Why .44 Magnum, .45 Colt & .357 Magnum ?

[Onmilo]

With heavy bullets the .45 Colt shines. Can be loaded mild or hot. If you do not reload it would be A poor choice. if you do it is A winner

I agree with this observation.
Fact is, I can't remember the last time I bought a box of factory loaded .45 Colt.

 

[mavracer]

1200 fps 30/30's are a lot easier to come up with than 2000 fps 357's

They're both pretty easy with a carbine

 

[bannockburn]

I bought a used but near mint Rossi Model 92 in .45 Colt mainly to go with my Beretta Stampede and Ruger Vaquero, both of which are also chambered in .45 Colt.

 

[RainDodger]

I have both .44 Mag and a .357 Mag lever actions - one a Browning and the other a Uberti. When I'm looking to have fun, I always pick up the .357. It's so sweet to shoot - recoil is negligible and accuracy is superb. Yes, the Browning .44 is a beautiful gun, but the recoil isn't something you want to endure for any length of time. It's a VERY light rifle. The Uberti 1873 is heavier and very nice to shoot.

 

[Steve51]

I have lever guns in .357 magnum and .44 magnum. Both are a hoot to shoot. Whether you reload or buy your ammo, you get more shooting per dollar with the .357. Either one will make the steel targets sing.

 

[ECVMatt]

I love the .357 in a levergun. I have a Winchester 94 Trapper and a Marlin 1894CP. I really love the CP; it my favorite. I really hope Remington has really worked out the bugs and makes the CP available again. I would really like to have another for the wife and kids, but can't afford the current prices. I also have a .44 to use mostly for hunting. The .44 is fun to shoot, but kicks more and cost more. I reload, so the I can make up practice ammo pretty cheap, but can make more .357...

 

[js8588]

Count me in with the 357 votes

 

[midland man]

I have two rossi 92's one in 45 colt the other in 44 mag and now want one in 357 mag but really like the 45 colt so far!

 

[MCgunner]

I prefer the .357. I have shot squirrels with it using a 105 grain cast SWC from 38 brass over 2.3 grains of Bullseye for 900 fps. Shoots real good out of my Rossi 92, 1.5" at 50 yards. Fair to middlin' reloadable .22. I've also taken a doe with it at 80 yards with a 165 grain SWC over 14.5 grains of 2400. I've since found that Lil Gun works a little better for rifle loads. I get the same velocities, mid 1800 fps range, with less pressure. Lil Gun will push that 165 grain gas checked bullet to over 1900 fps, but I keep it in the 1850 fps range to keep the pressure down, brass lasts longer and it kills just as dead.

I have some experience with a SIL's .45 Colt Rossi. I got about 1400 fps from my Ruger only 300 grain load, a Hornady XTP, with 2400. I could probably load it a little hotter, but I don't. I don't load for .44 so never considered the .44 mag, though it's a good round for a carbine for deer and hogs to 100+ yards. The .357 is enough, though, and I really like my light .38 load in the gun. All it takes is a known elevation change on the rear sight to change loads. I have a ghost ring aperture sight on it with click adjustable numbered elevation adjustment.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

I have (2) 39A .22s, an 1894c in .357 and a 1895cb 45/70. All older Marlins and all special to me.

The .357 carbine is the real sweetheart of the group.

 

[bikerdoc]

My old 1894c has been my go to fun carbine for 10 yrs. Turned the wife and grand kids into riflemen yet good enough to take deer at under 100 yds.