Favorite handgun cartridge for a carbine

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Last Post 14 February 2024

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Scearcy posted this 20 June 2017

I have been bitten by the lever gun bug. In part I caught this bug because Marlin currently has rebates on many of their rifles. My question is not about brand, however. Since I have never owned a rifle in a handgun caliber, my question is actually about caliber. There are rifles available in 45 Colt, 44 mag, 41 mag and 357 mag. I reload for all of these except the 45 and I have several hundred 44 special and 41 mag cases on hand. This is to be a fun gun and there is very little chance I would use it for deer hunting. Reasonable accuracy is important and small game hunting is certainly a possibility.

I am sure that several of you have much more knowledge than I. What would you recommend?

Jim

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Ed Harris posted this 21 June 2017

While I agree that the .38/.357 is the most logical choice, a .44 Magnum doesn't need to be run with "full charge" loads, and when fed with .44-40 equivalent loads is most enjoyable. BigMan54 I see is an advocate!

I would make your choice based upon availability, price and brass supply, and not worry about the caliber.

Most of my .44 Magnum loads are similar in power to black powder .44-40s, using 200-230 grain bullets with 6-7 grains of Bullseye. My Marlin 1894 feeds .44 Specials too as long as they are longer than 1.40" OAL

Pleasant, accurate, economical, FUN!

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Brodie posted this 31 March 2018

I looked onto the cowboy action shooting about 20yrs ago, while it looked like fun, I figured I would need $5,000 to really play the game. So much for that idea.

I have a 44mag marlin that shoots rather well, and a 44mag redhawk to match, but personally I think that now I prefer my Ruger 10/22 and my S&w 22 combat. About all I am going to shoot is rabbits, p-dogs , and ground squirrels anyway. Ok maybe a charging tin can or two.

B.E.Brickey

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OU812 posted this 31 March 2018

My poor imagination never let me venture into such. Some people liked watching WWF wrestling on TV also, but my lack of imagination has again failed me.

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rmrix posted this 20 June 2017

If you are not going to hunt big game - ever, the 357 mag is hands down the way to go.

If I were to buy one based on need and all around usefulness, for me the 44 mag would win.

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45 2.1 posted this 20 June 2017

The 357 Mag is about the best alternative, it is usually very accurate and easy to feed also. I have used all that you specified............ the 41 mag would be next on the list.

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TRKakaCatWhisperer posted this 20 June 2017

I've had the 94 trapper in .44 mag - too LOUD; I have a 94 trapper in .45 Colt - excellent but short fat bullet sometimes has loading issues; I have the Marlin in .357 - EXCELLENT but don't put .38spcl wad cutters in it - it will lock up. Of the 3 the .357 is my favorite.

What would I do for another one? Hmmm. .25-20 or .32-20.

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Scearcy posted this 20 June 2017

I hunted deer with a couple of 41s for several years. It is a flexible and sometimes under rated caliber. Loading data and molds are a more scarce.

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R. Dupraz posted this 20 June 2017

For the purpose that you describe, .357M without reservation. There has been a "re-introduced" Winchester 1892 .357M carbine around here for a few years now and was brought home for those very reasons. Just a fun little can and clay buster. Some times a steel chicken and pig or two. Likely that it will never see any game. I use the same load in both my revolvers and rifle so it's about as convenient as one would want. Just grab a couple of handfuls of bullets out of the ammo can and go to it. Pleasant to shoot and amazingly accurate besides for what it is.

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Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 21 June 2017

jim .... as you wander about the lever action universe ... take a look at an old marlin 336 in >> 35 remington ..... almost a pistol cartridge, and what fun it would be to find it in about a 1957 year marlin !!! bet it ain't shot out either ... in that cartridge.

if yer gonna get a new one go to a store that has 8 or 10 of them to inspect ... maybe you can pry out the rare good parts of several and assemble a good one ... like _ for a few dollars more _ ...

ken

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Scearcy posted this 21 June 2017

I really appreciate everyones input. While I am a little surprised by the lack of support for the 45 Colt everything else makes sense to me. I believe you guys have redirected my thoughts some. I definitely was leaning 41 mag and that certainly is doable but components are the most limited and the only rifle available is not cheap. If I could get comfortable with the Remlin quality raffle I would certainly go 44 mag as the Marlin 1894 has a $75 rebate at the moment. This would make it over $200 cheaper than the competing brands. $200 will fund a whole bunch of shooting.

On a related note a 35 year old Winchester Model 70 - Ranger youth model just came in at MLGS. 243 Winchester. I weighs under 6# and the metal is very nice. It certainly doesn't look like it has had much use. It would make up into a really nice little light rifle by simply adding a compact scope. I must be able to make it shoot PB bullets, no?

Life is all about choices isn't it?

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Scearcy posted this 22 June 2017

Eighteen years ago I had open heart surgery. While I was waiting to go back to work, I reloaded e very piece of handgun brass I had. I still have about 300 41 mags left in storage boxes. I also have 500 bullets I got free from a friend. I am going to set up the Dillon and wage war on every beverage can I can find.

