357 vs 44mag lever gun

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chipchip

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Ok, if you had a choice of a fun gun lever gun, what would you get. A 357 mag or a 44 mag. I can't decide but being able to take game is a possibility also.
 
Being a handgun hunter with the 44mag, it is deadly effective on game. Like bang,flop. Personally I wouldn't consider the 357mag if the 44 is a option.
 
A lot of things to look at. What size game, what range, do you already reload for the cal., and will you pair up the carbine with a handgun?
 
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I went with the 357 for cost and what looked like a better trajectory on paper, I also wanted a revolver to go with it.

I didn't really have any particular game or predator in mind for mine though.
 
I was in the same situation and wound up getting both to match up w. their respective revolvers (albeit about 6-8 months between the two)

My guess is .44 would be better on game however unless you reload, the .357 will be much cheaper to actually shoot (especially .38s for range time). Factory .44 these days is not cheap (more like rifle round prices around here).

Mine are brush guns (16 inch barrels) are a real hoot to play with though so I'm guessing you'll have fun with either one :)
 
I had same thought when I was looking to buy a Henry big boy rifle. I was thinking 357 because I could shoot 38 for practice.
Well a guy at our gun club offered me a chance to shoot both the 357 and 44mag rifles and in both use the 38 specials and the 44 specials to see the difference.
They are not the same guns, I am so happy I got to shoot both before I bought one.
I bought the Henry big boy 44mag and a Henry golden boy 22 for practice, and economy shooting but that's me.
It's a hard decision when just thinking about it.
 
For fun, I'd go with the 357 IF it'll shoot 38 Sp, too. For general purpose use, I'd go 44. As it is, I own both thanks to a prudent purchase of matched pair of Win 94 Trappers several years back.
 
Years ago, I got my ex a Rossi 92 in .357 Magnum to be able to shoot .38s with her 2 Cimarron revolvers. These days, the ex is gone but I still got the guns, win-win for me!:D I think the .357 would be cheaper to shoot but the .44 Magnum would be the better hunting round. For me, a Marlin 1894 in .44 Magnum is on my short list of items to get.
 
I think the 44 is a better choice in a rifle. Ammo costs and availibility is so close it is a non-factor, about $1 more for 20 rounds of 44 over 357 for plinking ammo. And 44 is more readily available, especially in heavier weights suitable for hunting. Most 357 ammo on shelves is 125 gr SD loads.

The best 357 loads won't quite equal 30-30 ballistics, and only at ranges up to 50-75 yards. Hot loaded 44 mag ammo gives up nothing to a 444 at close ranges. Lower powered loads are good for plinking and smaller game. 44 shotshells hold enough shot to be far more effective than 357 increasing versatility.
 
I ended up getting both, I already reload for both so ammo cost was not a factor, the 357 is more fun but the 44 packs more punch for hunting med size game.
 
I'd say get both as well. Here about 10(?) years ago a local ranch supply store had their Winchester 94 Trappers in both calibers deeply discounted. I bought the 357 because it's my all-time favorite caliber and at the time I didn't own a 44 pistol to match. It was less than 400 bucks, I'm thinking 349? One of those cases where if I could have seen the future, I would have bought all they had!
 
For a fun range toy or light woods gun I'd go with the 357. For hunting the 44.

44 in a light lever gun with a steel or plastic butplate can be painful. I have a '92 clone in 44, and with hunting loads it's stout. Not as stout as my 45-70, but certainly nothing to sneeze at.
 
I'll start by saying I currently own no long guns. I have an arsenal of pistols; but no long guns.

I am going to get a lever-action rifle soon and I'm in the same dilemma. But I've made my choice: 44 Magnum.

I have dies to load both. I have handguns in both calibers. I want the extra power of the .44. It will be mostly for shooting recreationally, but I'll also need it in case SHTF - to hunt with, protection, etc.
 
Another vote for one of each.

Had the .44 for quite some time, still need the .357. However, these are low-priority requirements compared to all my other shooting needs/desires.
 
not a fan of the .357 on deer sized game

That changes when you put it into a 16"+ barrel. That extra barrel will really allow you to use the case capacity to maximize performance.

The .357 would be easier and cheaper to feed and give you an outstanding and handy rifle.

Nothing wrong with a choice of .44 mag if that's the way you want to go.
 
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