Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General 357 vs 44 mag in carbines

Big difference on game fellas? Are there game or classes of game you would not take with a 357 but happily take with the 44.

I've had multiple 44 carbines and would like to have a 357 carbine. I'd use 357 on White tail. I don't think I'd use it on anything bigger. In a pinch I'd use 44 on elk, but I have better cartridges for that in my opinion.

I have a .44, but have owned several .357s. I would rather have the .357, but I don't hunt much big game with these rifles. The guy I bought the .44 from killed elk with it I am pretty sure.

Yep,it worked quite well. I also killed elk with a 30-30 though.

I prefer the .357 though for what I need. I have a nice light Rossi Model 92. Rides in an antique scabbard made for 92's. Fits under the saddle fender without a bulge, and will handily take care of the camp robbing Raccoons, coyotes etc, and will sure as heck scare bear away. I would not be using it to kill one unless it is something I could not avoid.I would have no concern of hunting deer with it, if that is all I had.

just went to gun store ,1st time since november ,WOW prices are higher than i thought.seen a USED but like new JM Marlin mod 94 .357 magnum $1,800 a 1980 like new but used Winchester -94 30-30 without box it said ,for $1,000 . 5 years ago a rifle that age and shape was only $600 dollors , i know bought it at this same store . crazy prices

I'd go with my old Marlin 44mag, before any other handgun caliber rifle. You're already at a disadvantage with handgun calibers for hunting, why push it. That being said, I had a buddy that got a deer with an old Rossi 357mag, every year he ever took it out for the season. One shot kills, mo horror stories. Says it was his favorite 100yd and under gun.

Proper bullet selection is key to hunting with any pistol caliber carbine. Velocities can be achieved that the pistol bullets were not designed for. Since 2008, I have tested my bullets in a plastic box filled with wet newspapers. I have seen many pistol bullets fail to penetrate deep enough for humane kills. Over expansion is usually the reason.

In the 44 Mag I like the Hornady 240gr standard XTP. It's rated for a higher than usual impact velocity. It stays together and penetrates deeply at the 1600fps velocity my carbine load produces.

In the 357 Mag, I like either the 158gr XTP-FP or the 180gr Rem SJHP. Both bullet hold up well and penetrate deeply.

Both cartridges are capable of superb killing power when the shooter can place his shots and proper bullets are used.

I prefer large calibers but that is due to my red/green colorblindness. Tracking a deer even a short distance in thick cover is a difficult task for me.

I just got really lucky. A friend I know who's an FFL, was asked by a widow to help her sell her husbands guns. He bought a few guns from her and suggested a price for them and she asked for a lower price. The guy isn't really a rifle guy but mentioned that there was a couple of Marlin 1894's, one in 357 mag, and one in 44 mag. I would grade these both at above 90%, and neither have the safety on the receiver. I got them both for less than one typically goes for on Gunbroker. I paid extra for shipping $150 for both guns, but one came with a Leupold M8 4X scope which I would think I could get $150 for so I'm very pleased with getting them both. I had both models for years, and sold them both, and have been kicking myself ever since. I am thrilled to death with what I got.

I've shot lots of deer with both. The 357 does the job but the 44 hits much harder. I carry the 357 more but when hunting near nasty areas (briars/swamps) I tote the 44 for the extra punch.

I have killed elk with the 44, 240 gr XTP with no problems.I would use the.357 for deer ,but it is not legal in Colorado

I also picked up a like new 1894 in 357mag (1994 model) for $500 this spring.

If the choice is between the two, I would go with 44 mag. Velocity is going to be similar between the two for most loadings, which means similar trajectory in the sub 175yd range these are good for. 150 would probably be a safe max.

So all else being equal 44 has higher weight and surface area that will be theoretically more effective on thin skinned game.

But a 357 lever has its place. For one it has very low recoil even out of a 16" rossi for a young hunter/shooter, who won't be shooting much beyond 100 yds anyway. At a deer or smaller sized target I wouldn't care. Anything bigger, I would use something else.

