Single caliber combos

C

Chesster

New member
My nephew, a novice, is interested in securing a handgun and rifle both using the same ammo. He lives north of Miami and will not be hunting in Alaska so very large bears will not be a factor. I have recommended a .357 levergun and a 4" 6 shot revolver. SD and a possible whitetail or two will be his primary purposes. I doubt he will be a volume shooter. I would appreciate other suggestions or comments.
 
I like your suggestion of a lever gun in .357 (Marlin sounds perfect) and a 4-inch revolver in the same caliber (Ruger GP-100 is a lot of gun for the money), but in the end, you did say that he was a novice, so I'll assume that he doesn't have a whole slew of guns.

In order to make the best suggestion, I'd want more info on what exactly he's trying to "cover" with this two-gun combo. Because as fun as a lever gun in .357 likely is, there's really not much it will do that isn't bettered by a true rifle caliber.

To put it another way, a .357 lever gun seems to be something you'd add to your collection for the fun of it... but it's quite far from the best choice (or even just one of the better choices) if you need a rifle that you can put in to service for 100-200 yard work.

I've heard some folks that like to "pare down" the number of different calibers they keep, but I've never understood it. Having another caliber is like having another friend or another motorcycle. Each is good for something and great to have around.
 
deciphering cryptic statements

I will be a Sr in October when I reach my 55th.

I do not spend any brainpower on long guns, so I cannot comment on which 357 Magnum-chambered choice (although someone else's suggestion for a lever-action rifle made fine sense to me).

The "friend" seems to reside in Florida, so the 357 Magnum will handily handle any shooting chore.
 
.44 mag. carbine & revolver:

Switchable to Gold Dot "specials" for defense in both guns, and those shot shells actually perform well enough to feed you if need be.;)


-7-
 
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Marlin/Smith

I have a Marlin 94 levergun and a Smith 29-2 ,both in 44 Mag/Special.
It gives a choice of two calibers in either,and the 44 Mag is as much cartridge as you'd need except for big game
 
My first reaction would be a .44 Revolver and Carbine combo, but if he doesn't reload, ammunition costs and availability may be a factor. In this case, a .357 combo might be a better fit for his needs.
 
.357 Ruger or Smith revolver and Marlin lever gun. Or, for added cool factor; Ruger Vaquero and a Puma or Marlin lever gun in 45 Colt.
 
Re: ammo availability. I would have agreed with you until recently, but now it seems like I never see 357 (or .223 ... or .40 ... or 9mm ... or .45) on the shelf.
 
Re: ammo availability. I would have agreed with you until recently, but now it seems like I never see 357 (or .223 ... or .40 ... or 9mm ... or .45) on the shelf.
Click to expand...

Not a problem if you reload, and your options to reload not only the .357 but the .44 for pistol/rifle combos are astronomical. Incredibly cheap too when compared to store-bought ammo (and more accuratate once you work up a load for your own guns)
 
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