question about pistol caliber carbines.

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TexasPatriot.308

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I hunt hogs daily,my pastures are full of them, always carry at least a .357, .44 mag preferably .45 colt. I am fixin to buy a Ruger M77 either .357mag or .44 mag....don't know why, here in Texas not really needed but I WANT one....what are the pros, cons, recoil of each compared to other firearms. I know .44 mag costs more so kinda leaning towards the .357 mag (my better half is a small frame woman, so she would use it a lot). any input would be great.
 
For the given calibers my mind would go to a lever action, but as far as the gun you asked about, I've heard good things. Are you going to be shooting Crazy, bat out of heck, AP, earth shattering handloads, or just regular pistol loads?
 
I don't reload so I shoot Buffalo Bore out of my pistols, they are all Ruger Blackhawks. I usually hunt with .308s (surprise, surprise) but also like to take 7mm-08, .22-250, .270 with me for long shots, sometimes I get the urge to go in the brush after them, I do carry an M1A a lot, but kinda long in the brush. like I said, don't really need this carbine, just want one.
 
I vote 357 , flatter shooting , easier on the wife when she shoots it,. W/the right loads it will do a good, job.
 
Your woman would love a .357 rifle. Hardly any recoil at all, even with warm loads. A .44 mag will get her attention.

I recommend getting a levergun in .357. With the proper ammunition, you could hunt hogs and deer without a problem.
 
I see on the average 200 hogs a day, some close others hundreds of yards away, I think if I keep after them I should have them on the endangered species list in this part of Texas in a few weeks. I have killed them with a .17hmr with head and even body shots and seen them run off after a good shot from a .308. cant wait to check cattle in the morning, they should be near a tank, it will be a 100 degrees here tomorrow.
 
I'd pick up a PPSH41 transferrable if I had that many on a daily basis. Just sayin'. Supposedly 5.7x28 from a PS90 is getting something of a rep with hog hunters (hard to believe, I know, but that's what I'm told) and it would definitely be a bit easier to get along with in the course of business than a longer, heavier wood & steel piece. Loads cheaper than shooting Buffalo Bore magnums, I imagine. Again, just sayin'. Imagine; as many as 50 hogs in one magazine... :evil:

TCB
 
I love my 77/44. I haven't worked up any loads for it, but Winchester SP box of 50 shoots great. I hit five diamonds out five @ 50 yards, and I doubt this rifle will see much action past 100 yards.
Where I take it 50 yards is the limit of sight. They are great hunters, but don't expect to win any contests. LOL Yes, I did hit all five diamonds that were about the size of a nickle at 50 yards last time I went to sight the scope in for the Winchester 240 grain SP factory ammo. :( I like to load .44 Mag. I love my Ruger SBH 5.5", but this bolt gun didn't like the cowboy loads that the SBH did. So I have to see if it will shoot the 240 XTP with 2400 as good as my SBH.

The .44 has some recoil from the light carbine, but the difference in size of the bullet holes it makes is enough to choose the .44 over the .357, and a 77/357 will have the same limitations on distance as the .44 Magnum. So flatter shooting isn't a deciding factor here I wouldn't think. Also, the recoil isn't bad at all, and if you are shooting an animal you will not feel the recoil anyway. It will shoot specials just like the .357 will. Practice with specials, and hunt with Magnums.
Whatever the .357 does the .44 does at least 1/3 better if not more. Provided that you can hit what you are shooting at.

All said and done though if I were stuck on .357 it would be a Marlin 1894. If I wasn't stuck to pistol calibers then a .22-250 would be my choice for pig hunting with my wife.
 
sometimes I get the urge to go in the brush after them,
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Whatever the .357 does the .44 does at least 1/3 better if not more
Click to expand...

Not sure a full 1/3 better, but without a doubt the difference is significant and no reason to chew on the minor details.

In the brush I would take the .44 magnum over the .357 for shure . In a rifle, there is not enough recoil that I would be concerned with a smaller framed user. With .44 specials thru .44 Magnum loadings, you have a wide range of power to tune in on the recoil if you need to.

PS: I have not had the pleasure of hunting hogs, but have had to go into the brush for wounded bear. I'm told those little piggy's can be mean enough to want to stop them quickly.
 
