The benefits of calibers > .357

[Stuart C.]

Hi,
I think I'm making a mistake at looking solely at the .357 for a single action without considering other larger calibers.  I do like the flexibility of shooting 38s and 357s.  But, I do reload, and should probably consider one that begins with a 4; problem is I don't know which might offer the best fit for a woods camping trail pp gun, some whitetail work, fun at the range.  I don't think I'll be getting into CAS. 
Anyway, could someone give the five cent tour on the 44s, 45s etc that I might want to consider; most used for this activity / best for / reload and shoot a lot / can be paired with these lever guns / etc.
thanks.

[rbergum95]

you may want to look at a blackhawk in .45 colt. it can be loaded for about anything tou want. light loads for target and trail, all the way to the heavy hard cast loads for larger game. you wont be as limited as the .357 when the targets get bigger. tahat and there are all kinds of lever action rifles chambered for it as well.

[shakey]

 + 1 on the Blackhawk in .45 Colt/ACP. 

This is my all time favorite for the reasons already stated and also because, if you want the least weight possible, the blued 4 5/8 is a real featherweight.

[.357 shooter]

I think alot depends on where you live and your intended use with the caliber. I am a die hard .357 shooter.. I live in NY so I do not have to deal with large bears. If I go where there is bigger critters,  I have the bigger calibers. But I do not feel under gunned with the .357. I shoot this caliber better than others and I have taken deer and black bear with this caliber. It is very versatile for my area. I can load it from mouse to deer/black bear if I want and it is very accurate.


Bryan

[Steve P]

There is no argument that 38/357 dies, brass, bullets, etc are cheap and easy to find.  As stated before, you are only limited by case capacity, gun capacity and bullet weights available to you.  I have several 357s from 2" barrels up to 10" barrels.  All have their place and loads accordingly.

I also have 41 magnums that have full house loads and mild loads.
I also have 44 magnums that have full house loads and mild loads.
I also have 45 long colts that have full house loads and mild loads.

When I am out riding my quad and might run into a coyote, chuck, or other vermin, I take one of the 357s.
When I am traveling into and out of my deer hunting area where cats are not uncommon, I carry my 41 with a light load.
When I am traveling in areas with possibility of dangerous animals, I carry the 44 or 45.
Last year on a trip into northern panhandle of Idaho, I carried my 45LC with stout loads.  In elk camp in WA, I carried my 44 mag.

With any of these guns, I can hit football size targets out to 75 yards with either left or right hand and a rest.  If I use both hands offhand, I can do almost as well out to 100.   It takes practice and knowledge of your handgun.  I shoot several hundred rounds a month and have for many years. 

So, you have to decide what you want the gun for, how much time and strength you have to practice, and your budget.  If you are limited by budget, then the 38/357 and 45lc are your best bets.  Brass, bullets, dies, etc are easy to find and inexpensive.  If you don't mind spending a little more for brass and bullets, the 41s and 44 are mighty fine guns and you would be very happy with either.

Once you decide, load lots of mild loads, shoot with ear plugs AND ear muffs on, and shoot it lots.  Shoot it while laying down and using a log for rest.  Shoot it standing and leaning against a tree.  Shoot it over the hood of your truck (but not thru the hood of the truck).  Shoot at steel targets at your gun club.  After you have shot several hundred rounds, load up something a little stouter.  Go shoot it again.  After about 500 rounds, you should have a mild load you like and should have worked your way up into a pretty stout load.  If you pick any of the calibers listed above, I can give you proven loads and get you started.  Once you are comfortable shooting the gun and have gained comfort and knowledge, then take off the ear muffs and shoot it a little more with only the ear plugs.  Get used to the loader report without flinching.  Only then will you be able to shoot it in a hunting situation without flinching from the report of the stout load.

Enjoy the gun of your choice and let us know how you are doing.

Steve

[Dusty Wheeler]

For what it is worth, even though I sold my .44's after 'discovering' the .45 Colt, I still have all my .357's...it is just way more fun to shoot the .45's!

[m-g Willy]

357 IS GREAT !
But if you reload you can't beat a 44mag. or 45 colt.
I got some 45 colt clones that shoot only 45colt 255gr. swc at 900 fps.
This load will handle anything that walks the lower 48. without to much recoil.
I also have some 44mag.s that I load 240 gr. swc at 900fps. for just woods bumm'n and plinking.
For deer hunting I use the 44 with 240gr. jhp at around 1470fps.
My favorite gun if I could only keep one, would without a doubt be the 6" S&W 44.
It's easy to carry and can be used for anything you could ask of a handgun.

Willy 

[blhof]

You might also look at the Dan Wesson in 44 or 45LC you have interchangeable barrels for carry or strictly for target or hunting at longer ranges.  They also have a 445 which also shoots the 44 spec and mag, but will also shoot the more powerful 445 cartridge, and still have interchangeable barrels from 2" to 10" ported or unported.

