lets talk 44 mag vs .357??

T

Trapper Luke

New member
Not really sure why but all of a sudden I've decided I need to get one of them short lever action rifles. You know the ones that have a 20 inch barrel and the magazine tube goes out to the end of the barrel, stainless with a nice dark wood stock? Anyways a couple of my buddies have one of these guns in .357 I was thinkin of gettin one in either .357 or a 44 mag. What do all you gun guru's think on the 44mag vs .357 situation? Advantages and disadvatages of both?

Thanks,
Luke
 
I really like the 357, because i have a revolver too,im not a guru, but I think its the ballistic superior. Others will come and give you specs on each im sure
 
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My ole' man has shot a number of deer with a .44mag winchester lever with a 2x side mount scope.It's a killer if you know its range limitations.Nice little carrying gun.
 
Hey, as long as it's a Marlin..you're good. I started out with a .35 Remington as a kid..currently own;


.44 Magnum
.45 Colt
.30-30
.45-70

all acquired during my Cowboy Action cycle of life..sold the .35 when went in the Army. Never owned a .357 rifle and while like that cartridge in a handgun, no desire to own a rifle in the caliber...but if I did would be be a Marlin.

I bought the .30-30 in Spikehorn configuration [ a youth model w/short LOP] and swapped out for regular stock - 16" barrel..handy.
 
I had a Marlin .357 mag., an absolute tack driver with .38 special semi-wadcutters. Shot VERY well with .357 just not quite as accurate as the .38s. A real ball to shoot. I never shot anything with it. But, a close friend did kill a deer with it at about 75 yards. Money got tight and it had to go.
I also had a Marlin .44mag. It wouldn't shoot 5 shots under 2 1/2 in at 25 yards. It got a free trip to the gun show. Bye bye. It was also a nice shooting gun. Just not accurate. It is the ONLY Marlin I've had that wasn't accurate. So, it was probably just a lemon. Would I own another? Sure if the price was right. The .44 mag is a heck-of-a hog killer. I would think the .357 would do pretty well also.
As far as .357 vs .44; tough call.
Take a look at what you want to do with it before you decide.
Good luck 'n' happy huntin'
 
Marlin 1895 45/70 with 300 grain soft points and be ready for anything. If choosing between 44 or 357 I would go with the 44 mag.
 
well id say get the one you have/want a pistol in.

other than that either is good, ive taken 7-8 deer with my 357 pea shooter with no tracking needed. mostly does but one really big bodied buck.

357/38 may be a bit cheaper for factory ammo other than that its up to you, the 45 colt is also very very cool.

good luck!
 
I have a Marlin 1894C 357mag. with Ashley Ghost Ring Sights that is very accurate with Federal American Eagle 158gr. soft points. I chronographed them at 1835fps. averge. Light recoiling carbine that I would not hesitate shooting deer at 100yds. Pleasant to shoot.
 
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My uncle killed about 50 deer with his .357 rifle. All shots were close and he never lost a deer. I prefer the .44 myself. It really depends on what you want to kill with it.
 
I think of it this way. A .357 mag out of a rifle will produce similar terminal ballistics to the .44 mag from a pistol. If it is just for shootin' and what not then the .357 is a fine weapon if you figure you will be using on anything much bigger than deer I would probably consider the .44mag. Also, if you already carry a .357mag revolver, as I do, then a .357mag would seem a better option, and obviously if you have a .44mag then that would logically make more sense.

Or, get one of each.
 
The 158 gr 357 out of a carbine generally runs about 1750 - 1800 fps. The ORIGINAL 30-30 load was a 160 gr bullet at about 1850 - 1900 fps. Nobody called it underpowered in those days!
Mark
 
Shot most of my deer with a 357 lever and revolver, they all died. But I much rather debate 308 vs 3006 or is the 243 enough for deer.
 
I've got a Rugar 9644. This is a lever action .44mag rifle. I've killed a number of deer with this gun. I hunt in forest land so shots are usually less than 100 yards. This is what i would say is 100 yard gun. I do have a .44 mag. revolver also. However i load differently for the rifle as it can take more powder and i keep the two casings seperate. All my remington brass is for the pistol and the star brass is rifle so i don't get them mixed up. I can shoot the pistol loads in the rifle but not the rifle loads in the pistol. I have since been given a .35Rem marlin by my kids and now it is my deer slayer, so the Rugar takes up space in my cabinet. Too bad as it's a nice rifle.
 
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