Budget .357 lever rifles

[DirectDrive]

Reminds me that Ian McCollum of forgotten weapons did a video about his range experience with a Henry (probably a reproduction). He was loading it with the butt on the ground and letting the cartridges fall down the tube. One of the cartridges went off in the tube after being dropped which blew up that portion of the gun and sent him to the hospital with minor injuries.

To hold the rifle vertically while tube loading is a giant mental error and gravity lesson.

 

[fredball]

I have the commemorative 1776 in 44 mag and one in stainless 357 mag and one sporting octagon blued barrel also 44mag and action is smooth and shoot well ALL ARE ROSSI

 

[ilikegunspdx]

I have the commemorative 1776 in 44 mag and one in stainless 357 mag and one sporting octagon blued barrel also 44mag and action is smooth and shoot well

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Looks very nice!

 

[ilikegunspdx]

I have the commemorative 1776 in 44 mag and one in stainless 357 mag and one sporting octagon blued barrel also 44mag and action is smooth and shoot well ALL ARE ROSSI

View attachment 1929777 View attachment 1929779 View attachment 1929780 View attachment 1929781

Which would you say is more fun to shoot? .44 mag or .357 mag with standard range ammo?

I have a 6" .357 revolver and with range loads it feels pretty mild. Have never shot a .44 mag 6" revolver so can't compare, but seem like .357 is a little mild for my preferences (in that size and weight revolver I mean). Let me know what you think please. Thx!

 

[aasbra]

I have carbines in both 357 and 44 mag. Full house 44 mag factory loads (say a 240 grain JSP or JHP) have a pretty good bark out of the carbine.

I nearly exclusively load my own ammo, and mostly shoot more mild, plinking loads (more like 44 special). These are fun to shoot; I probably enjoy that over the 357 for what I mostly do (ringing steel silhouettes).

Depends on what you consider "fun" and what your use case for the rifle is, I suppose. If buying factory ammo over reloading, and/or if cost, or less recoil is your preference, I'd lean toward the 357.

Should also note, my experience does not include what I would particularly consider "budget" carbines, but not high end either. I have a couple steel frame, octagonal barrel Henrys, and a few Marlins.

 

[DirectDrive]

With 44Mag you have a more legitimate deer cartridge if that's a concern.
Also better bear defense.
Then there's 44 Special for plinking.
Full house 44Mag hollow points blow up water jugs better than 357.

 

[fredball]

Which would you say is more fun to shoot? .44 mag or .357 mag with standard range ammo?

I have a 6" .357 revolver and with range loads it feels pretty mild. Have never shot a .44 mag 6" revolver so can't compare, but seem like .357 is a little mild for my preferences (in that size and weight revolver I mean). Let me know what you think please. Thx!

the blued 44mag longer 26" heavier barrel