44mag./460/ 500 levergun

[1911man]

I am in the market for a pistol cal. Carbine for hunting, and range time. I am thinking of all the calibers. I will probably have to start reloading and I have heard that reloading pistol calibers are a bit easier to learn than rifle calibers and takes shorter time to get accurate loads in certain rifles. Or should I get a 20 gauge semi auto slug gun and call it a day?

[heidad01]

What are you going to hunt with a pistol caliber carbine? And where?

[Spyder]

45 Colt is an option too. Probably the best one with the most variety of choices.

[1911man]

Well, I did a little bit more research and the slug 20 gauge is out. Seems to be less accurate.

[Fishwishin]

Check Big Horn Armory. Pricy, but they have what you seek.

http://www.bighornarmory.com/catalog/1/big-horn-armory-products/

[jpl1979]

Out of the above, I would go 44 Mag if it's for hunting. Unless you want to hunt something really large.

[Ugly Hombre]

44 mag would be enough for hunting most American big game.

357 hits hard out of a 16 inch barrel- many use it for whitetail deer where allowed.

I have a 357 lever gun they are very fun and useful, from good power with full house 357 to light small game and plinking 38 special rounds. I would like to find a 44 mag lever gun- a 92 Winchester pattern gun would be great.

The 357 lever gun is very versatile and- fun as hell.

Not interested in the 454 or the 460 calibers. Expensive ammo, and if I need that power -use a more powerful rifle

[3006]

I have 2 1894 Marlins one in 44 mag and one 45 colt both are fun guns to shoot with hot hand loads or light plinking loads using cheap hard cast bullets.
I've taken Hogs with both and they work as good as any cartridge out to about 125 yards or so. Using about a 6 foot hold over I can ring the 400 yard plate at the local range takes about a minute for the bullet to get there. seams like anyway compared to the 243.

[200Apples]

There's a short discussion regarding the new 16" stainless steel Marlin Model 1894 in a "guide gun" config with 3 variations. Until now, any previous Marlins in this layout were Models 1895 in .45-70... the orig "Guide Gun" methinks, at least from a marketing standpoint.

The thread's title mentions .357 but there's talk of .44 too.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1492123

[NaClAddict]

.45 colt can produce almost the same ballistics as .44 mag and is very versatile. Lots of cheap 44 mag carbines used. Even more 41 mags cheap used, but ammo can be hard to find.

[plumbum]

A .44 carbine hits far harder than it should and you can get ammo everywhere.

[E Michael]

454!!!!

[3006]

Having both the 44 and 45 I don't see much difference in power the 44 shoots a tad flatter and I suspect would shoot lead free better just judging by bullet shape. I would not want any of my hot 45s to end up in a single action colt but the 44s are fine in my model 29.

[OCEquestrian]

I chose .44 magnum as a high country caliber for self defense and hunting / camping on horseback. I carry a .44 lever gun in a scabbard on my saddle and a .44 mag S&W 629 Mountain Gun on my hip.

I first got a Rossi Model 92 carbine new and found it to be "rough". After talking to a few "lever gun guys" and set out to find a used Browning B-92 carbine in .44 mag.

As soon as I got the Browning I sold the Rossi. The smoothness of the action and quality of fit and workmanship of the Browning was like night and day compared to the Rossi.

The Browning holds 11 + 1 rounds of .44 mag....

[elSquid]

I am in the market for a pistol cal. Carbine for hunting, and range time. I am thinking of all the calibers. I will probably have to start reloading and I have heard that reloading pistol calibers are a bit easier to learn than rifle calibers and takes shorter time to get accurate loads in certain rifles. Or should I get a 20 gauge semi auto slug gun and call it a day?

Well, I did a little bit more research and the slug 20 gauge is out. Seems to be less accurate.

If a 20 gauge slug gun was an option, why not just get a 30-30 and buy factory ammo? You hadn't planned on reloading 20 gauge slugs, did you?

What's a box of 30-30 soft points? ~$15?

How much shooting were you planning on doing?

-- Michael