Which mare's leg?

J

Jestersage

Regular
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
While I know I want a mare's leg, I am still uncertain as to which caliber (from .357, .44mag, and 45colt) to get.

My criteria is as follow:
  • able to be used for deer hunting in BC and Alberta.
  • can be used for bear protection in a panic state
  • can be fired by 1 hand with good enough accuracy for 25 yards
  • ammo can be easy to find
I am thinking of either .357 or 45colt, but I am hoping I am wrong
 
Able to be used for deer - any would be legal, the 44 or 45 are more capable than the .357. The 44 is the best choice for factory loads that are powerful enough for those jobs. Goes double for bears.
Can be fired by I hand with "good enough accuracy" - none of the above. Try it. especially while in a "panic state" !
 
If you are going to leave it in its stock form the .357 mag/38sp makes the most sense.
Against an aggressive bear it's the least powerfull but still way better then nothing and since your odds are low of being mauled to death I would lower your expectations in that area.

Best thing is to get two, :)
The second can be .44mag if you don't reload and the same or a .45 if you do reload.

Someone will be along shortly to point out the obvious that it is harder to shoot a mares leg then a full buttstock..... No sheet.
The good thing is in Canada for an extra $100 you can install a full stock with a basic screwdriver and a few minutes of effort.

The .357 shooting 38 specials feels like a pop gun and is easily controlled if you have average adult strength.

Why are you hoping you are wrong?
 
I was worry that none of my 3 criteria can be satisfied.

Lastly, how is 44 special? I know some .44 mare's leg can take the special, but is the recoil still stronger than the .357, and also more expensive?
 
I have the Rossi Ranch Hand in .44mag, love it, carry it when bow hunting. I shoot Hornady HP XTP 200 grain for fun at the range and same in 300 grain ammo (I reload both) when hunting with fair accuracy at 25 and 50 yards.

Needed iron sight upgrades to get on target (factory sights were off 10" which is brutal), Marbles rear bullseye and a taller Marbles front sight. I'm hitting 4-6" groups without a rifle rest. I WILL NOT shoot it one handed with 300grain ammo ever again, it hurts!

It's not a super comfortable gun to shoot but it's better than my Mossberg ATP 500 12g with pistol grip.....that's just painful shooting slugs.

Note: Don't use Hornady leverevolution in it as the pointed nylon tips tend to jam the cartridges and cause feeding ejection issues
 
Jestersage said:
I was worry that none of my 3 criteria can be satisfied.

Lastly, how is 44 special? I know some .44 mare's leg can take the special, but is the recoil still stronger than the .357, and also more expensive?
Click to expand...

OK, Do you want to hunt deer with it because you have no other options or just because?
Do you want to learn how to load your own loads so that you can customize for different needs?
I've never seen .44special for sale myself but you could easily reload a .44mag down to .44special levels, Same for the .357 down to .38 levels.
 
Can-down said:
OK, Do you want to hunt deer with it because you have no other options or just because?
Do you want to learn how to load your own loads so that you can customize for different needs?
I've never seen .44special for sale myself but you could easily reload a .44mag down to .44special levels, Same for the .357 down to .38 levels.
Click to expand...
I hunt deer with mine... Because I can. Mind you, mine has a full stock on it.

I've bought .44 spl from reliable, wholesale, Canada ammo just to name a few.
 
Deuce-deuce said:
I hunt deer with mine... Because I can. Mind you, mine has a full stock on it.

I've bought .44 spl from reliable, wholesale, Canada ammo just to name a few.
Click to expand...

Right on, I guess to be fair I've never looked for .44special. Was it cheaper then .44mag?
Hunting deer with .44mag or even the .357mag within their limits is fine by me and because is a good enough answer.
 
Can-down said:
Right on, I guess to be fair I've never looked for .44special. Was it cheaper then .44mag?
Hunting deer with .44mag or even the .357mag within their limits is fine by me and because is a good enough answer.
Click to expand...

No, special doesn't seem to be any cheaper. Pardon the pun but I think it's a special product that is only bought by a few select customers.

Both .357 and .44 mag will do the job. It's important to remember both your limitations and your gun's... I don't take 1,000 shots with my 7 mm rem mag because of me, I'm sure the cartridge could do it.
 
Can-down said:
OK, Do you want to hunt deer with it because you have no other options or just because?
Do you want to learn how to load your own loads so that you can customize for different needs?
I've never seen .44special for sale myself but you could easily reload a .44mag down to .44special levels, Same for the .357 down to .38 levels.
Click to expand...

I highly doubt I will be able to load my own loads until a much later time; as for hunting deer with it, it's more of a "just because", good meter on stopping power, and I like things in a small compact package. (Already planned to get a M14 sometime down the road though). Seems like .357 it is.

I wish Henry have a loading gate, but seems like it's Rossi for the rifle for now.
 
I think the .45 colt ones are a good choice for hunting with as you can load them to the same velocity level as a .44 magnum but with a heavier and bigger bullet if you need the extra power with strong Starline made brass. Starline says that their .45 colt brass cases are as strong as their .44 Magnum ones.
 
I have a Rossi 92 with 16" barrel in 357 that I am very pleased with. I am shooting 1" groups at 50 yards with a Skinner sight, and my load is driving the 158gr XTP at well over 1700fps. I just can't see a reason to give up the shoulder stock by going with a Ranchhand.
 
stubblejumper said:
I have a Rossi 92 with 16" barrel in 357 that I am very pleased with. I am shooting 1" groups at 50 yards with a Skinner sight, and my load is driving the 158gr XTP at well over 1700fps. I just can't see a reason to give up the shoulder stock by going with a Ranchhand.
Click to expand...

I got my Ranch Hands and then did all the work to make 'em more suitable for me. Sure fun to shoot this .357 magnum.
View attachment 38098
 
SHELL SHUCKER said:
I got my Ranch Hands and then did all the work to make 'em more suitable for me. Sure fun to shoot this .357 magnum.
Click to expand...

Me too, only in 45 Colt. I think I may put a red dot on it as I use it mainly while walking my dogs and the iron sights don't work well in the dark. I just couldn't shoot it worth s**t with the short stock on it. I certainly wouldn't trust my shooting for defense work with the factory stubby stock.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom