Looking to buy a levelgun ....need advice...357 or .44

[Wolfdog]

Hello everyone,

  I have been lurking and learning here for a couple of weeks now researching things as I am a fairly new gun owner but have been shooting off and on since I was a kid.  (I am almost 31 now)

  I currently own a Ruger GP100 in 4" with full underlug barrel and I am looking to get my first hunting rifle.  I like the idea of the pistol caliber rifles as it allows me to possibly use the same ammo in more than one of my guns.

  I am trying to decide between the Winchester Model 94 Ranger Compact in .357 Magnum and the Marlin 1894SS in .44 Magunum.

  I would someday like to get me a .44 magnum to carry when hunting but at the moment I do not have one.  

  Which of these two level actions would be most likely to be an accurate, smooth working rifle to carry in the field when hunting?

  The Winchester has a 16 inch Barrel while the Marlin has a 20 inch barrel.

  As well the Wichester is blued stell while the Marlin is stainless steel.

  Another consideration is I am extremely near sighted and I am seriously considering using a red dot type scope or sight on the rifle in the field as I dont care for scope that magnify the target much.  I would rather use a red dot o acquire a quicker sight picture in the woods of Western North Carolina where I live instead of worryng about shooting at extreme ranges.  I prefer to stalk hunt on the ground instead of perching in a tree.  Better scenery.

  I don't load my own ammo due to in house worries of saftey with the folks I live with at the moment.  Although I wouldn't mind getting into that at a later date once I am able to afford the equipment and obtain a place I can store all the gear off site.

  Everything I have read here and elsewhere tends to lean towards the .44 being the better choice as an overall hunter.  The general opinions I have read in regards to the .357 is that it isn't well suited to bringing down larger game or pests compared to the .44 as far as range, and stopping power is concerned.

  I was raised as an outdoorsman and I firmly believe in humane treatment of the game I seek, although I have had little experience hunting and no larger game experience I want to enjoy that aspect of the outdoors more as I move on in years but I want to get out there and start before my health begins to deteriorate further. (I have a heart condition)

  All opinions are welcome and I hope to learn a lot from this discussion

[fffffg]

the 357 will do the job, but the 44 will do it quite a bit better..  it has lots more power and if you  quarter in thruthe guts for instance on a deer as it turns just as you shoot  you have a lot better chance of hitting the vitals with the 44.  you can buy bullets for a while, . you will find that reloading gives two advantagers..  a load that will be more accurate for your individual gun, and they will be quite a bit cheaper. especially if you get lead bullets for plinking.  there is quite a bit of learning to do to get it all right tho, and these lists will speed that up..  also you probably will be able to reload the same load for your gun for the rest of your life as companys tend to change amunition and mostly local store dont have the amo your sighted in for the day you need it .  try to explain to your family that there are gun locks available now and that  teaching someone saftey with a firearm is much better than trying to keep a gun away from them.. becouse one day they may  get one, and nothing is worse than a person with a gun that doesnt know anything about it or laws governing them and shooting..     dave..

[big k]

Go with the 44, 357 will do the job but it is easier to find 44 hunting loads from the factory.
1. cause marlins are awsome
2.you can buy better hunting loads for the 44 like 200 grn. xtp hornady
3. you can put a williams peep sight on it, and i guess a red dot if you wanted.
4. light, afordable, good worker, and damm fine lookin
5. did i mention its a marlin

[Mac11700]

Go with the Marlin stainless...I have the 1895GS in 45-70 and love it...the 44 mag is a good one ...but don't forget to give the bigger cartridges a look too...

Mac

[Jerry Lester]

I'm gonna suggest the Marlin 1894C 357 magnum. It's 18.5" which is compact enough, very accurate with a wide variety of loads, and a very well made rifle(I've had two, and played around with several more).

I won't argue that the 44 magnum can, and will out perform the 357 magnum on larger game. I can assure you though that the 357 magnum, with a good tough(not HPs) 158g or heavier bullet will do all you need on whitetail deer up to 100 yards, including enough penetration for quartering away shots, and breaking shoulders to reach the vitals.

The biggest plus with the 357 magnum is that by shooting 38 specials, you transform the rifle from a deer gun, to a dandy small game rifle. Standard velocity 38 special 125g or 158g SP(not +P loads), will knock squirrels, and rabbits a flip without blowing up the meat. It's like shooting a 22 long rifle, but with a lot more thump.

I garrantee if you get an 1894C 357 magnum, you'll be tickled with the outcome.

[G. Hamilton]

If you practice, practice, practice... and get to where you can place the bullet where you need, a good .357 load will do the job for you. Handy as they are, I don't think the Trappers are always the easiest models to shoot, but that is subjective (I prefer the 18.5" barrel of the Marlin 1894C because even though it is still compact, I get just a tad more barrel mass and another 1.5" of sight radius). To be honest, I shoot a 20" barrel better than the shorter tubes when I get sloppy.

If a carbine is going to be a trail companion and all-around utility gun that occasionally goes out for deer, then a .357 Magnum can work okay for the average shooter. But as much as I like, own, and publicly praise .357 leverguns, my gut feeling is that if the hunter is going to use the firearm primarily as a deer gun and doesn't take the time to get to know the gun really well, he is marginally better off with a .44 Magnum.

Just my $0.02 worth.

[TennesseeNuc]

wolfdog,
Living in western Carolina, you'll have a chance at bear and boar, in addition to deer.  You might find that the Marlin .44 mag meets your needs better.
Best,
TnNuc

[Wolfdog]

wolfdog,
Living in western Carolina, you'll have a chance at bear and boar, in addition to deer.  You might find that the Marlin .44 mag meets your needs better.
Best,
TnNuc

  That was another consideration that I was infact looking in to.  Considering that we have some bears in this area that are not afraid of the noise and traffic of a major high traffic area near one of the mals here in Asheville. (my step-Father works as a security guard at a place that he regularly has to chase off a momma bear and her cubs from the dumpsters and keep stupid people and thier grand children from playing with the "cute" bears)  I was leaning towards the marlin in .44

  I like the .357.  I am seriously thinking about just getting the .44 as my first level gun and then adding the .357 to the collection later on as money allows.  

  Besides what would be the perfect excuse for me to save up for a sweet Ruger Super Blackhawk or a RedHawk to match the Marlin now wouldn't it?

[l.cutler]

If you really want to hunt, don't limit your choices to the pistol calibers.  I would consider at least a 30/30 , especially if bear is a possibility.

[NYH1]

Hello Wolfdog. Welcome to the warm world of gun ownership! Of the two rifles you mentioned, I would get the Marlin 1894SS. Two reasons, one- I think Marlin makes a better firearm then Winchester does, two- the 44 mag. will do everything the 357 mag. will do and do it better. That includes recoiling harder too, but that really shouldn't be a big issue! You can also shoot 44 S&W specials in it. Marlin also has a model 1894PG which is a 44 mag. with a pistol grip stock and a blued finish instead of stainless steel. Marlin has a model 1894C in 357 mag. It has a 18 1/2 inch barrel and is blued like the 1984PG.

I have had trouble with three Winchester's in the past. I wasn't impressed with Winchester's "customer service" or lack there of! So I won't even consider one now! The Marlin action is pretty smooth and reliable too. The receiver is drilled and tapped for a scope mount and the top of the receiver is solid so you can mount your "red dot scope" on top of it and the rain, snow and dirt won't go right down into the action. The top of the receiver on the Winchester opens as you work the action, opening the whole thing up. This isn't really a big deal either, but something to think about.

I also agree with l.cutler. The 30-30 Win and 35 Rem. (my favorite "brush gun" cartridge) are even better choices if you will be hunting in "bear and boar" country! Not that the 44 mag. won't work because it will!

These are just my opinions! :grin:

[mr.frosty]

i got 2 marlins a 336 and a 1895 and use the 1895 more!
my dad has a 336 in .35 mine is 30/30 great guns i just have been using the 45/70 for deer and bear.

