Leaver action 44 or 357?

[u/Striker-of-life]

So I'm shopping for a leaver action in looking at a Smith and Weston 1854. But while I lean towards 357. Fomo is making me ask should I consider 44 mag more? I'm just curious what are you thoughts? 44 or 357 for leaver?

Edit/Update:

I ended up going for the S&W 1854 Sheath hunter in 357 thanks every one

[u/Lumindan]

For plinking? 357 means you can run 38 special. Much more cost effective.

[u/EnvironmentalFox7532 → u/Lumindan]

That’s my thinking too. But I’m still weighing getting the 44mag. Planning on starting to reload so if I do this winter I’ll probably go with the 44mag

[u/Lumindan → u/EnvironmentalFox7532]

Reloading won't really save you much money. Just getting your return back is gonna take you a hot minute. Most people don't factor in the cost of items (primers, the whole kit etc). Not to mention time, you gotta cost out what YOUR time is worth.

Get into it because you can custom craft what runs best for your rifle. Get into it because you can make bubba's pissing hot loads that you can trust (probably). Don't get into it thinking you'll save big.

44 is definitely more punch which is attractive for a lot of folks.

[u/Q-Ball7 → u/Lumindan]

Reloading for these calibers specifically actually will save you a significant amount of money ($250/1000 reloaded vs. $750/1000 factory in .357’s case, cost difference is similar for .44), but it’s only worth it if you’re actually going to shoot the 3000-4000 rounds it takes to break even on the press and associated equipment (assuming you buy a good auto-indexing progressive press).

If you’re not burning through at least a thousand rounds a year, it’s not worth it.

[u/EnvironmentalFox7532 → u/Q-Ball7]

Getting into loading other calibers as well. Mainly to re use brass I have, save a few cents, and to be able to shoot when I can’t find ammo local by chance.

I know I can just order online, but that doesn’t help when it’s Friday night and a buddy calls to see if I want to head shooting on a Saturday. Basically same a fly tying to me, it’s just nice to roll your own rather than pay a premium for what you need. Totally get it probably won’t save much overall. But equipment to me is like any other tool, gun, fly rod, tying materials etc. it’s an investment hedging on an unknown future.

[u/Sillyak → u/Lumindan]

Not all lever guns run 38 special well. Lever guns more than any other action are very sensitive to COAL. Of course some designs handle it better than others. I love my 1892, but it is sensitive to bullet shape and COAL.

[u/TM7075 → u/Sillyak]

This is correct!

[u/Ok_Rush_246 → u/Lumindan]

Maybe if you’re getting factory ammo, otherwise it’s basically the same and 357 gives more “bang for the buck”

Out of a lever gun, 12 grains of powder in a 357 is pretty underwhelming

[u/hawkbat05 → u/Lumindan]

Check local prices to be sure. I went with 44 mag and it's really no cheaper to buy 44 special near me.

[u/Ok_Rush_246]

357 for target, 44 for hunting.

[u/Iokua_CDN]

So,  I went with a 357 first. 

My thoughts,  it's cheaper,  so I can shoot it more. It's powerful enough I can carry it in the woods or deer hunting. 

Plus, now if I want a second lever action,  I can get a 44 mag that is dedicated to a certain task. Likely a 12 inch barrel mares leg for bear defence.  

Some people really like a 44mag for a big piece of lead hitting steel.  Some really like it for a decent wildlife protection round. For everything else,  I'd take 357 and enjoy my cheap 38 special, my moderate priced 357, and my expensive pissing hot 357 ammo  (which I've never bought before and haven't needed,  but maybe someday I'll try a few.)

So unless you really gravel a heavy handgun bullet smacking steel,  or this is your main bear defense gun.  I'd get the 357. I have a 12 ga shortie if I ever NEED more power than the 357.

[u/VariousCheezez → u/Iokua_CDN]

45-70 for bear defense

[u/Cock_ball_dickin → u/VariousCheezez]

45-70 is good but for specifically bear defense I feel like .44 mag in a mares leg makes a bit more sense, 45-70 recoils a lot for a compact mares leg lol. That being said I love 45-70 as a cartridge, absolutely amazing

[u/Eglitarian → u/Cock_ball_dickin]

Firing 45-70 under a snow-covered shelter and watching the pressure just SHAKE the roof clear is amazing.

[u/Berns35703 → u/Iokua_CDN]

Exactly this. I bought the walnut 1854 in .357 for the cheap .38 and because .357 is loud enough to have some serious fun. But yeah depends on your purpose, I bought mine so I’d have something larger than a .22 to use indoors during the winter

[u/Bull-RunTheJewels → u/Iokua_CDN]

This is my exact scenario. Henry Bigboy 357 mag. Hade to space cowboy it. Shoots PMC 38 special just fine. Still prefer just shooting 357 mag.

I highly recommend anyone who wants to put ranger point precision hand guards on their rifle to not get a Henry. Removing the magazine tube is a bitch.

Just ordered 44mag mares leg from firearms outlet with 15% off.

Might get a normal rifle stock for it for a SBR. Bought 1000 rounds of cheap PMC on sale for blasting targets. Plan on shooting some bear defence through it as well. Tough to find a lot of bear loads in Canada right now.

[u/Sergeant__Waffles]

357 and no regrets. Great times plinking cheap 38 special at the range.

[u/Ferropater]

I’m getting a .357 lever gun right now. I choose .357 because I think the combination of .38sp and .357 mag allows for more ammo availability, and cost, both of ammo and for reloading. I also already own a mold suitable for both calibers. Plus I’ve always wanted a .357

[u/TheRip91]

I got a 44mag over a 357. 20" barrel. I might only shoot a box a year, so 50 bucks for 44, or what 35-40 for 357 isn't a huge deal. I like the thunder off a 44 mag.