Jim

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Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 22 June 2017

jim and gp :: ... sometimes i think their is a re-incarnation of an old west mountain man inside of us that tricks us into buying another gun ... sometimes by allowing us to collect brass and bullets for a gun we don't even have or think we wanted ... hey :: NOT OUR FAULT !! ... and then somehow colluding with the great spirits to magically march right past our noses :: a chance to acquire a shiny gun in that very same chambering .... my my what a co-incidence ....

remember:: NOT OUR FAULT ... it is best to play along ... don't want to upset the great spirits ...

... i just remembered :: i have 120 brass and a mold and a new sporter barrel for a 270 winchester ... but no rifle for that ... just something about a 270 winchester i have been thinking lately ...

ken, only a victim ...

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Scearcy posted this 23 June 2017

Pete

I am thinking that a 185 gr bullet and 7.5 gr of unique will make a 41 mag perform an awful lot like a 44-40 or 38-40 for that matter.

Jim

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giorgio the slim one posted this 23 June 2017

Here's a picture with the late she spaniel Cocò sharing her sofa with a bunch of Marlin leverguns .

Being bitten by the lever bug I presently own a couple of Winchester 92 clones by Armisport Chiappa in 357 and 44M .I did not like the Model 94 Win in30-30,38/55 and 44M.

i DIDDO NOT

I've hunted wild boars with success with 45/70 , and 44M and merrily plinked with cast bullets with 444M, 45LC ,357Rem and 38-357 M.

The 44 m/44sp is the more all round caliber ,you can shoot mouse fart 200 grs plinkers and bone breaking 300 grainers , and all in a very compact & handy package .having a dozen rounds within your hands .

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Ed Harris posted this 23 June 2017

Giorgio had problems posting the photo because the file name had punctuation and spaces in it. He asked me to do it for him, so here are Eight Marlins Of Italy, guarded by the loyal Ammunition Assembly Supervising Spaniel Coco!

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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PETE posted this 24 June 2017

Scearcy,

no doubt your right. Don't know how "hot" you can load a modern 44-40 rifle so have no idea if it's possible to get up to .41 performance. I just like the old calibers so that's what I look for when shopping. Biggest thing I'd shoot here in Iowa would be a Deer, so think the .44-40 would take care of that. .25/20 , .32/20, .32/40, .38/40 .45 Colt, & ,50/90SS are my speed.

Pete

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delmarskid posted this 25 June 2017

When I take the 32-20 out I never bring in loaded ammunition.

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BigMan54 posted this 25 June 2017

Searcy,

Since you've made the choice of. 41Mag. I have this to say..................

I haven't had a .41Mag in about 30years. Got one of the last MARLIN .41Mags made in the 80's. Shot like crapola, dumped it before I wasted more than 500rds. I understand the henry's have conventional rifling, so you shouldn't have microgroove problems. Every microgroove rifle is a law unto itself. My Daughter's MARLIN 1894CS shoots great with everything & it's got microgroove rifling.

I think SAECO still makes the perfect 220gr. ? RNFP for that caliber. Sorry I can't remember the powder charge.

And for those of you looking for a great .44MAG combo load for handgun/rifle, I would suggest a popular COWBOY ACTION SHOOTING load that I got from the old HODGDON COWBOY ACTION Reloading pamphlet.

.44MAG case, 5.5grs TITEGROUP & a 240gr RNFP. FED 150 of Win LP primer. GREAT LOAD, I've loaded about 3000rds a year for the last 15+yrs. All shot by my Chiropractor.

Good Luck with your New rifle. I'd be interested in hearing about load development.

Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. #375. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. I also drool in my sleep. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet.

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SierraHunter posted this 25 June 2017

I had a Marlin in 25/20 and really really liked it, but gave it to my dad a few years ago. My grandfather had given one to my dad, who had sold it before my grandfather passed away. He really kicked himself after and when I got mine I have it to him. He shoots it pretty much daily, and it may be his most used rifle.

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SierraHunter posted this 25 June 2017

The Marlin 94 in 45 Colt that I own was a disappointment in the twist rate. The twist is 1 in 38 and this is too slow for heavier bullets. I had hoped to have a twist rate to be able to use my 275 grain mold. This mold shot "improved cylinder" with heavier bullets.

When I talked to Marlin at the Louisville NRA Annual Meeting, the sales people were not cast bullet shooters and tried to duck the question. I did get one person to tell me the .45-90 had the same slow twist and this was their guide.

However, it does shoot the 200 grain bullet well. The .44 Magnum also has the same 1 in 38 twist rate and I shoot a 200 grain bullet in it also.

The early 444s had a disappointingly slow twist, which Marlin fixed after they got enough complaints, and I can't help but wonder if they put a faster twist in the 94 rifles as well since my cowboy 45 colt will stabilize bullets well in excess of 300 grain.

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