[LMM]

If you practice, practice, practice... and get to where you can place the bullet where you need, a good .357 load will do the job for you. Handy as they are, I don't think the Trappers are always the easiest models to shoot, but that is subjective (I prefer the 18.5" barrel of the Marlin 1894C because even though it is still compact, I get just a tad more barrel mass and another 1.5" of sight radius). To be honest, I shoot a 20" barrel better than the shorter tubes when I get sloppy.

If a carbine is going to be a trail companion and all-around utility gun that occasionally goes out for deer, then a .357 Magnum can work okay for the average shooter. But as much as I like, own, and publicly praise .357 leverguns, my gut feeling is that if the hunter is going to use the firearm primarily as a deer gun and doesn't take the time to get to know the gun really well, he is marginally better off with a .44 Magnum.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Wolfdog

Practice, practice, practice... and get to where you can place the bullet where you need... and getting to know the gun really well is great advice regardless of caliber, rifle choice.  If one can't place there shot with a .357 Mag one can't place there shot with a .44 Mag.

I personally prefer Marlins over Winchesters.  If you like the shorter barrel might try to find a Marlin 1894CP (.357 Mag 16.25" barrel, no longer in production) you won't be disappointed with the 1894C as Jerry Lester mentioned.  The Marlin 1894SS are very nice!  Then once the lever bug really bites you a Marlin 1895GS is really fun, practical and a serious game getter as Mac11700 mentioned.

I also have a Ruger GP100 although with a 6" barrel that I use for hunting including deer.  My Marlin 1894CP makes a great companion!  Good luck with what ever you decide!

[Wolfdog]

Well the purchase got puton hold till probably after the first of the year due to Christmas fast approaching and the fact that I may have a line on getting me a good full size 4x4 Truck financed (If all goes well at the stealership).

  I think what I may just do is see what I can find availible locally at the gun shops in the used racks in .357. Try and locate the Marlin that was reccommended perhaps.

  Then later on when I can afford to splurge a bit save up and get me a nice pair of .44's to use, A nice revolver and the 1894SS.

  That way I can have the best of both worlds in the long run but be able to get a servicable and practical rifle to begin practicing with that wont break the bank in regards to Ammo at the range.

  I chose my 4" GP100 as my to be carry sidearm for my concealed carry permit once I get it due to the variety of ammo I could shoot through it. So I may as well continue that line of thinking with my first rifle other than my Wincherster 190.

[Shoreline Trapper]

I don't get the trend in 357 and 44 in these rifles when such calibers as the 30-30 and 45-70 just to name a few are available. A 357 is a handgun round and thats what it should be shot out of. Get a 1895,you'll love it.

[Jerry Lester]

I don't get the trend in 357 and 44 in these rifles when such calibers as the 30-30 and 45-70 just to name a few are available. A 357 is a handgun round and thats what it should be shot out of. Get a 1895,you'll love it.

I don't know about everybody else, but I shoot "everything" with my 357 rifle. I hunt more small game, groundhogs, and predators with mine than deer. The 30-30, 45-70, and such are definately better "deer" calibers, but anything bigger than a downloaded 357 magnum, or 38 special, when shot from a rifle, will blow a rabbit, or squirrel to pieces, and ruin a good fur(predators).

I like the 357 in a rifle for several reasons. The bigger bullet kills like lightning on smaller critters without blowing them apart(light loads). My favorite small game/predator load costs me slightly less than $4.00 for 50 rounds. It's also just a plain out super fun gun to shoot, or carry hunting.