[u/hafetysazard → u/TheRip91]

Damn, I shoot a few boxes every time I go shooting!

[u/TheRip91 → u/hafetysazard]

Mostly duck hunt and skeet shooting myself. Rifles just collect dust now we are shifted out of a rifle zone for hunting deer.

[u/Previous-Season-8800 → u/hafetysazard]

Fry eggs on the barrel lol. .44 winchester here.

[u/Enough_Challenge7264]

You want small holes with burnt edges, or large-ish holes with burnt edges in whatever you're shooting?

[u/Ok-Bowler-203]

I recently got the S&W 1854 in 44. Beautiful gun and is fun to shoot. The only negative was the final round jammed when I was loading it for the first time. Not sure if it’s just my own goof but it shot fine after clearing the jam.

Also replaced the screws for the lever action and butt stock to Ranger Point Takedown screws.

Plan to change the hand-guard and butt stock with Rangerpoint PewView Pistol Caliber Stock Set.

[u/Heavymetalbread]

In my area .357 is a lot more abundant and a lot cheaper than 44. Both are a blast to shoot, but if cost and availability is what gets you out more often, go .357. That said, if cost is no concern, a .44 lever can do a lot that a 45-70 can do with a proper load. 44 is a good middle ground but expensive, can kick like a mule and a little harder to find IME.

[u/thxxx1337]

I regret so much getting a 45lc instead of a 357. It's so expensive, a pain to reload and I already had the other calibre.

[u/ProtoJazz → u/thxxx1337]

I like 45lc. But yeah the rim makes it a pain to reload on most universal primer tools. Ive only had good luck with the rcbs ones that take the shell holders. The 45lc one I think pretty much just fits 45lc, so it's a good fit.

[u/outline8668 → u/thxxx1337]

I have a lever in 45lc but the only reason was I always wanted a lever and revolver in the same caliber, which I already reload for. Aside from that I can't imagine a good reason to get it over the 357.

[u/thxxx1337 → u/outline8668]

Your absolutely right. I just went and bought another 45LC. Might as well since I already had the ammo.

[u/Geralt-of-Rivai]

44 mag is just so much fun. It's a big round with some kick. Not quite shotgun level but close, it's a blast to shoot. I have the Chiappa Wildlands takedown and it's so much fun to shoot

[u/NeruLight → u/Geralt-of-Rivai]

Question: is that a wildlands tactical? Was wondering if you ever experienced any jams before

[u/BowFella]

357 will be way more cost effective, especially if you're shooting 38 special. If you're hunting 357 will get the job done, but 44 mag will do it better. Although you can probably get some piping hot 357 in buffalo bore from Aztecharmoury

[u/NoGrapefruit1213]

I went with 357 it packs plenty of punch and for me deciding factory was ammo cost. I really wanted a 45-70 but wasn’t paying ammo prices for basically a plinker for me. The 357 is plenty fun and plenty powerful. I’ve got some 1/4 inch plate at 100 yards and the 357 dents it pretty good.

[u/prosper_0]

you need both. They're different enough to warrant multiples.

I shoot probably 5 to 10 times more ammo through my 357s than through my 44s, but I'd say I actually enjoy my 44's more.

Both are next level fun if you're a reloader. 38/357 brass is plentiful and usually can get a coffee can full for free scavenging at the range. 44 is less common, but can still be found now and then. Both can be loaded with cheap plated bullets. Both can be loaded all the way from marshmallow-fart loads all the way up to 'what the hell was that?!?' fireball monsters. My 357 SBR makes some pretty good-n-loud fireballs when loaded up with H110.

Plus, they both pair nicely with wheelguns, if you're fortunate enough to own them

[u/One_Salary_9068]

I had the same dilemma... I bought both 😅

[u/brianwsch]

What’s a decent ammo for cheap 38 special ?

[u/julienjj → u/brianwsch]

pmc

[u/AlienAngry]

My JM-stamped Marlin 1894 in .357 is my favorite firearm that I own, and the favorite of everyone who has shot it. Negligible recoil while gaining a huge boost to the .357's velocity and power, and it's pretty accurate. Oh, and cheaper than .44 rem mag.

A word of caution however, mine really did not like Blaser ammo in the silver casing. Seized the action and took some effort to fix it, but I did it all in the field.

It's a fantastic firearm, and I have faith in Ruger making the newer ones properly.

[u/hafetysazard]

.357 way cheaper, still packs a punch, more model options.

[u/NeruLight]

.357 is cooler

[u/JohnnyCanuck133]

To piggyback on this, if I already have a 30-30 lever action, would 357 make more sense since the 30-30 already has the punch people seem to be picking the 44 for?

[u/Alpha_Whiskey327]

I ended up with a few while trying to find my happy place. Ended up with a 357 Henry x, a 44 mag S&W stainless, a 357 S&W stealth hunter with RPP goodies, a levtac 357. Gotta say, I love how hard S&W came swinging back into the lever market.

357 gets used way more due to cost effectiveness but the 44 thump is more fun while still being easily controllable since pistol round in full size rifle aka long tooooob.

Surprisingly I like the henry less than I thought I would and keep thinking about selling it. I even grabbed a Midwest handguard for it and never even put it on since the S&W scratched the itch better. The levtac has had some issues but hey, Turkish clone lever. Reasonable expectations are important. Nothing a file hasn't solved so far.

Random side note, if you get anything with mlok, explore quivers from printers. I've been making my own 2 and 7 round quivers in carbon fibre reinforced filament for a couple bucks. $70 for an RPP seems silly when I can make 25 of them in ABS or PETG-CF lol. I have them on every single rifle now.