If you had to choose one: 45 Colt, 45/70, 44 Mag, 357 Mag, or other?

[utahman]

I’m a proud and happy .204 Handi owner, but want something else and don’t have the money to buy all the wanted barrels, so I have to choose just one this year.  Which one should I get?

Some background to help:  I reload; I do a lot of plinking and Jack Rabbit hunting.  I’m not sure if I’ll ever go on a deer or elk hunt, though it may be in my future someday.  I really like the idea of a 45/70, I could always just decrease the loads to perform more like a 45 Colt, but I’m just not sure.  The 357 Mag has always been a favorite of you’all it seems, so I tend to want to go that route at times.  I’ve shot my buddies Marlin 44 Mag and love it, and I’ve even wanted to get into some competition shooting.

[knight0334]

Me personally:

it'd be the 45-70 because of the range of power you can load it to - from bunny fart to anti-T-Rex.   Both blackpwder and smokeless work great in it.  Bullet weights from less than 250gr to over 700grs.

The 45 Colt and 357mag tie as second place.  Both being able to ream out to bigger chamberings and still able to shoot the lessor stuff for $ savings.

The 44mag being last because of the 1:38" rifling,  but the 445SM ream job helps be adding velocity - which adds stability.

[LaOtto222]

This is like asking a bigamist what wife he likes best A tough decision and sure to get things stirred up. Get the 357 if you are going to use it mostly for plinking and small critters - cheap and fun. If you are just going to shoot once in a while and want it for big game then get the 45-70 - very versatile and can be loaded down or up. Then there is the 45 and 44...just get the 357 and save up to get the others later...Get 'em all

[utahman]

If you'd go with the 45/70, what barrel length would you get?

[towpro]

I started with a buffalo classic in 45-70, and bought a 22-250 barrel for it.  I would recommend the 45-70 if you reload.  You can load them down low but the bullets do cost a little more then 357's. I only shoot cast, here is  What I been shooting in the 45-70 http://cowboybullets.fortunecity.com/

[dpe.ahoy]

For what you want to do, I'd say 357 first.  I have all 4 of those as well as the 444, and it's a toss up on which one I shoot first, but the 357 ALWAYS goes out with me.  Some of the others might have to wait a trip or 2 to go and play.  It's the cheapest to load, can be loaded up or down, reamed to a longer case (or bigger), Loaded with cast, blackpowder, ect.  Then you WILL get more of them. .  DP.

[jpshaw]

If I'm allowed to use the "other" option I would say .30/30.  If not the .44 would be a compromise.

[guimus]

Another vote for the .357 first for economy reasons. If you're reloading, there are plenty of cast bullets available out there for well under ten cents each, and several .38 special loads use as little as 2 grains of powder. Then if you decide to hunt deer, there are lots of high-quality bullets available, and the action can take very heavy magnum loads, or can be reamed out to max for even more power.

My .45 colt barrel does see the most use, and I'll probably use it even more now that it's a .454, but my plinking loads probably cost twice what the lightweight .357 loads do.

[woodchukhntr]

I'd say .30-30.  From bunnies to deer.  It's easy to handload, a wide range of bullets, enough power for anything that I would shoot, adequate range, doesn't need a lot of powder, readily available ammunition and components, I own one already.  A .308 or .30-06 would also fill the bill, and would give more power and range when neded.

I just picked up a Savage 24 in .357/20 ga., so I will explore the .357 more this year.  It has a lot going for it too.

[WILD_WEASEL]

Here in Southern Kalifornia I’m mostly limited to indoor shooting, at a 15 yard range.  I started with the 45 Colt Carbine then added a 357 Mag barrel and 28” full 12Ga barrel.  Of the three I shoot the 357 Mag barrel the most.  It handles 158gr factory JSPs great and gives me a test bed to experiment with longer than standard 180gr jacketed and 200gr cast bullets, which also shoot great.  Have yet to try the 12Ga at the local trap range.  The 45 Colt shoots 200 and 250 gr cast cowboy loads without leading and is very accurate.  After I got the 357 barrel, I had to buy a 357 Blackhawk with 4 5/8 barrel to go with it.

[utahman]

Ok, great!  Thanks for the input.  Right now, from what I've read, the 357 may be my next barrel!

[quickdtoo]

Right now, from what I've read, the 357 may be my next barrel!

Correction, First next barrel!!!

Tim

[Datil]

 Get em All, Then get others also. The 357 rent a reamer make a Maximum out of it.
 Thats what I did. Marv.

[Lucky Joe]

For me I'd go with the .357 Mag.. That will be my next (correction, first next barrel). I reload and my bullets range from .74 gr. in the .38 Special case to a 214 gr. in the Mag.. I'll ream it out to the Max chamber and the 214 gr. will be right at home.

I don't personally think the .357 needs to be limited to plinking and small game it has, will and will again take on some big game and win.  Also the availability of ammunition is generally greater than the others mentioned.

[copdills]

I would say the 45-70 for Hunting big game in the pistole cal. I like 44mah 45LC and 357 mag in that order

[tykempster]

It's gotta be a 45-70.   You can load to 45 Colt levels, or much higher than any of those pistol cartridges can produce.  What's not to like?

[Stan in SC]

45/70.Gotta love it.It's almost a religion.

Stan

[OBXPilgrim]

Another for 357 MAG

But..., if you can swing it, you might want to think about getting two of them.  Seems like almost everyone that has a rare caliber & wants to trade, wants to get a 357 mag barrel, and you'll have a spare to trade.  Just trade them the one that doesn't shoot as well.

[bearbeater]

hey
45-70 hands down
bb

[silver surfer]

Without question, go with the 45-70.  It is by far the most versatile, and powerful.  It'll make holes in paper or Brown Bear, your choice .

[utahman]

Thanks everyone.  If I go the 45/70 route, what barrel length would you suggest?

[shaner]

id say get a small loan  and get all them  before you cant?

[silver surfer]

Utahman I would go with the 32" Buffalo Classic barrel, please keep in mind I'm completely biased I love mine.  Some here have complained its "to long and not good for brush hunting", I cant see that point of view.  To each his own I guess.  One added benefit of that longer barrel is if you shoot black powder you will get a much better result than you would shooting BP out of the 22" barrel.

[jdwolf]

I'd go with the 357 magnum.  It's always been a favorite of mine.  In fact,  I'm sure I will get a 357 handi barrel sometime soon.

[petemi]

I've got 22 inch .357 and .45-70 Handis.  Both ring the 300 yard gong target.  I guess I'd part with my wife, even possibly my dog, before I gave up either.  The .357 is cheaper to shoot, but not as versatile.  If you want to shoot distance, whether hunting, target shooting or plinking, I'd go for the .45-70.  If you're not hunting big game and staying inside of 200 yards, go with the .357.  Better yet, as almost everyone has said. get 'em all!  Also, don't pay any attention to the nonsense some people put out saying "the .45-70 is a 100 yard gun".  When you learn to drive it, you can hit virtually any reasonable target you can see with the naked eye, and with lots of energy.  It's just a question of learning your load and your rifle.

[Cottonwood]

It's been a long while since I posted on the Handi-Rifle thread....

45-70

I would have to say, get the 22" barreled model as it is much better in the woods since your prolly gonna scope it up anyways.

JMHO