In my limited experience with deer the 44 magnum240 gr Hornady XTP out of a rifle under 50 yards has resulted in bang flops 2 out of 2 times. Highly recommend for close in hunting. Wouldn't be one bit worried on elk if I knew my shots would be under 100 yards, but you never know if it's gonna be 30 yards or 350 yards.

I'd go with the 44 magnum, which can still be loaded light for plinking/pests but has far more mojo at full throttle.

There is a big difference in the hitting power between the 44 and 357.

Bullet selection is not important with the 44, the 240gr JSP like a Magtech 44(a) does everything you need it to do on anything. I’ve done all of the other flavors and they just aren’t needed.

One anomaly you need to be aware of with the 44 mag unless you are using fast 180gr pills is the rifle recoil can make you move before the bullet exits the barrel so it needs to be held very steady. This accounts for many people’s claims the 44 carbine is inaccurate, especially the Ruger 77/44.

Another thing, this “loading light” or using “specials” is just crap in the sense of the point of impact between loads can drive you nuts. Find yourself a standard load the gun likes and stick with it.

A standard 240gr 44 with a 25 yard zero is +1” roughly 50&75 yards and a little over 1/4” low at 100 yards, -2” at about 130 yards.

I get the “bang flop” at any yardage with my 44, period.

There is nothing I wouldn’t shoot with a 44 but the 357 is nice too but It depends on your needs.

If I could only have one it would be the .44 Magnum. I would buy the Rossi '92 instead of the Marlin , you could get one in .357 and one in .44 Mag for the cost of a real Marlin.

Have both

Real Marlins.....

44 will out perform the 357 in heavy hitting.....

Kids & wives will like the 357 better for recoil & report......4/Trailboss & cast 158 gr plinkin

Rossi....had a bad experience with C/S.......my last Rossi

Marlin take down & clean.....simple

Polish the innards ? Simple

This Marlin in pic......one of my fav's.......1999 45 Colt Cowboy chopped to 16"

Original sights have been installed

I have a 1977 made Marlin in 44 Mag. I've had Rossi's in 45 Colt and 357. I wouldn't trade the Marlin for 10 Rossi's.

However, to each, his own.

my kinda guy........

I preferred the Marlin 94 over the Rossi 92 as you could take the bolt out and clean it from the breech. However, I hated that fat forearm. It was just ugly and bulged in the scabbard. It detracted from the looks like the flat lines of the older Marlin 94's flat. First thing I did was make new forearm. It sure made elk do bang flops though.

I took the Rossi apart and smoothed up the action and polished the loading gate. After that it was as smooth as the Marlin.I have had it 30+years and no malfunctions.

What the .357 rifle can do, the 44 mag does a lot better.

So does a 30-06 or .308 compared to a 30-30, but each has a useful niche.

I consider the fun factor in lever actions in pistol calibers over capability. If plinking and hunting with them, I'd prefer the lesser cost and recoil of .357 over .44. If wanting something more capable in a lever, there's lots better to choose from. Namely the .30-30.

I have both and as everyone else has said the difference in killing power is pretty huge. The 357 will do, and it's cheap and fun to shoot with 38's, but otherwise grab the 44 mag all day.

Under 100 yards I've seen no difference in killing power between a 30-30 and 44 mag from a carbine (or saboted muzzleloader bullet). A 16" 44 mag is much quieter and nicer to shoot than a 16" 30-30.

The .430” XTP 200 gr and 240 gr are great bullets in both revolver and carbine. At 50 yards the 240 gr XTP does expand well at 44 magnum carbine velocities. At 100 yards its expansion at impact velocities is not as prevalent as the XTPs are tough bullets. If hunting whitetail size game out at 100 yards, the 200 gr XTP will expand and kill reliably as it will produce carbine muzzle velocities around 2,000 fps. The 240 gr XTP expands significantly better on whitetail and larger game at 150-200 yds out of a 444 Marlin launched at 2,450 fps. The 357 magnum is a great ranch rifle and will put the fear of God in trespassers, but has no ability to perform like a 44 magnum on game simply due to the array of hunting bullet construction and various weights from 180 gr - 340 gr for use in carbines and revolvers.

