Lever action purchase

which caliber would you guys consider, .44 or .357?
I do not own either caliber currently. Though a 357 wheel gun could be in the future. So having a shared caliber would be nice. Though that may not happen.

Straight wall hunting is legal in my state. So I am leaning to the .44. Though .357 appears to be more available.

 

Im in the same situation, Im thinking .357mag. With the pistol you could shoot 38spcl as well. I personally enjoy shooting .38spcl.

Edit. I have a henry .22 and ruger single six cambo, fun small game setup.

 

yeah I'm thinking 357 for the lever. However I am not sure if a lever 357 can take 38 too.

 

Yeah I don't know, but ruger has some cool convertibles. They make the .357/38/9mm. Or you cold get a 45lc long gun and shoot a 45acp/45lc convertible.

 

You can shoot 38 Special in a 357 Magnum lever action. Some models can have feeding problems with the shorter case of the 38 so that would be something to look into. The 357 Magnum will work for hunting but the 44 Magnum will give you a nice step up in effective range and bullet weight. Big heavy bullets at a moderate velocity are excellent killers.

 

If you go .44 why not go 45lc? These are serious questions I ask myself. That being said I have a 38spcl and 45acp revolver.

 

I went 44 Mag because I had 44 Mag revolvers and no 45 Colt revolvers. A hot loaded 45 Colt is a good choice, and like you mentioned, the Ruger convertible revolvers are available in 45 Colt/45ACP.

 

Nice to have a rifle and pistol in the same caliber. If hunting was my main goal though, I'd go with the .44

 

I wouldn't mind a .44. A .44 Mag rifle and .44spcl pistol sounds fun.

 

I'd look at one of the 92 clones in 454 for hunting if legal, but, if I had to choose between 357/44, I'd go for the 44.

 

Yeah.. so decided to switch gears... it's our aniversery... wife is getting a 9mm shield for carry...

I did decide I want a big hoop .357 marlin, but that's on hold for later.

Thanks for the responses guys.

 

I love my Win model 94 30/30. Easy recoil and accurate.

 

a lever in 357 is a great fun shooter.......but

Marlin's are priced sky high.....$900 to start

Henry in a 16" for $700 would be sweet....

357 would be less $$ to feed than a 44 or 45 Colt....

handloading is a big plus....cast boolits & Trailboss powder