pump rifle caliber debate

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brybenn

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southern ontario
This shouldn't get to bent hopefully. However my tastes have led me to the Uberti rifle line up. In this line up exists a case colored lightning pump I think I have to have!
This leads me to the choice of either 357 mag or 45 long colt. Now for me to own a rifle I have to be able to hunt with it. Since the design and caliber limit it to close range hunting ill use it only for wolf/coyote. That said most shooting will be plinking
I reload so what caliber would the masses of cgn choose?
357 mag or 45 long colt
 
To my way of thinking when it comes to game cartridges, particularly when velocity is comparable bigger is better. From a performance point of view, my vote goes to a hot loaded .45 featuring a heavy for caliber (300-350 gr) hard cast, gas check, WFN bullet over a .358" bullet of similar design weighing 170-200 grs. What I'm less sure of, is if the thin rim of the .45, which works fine in a revolver, will provide reliable extraction with hot loads, in a pump action rifle. Once that question can be answered, the choice would be relatively easy from my perspective, as reliability trumps both accuracy and power.
 
I wouldn't max them out pressure wise and I have much better selections for deer rifles although I'm sure both will cleanly take deer but I rarely deer hunt in a center fire area so if and when I do I'll take a bolt gun or my double.
I'm fairly certain the 45 lc has been proven effective in lever guns over the last 140+ years so I'm not worried about extraction or case failure. A hard cast from either will reach the vitals of a wolf at 50 yards.
I guess I'm looking for anything that shines or stands out about each cartridge. Ones faster and the other throws a heavier bullet. It will mostly be used for plinking as I can't see me taking a nice $1500 gun out camping or on the atv
 
Klaus I'm interested in this particular rifle only and have no use for a 223 pump gun for hunting or plinking. I have my dad's Winchester 70 featherweight in 223 and never use it
 
I'd choose the 45 Colt for hunting purposes but if only deer is going to be hunted, I'm sure the .357 would work well too. The 45 Colt is one of my favorite cartridges in a lever rifle, as it's so versatile loaded hot for hunting/bear defense and wimpy for small game. I'm sure a pump rifle would be just as pleasing to use. :)
 
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