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I’d choose .44, big bore, heavy grain slug.
At distance a lighter .357 bullet would probably perform better, but if that’s what you want, seems 30-30 is your best bet.
I think last time I priced both over the counter there was $6 difference between a box of Magtec .357 and .44.
If you plan to buy a .357 lever make sure it will also run .38spl, I’ve read a few reports of Rossi’s choking on some .38 spl. loads.
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I'm a .357 fan in carbine length barrels. My Puma is 16" and IIRC a hot 158gr load (like Underwood) is pushing almost 1800fps out of a 16" barrel. The 125's supposedly hit 2000fps. Increase to an 18" barrel and those velocities improve a good deal.
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Personally, I would rather have the .357 version, over the .44 Magnum version. Ammo availability/cost is a factor, and recoil will be slightly less.
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Any thot' to .45 Colt? Again, what do you actually want to do with it, and do you reload?
Moon
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I have lever guns in .32-20, .44-40, .357mag, .44mag and .45 Colt (.45-70 and .35 Rem also). Of these, the .357 offers the best combination of flexibility, power and cost. I can shoot .38SPL loads that don't feel much different from a .22LR or step up to my .357Mag loads pushing a 158gr bullet to 1850fps (using Lil gun - not recommended for revolvers).
As for feeding with .38s, no different from what I've experienced while shooting .44SPL in the .44Mag lever gun. Just takes a firm hand on the lever.
The .357 isn't quite as much fun to shoot as my .32-20, but that caliber can be a little tricky to reload (and factory ammo is crazy expensive) . The straight walled cartridges are much easier to reload. Of these, the .38/.357 are pretty much the cheapest to reload.
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I have a 20 inch blued .44 mag R92 that is a very nice gun, I'm on the hunt for a 16 inch stainless in .357. you will be well served by either caliber. Just swap the safety switch out for a plug or a peep sight if you get a newer one.
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BTW, my .44 Mag Marlin started life as a 20" rifle, and I had it whacked to a 16" carbine. It seems to have had little effect on velocity, nor on accuracy, but it surely makes it handier at what it does best; woods hunting.
Over the years, I've shot a pile of deer with that gun; never had to track a one. Most were DRT.
Moon