Thinking about a short range(less than 60yrds) deer gun for wifey. She is gonna be recoil shy. I am a reloader, so I can make 44's as light as deer possible. I believe the 357 can be a fine deer caliber, IN IT'S range. Kinda boils down to this: is it easier to "tune"(trigger, find a good load) a 77/357, or a 77/44....sorta got a feeling this is gonna be a "do you prefer one son or the other" kinda thing. I am a revolver hunter....a 260gr. at 1050 kills my deer great.
77/357 vs 44
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hammie
Single-Sixer
I'd pick the 77/44 and handload it to acceptable levels. You're probably aware of this, but volquartsen makes a drop in target sear and sear spring which fits both the .357 and .44. Midwayusa.com has them in stock (catalog #158267) for 35$.
Either works. My daughter shot a doe this year at a distance of 45 yards with her 77/357.
mike7mm08
Buckeye
I would go the 44 route. Both the 357 and 44 are not going expand much if at all with low levels loads. Better off starting with a bigger bullet.
As for the trigger I went with the riflebasix replacement. Easy install and easy adjustment.
As for the trigger I went with the riflebasix replacement. Easy install and easy adjustment.
My only experience with pistol-caliber rifles has been with leverguns.
That said though, a 44Mag rifle shooting factory loads has about the same recoil energy as a 30-06. Yeah, one can load 'em down all they want, but then the question becomes....where is the compromise between adequate power and shootability for the little Lady?
On the other hand, a full-power 158/.357 has has little recoil out of a rifle, yet close to the same power as a 30-30....which is plenty for a deer at (or under) 100yds.
357 rifles are a lot quieter than 44Mag rifles too....which aint a bad thing neither.
Decisions, desicisions....is this a great country or what?
DGW
That said though, a 44Mag rifle shooting factory loads has about the same recoil energy as a 30-06. Yeah, one can load 'em down all they want, but then the question becomes....where is the compromise between adequate power and shootability for the little Lady?
On the other hand, a full-power 158/.357 has has little recoil out of a rifle, yet close to the same power as a 30-30....which is plenty for a deer at (or under) 100yds.
357 rifles are a lot quieter than 44Mag rifles too....which aint a bad thing neither.
Decisions, desicisions....is this a great country or what?
DGW
I have never shot a deer with a .357 rifle, but I have with a handgun. Not impressed at all. I would go for the .44 and load a 240gr lead bullet at around 1000-1100fps. That will get you far more power than a .357, with moderate recoil. A 240gr bullet at 1,000fps from a .44 carbine feels like shooting a .410.
I appreciate all replies. I am kinda leaning towards a 44....I can load it down a ways. If I can get a 240-280gr. HC to group good.....maybe above 900fps, I think recoil will be a non-factor. I wanted/want info/opinions from people who have killed deer with this "platform", and I got it . Thanks to y'all....Terry
I've killed several deer with my 44 mag Redhawk, 3 screw Super Blackhawk and #3 44 mag single shot rifle. The
44 mag works on deer. I have several 357 mag Revolvers and a Marlin 357 mag 94c but have yet to use a 357 on
deer. I have a 77/44 that I plan to try this year. I'd go with the 44 mag.
44 mag works on deer. I have several 357 mag Revolvers and a Marlin 357 mag 94c but have yet to use a 357 on
deer. I have a 77/44 that I plan to try this year. I'd go with the 44 mag.
5of7
Hunter
I would look around and buy a Ruger .44 semi auto. That way the recoil will be acceptable and the power is adequate too.
8)
8)
96/44 said:
I get your point. Fact is, I'm a 45LC guy myself....meaning that I've discovered that big-fat bullets don't need a lot of velocity to be effective on my local deer. That said though....as far as effectiveness goes, lauching a .357 out of a rifle puts that particular cartridge into a whole-nuther class compared to using it out of a 6-gun.
DGW
wildhobbybobby
Bearcat
I've shot deer with both .357 and .44 Magnum rifles and with both .357 and .44 Magnum handguns. My experience with all four has been satisfactory. If you hit the deer correctly, it is time to punch your tag and get out your knife.
In a rifle, and for a person who is recoil sensitive, my choice would be a 77/357. It kicks noticeably less than a .44 of the same weight. If you download the .44 to reduce recoil, you are either reducing velocity or bullet weight. All other things being equal, if you reduce velocity, you lessen bullet expansion. If you reduce bullet weight, you lessen penetration.
The .357 with full house loads has mild recoil, high enough velocity to ensure expansion and with a good 158-180 gr. JHP, enough penetration for any deer that walks. Last year I lent my 77/357 to a 10-year old boy for his first deer hunt. He enjoyed shooting it on the target range with full loads and took a nice doe with a single shot.
In a rifle, and for a person who is recoil sensitive, my choice would be a 77/357. It kicks noticeably less than a .44 of the same weight. If you download the .44 to reduce recoil, you are either reducing velocity or bullet weight. All other things being equal, if you reduce velocity, you lessen bullet expansion. If you reduce bullet weight, you lessen penetration.
The .357 with full house loads has mild recoil, high enough velocity to ensure expansion and with a good 158-180 gr. JHP, enough penetration for any deer that walks. Last year I lent my 77/357 to a 10-year old boy for his first deer hunt. He enjoyed shooting it on the target range with full loads and took a nice doe with a single shot.
Jim Puke
Hunter
For her...77/357.
It will do the job, no doubt about it.
It will do the job, no doubt about it.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
There is a lot less recoil with a 357mag as compared to the 44mag in factory loadings. A 180gr .357 bullet out of a rifle will surely do the job on deer at 50 yards.
For a lot more killing power and range have you considered a 30-30 rifle. The recoil of a 30-30 is like that of the 357mag rifle.
For a lot more killing power and range have you considered a 30-30 rifle. The recoil of a 30-30 is like that of the 357mag rifle.
RJ556
Buckeye
Don't forget one important thing. Accuracy. The 77/357 will easily shoot groups half the size that a 77/44 will. I know, the 44 guys will say, " 4" to 6" grouping is fine for deer hunting at 100 yards or less". But, there is always shooter error involved in the field. You are not going to be carrying a bench rest around with you while hunting deer. Even a stand with a rest is not going to be as steady as a bench at a shooting range. Therefore, if your 77/44 is grouping around 4" from a bench and your "field position" introduces another 4", you could be looking at a complete miss or a very poor hit, in worst case. That is why I dumped my 77/44's for a 77/357.
JJ_Miller_480
Bearcat
I have filled my Polaris Ranger with does shot with a 2/.75 inch Security Six with Win. 148 gn Silvertips. Hit them right and they die. So go with the 77-357. ( I have one ) . It will work...................JJ