[Steve P]

357 IS GREAT !
I got some 45 colt clones that shoot only 45colt 255gr. swc at 900 fps.
This load will handle anything that walks the lower 48. without to much recoil.
For deer hunting I use the 44 with 240gr. jhp at around 1470fps.

Willy 

Willy,

If your 45 colt 255 gr @ 900fps will handle anything that walks the lower 48, why punish yourself pushing a 240 gr 44 at 1470?   

Just wondering!  No argument intended!  I have nice mild loads that I shoot a lot.  Very comfortable like your 45 load.  My 44 SBH with 270s at 1300fps hurts to shoot beyond about 20 rounds and it is way over-kill for any deer here in the west.  Just a thought   

Steve 

[m-g Willy]

357 IS GREAT !
I got some 45 colt clones that shoot only 45colt 255gr. swc at 900 fps.
This load will handle anything that walks the lower 48. without to much recoil.
For deer hunting I use the 44 with 240gr. jhp at around 1470fps.

Willy 

Willy,

If your 45 colt 255 gr @ 900fps will handle anything that walks the lower 48, why punish yourself pushing a 240 gr 44 at 1470?   

Just wondering!  No argument intended!  I have nice mild loads that I shoot a lot.  Very comfortable like your 45 load.  My 44 SBH with 270s at 1300fps hurts to shoot beyond about 20 rounds and it is way over-kill for any deer here in the west.  Just a thought   

Steve 

The hard cast bullets at 900fps are good for penatration, but I  like the JHPs at higher vel. for better expansion on deer.


Willy

[warrior1]

actually ,since you reload, you can pretty much choose any caliber mentioned in the other posts.
all will do the job.dan

[Old Griz]

The .357 is great, and is great in a lever gun, too. It's also inexpensive compared to the 40s.

However, ain't nuthin more fun than blastin away with a .44 mag. Since you reload, (like Warrior said) it really doesn't matter if ya get a .44, .45, or even a .41. The .44 will have better bullet selection. The .41 will do the same job with less recoil, and shoot flatter. The .45 will make a slightly larger hole. All three are great, so just find the exact gun you want and don't worry about the caliber as long as it starts with a 4.

[safetysheriff]

i'd buy a Ruger in .44 mag' and shoot only .44 mag' brass in it, whether full-house or mild-shooting loads.   i'd use hardcast lead bullets for shooting at the range, and for hunting critters that are more dangerous than whitetails.    for whitetails, mulies, and antelope i'd use jhp's in 210 gr' or above.   (I would NOT use .44 Spcl brass in a mag' due to the fouling building up in the chambers).   

for max' velocity i'd use either Win' 296 or Hodgdon's H-110, and for milder loads i'd use IMR Hi-Skor 800-X, or Alliant 2400 in reduced loads.   the bulk powder WC-820 which can be had from Pat's Reloading is a good substitute for a max' velocity load, but it can be expensive if shipped by UPS.   

you probably can't go wrong in the Lower 48 States with a .44 mag' if you have it properly loaded and are well-practiced with it; as long as your 'nerves' will handle whatever comes along!   

take care,

ss' 

[Lloyd Smale]

some of these post were deleted due to specific loads with no refernce data.

[44 Man]

Ok, since this is the single action forum and you asked about deer hunting and trail and personal protection, I'd recommend a .45.  The .357 is adequate for those tasks and great in a mid size gun.  But when talking a full sized single action, 357's tend to get heavy with all that extra metal in the cylinder and barrel.  A .45 is going to be much lighter and handier to carry in the same size gun.  I wouldn't hesitate at a .44 spl either but they are harder to find and unless you step up to a .44 Mag (again, bigger and heavier framed) your most common 44 choice in a SAA size gun is the 44-40 which is ok, but not nearly as versatile a cartridge.  I enjoy my .357's but mine are all in small frame guns.  I recently bought a .357 Uberti with a 7 1/2" barrel.  After one session at the range, I sent it off to become a 4 3/4" 44 spl.  I love it now.  44 Man

[Graybeard]

44man tell me more about making an Uberti into a .44 Special. I've got a real burning desire for one but just don't seem like anyone wants to make one. Who will be doing yours? Cost? I'd not want less than 5.5" barrel and would like an adjustable sight of some sort added but that Uberti would be a good platform I think. I've had three of them with that short barrel you're getting and now have one with 7.5" all were .45 Colts.

[44 Man]

Graybeard, I'll send you a PM on that and I'll do a post as soon as I can get pictures.  44 Man

[Old Griz]

Hey now! A bunch of us wanna know about this! Don't drop a biggie like this and keep it secret!