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

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WNC Seabee

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Help me decide on a new lever gun. Primary purpose will be plinking, secondary will be deer and hog hunting. My area does have black bear, but they usually run off with a stern look and a hand clap, so I'm not worried about that.

I reload already for both .357 and .44 revolvers. I'm leaning towards .357, but for some reason keep coming back to thinking the extra "oomph" of a .44 would come in handy some day.

Thoughts?
 
Both will work fine for deer and average sized hogs. The 357 sure is more fun to shoot, cheaper to reload and has less recoil. If there were any large hogs around, I would opt for the 44.
 
The .357 is a fun gun. Carry one in the truck at the ranch. Works fine for short range deer, less than 100 yards. It'll shoot 38's, so it's cheap for plinking.
 
Under 100 yards the .357 will do almost anything a .30-30 will, plus it's way cheaper to reload for. That would be my pick.
 
Thats a tough one. Id normally say the .44 for hunting, but Id bet a heavy 180 grn hardcast like from Buffalo Bore out of the levergun would go through pretty much anything.
 
357 is more fun, and cheaper, 44 is more powerful. you're call. I have both, but mostly pull out the 44 these days, but that's because I put a scout scope on it and it's stainless. and newer to me. less chance of messing it up and more chance of hitting what I aim at.
 
.357 mag.

Shoots .38 spl.
Plinks easily.
Takes deer.
Perfectly adequate SD.

I had one, a Marlin carbine, but let it go.
(No regrets. .30-30 does me fine.)

But if I had your choice,
.357 mag. Matches revolver of choice, also.
 
Go 357 mag. Here is a reference chart showing the stats on the 357 mag:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=47&t=298138

So what you have is a rifle to shoot cheaper rounds to practice but have the higher performing bullets to handle the tougher jobs. Besides, a well place shot will kill anything. The practice with the cheaper ammo will provide the training, then when ready to hunt, buy a few extra serious rounds to practice before a hunt. 44 mag/44 special ammo is just soooo expensive, the lack of shoot would take the fun out of it for me. But if I wanted a 2nd lever rifle I would go for a 44 mag, but only as my 2nd choice. Just my .02
 
Can someone please elaborate on differences in recoil between the two?

We are currently considering a lever too. It would be for me and my wife, she favors the 357 mag for recoil and I favor the 44mag for power. Our use is for general woods carry in the Pacific NW.

As a side discussion, where would the 7.62x39 (such as a Mini-30) fall in the spectrum of the 357mag and 44mag lever guns for the same use?

Thanks (and sorry if that diverts from the OP too much).
 
Since you reload and have the thoughts/opportunity for both deer and hogs, I'd go with the .44 magnum chambering.
Had you said small game/varmints and deer, my pick would be .357 magnum.
I have a Marlin 1894C in .357 mag, here in Ohio would be more useful for small game and furbearers up to coyote size. No rifle calibers allowed for deer.
You have the ability to load for the small stuff with either caliber, and will have better range of power for the bigger game with the .44 or .45 Colt.
 
I have a Marlin 1894 in .44 Mag, and I don't really understand the concern about recoil.

The .44 mag's recoil is way less than a 30-30 lever, which is not exactly a shoulder-abusing powerhouse either.

It's hard for me to imagine that recoil would be a deciding factor when choosing between a .44 mag and .357 out of a rifle.

Les
 
As a side discussion, where would the 7.62x39 (such as a Mini-30) fall in the spectrum of the 357mag and 44mag lever guns for the same use?
Click to expand...
The 7.62x39 would be flatter shooting and lose velocity more slowly over distance than the two lever guns. In close range shooting against hogs/bear it might lose out to the .357 due to being less suitable for heavier bullets. That's pretty debatable though. At the muzzle it's very close to the .357 with 125gr bullets in each. At 50 yards the 7.62x39 is already pulling away. Obviously the .44 beats both at close range. However the .357 with 180gr hardcasts can give complete penetration through a moose, so I'd feel pretty confident with it in the contiguous states.
 
I alreasy have a .44 so for me it would be a .357.

For me it was a pairing issue with my S&W 629. I'm looking for a stainless marlin 1894c
 
With bears and hogs I would opt for the .44, especially with you reloading. I do like the .357 but the .44 can be a thumper. I like the big bore mentality.
 
SeeBee ... got enough opinions yet? :D

I recently made the same choice, and for me it came down to feeding cost, recoil, hunting punch, and cost of initial acquisition. The .357 will anything the .44 will, but provides less margin for error. It's also cheaper to feed/reload, and easier on the wrists in a handgun. I wouldn't bear hunt with a .357 but anything else is fair game with patience for a good shot. If you're shooting bears with it I'd go .44, otherwise ... meh ... why spend the extra money.

You'll enjoy it, no matter which one you pick. Flip a coin.
 
Oh I forgot to add the fact that using my EMF Hartford '92 in 357 w/20" bbl(all stainless) goes with my pistol, S&W 686 4" with my backup a S&W 360 M&P makes a fine little group of guns to carry in my truck with any 357/38 ammo I can carry. Reloading components for 357/38 is also cheaper then 44. Cheap, available & wide variety of ammo, a great defensive, plinking, or hunting round (close range) what more in the way of fun and diversity could you ask of any caliber.
 
Until deer hunting came into play I would have said .357. I love my Marlin 1894 CS ..... if you plan on deer hunting, I would go with the .44 magnum.
 
bear and hog around? go for the 44 mag. you already reload for both, and check out marlins 336-44. thats right if you can find it its a 44mag 336 texan from the 60's good shooting(at least mine is) and fun.
 
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