.357 , .44 magnum or .45 LC Lever Action

[ACC]

I am in the market for a lever action deer rifle. I am also a big fan of having multiple types of guns that fire the same cartridge (ex. Glock 19 9mm & Kel-Tec Sub 2k 9mm.....22 pistols & rifles...etc.)

Therefore, I am interested in getting a lever action is a caliber that I can also use in a handgun. As I do not have an .45LC, .357 or .44 mag handgun....I am starting from scratch.

I could go with .357 and get a Glock 31/33

I could go with .45LC and get a Judge

I could go .44 magnum and get a Desert Eagle or revolver.


Looking for opinions from INGO members.

Thanks!

 

[ViperJock]

I prefer the .44 lever for deer but .357 works too. I don't have much XP with the 45LC do many people hunt with that? If I was gonna get a plunking set, I'd go with .357 so I could plink with cheaper 38.

 

[fastwally]

I have a Henry Big Boy in 44 mag and a Smith & Wesson 29 Classic I use, love them both

 

[kawtech87]

I was looking to do the same thing last year. I ended up going with a bolt action Ruger 77/357 simply because I couldn't find a lever gun that had the quality I was looking for at the time. And I got a Ruger Vaquero in .357 to go with it. I think I may look for a 4" GP100 at some point though.

 

[HoughMade]

A .357 Magnum and a .357 Sig are not the same thing. Glock refuses to use "Sig" on its ".357", but rest assured the 31 and 33 are .357 Sig, NOT .357 Magnum.

Personally, I would choose the .44 Mag for a pistol caliber lever action.

 

[kawtech87]

A .357 Magnum and a .357 Sig are not the same thing. Glock refuses to use "Sig" on its ".357", but rest assured the 31 and 33 are .357 Sig, NOT .357 Magnum.

Also yes to this ^^^

The .357 Sig is a necked down .40 case and a 9mm projectile. The .357 Magnum is a totally different animal.

You could get a Desert Eagle in .357 magnum if you simply must have a semi auto. Otherwise a revolver is a much better option.

 

[Jerry45Acp]

The 45Colt is great if you already have brass and are a handloader, otherwise the factory ammo is very hard to find and very expensive. A 44S&W Magnum will give you many more options for different loads to shoot as well as using the 44S&W Special in the same gun.

p.s. HoughMade is right; the 357 in a Glock is a 357Sig not a 357S&W Magnum------big difference!

 

[peberly400]

44 magnum. It will kill a deer more efficiently, and ammo is easier to find than 45 long colt

 

[BogWalker]

I'm surprised nobody said .45 Colt with a matching SAA.

 

[XtremeVel]

Just to point out the .45 Colt has a great range of versatility... You can buy or load options ranging from 200 gr up to 325 gr... But keep in mind
to realize the full potential of the cartridge, you must have a gun that is rated for the " Ruger only " loads... Not all firearms out there can handle the hotter .45 Colt
loads...

 

[SAILORGOLF46]

I to chose the .357 lever gun and a S&W 686 .357. Both will shoot light load .38 spl. for plinking. But then again I am old school and like wheel guns and rifles with walnut and blue steel. Good luck on your search.

 

[in625shooter]

The 45Colt is great if you already have brass and are a handloader, otherwise the factory ammo is very hard to find and very expensive. A 44S&W Magnum will give you many more options for different loads to shoot as well as using the 44S&W Special in the same gun.

p.s. HoughMade is right; the 357 in a Glock is a 357Sig not a 357S&W Magnum------big difference!

^^THIS^^. While they are all 3 good choices the 45 Colt would be a little better if you liked to hand load. The 357 and 44 are fine for hand loading too however there are usually more 357 and 44 mag offerings on the shelves than 45 Colt.

 

[Hoosier45]

I have a Marlin 1894C with Ruger Blackhawk and GP100 (.357), a Marlin 1894 octagon with a Rugero old style Vaquero (.44 mag), and a Winchester 94 and Vaquero (.45C).

Love them all. If I could only pick one, I'd go with the 1894C and the Blackhawk. Even though the .44 mag may be a better choice for hunting.

 

[ACC]

This is all great feedback. Especially the info on the difference between .357 sig and .357 mag (cause I was leaning that route).

Still undecided though.

 

[1911ly]

This is all great feedback. Especially the info on the difference between .357 sig and .357 mag (cause I was leaning that route).

Still undecided though.

The 44mag is pretty easy to fine and cheaper the the 45c. The 357 doesn't compary to the stopping power of the 44mag. So the 44 wins for me. I have a Henry 44mag Bigboy that you are welcome to shoot if you are close to South Bend. I love it!

 

[1911ly]

I have a Henry Big Boy in 44 mag and a Smith & Wesson 29 Classic I use, love them both

Nice gun! I have the same gun less the scope. I put skinner sight's on mine. They are a real joy to shoot. I always love seeing another Henry!

 

[Hotdoger]

I have a SS Ruger 77 in 44 and an H&R ,357. I have . 357 Revolvers and am looking for a .44 .

BTW I like bolt actions over lever for hunting.

Either rifle suits my hunting areas and both will kill a deer.

 

[1911ly]

I have a SS Ruger 77 in 44 and an H&R ,357. I have . 357 Revolvers and am looking for a .44 .

BTW I like bolt actions over lever for hunting.

Either rifle suits my hunting areas and both will kill a deer.

I have a 44mag Super Red hawk 9 1/2 inch barrel. It's the only scoped hand gun I own. What a blast to shoot! Literally!
I don't hunt (yet) it is on the bucket list. I have more bolt guns the levers. For long range and accuracy I would go with my bolt guns for sure. My Remington 700. I have a AR50 but it's a bit over kill for just about everything :-). I have two levers. Both Henry's. A 45-70 and the 44mag.

 

[fastwally]

Nice gun! I have the same gun less the scope. I put skinner sight's on mine. They are a real joy to shoot. I always love seeing another Henry!

Thats a Skinner Peep under the scope.

 

[Fixer]

I have a puma 92 in 45 Colt along with a pair of Ruger vaqueros. I have always been drawn to the colt. I have used the 92 for deer hunting for a few years now and love it. I will say that if you don't handload for it, it is probably the most expensive of the 3 to buy off the shelf.