44 or 357?

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Danielbear22

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Hi guys,

I'm new to lever guns and pistol cartridges and would like some input on the 2 calibers for hunting. I've hunted deer the last 10 or so years and have taken a few with bow and rifle but yet to take one with a shotgun and pistol caliber.

From what I understand, both cartridges will do just fine from point blank to 100 yards.

Here's the scenario I have recently acquired 2 marlin csbl rifles In stainless steel and with the grey laminate stock. 2 exact rifles with fine sights. I'm aware that when it comes to hunting, the best gun and cartridge is the one you're most familiar with (and legal) and of course has the energy needed to properly harvest game.

Most spots where I hunt barely have a 100 yards shot so these rifles would work perfectly I'd imagine.

My question is, which would you take, why, what factory load would be ideal for me and would you throw a scope on the rifle ?
 
If it’s more of a dedicated hunting rifle or you want to use it frequently for hunting deer I would take the .44.
If it’s a fun rifle for plinking, practice and the occasional hunt or taking a deer with the pistol cartridge, I would keep the .357.

For me it would be the balance between how much hunting you intended to do with it. Sounds like you have other hunting rifles as well. The .357 is cheaper to shoot if that matters?
 
I recently had to make this same discussion and it came down to what percentage of use is going to be hunting vs target shooting.

Both cartridges will take a deer within 100m, the .44 will have more stopping power within that distance and will be able to drop an animal further out, maybe 200m?

.357 and especially .38 are far more economical for plinking than .44 so that should be a consideration (roughly $0.60 vs $2.00/shot).

I think the best combo of lever guns is having a .357 for plinking and light hunting paired with a 30-30/45-70 for the big stuff.
 
I'd choose the 44 over 357. More weight more frontal diameter makes a bigger deeper hole. I've shot many deer with muzzleloaders and a 44mag is ballistically close
 
I did a bunch of research not long ago on the same issue and agree with Northern Shooter. I went for the .357mag, because at 100 yards, the difference in killing power is not going to be noticeable, plus it allows you to shoot .38spcl in the rifle as cheaper target ammo. I've also noticed (at least locally to me) the ammo options, as well as likelihood of .44mag being in stock are much lower than .357 and .38.

As far as hunting loads go, I'd use any full power JSP you can find. The best option would probably be Hornady Lever Revolution, but I haven't seen that in stock in a pistol caliber since before the pandemic.

All that said, I still mostly hunt with my .308, so have yet to harvest a deer with my .357 lever gun. It is a lot of fun to shoot though.
 
Some good advice, so far. Own rifles in both calibers. Have taken deer with both. But, given a choice between .357 vs .44 for deer, I also tend to lean toward the .44 Mag. It is a more reliable option, in my opinion.

As brybenn accurately states, muzzle loaders ,ie: 44 cal jsp /sabot/.50 cal rifle for example, offer very similar performance to .44 Mag factory ammo. So, any 240 grain, JSP factory ammo will deliver good terminal performance on deer.

My personal preference are hand loaded, 310 grain soft lead bullets(Cast, Lee mould). Same ones I also use, when deer hunting with a muzzle loader. Except when afield with patched ball/flintlock....but that's another story. So if you already hand load, that option is also worth considering. Any soft lead bullet between 240 and 300 grains is plenty to reliably harvest deer.

As for 'scoping the rifle.....Absolutely!

In my opinion, at least. Regardless of caliber choice, shot placement is key. There simply is no substitute for being able to clearly see where you're aiming. So for hunting....especially in dense bush....I always use telescopic sights. Magnification won't be all that critical. Any good 1-4, 2-7 power variable scope for example, is plenty. Even a fixed power, say up to 4X magnification, works. With Marlin rifles being so easy to accept telescopic sights...that choice seems a pretty natural one. With .357, the choice becomes even more important. That little pill must go in the right spot, to kill cleanly.

Another option is to install peep sights. Skinner sights always a wise choice. Have used peeps a fair bit. Did not observe any advantage of a peep versus a low-power scope, under most hunting situations. Choice remains a personal one, in my view. If you prefer the clean, low profile look and utility a rear peep sight offers, then this option may be worth looking into.

