Hi, I'm going to be going up north in a little while on a camping trip. I'm considering the marlin 1894c. Im just woundering if this gun would be an alright choice. Um also considering taking my 22. The only problem with the 22 is its not a very good protection rifle against woulves or really any thing. Well I guess maybe a squirrel lol. Thanks.
357/38spl for a bush gun
- Thread starter snowsniper8
- Start date
Applefarmer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Lime Stone City
As a two legged defense rifle, sure, other wise, nope.
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
Just get a 30-30. It's more versatile, and likely cheaper, with readily available ammo.
No reason to #### around with pistol calibre's in my opinion.
No reason to #### around with pistol calibre's in my opinion.
If you are in Ont., at this time of year .357 mag would be just fine. I carry my Marlin all the time on winter outings....I usually carry it stoked with heavy loads & the first 2 to go into the chamber with light loads for rabbits. Being a reloader myself is an advantage for tailoring ammo for my needs....
Rifle calibres are just too much for the small game, I just find the .357 mag rifle a very versitile gun.
When bears are out, I would carry the bigger calibres such as a .44 mag or .45 colt in a rifle. The bullets are heavier, therefore better penetration on big animals.
Just remember,... if you do carry any centerfire rifle in a season when bear, deer or moose is on you must have a game licence for that animal or you are in contravention of the game & fish act...
Rifle calibres are just too much for the small game, I just find the .357 mag rifle a very versitile gun.
When bears are out, I would carry the bigger calibres such as a .44 mag or .45 colt in a rifle. The bullets are heavier, therefore better penetration on big animals.
Just remember,... if you do carry any centerfire rifle in a season when bear, deer or moose is on you must have a game licence for that animal or you are in contravention of the game & fish act...
Wolves are not an issue. There has not been a single case of attack by wild wolves in North America. Coyotes are not a problem up North. If you're going in winter, bears won't be either, so your .22 should be plenty. However, if you're looking for an excuse to buy a new gun, wellllllll........ My choice would be a 44 mag or 45 LC. More versatile.
I believe there was documented case of wolf attack in northern saskatchewan a few years ago and that was the first one since the 30's or somthing like that? It is very rare. Can't go wrong with 30-30.
I stand corrected. the only one I had heard about was the attack in Killarney several years ago, but those were only half-wild. But you do have to admit that one attack in 100 years doesn't exactly make wolves dangerous critters. I know that in the winter, I wouldn't feel the need for a firearm for protection (unless you're in polar bear country or where there are a lot of coyotes, and the 'yotes are a maybe). mind you, any excuse to buy a new toy is valid
Of note. I shot a deer last year with my armi jäger revolving carbine in 357. I was using factory 158gr jacketed soft point. The deer fell in spot and never flinched and it was a big doe. 357 is plenty. Faster moving than a 44 with less surface area than a 44 makes them a good round. IMO
.357 with the right 180g bullet will give very good penetration, probably too much for wolves/yotes. Not sure if the 1894 action would be long enough, but it would be great if Marlin would do a run of carbines in .357 Maximum. That being said, a 44 or 45 would likely be more versatile to the OP. My personal rifle for that application is an 1894SS in 44Mag with an Aimpoint Micro H1.
The reason I was thinking of a 357/38sp is if I see a rabbit or any small game I can pluck em of with a 38 but if I see a yote or deer I can load up a hot 357. There are also a lot of cougers up there. But I don't think a really hot 357 would have trouble taking it down with a neck or head shot. And there are black bears up there but they are rare to see. Its mostly woulves and yotes we see.
Black bears are either in bed or getting ready for bed. the 357 would be enough, even for a decent-sized black bear, but I don't know if he were charging. As for shooting a cougar, you might want to reaaaaalllly double-check that. I think you could be in heap big trouble, to quote a native friend.
Applefarmer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Lime Stone City
Two posts asking the same question so obviously you don't like the answers your hearing. Buy your Marlin .357 and learn.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Snowsniper8, I have a .357 on my ATC, as my back up gun, but I seldom carry it, preferring the .44. There aren't any factory .357 rounds I would want to use in a bear defense scenario, and anything you can do to improve the .357, such as choosing heavy for caliber flat nosed bullets can also be done to the .44. If you were considering a 40 oz handgun, there might be an issue with the .44's recoil, making the .357 the better choice until such time as you acquired a taste for it, but recoil isn't an issue with the .44 magnum when its chambered in a rifle.
Killing a bear in a defensive situation with a small cartridge like a .357 requires a good knowledge of bear anatomy, good marksmanship and gun handling skills, and a cool hand. The fact that you are asking the question suggests that with your level of experience you're not up to it. A lever action can be a good choice as a defensive arm, but a .44 is the pistol cartridge you should be considering, or a rifle cartridge like the.444, .450 Marlin or a .45/70.
Killing a bear in a defensive situation with a small cartridge like a .357 requires a good knowledge of bear anatomy, good marksmanship and gun handling skills, and a cool hand. The fact that you are asking the question suggests that with your level of experience you're not up to it. A lever action can be a good choice as a defensive arm, but a .44 is the pistol cartridge you should be considering, or a rifle cartridge like the.444, .450 Marlin or a .45/70.
