Need some help...

panzer426 · October 10, 2006, 04:35 PM

I need a good rifle/carbine for hunting white-tails in brushy/thick country. I have it narrowed down to the Marlin 1894 in either 357 magnum or 44 magnum. Aside from 357 being lighter recoil, and 44 having more power, which would you suggest and why?

Art Eatman · October 10, 2006, 04:43 PM

I'd go the .44 Maggie on account of I'm on the conservative side. Even the .44 is no more than about 2/3 of a .30-30. That's impressive in a pistol, but pipsqueaky in a rifle.

Not saying the .357 wouldn't work if you're a really good shot, but since you're still in the choosing stage...

Art

panzer426 · October 10, 2006, 04:49 PM

Your right, it's nothing compared to 30-30 or 30-06 (both of which I have used to take deer) but I wont be taking shots past 100 yards, probably around 50-60 yards.

Capp35 · October 10, 2006, 05:05 PM

Seems most people forget that most pistol cartridges pick up 400+ fps in a carbine.

I use a .357, which has as much power as the 30-30, up to 50 yards. It is good to a 100 with proper placement.

The 44 mag has more power than the 30-30 up to 50 yards.

I will agree, anything passed a 100 yards and you need a 30-30 or better in a Lever Action.

**Rich Lucibella** · October 10, 2006, 05:22 PM

panz-
It's pretty much a tossup, but I'm with Art on the 44 Mag. It's just a bit more versatile. It will do a bit better in a pinch as a hiking/trail gun and give you access to a slightly wider variety of game at short ranges.

Anecdotal add in:
Check out the '44 bullets offered by Randy Garrett. One of the best boars we've taken on our lease was taken by Ashley Emerson last year with a 44 Mag LG. 55 yards, broadside thru the boiler room. He ran about 40 yards pumping blood like a garden hose.

I'm certain with the right .357, in the right circumstances this could be replicated. But why go lighter on the caliber when the 44 Mag in a rifle is gonna be a [color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color] cat to shoot?

Rich

October 10, 2006, 04:35 PM	#1
panzer426 Member Join Date: April 16, 2005 Posts: 78	Need some help... I need a good rifle/carbine for hunting white-tails in brushy/thick country. I have it narrowed down to the Marlin 1894 in either 357 magnum or 44 magnum. Aside from 357 being lighter recoil, and 44 having more power, which would you suggest and why?

October 10, 2006, 05:22 PM	#5
Rich Lucibella Staff Join Date: October 6, 1998 Location: South Florida Posts: 10,229	panz- It's pretty much a tossup, but I'm with Art on the 44 Mag. It's just a bit more versatile. It will do a bit better in a pinch as a hiking/trail gun and give you access to a slightly wider variety of game at short ranges. Anecdotal add in: Check out the '44 bullets offered by Randy Garrett. One of the best boars we've taken on our lease was taken by Ashley Emerson last year with a 44 Mag LG. 55 yards, broadside thru the boiler room. He ran about 40 yards pumping blood like a garden hose. I'm certain with the right .357, in the right circumstances this could be replicated. But why go lighter on the caliber when the 44 Mag in a rifle is gonna be a [color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color] cat to shoot? Rich __________________ S.W.A.T. Magazine Weapons, Training and Tactics for the Real World Join us at TFL or at AR15.com or on Facebook

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October 10, 2006, 04:43 PM	#2
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I'd go the .44 Maggie on account of I'm on the conservative side. Even the .44 is no more than about 2/3 of a .30-30. That's impressive in a pistol, but pipsqueaky in a rifle. Not saying the .357 wouldn't work if you're a really good shot, but since you're still in the choosing stage... Art

October 10, 2006, 04:49 PM	#3
panzer426 Member Join Date: April 16, 2005 Posts: 78	Your right, it's nothing compared to 30-30 or 30-06 (both of which I have used to take deer) but I wont be taking shots past 100 yards, probably around 50-60 yards.

October 10, 2006, 05:05 PM	#4
Capp35 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2006 Location: Lone Star State Posts: 198	Seems most people forget that most pistol cartridges pick up 400+ fps in a carbine. I use a .357, which has as much power as the 30-30, up to 50 yards. It is good to a 100 with proper placement. The 44 mag has more power than the 30-30 up to 50 yards. I will agree, anything passed a 100 yards and you need a 30-30 or better in a Lever Action.