Still, my first choice would likely be a scope. Lever gun purists may disagree...as I do too, depending on the rifle. But where practicality rules...especially when hunting... I prefer precise shot placement leading to a quick, clean kill... over tradition. We owe that much to the game. Scope the rifle or not....it's still your choice.

Al
 
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Danielbear22 said:
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My question is, which would you take, why, what factory load would be ideal for me and would you throw a scope on the rifle ?
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Lots of good advice above. There's no substitute for shot placement in any chambering, so scope all the way. Unless you think a large majority of your shooting will be inside ~60 yards (or whatever distance you're confident hitting the vitals).

Sounds like you don't reload - Is ammunition cost a factor for you? If so, as said above, a scoped 357 with the right factory ammunition for sure. If not (or if you reload), a scoped 44 with the right ammunition for sure.

There are a LOT of factory loads in both 357 and 44 that are not at all suitable for hunting deer. You might have to decide simply based on availability of ammunition.
 
I'd get the 44 magnum, and start reloading for the purpose of creating cheaper ammo for just playing around. That's what I used to do when I hunted with a 44 magnum. Cheap cast bullets for just fooling around, and factory loads for deer hunting.
 
I had a mare's leg in 44 with a full length butt stock... it was a handy unit...my boy has a Rossi 44 Mag in the conventional configuration.
I am a recent convert to the magic of 45 Colt ( apparently there are folks whom the word Long in conjunction is an outrage...don't need the hassle) in a Lever.
45 Colt seems to get it done in a much more sedate manner than a 44 Mag. I did like the 44 when handloaded to civilize it...the short barrel made to noisy and a touch lively with factory fodder.
Mind you I've never shot 45 LC in a factory loading...so perhaps it is lively too.
Go for displacement...can always get softer ammo in a 44...can only race up a 357 so much.
 
I've gone the 44 route. Bought factory ammo, only to have some brass to start reloading with. Going to be running the 240 hornady pills for hunting, and the solid campro 240 pills for plinking. Same loading for both, so just dropping a different pill on the end when loading.

Going a 2-7 scope on mine. I know the peep sights are okay, but the scope is just a better option for shot placement. I run an old 1895 303 brit with peeps out to 300 yards for plinking fun, so I know how that goes.
New Henry arrived this afternoon, and gets scoped tonight, and range fun tomorrow.
 
I used to hunt with a fellow who had taken 18 or so deer with the .44 out of a Ruger Carbine and I have shot a single buck with the one I have.

In a fair comparison quality ammunition would be available for both but the reality is that many self defence style and Plain JHP just flat out suck on both cartridges. You will get away with a lower quality projectile in the .44.

The situation tends not to be ideal atleast in my experience in places where a lever gun really shines so I prefer to have all the advantage that I can.

As an aside steer clear of the American Eagle JHP in either caliber, they are too fragile for my taste at rifle velocities. The best in the .44 that I have found or seen that is relatively easily available in the Hornady XTP.

The .44 makes an interesting “whock” noise when it lands.
 
You all have given me great advice and really have answered alot of questions.

Ideally, keeping one as a Plinker would be great and using one for hunting. The 357 came with 500 rounds of plinking ammo so I'm set there. The .44 magnum seems to be an excellent choice paired with a leupold 1.5 - 5 with detachable rings.

Shot placement is key and with an optic allows for much more confident and accurate shooting. Still much to think about but I'm I'm no rush to make a choice for this season. Thanks guys
 
Danielbear22 said:
You all have given me great advice and really have answered alot of questions.

Ideally, keeping one as a Plinker would be great and using one for hunting. The 357 came with 500 rounds of plinking ammo so I'm set there. The .44 magnum seems to be an excellent choice paired with a leupold 1.5 - 5 with detachable rings.

Shot placement is key and with an optic allows for much more confident and accurate shooting. Still much to think about but I'm I'm no rush to make a choice for this season. Thanks guys
Click to expand...

Good choice I think
 
nowarningshot said:
44, check velocity, energy. You will find much better with 44. My rossi 92 44 is a hoot to shoot. Devastating on reactive targets, light recoil with stout handloads
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Absolutely ! You can hunt and kill big game with a 44 Mag using 200 -300 gr bullets ! The 357 is pretty WIMPY compared to the 44 Mag ! JMO RJ
 
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