I borrowed a 44 last deer season and harvested a knobhead at about 90 yards, and know i am in the market for a pistol cartridge rifle. I own a slug gun but I am starting to get tired of spending $15 for 5 rounds to only get 8 inch groups at 100 yards. Which one will be accurate at further distances? Can I hand load 357 hot enough to start to get on par with the .44? Does anyone have experience with both? Note that I am in Indiana and the caliber regulations here are very strict, so please don't recommend I just get a 30-06, .270, etc.
.357 mag handi rifle vs .44 mag handi rifle for deer
- Thread starter nch_2018
- Start date
As I understand the regulations, the .460 case length is too long to be legal for deer hunting in Indiana.
That said, .460 Magnum is one of the chamberings available in the TC Encore rifle if you want a single shot rifle in that caliber. You might be able to put one together for under $700 before adding a scope.
For what it's worth, the .500 S&W comes in right at the case length limit.
That said, .460 Magnum is one of the chamberings available in the TC Encore rifle if you want a single shot rifle in that caliber. You might be able to put one together for under $700 before adding a scope.
For what it's worth, the .500 S&W comes in right at the case length limit.
ligonierbill
New member
You cannot get a .357 mag to .44 mag levels. However, a .357 mag will certainly kill a deer, especially from a rifle. But since you're looking at even more powerful rounds, go with the .44. You certainly don't need more.
The .44 mag will certainly take a deer. I have an older Win 94 that's good to a little over 100 yards. The open sights are a bit challenging for my eyes. I just can't bring myself to put any optics on this rifle though.
I would love to have a .357 to match my GP100 or Security Six.
I would love to have a .357 to match my GP100 or Security Six.
buck460XVR
New member
I've killed deer with both .357 and .44 mag carbines. The .44 will give you a tad larger hole, and a tad more downrange power. When my shots will mostly be under a 100 yards I generally use the .357. If the shots will be out to 100 or a tad bit more, I take the .44. One needs to use appropriate bullets with either, as most JHP in either caliber are intended mostly for revolver velocities and tend to be a tad fragile @ carbine velocities. I suggest either JSPs, FPs or hard cast.
There's people hand loading .357 to .30-30 velocities out of handguns, so it ought to be plenty. I'm not sure on the strength of the NEF, so I am not recommending that. I do have a .45-70 version and I like it a lot. I used it bear hunting and I'm going to again this year. I too cannot bring myself to put a scope on mine but if I had the money a 4x red dot seems like what I'd want.
It's nice seeing other single shot fans on here.
It's nice seeing other single shot fans on here.
opinions..
are like butts, we all have one.
from what the industry tells me, 2 bullet diameters exist for 44 magnum handguns. its why youll see .429 diameter bullets and .430 diameter bullets. What your gun likes, and at what powder charge, seating depth, wont be like anyone elses.
Now the industry tells me everyone uses the standard 357 magnum dimension for bore that smith and wesson and the ammo companies created in the 1930s.
are like butts, we all have one.
from what the industry tells me, 2 bullet diameters exist for 44 magnum handguns. its why youll see .429 diameter bullets and .430 diameter bullets. What your gun likes, and at what powder charge, seating depth, wont be like anyone elses.
Now the industry tells me everyone uses the standard 357 magnum dimension for bore that smith and wesson and the ammo companies created in the 1930s.
Gary L. Griffiths
New member
The .44 Mag will do everything a .357 Mag will do, and some things it won't.
OTOH, if you're recoil-shy, the .44 in a light rifle jounces you quite a bit.
If you can handle the recoil, I would recommend you go with the .44.
OTOH, if you're recoil-shy, the .44 in a light rifle jounces you quite a bit.
If you can handle the recoil, I would recommend you go with the .44.
I own a mossberg 500 slug gun. I outgrew the stock but it was accurate. Thing is I can't justify $15+ on a box of 5 slugs.
If you are shooting a 12 gauge the recoil of the 44 mag will be a non issue for you. I know Rossi makes a lever action that may suite your needs if you can find it on sale.
I'm not too sure what Gary G means when he states the 357 will do what the 44 does and a few others. The only thing the 357 may be able to do that the 44 can't is require a follow up shot because of it being a significantly weaker cartridge at the distance you describe!
I'm not too sure what Gary G means when he states the 357 will do what the 44 does and a few others. The only thing the 357 may be able to do that the 44 can't is require a follow up shot because of it being a significantly weaker cartridge at the distance you describe!
If I were buying the gun as a designated deer gun, I'd probably opt for the .44 magnum to get a little more oomph. The larger caliber also eliminates some of the potential concern about whether a bullet will expand or not (because you get a big hole either way).
If I wanted a general purpose gun that would be shot frequently, I might pick a .357. You could use .38 special ammo for cheaper, quieter, low-recoil plinking and small game hunting. A few rounds of Buffalo Bore or other premium .357 ammo could be used to maximize deer-hunting performance in the fall.
If I wanted a general purpose gun that would be shot frequently, I might pick a .357. You could use .38 special ammo for cheaper, quieter, low-recoil plinking and small game hunting. A few rounds of Buffalo Bore or other premium .357 ammo could be used to maximize deer-hunting performance in the fall.
drive_sideways
New member
Out of these 2 I'd go .44. Overall its a more powerful an farther shooting weapon. Both will kill a deer I'd just prefer the little extra firepower. Another question is do u hav a revolver in one of those calibers? If so getting the rifle in the same caliber can save u money when it comes to ammo, an u will always hav ammo for both. Can u hunt with slug guns legally? If so, u can by the pardner slug gun is a option, it is a excellent slug gun, has good range an is very accurate...
drive_sideways
New member
Its called the ultra slug hunter
The lever Rossi might not work for him, in my state rifles aren't allowed over 5 shots if you hunt with them. I'd go with a NEF, I love the simplistic design. Gun malfunctions are almost nonexistent compared to other guns. When I went bear hunting everyone else was using bolt action guns with scopes, after 2 days of hunting you realize how a nice light is helpful.
buck460XVR
New member
The OP states his budget is only $250 to $300 dollars. That kinda eliminates handgun caliber carbines unless one falls into a super deal on a used one. If budget was not really an object, my recommendation would be either a 77/357 or 77/44. Easier to mount optics and the rotary mag makes loading and unloading much easier than loading one at a time thru the gate and jacking them out, one at a time thru the action at the end of the day. While I enjoy my lever carbines at the range, in the woods I prefer the little Rugers.