LOL. I guess the elk I killed with mine never read all that.

"In the 357 Mag, I like either the 158gr XTP-FP"

+1!

It's designed for a higher velocity window than the standard HP.
We've never caught one in a whitetail yet and they always look like they were hit hard.
17.5 grn of Lil'gun is your friend.

Teeder, I have used the FP and the HP XTP. I think the FP is tougher, but have you ever had issues with the HP out of a carbine within say 25-100 yards?

No, absolutely no issues. Pretty sure that's the one my brother uses.

Have only taken deer with a .44, but added a .357 single shot recently. No worries for me about its power. With a good bullet, I’d also shoot a black bear with it, but wouldn’t go looking for one carrying it.

Writer Brian Pearce, a very experienced and practical guy, compares the performance of .357 rifles on game with the .30/30, and of the .44 to the .30/06, within range limitations naturally. He and his family have used them a lot for such work. He’s also a big Marlin fan, and when the new 1894 from Ruger appears, it will probably have the 1-20” twist he’s been arguing for for years.

I won’t be buying one of the new ones because I already have my rifles, but I’m very glad to see them back.

I noticed that Pearce chose the FP for fast .357 loads in his article on loading for rifles, so picked up several boxes for mine. He gets over 2000 with Lil Gun, which equals original .30 WCF performance, and probably even some current factory ammo in carbines, based on articles I’ve seen over the years. New powders pump up the .30/30 too, of course, but the point is the old stuff got it done very well before, and will now.

I too would take it black bear hunting if I knew the ranges were going to be close.

I'll have to look at my notes, but I think I'm somewhere around 1900fps. Could probably bump it up, but this load shoots very well in both my 1894 and Ruger 77.
I keep the 1894 beside my bed loaded with HP's and the Ruger goes for walks with me during season with the FP's.

With a Henry Big Boy Steel carbine using 158 Hornady FPs, Starline brass and 16.7 gr of H110, I'm at 1,710 fps and it cuts holes at 50 yards.

A 1:20 twist 1894 would be the bees knees.

I have a 357 and 44 mag in the Marlin 1894 plus a 1895 cowboy 45/70. I only use the cowboy on live critters.

357/44 zoom in on the ballistics taped on the stock, with zero at 150yrds. It will kill deer and such handily. I’ve not tried it yet but I will.

The serial number for the action dates to 1908 the barrel is custom, don’t know the maker and the take down is slick. If you zoom in on the barrel band you can just make out the release button.

It’s 100% nickel plated.

That's gotta be pretty slick. I've only ever seen a couple 357/44s years ago, and they were both Contenders.

30-30, .357, .44. All pre. safety Marlins. All have killed deer.

Just perusing older Thread here. But pausing to add my take re Post citing shop prices... $1.8K for Marlin 94 in .357 and $1K for '80 Winchester 94... Dang! I called 'time' to decades of collecting in '14 as Calif imposed long gun transfer registration. For me, appropriate timing as age, mid seventies! Nice small plethora of guns acquired, mostly levers & bolt rifles! Not a hunter, just shooter. Those prices knock my socks off. I may have a 500% average profit in my rifles. Investments as distant second to appreciation for especially more vintage long guns.

I like my Marlin 94 in .357 because for years ammo less expensive and no real reason for more power. Also in L/E .38 spl was one of our standard five 'carry chamberings' and Agency Hq kept buying as our rangemasters begging us to take home a supply! 'The Govt!' Our Regional Head shed with Field Office inspections and instructions, 'shoot it or lose it'! It disappeared! My Marlin reliable and fun!

Best to all!
John

I own both in Browning, the 44 seemingly has a bigger effect on impact to me, I love to shoot my 357 though.

