357 vs 44 mag lever action opinion

The 357 is just plan fun to shoot...the most fun of any firearm I own. Plus, the wife and kids love to shoot it also. Combine that with relatively cheap to shoot, easy access to ammo, and lethal caliber for up to medium sized game and you just can't go wrong with the 357.

The main problem...Marlin's are my favorite in this caliber and they are just plan hard to find right now with the Remington transition in full swing. Find a pre-2007 Marlin and you will have a real gem.
 
Sounds to me like you already sold yourself on the .357/.38, and if your primary use will be plinking that will be fine. But, as noted above, if you will be using it as a hunting backup gun, especially larger game such as elk but also some of the larger whitetails, my strong preference would be .44 (which is what I have...2 of the Marlin 1894s). I wouldn't use a .357 for anything bigger than rabbits or coyote, although I know some will take deer with them under 100 yards. I was curious about a "backup" rifle for hunting, though. Are you planning on carrying 2 rifles into the woods? Can't say I've done that. If you want a sidearm as your backup, so we're talking closer distances, either .357 or .44 will do you fine. Getting back to the OP topic -- I like 44Mag because it does come close to 30-30 and I just like the round. The .357 will be cheaper and you already have 30-30s, so go with the .357 and don't look back.
 
I sold my Rossi M92 .44 mag lever action and I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a .357 lever action if that tells you anything. For 150 yards or less, the .357 will do anything that the .44 mag will do but for less money out of your pocket. Another vote for .357 here.
 
Excellent replies by all. Thanks. As I was looking for, you've all provided many pros/cons to the 357 vs 44 mag / lever action combinations. Yes, I am pretty much set on the 357 mag. Mainly because I already shoot that caliber. But like I said in the opening post, i was looking for opinions because I may have been overlooking something about 44 magnum. Besides plinking, it would be a backup for deer and some other smaller game. I use the marlin 336 30-30 "With Special Handloads" as a quick backup for elk. I have other guns that would be better 2nd choice for elk, but carrying in the back seat of a truck or similar is not something I'd like to do with a nice 30-06 or 30-378. Basically, the 30-30 was a backup if I broke the primary rifle. When I lived in texas, the 30-30 was a very common rifle for my whitetail hunting.

But if I get the 357 marlin, it would be for plinking, varmints, coyotes, backup for deer if my primary rifle was to get messed up and I didn't want to go back home. (I always carry a backup hunting rifle). But 100-125 yard shot on a deer, while difficult here, is still preferable considering the alternative is to go back home 2-3 hours away. Or bringing another full length heavy rifle. Anyway; that's the practical use for it. I've only had one rifle/scope go out on me during a hunt; so using the 357 for deer hunting would probably never really happen. I also like the practicality of when i'm helping a friend on his ranch that I have a 357/44 mag lever instead of a full fledged 30-30 or an ar15, or a classic like an M1 Carbine.

Anyway; thanks a lot for all the info. I think for what I'm looking at, a 357 would be the better choice. The 44 mag definitely offers some advantages, but I don't think they really apply to me. Like I said; I was pretty sure that I knew the right answer; but I wanted to hear other opinions of the two calibers in a lever action to see if i was overlooking anything. Thanks.
 
Well, the easy part is done...you made your decision. How the hard part comes...trying to find one. It is not easy to find a Marlin model 1894C these days. At least, not I my area of the country.
 
.357 carbine

You'll shoot a .357 carbine for fun, more, and for far less, than you will a .44. While not a premier deer caliber, it will suffice at 100 yds and under, when properly loaded and applied.

My Marlin .357has been one of my favorite carbines. Consider a peepsight when you get it. For years, I loaded and shot mine with mid-range .357 SWC, but of late it has been rezeroed for full house 158 JHP. Single loaded 148gr, .38 WC shoot close enough to point of aim for plinking and practice, though a bit impractical.

You will not regret a .357 carbine.
 
Well, the easy part is done...you made your decision. How the hard part comes...trying to find one. It is not easy to find a Marlin model 1894C these days. At least, not I my area of the country.
Click to expand...

I live in Wyoming. In ORDER of POPULATION:

1. Prairie dogs
2. Pronghorn Antelope
3. Guns
4. Residents (550,000)

I've seen no less than 5 each 357 magnum lever actions in the last month at various gun shops/pawn shops/etc... I know at least 3 of them were marlins. If I "REALLY" was in a rush, I could find one within a few days. I'll find one when the time is right. I'll be in the right place at the right time.
 
