357 or 44 Mag Rifle..Which One???

[paperboy]

Ok, have been wanting to get a rifle for deer. Kinda interested in the Handi Rifles. I have shot both 357/44 in pistol but not rifle. I have heard the 357 shoots flatter but the 44 hits harder. Is this true? Also whats the 44 recoil like. Can some give me a comparison on recoil of a 44 to something else. I have shot a 50 cal muzzleloader, is a 44 lighter than that? I know I have alot of questions, just looking for some advice...Thanks....

 

[hotfarmboy1]

Do you already have a pistol in either caliber? If so that's the one I'd go with. Personally I have a 357 mag pistol I use as my deer sidearm. If I get a rifle other than my muzzleloader for deer, it'll be in 357 mag so I can use the same ammo. Hornaday Lever Revolution.

 

[22lr]

.357 all the way.

I have a 357 lever gun and the cost of cheap plinking ammo is a huge benefit (38 special). Also shooting 38s in a rifle sounds a little worse than a 22, and there is no recoil (same as my 22lr savage). Also you can bore it out to 357max and have a legit 200yard deer gun that can still shoot 38special for plinking (you just have to handload the 357max).

I looked at some 44mag rifles but the ammo cost turned me away. The only reason I am going rifle is because im tired of paying $3 a round for nice 12ga slugs, so cost was a huge factor.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Ok, have been wanting to get a rifle for deer. Kinda interested in the Handi Rifles. I have shot both 357/44 in pistol but not rifle. I have heard the 357 shoots flatter but the 44 hits harder. Is this true? Also whats the 44 recoil like. Can some give me a comparison on recoil of a 44 to something else. I have shot a 50 cal muzzleloader, is a 44 lighter than that? I know I have alot of questions, just looking for some advice...Thanks....

Which one makes bigger holes?

I'd go with the one I already had a pistol for.

Short of that in a lever gun I'd go with a 44.

If I didn't have a pistol to match and I wanted a single shot NEF, I'd go with the 357 and ream it to 357 maximum.

 

[cj5muddslinger]

I've shot both useing factory loads and hand loads. I own a 44 mag rosi but would take a 357 over it any day. They can be loaded up to hit just as hard and real nice to just go shooting useing 38 special

 

[target64]

I would suggest the 357, Due to the fact that the are many more options for factory loads loads and reloading components. Buffalo Bore has some prime choices in ammo for the 357 carbine such as their 158gr JHP @2153 FPS.

 

[WHRJeff]

I know it's not on the list but go with the 45 Long Colt and get a matching revolver (cowboy style)...just my

 

[x10]

When you go hunting you need to factor in how effective the round is on the game a bit more than recoil and cost per round.

To TRACK deer you need a blood trail, the bigger the hole the more blood, I have personally tracked deer of friends that were shot with a 357 and while No 2 hits are the same on game my opinion is that 2 deer we found would have had a better blood trail with a 44 mag,

Thats my 2 cents, I've been hunting deer for over 25 years and ever person's experience is different but I do believe in the 44 for deer hunting, I have been using lever actions since it was legal and used a 12 ga and 44 mag pistol before the rifle's were legal.

 

[Whosyer]

If your set on the handi rifle, I'd go with the .44. Bigger hole, more punch. You will feel the recoil, but it won't hurt you. Personally, I'm using a Marlin lever action in .41mag. I think it's the ultimate in legal pistol caliber rifles. They are hard to find though. And ammo isn't as plentiful.

 

[mkelsey]

I agree with the .357 guys. I have a marlin .357 lever action and it is hands down one of my favorite rifles to shoot.

 

[winnymag]

I have a 357 winchester and for target shooting i find the accuracy very good, Could possibly be more accurate than a 44 because of less recoil but not sure about the latter.

 

[Leadeye]

Stick with the caliber you have a handgun for but that aside I would get a Marlin 1894 in 44 mag or 45 Colt if you reload.

 

[Hoosier45]

I have Marlin 1894's in both .357 and .44 mag. I shoot the .357 better with open sights, but I scoped the .44 mag for my dad to hunt with. He took two deer with it last year and he loves it.

 

[DWFan]

Only because the .357 Maximum was mentioned, something you might be interested in...
.357 Maximum
Although this was done on a Contender, I assume the same thing applies to the Handi-Rifle. Midway has 200gr Grizzly ammo and Reed's Ammo carries a complete line of .357 Maximum loads. Rechambering reamers are available from Clymers.

 

[jeremy]

Neither caliber. .45 Colt is the way to go.

 

[x10]

Neither caliber. .45 Colt is the way to go.

I think to qualify this you need to add in if you reload, Decent Deer loads are hard to come buy for factory ammo with 45 colt, Then tend not to load them up to today's standards.

Or you have to hunt down the correct load made for modern firearms only, Its a trap you get into with old calibers.

I still have to go with 44mag just because the ammo companies are getting good modern ammo out to every store.

 

[Slow Hand]

As I just posted in another thread, I'd go with the .357. I would reccomend going with whatever caliber you have a matching handgun for, but barring that, I'd say the .357. Yes, the .44 has more power. It also has more recoil and more expense. Two big factors in making folks practice less with that caliber. I've fired the same rifle in both .357 and .44 and the .44 was suprisingly painful to shoot! The .357 loads were a 195gr cast SWC-GC at about 1700fps. the .44 loads were factory 240gr JHP's. I had a .45 that was prety fun to shoot with 315gr cast bullets at about 1300fps. i was really amazed at how bad the .44 was!

Doug K

 

[jy951]

I'd use a 44 mag over the .357 mag for deer hunting. If you look at the ballistics, the 44 mag has alot more energy at any given distance. You will have much better range and killing power with the 44 mag. I'm not saying the .357 mag is not good for deer hunting, it's just that I'd rather go with the heavier and bigger load.

I never thought the 44 mag kicked that much. I guess I'm used the the old slug guns, but if it is a bit much, then you could try 44 specials which are still legal for deer.

 

[deadsquirrel]

i have a 44 mag lever action (no experience with a 357) but i would not hesitate to get another especially if it was for deer. it has plenty of knockdown power and would feel much more comfortable shooting it at a deer.

 

[flash409]

i dont have either but i am wanting to get the 44mag. i have a friend that takes his 10year old son hunting and he shoots the 44mag. and his son shoots the gun as much as he does.. in my eyes if a 10 year old can kill deer with it than so can i...lol