I see on the average 200 hogs a day, some close others hundreds of yards away, I think if I keep after them I should have them on the endangered species list in this part of Texas in a few weeks. I have killed them with a .17hmr with head and even body shots and seen them run off after a good shot from a .308. cant wait to check cattle in the morning, they should be near a tank, it will be a 100 degrees here tomorrow.
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You need some help killing all them hogs? I have a brother in Elgin.
 
Unknown Weapons

barnbwt said:
You need to watch more Stargate ;)

TCB
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You mean SG-1 ? Man, T'eelk is bad with that serpent pistol and worse with his spear/rifle. Does anybody know what caliber and loads they are?:confused:

I have an old Hi-Point 9mm Carbine for home defense, but they reccomend using FMJ Ball ammo only.:):)
 
FWIW
My 1894 44 mag has hardly any recoil. I had my 10 year old shoot it and he's pretty sensitive (not sure WHAT family that comes from...perhaps he'll grow out of it). He had no prob with the 44 or the 357 (also 1894). Out of a lever gun the recoil is fine and you got enough coming out of the other end to handle an angry charging hog. Might consider a Rossi (I think) 454 or 460 SW...cool factor just went up (so did the cost! and recoil!).

I know they made semi-auto carbines, but I've never held one...

Greg
 
Vern, believe me I got lots of requests online from people that want to come out hunt hogs, I run cattle on leased land and hunting rights are part of the deal, also a good way for me to lose them if I have other people other than family out, cant wait for cold weather when it gets dark early, hard to stay out late hunting and be at my regular job next morning. also have family land, there a different story but just family.
 
If you're already shooting the .357Mag I'd go with that in a 16 inch barrel Rossi lever. A compact and easily packable rifle that will fit you and your wife.

A Marlin 1894 in .357Mag is another option. It would be a few hundred more though.

Full bore .357's from a Rossi will get most folks attention but it's not a tooth rattler by any means.

There's lots of info on how rough a Rossi CAN feel right out of the box. So I'd add on about $100 to $150 to pay for a local cowboy action smith to slick it up a little. You'll smile when you feel how nice they CAN be once they get a little luvin' and a spring kit.

Because you're hunting I'd use the spring kit's mainspring but ask that it be shimmed with a washer or two to slightly up the preload power for a touch of insurance against light strikes. Or your smith might have another option to offer you. Having said this I don't recall the last time I had an issue with my rifle in a match.
 
Another vote (as always) for the Ruger 77/357. Absolutely love mine. Can get 2" groups at 100yds with irons and American Eagle 158gr (replaced factory rear with a Skinner rear aperture sight).
 
My better half loves to shoot my '92 lever in 357...and she's not a shooting enthusiast. It has a 24" barrel. Only downside is the weight.
 
Given the situation with your better half, I'd vote for the .357. With good loads it's right up there ballistically (out of a rifle) with the .30-.30, and should get the job done for you.
 
Like in handguns,,,

Like in handguns,,,
The M77 can chamber and shoot ,38 Special.

A few years back I questioned Ruger about it,,,
They said that they could not guarantee they would feed,,,
But that the barrel would chamber and fire .38 Special with no problems.

I think it is safe to assume the disclaimer about feeding is CYA speak.

Several M77 owners in this forum have said their rifles handle .38 just fine.

That is always a plus in my thinking.

Also, doesn't the .357 Mag have a flatter trajectory than .44 Mag?

Aarond

.
 
Several M77 owners in this forum have said their rifles handle .38 just fine.
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An accurate rifle like the M77/357 would also make an ideal squirrel gun, if it would reliably feed powder-puff wadcutter loads.

I often hunt squirrels with my Colt M357 loaded with .38 specials using a 148 grain hollow base wadcutter ahead of 2.7 grains of Bullseye.
 
Neither a .357 or a .44 has much recoil in a long gun. I have a Marlin lever in both. I think you will get a little flatter shooting from the .357. Good shooting. What are you doing with all the pork?
 
My Marlin 44mag used to beat the crap out of me, it's gone,
but the 357 has a home here.
maybe I'm getting old and weak, but even the old woman wouldn't shoot
the 44mag
 
I own the Ruger 77/44, and although most of the area I hunt in is not brushy, or close quarters....it is a rifle that goes along all the time on deer and javelin hunts.
 
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