The .357 also has a flatter trajectory than the .44 :)

I shot a Marlin 1894 as my SASS rifle, loaded with .44spl or cowboy loads, it was VERY manageable :D
Using the .44 Mag on Feral Hog, is an exercise in Dead Right There :D

But it is a Niche rifle...if you aren't doing Cowboy Action Shooting or regular hog/black bear hunting,
it's probably not the one to go with.

Definitley get a Marlin, there is NO substitute when it comes to Lever-actions :D

As for a truck gun...get a beater...that way you can Duracoat it or slap a synthetic stock on it
and it won't hurt anyone's feelings ;)
 
I love my .44 magnum lever action. It's a nice, handy saddle carbine to have around. It will handle anything that comes too close to my house that I don't like with good effect.
 
Wait! Here's a "lever" alternative: a Low Wall 1885 in .357/38 Spl.

I bought a Browning a few years ago (when they were still being produced), and it's a favorite. I broke it in with, and have never fired anything but, lead bullets.

It's sort of an American "rook" rifle. Very accurate.
 
UPDATE:
Well; I pulled the trigger. "So to speak". I found a Marlin 1894 in 357 mag used, (Newer model with safety) that I "sort of liked". Problem was the individual was too proud of it, and wanted too much for it. $550. "I could take a 2 hour drive and buy a brand new one for $570 at Cabelas". But the guy wouldn't budge on the price.

Then there's the one at Cabelas I mentioned above. But to be honest, while my Marlin 336 in 30-30 is a 20" barrel, the 357 mag was 18.5" and just felt way too small. And Marlin just doesn't seem to make a 20" in 357 mag. So while I really wanted another marlin, the 18.5" just felt way to small. I'm not a 6' 5" guy, but I'm not little either. Anyway, I put the marlin 1894C on the back burner.

I started doing a lot of research, and the Rossi seemed to be a good option. I owned a Rossi many years ago, when the company had inconsistent quality issues. Pistols and Rifles. But from my research, they've seemed to have improved a lot. Granted, they aren't USA, but then Marlin isn't the same Marlin either with their merger with Remington. And the Rossi M92 I could look for in 20 or 24". Plus I was able to check out some of the heavy barrel octagons, and really liked the weight. So, that was where I aimed next.

BOTTOM LINE: Used guns seemed almost impossible to find in 357 magnum. Either simply nothing around, or the owners were "TOO PROUD" and wanted too much money. Especially compared to a new one. But I did find a dealer who received one by accident. "He accidentally ordered a 357 mag instead of a 44 mag". He got the customer what they wanted, but he was out the money on the 357 mag until he sold it. It wasn't killing him, but he doesn't like having guns sit around. Anyway, I was able to get the Rossi M92, 357 magnum, 24" Octagon, Stainless Steel. I like the feel of it and the weight. So for me; I'm happy. I walked out the door with it for $530. Here tax is 6%, so that's an even $500 for the gun + Tax. From the research I did, the dealer probably paid around $450-$475 for it. So I feel good that a "LOCAL" gun store got my money, instead of a BIG-BOX-STORE. I also didn't have to pay online and have to pay for S/H and FFL transfer. Plus; with the going price of the stainless octagon barrels, I think I did OK on the price. Maybe not the greatest deal of the century, but not the $575-$600 that I've seen some of the stainless octagon 24" selling for either.

So thanks everyone for your input. I was pretty much set on the 357 mag, unless someone was able to show some great advantage to the 44mag that I was overlooking. I wish the marlin wasn't so short. But the Rossi seems pretty decent. I saved about $50-$75 over the normal price, and it was about $100 less than the shorter marlin. All in all, I'm happy with it. Have to take it out this weekend and try it out. Thanks again. mike....
 
Well, I don't know what's worse, Rossi quality at its best, or Marlin's at its worst.

I got a 1894 in 44 Mag that is a transition gun. It needed work in order to cycle reliably. It needs a bit more, IMO.

Earlier, you said a 44 Mag isn't going to kill it any more dead than a 357. I disagree. At the end of its range, and on larger game, the 44 Magnum carries more energy. Possibly enough to make the difference between killing and wounding.

But it sounds like not a very good chance you'll ever use it for hunting. You basically have to drop your primary bolt action and bust it up in order for that to happen. I bet you learned your lesson the first time and will never do that again.

So you're left with the better plinking gun.

BTW - You're nuts for not reloading for it. It is a snap, compared to a necked rifle cartridge. None of the lubricating the brass before sizing stuff. You'd probably save $15 per box of ammo, have more accurate ammo, and at just the perfect power level. Oh, and with a huge choice of bullets too.

