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Offline mmt7714

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Which handi?
« on: October 08, 2010, 08:56:01 AM »
Ok, I am in the market for a new handi rifle, and it has to be 35 caliber or larger for me to use during primitive weapons season. Not primitive I know, but hey I don't make the laws. Anyway, as I stated in another thread I have a friend who is wanting to sell his .44 magnum rifle. I have no problems buying from him, but he wants a little much for the gun. He is considering 250.00, but if he doesn't take it I am back to square one which brings me to my question. I can buy a new .44 if I can find one or a .357. This gun will be for deer, 100yds or less most of the time. I will use it during primitive weapon season, and my 9yr old son will use it for his first real deer rifle. He is slightly recoil sensitive, but I don't think either one will affect him that much. I know the .44 will absolutely kill deer, but you recieve so many different opinions on the .357 from its awesome to it wouldn't kill a rabbit. What do you guys think.

Mike
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Offline Torwe

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Re: Which handi?
« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2010, 09:21:24 AM »
Well now I have 2 357's maxed and 1 45 lc all in handis. Anyone tells you a 357 won't kill a rabbit shouldn't be afraid to go downrange and let you use them for a target. Actually 357 is a good deer rifle but not for real long range, I reamed both of mine to 357 maximum and am totally satisfied. Now a thought I assume you are in MS. You are aware that in LA you gotta have a bigger caliber to hunt primitive weapons season. But if you plan on hunting totally in MS a 357 is fine.
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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: Which handi?
« Reply #2 on: October 08, 2010, 09:55:32 AM »
Hi,

Take a look at this recent thread, almost the same topic as yours.

BB

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,216946.0.html
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Offline mmt7714

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Re: Which handi?
« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2010, 11:11:36 AM »
Thanks for the responses guys. I say he is recoil sensitive, but not really enough to make that an issue. He will shoot either one well, I guess I was mainly concerned about the killing ability of the 357 due to having no experience with this round in a hunting aspect. I know you can ream to maximum, but not being a hand loader that really limits me to ammo choices for the max, as well as increased cost of ammo, I think.

Mike
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Offline Airsporter

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Re: Which handi?
« Reply #4 on: October 08, 2010, 11:54:44 AM »
I would be very comfortable using good 'lever action'  loads in .357 Mag.  The Buffalo Bore round looks awesome:

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=102

"Make special note of the Marlin 1894, 18.5 inch barrel velocities. Item 19C/20, supercedes 30-30 energies!!!"

They claim 2153fps with a 158gr JHP.  That's near 1700ft/lb at the muzzle and 1070ft/lb at 100yds.

Use .38 Special wadcutters for plinking and small game.  Virtually zero recoil.

Going to .357 max allows use of all 38 Special, .357 Mag, and .357 Maximum.  Reeds Ammo (a forum sponsor) is one of many smaller makers that sell loaded .357 Max. ammo - they list 11 loads.  
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Offline yukondog

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Re: Which handi?
« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2010, 12:05:12 PM »
I have both and would hunt with eather one without a second thought, but I would go withthe 44mag. for a new hunter it would give more energy on the hit and if the recoil is to much you can start him out with 44 spl., with the 357 mag. I think you would be best to pick your shots.
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Offline spikehorn

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Re: Which handi?
« Reply #6 on: October 08, 2010, 02:16:45 PM »
Winchester white box 125gr sjsp 120 yards spikehorn buck double lung shot and blew out his drivers side shoulder. He dropped in his tracks 357 mag will kill deer.
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308 win                 45-70                       12ga         
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Offline petemi

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Re: Which handi?
« Reply #7 on: October 08, 2010, 04:50:58 PM »
I'm not sure which State you're from, MS or LA, and I'm not really up on whose laws are which, but I do know that a .357 is not .38 or larger in one of them.  It's dumbassed I know, but I believe it is a fact.  It has been posted several times.  I happen to love my .445 Supermag.....a reamed .44 magnum, and the recoil is not anything bothersome to a skinny little 150 lb. guy.  It barks more than it bites.  It's a BB gun next to the .45-70 with a 405 gr. full load.

Years ago, Michigan said you had to use a minimum .44 caliber muzzleloader and hand guns were legal.....well, my .44 1860 Colt and 1858 Remington .44s wouldn't shoot through both sides of a 55 gal. steel drum.  My little .32 T/C Cherokee would blow both sides wide open.  I guess someone wised up and the restriction was lifted.  I suspect folks making these regulations never fired a single shot from the weapons being researched.

I guess my best advice would be research the laws in your State, and go from there.  Both rifles are sweethearts, the .357, now Maxi, and the .44, now .445.

Good luck, and good hunting.

Pete
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Offline Sourdough

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Re: Which handi?
« Reply #8 on: October 08, 2010, 09:25:05 PM »
Personally I would go with the 45-70 period.  You can load it down mild, or you can load it up hot.  You can buy factory mild loads or you can buy factory hot loads.  The choice is yours.  My son shoots a Handi in 45-70, and has taken many Black Bears and a couple of Grizzlies with it.  It works good for Moose as well.  I have used it on Whitetail down in Tennessee and Texas.  It can do things those others can only dream of.  

My partner shot a Moose last Sunday night with a 45-70.  Big hole in, and right on through the shoulder blade.  No meat lost to hydrostatic shock, just a big hole through the meat.

With pistol bullets and Trail Boss powder you can download to match the light recoil of a .44 mag.
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Offline tacklebury

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Re: Which handi?
« Reply #9 on: October 09, 2010, 03:52:29 PM »
Quote from: Sourdough on October 08, 2010, 09:25:05 PM
Personally I would go with the 45-70 period.  You can load it down mild, or you can load it up hot.  You can buy factory mild loads or you can buy factory hot loads.  The choice is yours.  My son shoots a Handi in 45-70, and has taken many Black Bears and a couple of Grizzlies with it.  It works good for Moose as well.  I have used it on Whitetail down in Tennessee and Texas.  It can do things those others can only dream of. 

My partner shot a Moose last Sunday night with a 45-70.  Big hole in, and right on through the shoulder blade.  No meat lost to hydrostatic shock, just a big hole through the meat.

+1 - .45-70
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Offline manatee1947

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Re: Which handi?
« Reply #10 on: October 09, 2010, 07:25:18 PM »
The one good thing for the pistol calibers is they could be had cheaper because they can use an SB1 frame. That being said, my grandson at age 9 took two deer last season with a 357 mag, both under 100 yards. One was a head shot at about 50 yards, the other a double lung shot at about 80. The head shot was instant, the lung shot was on a big doe, she ran about 20 yards and was facing the other way so I had him to shoot a second time, but there was no need. Upon cleaning the deer both lungs, the heart, and the top front of the liver were just jelly. I had been unsure of the rifle myself, but am not now. The boy can handle light 243 loads but is wary of them and they are unpleasant for him at the bench. He just eats up the 357 though and would shoot a box at a time if I would let him. The gun groups about 1.25 inches at 75 yard,s, and the boy has steady nerves and really good eyesight, thus the confidence for the 50 yard head shot. If the law requires larger than 357 I suggest that you get some 180 gr or 200 gr 44mag midrange loads. If you reload your options are of course expanded, but do not fear the 357, it will do the job. Just let the little guy get in the practice he needs to be relaxed and confident in the stand.
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