I love that gun and have a Marlin Cowboy 45LC myself so I get very tempted to chop it whenever I see yours! Where could I go to get that done right?

A .357 Magnum rifle will be slightly more accurate than a .44 Magnum. however the .44 Magnum would be a better killer on Deer sized game. The recoil level of the .44 Magnum is slightly more than a .30-30 and about like a light single barreled 20 gauge shotgun

I picked this Model 1894 up back in the late nineties. Scope is a Nikon 1-4X. The only load I have used is the Speer 270 grain Gold Dot SP over a lot of H110. Velocity is a bit over 1600 fps, and the accuracy is very good. The hunting here in my part of Florida is short range, and in heavy cover. The 270 grain bullet kills quickly.

Not so fast there. The carbines are twisted a bit slow for light loads. Neither my Rossie or Marlin 44 magnum carbines would shoot well enough to hit a five gallon bucket every time at 50 yards with regular working handgun loads like a 270 cast flat nose at 900-1000fps. Why I went to a 45 Long Colt carbine. Shoots Cowboy action loads just fine and the upper end is plenty. Full power loads shot great in both using the same bullets.

I had good accuracy with a R92 in using 255 grain factory duplication loads in 45 Colt and what I'd call OK accuracy from 38 level loads, in 357 cases from another R92 in that caliber. But either of them, with any load, would stay on beer can at 50 yards; and if I missed one I knew it was my fault.

The two worst shooting rifles I ever owned were a Lee–Enfield No 5 Mk I Jungle Carbine and an early 80s 1894 Marlin in 44 Magnum. All I ever shot through them was factory loads. With their respective favorites, the Marlin was minute-of-cantaloupe and the No 5 was minute-of-softball.

I wouldn't keep a pistol that won't stay on a five gallon bucket at 50 yards.

I've had three Rossi .44 magnum M92 carbines, one Browning, and one Winchester Miroku made. The Mirokus are so much better made than the Rossis there is no comparison. The Winchester is a keeper. Also had a Marlin 94 ( the rare Stainless model) , and didn't like it much at all. Clunky and inaccurate. I kept one of the Rossi carbines, it is stainless steel and 16" "trapper" configuration. Wonderful to keep handy "just in case" at our Northern BC bush camp with so many bears in the area and near the cabin. And it's cheap and tough and I don't have to baby it. The Browning Miroku made M92 was just as good as my new Winchester, but the barrel was twisted slow and had an oversized bore and didn't shoot anything but jacketed bullets very well.
I got rid of a nice stainless 20" Rossi .357 mag that had a variety of problems that I kept fixing, but eventually it developed a loose lock up. That was the last straw. My new Winchester/Miroku M92 .357 is accurate, the action is slick and tight, and I'm keeping that one too.

What is the basis for such a claim as to inherit accuracy of one caliber over another?

Some calibers are more inherently than others. I've read some that say the 357 is more accurate than the 44, but in my own 44s' and 357's it's varied more by individual gun than caliber over the years.

I've killed one doe with a Marlin 94 in 357 mag. The deer didn't react much at the shot, actually trotted off, crossed a dry creek bed, started up the other side and collapsed. Went about about 75 yds. I foolishly traded it off, but my current lever guns are 45 colt. No game yet, but I'd stand with the others here who like the more smack of a 44

It is likely to do with SAAMI specs for the 44 mag. SAAMI has different specs for 44 rifle and 44 pistol, so much so you’d think they were two different cartridges. Loose chamber specs, slow twist, larger groove diameter and a long throat. I believe in recent years some manufacturers have deviated from SAAMI and have adopted tighter specs for their 44 mag rifles.

What he said.^^^

I've killed several with my 1894c .357 and couldn't tell much difference between it and my .30-30. One doe double lunged from 200 yards only went 40 yards. Another shot high shoulder from about 50 yards dropped in a heap. 158 gr. hp factory loads on both.