You're not too lazy to do extensive online research. Don't be lazy when it comes to reloading either. ;)
 
Speaking just to caliber - at my age I like a bigger caliber because when I practice on paper at 50 yds and under I can see the hole - the 357 not quite as clear. Might not be important to you.

The 357 is a dandy cartridge and the price per is better.
 
Being it's not a primary hunting rifle, I just didn't see the advantage of the 44 mag. I wouldn't use either the 357 or the 44 on anything larger than a deer. And no further than 100-125 yards. So again, I just didn't see the advantage to the 44mag; especially with the price of ammo vs the 357.

As for reloading; I've reloaded many different calibers. I doubt that I would save $15 on a box of ammo considering I can buy 38spl for $13.50 from quite a few different vendors. And I can buy plinking 357 mag for $16-$17 a box. So for me, time is more valuable to me than money.

I think I would have preferred the Marlin, IF, it was available in a 20" rifle. I love my marlin 336 30-30. But the 18 inch was simply too small. And I decided against the 44 mag, and that was the only way I was going to be able to get a 20" rifle. So for me, I think I got a good compromise. I got the caliber and I got the better barrel length for me. I could have spent up around $1000 and bought a winchester. It would have been the 20" barrel. And while there isn't really a firearm on the planet that I can't afford; I don't purposely spend a lot of money on something that's strictly a "Luxury" item. There's about 5 firearms that I have that are primary self defense and hunting weapons. I've spent a lot on those so I could get exactly what I wanted. This is primarily for fun. Not much more than that.

Anyway; again, thanks to the posters that made this a very informative thread.
 
.357 carbine

I have two leverguns in each caliber. The .357's definitely have less recoil with full power loads. The range of both the .357 and .44 mag are about the same. Also, you have indicated that you like a longer barrel. some ballistic experiments that my son performed demonstrated that with most factory ammo, there is probably no improvment in velocity of a 20" bbl over a 16" bbl. You might, however, be able to improve velocity with a longer barrel by reloading with slower burning powders than are commonly used in factory ammo which is intended for handguns. I really like my Rossi 16" mod 92 stainless carbine in .357. Light, handy, fun to shoot. hope that you enjoy yours, as well!
 
I too would tend to go the .357 choice, as you allready own guns in that caliber, and you can shoot .38 loads in it that are as pleasent as shooting a .22 if you choose too..for fun or teaching a new shooter. or up the power to where its rather potent for even a home defense situation/truck gun.
a 125gr. at almost 2100fps is a man stopper, and 100 yd game getter.

Cost wise you are going to shoot it more, than the same model in .44mag.
At almost $50 bucks a box these days I just dont shoot my .44 guns as often
as my .357's...even handloading the componants cost more.
Whitch ever you choose enjoy it.
 
Well, I don't know what's worse, Rossi quality at its best, or Marlin's at its worst.
Click to expand...
Things have changed on that front since the late '90s. While Rossi's quality wasn't the best in the '90s, after they got new CNC machines in 2000, their quality and reliability has improved dramatically. Their rifles made after the mid 2000s are as good as any made at the same time.

However, the same can't be said for Marlin. True, their older versions were good quality firearms but starting in the mid '00s, Marlin leverguns' quality has been on a downward spiral which accelerated dramatically since they were bought by Remington.

So today the Rossis are significantly better made than the Marlins in terms of basic design, production quality, and reliability. In addition, the Winchester '92 design is stronger than the Marlin design.
 
I don't want to hijack the thread, but why not a Henry instead of Marlin or Rossi? Marlin is having serious quality problems of late (I was looking at recent products at a gun show 1 month ago and the fit/finish and actions were not what Marlin used to make). Henry is an all-USA made rifle. Having said I don't own one and would be interested in knowing opinions about the Henry.

Now as for the OP, earlier posters have noted the .44Mag is clearly the winner in the hunting-use category. Good to 150 yards and for up to deer size game. The .357 has about 1/2 the energy because of the smaller bullet, and most hunters I know will not use it on deer for ethical reasons. If you are plinking or hunting rabbits, woodchucks etc. then the .357 is fine, costs less to shoot and is a little less noisy (although I don't find the .44Mag out of a 16 inch barrel that loud and has very manageable recoil). +1 on the poster above who very correctly noted you NEVER EVER admit to not needing another gun.
 
While I have a Henry 22lr, their centerfire versions leave me cold. They weigh some 2 lbs more than their counterparts and they don't have a side loading gate leaving one to load them like a 22lr. They are well made but those 2 deficiencies are major weaknesses in their designs.
 
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