamber reamed out for it. Interesting! I love learning new things, especially about firearms and cartridges.

 

[Legionnaire]

Well I decided to go the 357/38 special route. I already have a Taurus model 65 4 inch revolver and just purchased a H&R Handi Rifle originally chambered in .357 ...

Nice. I'm on the prowl for a Hand Rifle in .357. Wish I bought one before they stopped producing them.

 

[Stationary Smell]

Good choice IMO. And thanks - I learned something new! I'd never even heard of a 360 Dan Wesson before. I looked it up after you said the previous owner of your Handi Rifle had the original .357 chamber reamed out for it. Interesting! I love learning new things, especially about firearms and cartridges.

Honestly, I hadn't heard of it either. I'm excited to experiment with it!

Nice. I'm on the prowl for a Hand Rifle in .357. Wish I bought one before they stopped producing them.

I had been looking for one for a while too. When I heard that Henry will be coming out with single shot rifles and shotguns, I figured they'd be making a 357 mag version...but it sounds like the aren't planning on it right now. Maybe eventually?

 

[Legionnaire]

Hoping so.

 

[Armored farmer]

A .38/.357 combo is really nice medium duty woods and trail , but .22 is king for small game an fun plinking.

 

[MTNSTRYDER]

I may be wrong but I just don’t see much since in same cal. rifle pistol combo when so many compliment each other so well for a day or a week walk in the woods.Depending on season and location here are some of mine.
Bear season.Henry 22lr carbine carried in a scabbard on my back for small game and a sa45 or 454 on the hip.Lots of 22 ammo for fun.Plus a hiking staff that works as a shooting rest.
Rifle season for Deer ether my 30/06 or my 30/30 and a PMR30.
Bow season my Shew longbow and my BFR 454 5 inch scoped revolver.
These can change around a lot to cover almost any thing.The Bow with any of my handguns is by far my favorite .Shotguns get left out a lot .

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Was in a local shop today and they had a Taurus (not such a fan but it was nice) Ti in .32Mag and a Ruger (Single Six I think) in .32Mag. Was tempted by both but passed since I have a Ruger in .327 already.

 

[SteadyD]

Well I decided to go the 357/38 special route. I already have a Taurus model 65 4 inch revolver and just purchased a H&R Handi Rifle originally chambered in .357. The previous owner had it reamed out so a 360 Dan Wesson cartridge will fit. So I will be able to shoot the lightest 38 special wadcutters from around 700 fps all the way up to full house 360 DW loads that can be around 1950 fps...

I think you'll be pleased with the Handi Rifle. Mine's the most accurate of my 357 rifles.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Ruger GP100 and an OLD Marlin .357 magnum.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Don't overlook the .30Carbine. There are a couple of companies turning out new Carbines, and Ruger still makes the BlackHawk.

The Carbine is too much fun!
Mine ('43 Saginaw), gobbles up my powder-coated cast bullets.
Strongly considering getting a BlackHawk. I already have its close cousin, a Ruger Single-7.

 

[chicharrones]

Well I decided to go the 357/38 special route. I already have a Taurus model 65 4 inch revolver and just purchased a H&R Handi Rifle originally chambered in .357. The previous owner had it reamed out so a 360 Dan Wesson cartridge will fit. So I will be able to shoot the lightest 38 special wadcutters from around 700 fps all the way up to full house 360 DW loads that can be around 1950 fps...

Congrats on the choice.

I have to admit, I don't recall of hearing about .360 DW before your post, either.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

I can't believe it took over 40 posts to get a .30 Carbine suggestion.

Sure the .357/38 will serve you well. I was going to suggest the .30 Carbine and the 10mm Auto.

 

[Stationary Smell]

I can't believe it took over 40 posts to get a .30 Carbine suggestion.

That might just have to be added to the list of guns I "need"...

 

[ThomasT]

I had an H&R Handi in 357 I let my bud talk me out of. It was a shooter too. Mine had a 16" barrel with open sights installed from H&R. In combo guns I have 22lr, 32 mag, 9mm, 357 and 44 mag guns. Of all of them the 357 is my favorite. My rifle is a Marlin with Ballard rifling and it shoots lead bullets very well. I have around five 357 revolvers.

Don't worry about the round being too big for small game. Reloading is the answer. I can reload anything from round balls to full blown magnums. The round ball loads in a 357 case will shoot around 1.5" at 40 yards and seated so about half the ball is out of the case they will cycle too. I also load 124gr RN lead bullets in 38 cases and they are accurate in both the revolver and the rifle and with a 3gr Bullseye charge are easy on meat.

My favorite 357 load is a mid range load that gets 1100fps from a 4" revolver and I have never checked the rifle speed but they shoot good from both guns. I use 6.6grs of Unique in a 357 case with Winchester SP primer. That has been my most used 357 load for over 25 years. You can also substitute a jacketed bullet for the lead bullet and still have a nice load that is easy to shoot and doesn't feel like someone clapped symbols over your head.

And I have had no trouble finding loads that give decent accuracy from rifle and handgun. But if I were going to tailor a load for both guns I would work toward getting the best accuracy I could get from the rifle and hope I got acceptable accuracy from the pistol.

Have fun with your gun combo. Pics would be nice.

 

[Armored farmer]

I use 6.6grs of Unique in a 357 case with Winchester SP primer. That has been my most used 357 load for over 25 years. You can also substitute a jacketed bullet for the lead bullet and still have a nice load that is easy to shoot and doesn't feel like someone clapped symbols over your head.

That's a good load.
My load happened to land at 6.4 gr unique....but that is close to yours.

 

[Dr.Rob]

.32-20 is a lot of fun in a revolver, pretty flat shooting in a rifle. Ammo is pricey if you don't reload.

.22 mag is a great choice and ammo is relatively easy to find.

 

[ThomasT]

I'm a real fan of the 22mag round. I need to pick up a Henry lever action 22mag rifle to go with my ruger single six's.