44 magnum vs 357 magnum

whitetailwoodsarcher

whitetailwoodsarcher

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im looking to eather get a marlin in 357 or 44 mag or a ruger 357 or 44 mag. just a couple of questions. the main use will be for medium game like beaver, ground hogs, beaver, badgers and all the way up to deer. just need a gun to carry with me in the truck or the tractor to have a little fun while im working! i have narrowed it down to these two calibers after many questions and alot of help from som nutz!
thanks!!
 
whitetailwoodsarcher said:
im looking to eather get a marlin in 357 or 44 mag or a ruger 357 or 44 mag. just a couple of questions. the main use will be for medium game like beaver, ground hogs, beaver, badgers and all the way up to deer. just need a gun to carry with me in the truck or the tractor to have a little fun while im working! i have narrowed it down to these two calibers after many questions and alot of help from som nutz!
thanks!!
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The million dollar question here is are you hand-loading?

If you are set-up to hand-load go .44, if not go .357

If you are buying factory ammo and want to plink {I'm assuming by your statement of wanting to have fun} .38 special in an 1894C is BY FAR your cheapest option.
There are factory .357mag hunting loads as well if you want to take a whitetail out to 75 yards.
 
I use the .44 as a truck gun for use on the same type critters that you mention, I consider the KO value of the .44 to be about double that of the .357. I use heavily loaded 300-325gr. bullets, and would prefer that for deer or bear over the .357.
 
I use my .357 magnum Rossi M92 stainless for your purposes. Excellent for beavers and such sized critters, have not shot a deer with it yet. If I do use it for deer I'd shoot 158 gr. FP jacketed bullets or a good heavy hard cast flat point. From the research that I've done, hollow points are said to be not quite as good for the big stuff, may not penetrate enough. A 44 magnum would certainly work, but the cheap, quiet .38 special plinking loads keep me shooting the .357 a lot more than I would a .44 magnum.
If you are planning to do any amount of serious deer and black bear hunting the .44 is clearly superior.
 
no i do not hand load but sometimes i wish i did. just never had the time to invest in all the equitment. i think im going to go with the 357 mag. cheaper and better on small game animals as well as large game animals! thanks for your help!
 
you can always DOWNLOAD the 44 to 357 performance- i normally run 44 spcls through mine- again, if you handload, etc- when you do, the cost is roughly the same and you get a bullet that's about 50 grains heavier, give or take
 
OP doesn't hand-load!!!

There, now that that's established as fact we can forget the hardcast and downloading suggestions.
I'll go have my coffee now.
 
WE ALL GOT THAT THE FIRST TIME OUT- it doesn't mean we CAN'T MAKE SUGGESTIONS or did you miss the IF?
 
t-star said:
WE ALL GOT THAT THE FIRST TIME OUT- it doesn't mean we CAN'T MAKE SUGGESTIONS or did you miss the IF?
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So if you knew that he isn't even in possession of reloading equipment and didn't plan to be in the near future why would you even suggest it?
Make suggestions all you want doesn't mean they're at all relevant to his situation. :rolleyes:
 
the reason is to give the op OPTIONS, ie you can load 44 specials in the 44 mag, and it isn't too far different than shooting the 38spcl in the 357 mag- and at least he's got a VIABLE rather than MARGINAL deer rifle
 
There is nothing wrong with suggesting that the op get into reloading, and quick, so he can enjoy shooting and shoot more often, esp. with cals. like these where you can save over 50% by reloading.
 
t-star said:
the reason is to give the op OPTIONS, ie you can load 44 specials in the 44 mag, and it isn't too far different than shooting the 38spcl in the 357 mag- and at least he's got a VIABLE rather than MARGINAL deer rifle
Click to expand...

I shoot both calibers in Marlin 1894's and handload for both.
I regularly pick-up .38spl brass for free at the range.
.44mag or spc brass is a completely different scenario, most time it has to be purchased either off the EE or retail.

Since you are so eager to predict the OPs future in reloading, let's entertain that thought for a moment.
When he gets his handloading set-up he can load-up to a 185gr FNGC under a max charge of H110 or lil' gun @ 1700fps that will smash a deer like the hammer of Thor within 100 yards.

Here's the advantages he gains by having an 1894C
-1.5" shorter rifle for his tractor
-better re-sale value on the EE
-significantly cheaper to feed if using factory ammo, marginally cheaper if handloading.
- Less micro-groove models, more Ballard. which translates to better re-sale value and less hassle when he begins hand-loading hardcast.

I will give the 1894 the slight edge in accuracy as you have one less barrel-band to deal with.
other than that it's a wash.
Congrats to the OP for going with the 1894C...enjoy!

BTW...grab an 1894 off the EE for 500$ any time you wanna try one out!
 
already have an 94 in 44 mag- trapper- wtf would i WANT a marlin?- i regularly get 44 mag brass for free , same as you- just a lot more people shooting it
 
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