[Mattkc]

I don't think the deer can tell what blew out their lungs.  Shot a nice doe last year with my 1894C in 357.  I shot it with a 158gr. XTP-FP that gave me total penetration and a blood trail a kid could follow.  Their was a 5' oval of pink mist on the snow where it blew out the far side when the round struck.  The important thing is don't hunt with a self defense rounds use bullets designed for hunting.  The Marlin goes nicely with my GP 100 5" also.  This year shot a buck with my 308 it also killed cleanly but the 150 gr. Grand Slam didn't exit.  Good thing the deer didn't go far very little blood out that 30 cal. hole.  Doe season I'll be headed back to the woods with my 357's and don't feel underguned out to 100 yards.  Some people don't like the recoil of the 44mag with the 357 you hardly feel it it's a fun gun to shoot.  Also weren't the first levers designed for pistol rounds.  If I was going to hunt bear or boar I would get a gun for that purpose something like a 45-70 but would keep my 1894C for deer hunting.

[NYH1]

This year shot a buck with my 308 it also killed cleanly but the 150 gr. Grand Slam didn't exit.

I shot two deer with my 308. I use Remington 150 Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt. I hit one in the shoulder, that left a golf ball size exit wound. The other was hit in the heart/lung area and left a fist size exit wound. I'm not saying it couldn't or didn't happen, but I can't imagine a "full power" 308 not exiting a deer!

[Jerry Lester]

This year shot a buck with my 308 it also killed cleanly but the 150 gr. Grand Slam didn't exit.

I shot two deer with my 308. I use Remington 150 Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt. I hit one in the shoulder, that left a golf ball size exit wound. The other was hit in the heart/lung area and left a fist size exit wound. I'm not saying it couldn't or didn't happen, but I can't imagine a "full power" 308 not exiting a deer!

I started out deer hunting years ago with a 30-06. I've had several 150g, 165g, and even one 180g bullet fail to exit on deer. These were different brands of factory ammo, and I can't remember now from which companies. If you shoot enough deer with your 308, you'll eventually have it happen.

[big k]

tm7 it is the one with out the magnets could not aford them lol ( more or less did not fell like paying 30 $ mor for magnets.)
  go with ethier my dad was telling me the other day that he read some where that in a rifle the balistics of a 357 were almost equal to that of 30-30 so it is just prefernce in my mind i have never liked the bigger calibers just it was easier for me to find factory loads for the 44[/quote]

[gm42]

For simply hunting large game I would get the 44, 35 Rem. or 30-30. For an all around survivlal rifle I like the 357 with hardcast bullets. The 357 can take all size game up though deer with the right loads. To me, the 357 is about the perfect one rifle all around survival firearm.

Geoff

[Leverdude]

This year shot a buck with my 308 it also killed cleanly but the 150 gr. Grand Slam didn't exit.

I shot two deer with my 308. I use Remington 150 Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt. I hit one in the shoulder, that left a golf ball size exit wound. The other was hit in the heart/lung area and left a fist size exit wound. I'm not saying it couldn't or didn't happen, but I can't imagine a "full power" 308 not exiting a deer!

I was in NY for the opener last week & got one wth a 45/70, exited & went thru a 3" tree after the deer. My uncle used a 280 Rem wth complete penetration. His brother used a 308, I believe a Federal 165 grain load & it stopped in the far shoulder just under the skin. It was quatering away pretty good & entered at the back end of the ribcage taking out 3 ribs before plowing thru the vitals, breaking the off side shoulder & lodging under the skin.
Thats the second one I'v witnessed that he shot with a 308 that didn't exit.
Nothing against the calibre at all, just pointing out that sometimes things happen that arent expected. I forget the details of the other one but it was Bobbys gun & deer for sure.

I'd shoot a deer with a 357 but I wouldnt buy one for that purpose.  I bought mine as a plinker but its so easy to hit with it may just come hunting next year.

[Badnews Bob]

I shot my first deer a 135lb doe  this year took out both lungs and the liver she ran about 30yrds and then piled up 180gr LBT cast .357, I have a GP100 6" and thats why I bought my Marlin 1894C, Its about the funnest gun I own to shoot I use everything from 125gr cast to 200 grain XTPs out of it and it handles them all well. And also so many people say they won't work on dangerous game...Not true! A 180gr solid will stop anything in the lower 48 shot placement is important but you got 10rnds in your rifle and 6 more in your pistol thats a lot of fire power if you need it. Ask Paco Kelly. And the're fun to shoot :grin: