1894C .357 for deer/hogs?

[ramcat]

Howdy all,
just picked up a 1894C in .357 this weekend. I'm wondering if it's enough gun for deer and hogs? Should I be looking at using loads like Buffalo Bore's 180gr? I appreciate any feedback you can give me. Thanks in advance.

ramcat

Be good, and you will be lonesome.

[ironhat]

I'd say that it would be marginal for whitetail - 44 mag would be better. We don't have any hogs around here but after watching some hunting programs, those hogs look pretty scrappy and that would give a sense that it is not OK for such game. Question: I'm actually in the market for this gun but I haven't been able to locate it in the 24" barrel configuration so far. How long is your barrel and, if you don't mind me asking, what did you pay.

[hammerwrought]

I would rather have a 44mag for hogs.

[ramcat]

Mine is the 18.5" carbine. According to what I've been able to find, it was made in 1982. Paid $350.

[Semisane]

Well, here's a question for you guys.

Would you feel confident shooting a deer at ten feet with a .357 Mag revolver with a six inch barrel and loaded with a quality 158 grain jacketed hollow point bullet?

I would. And I would expect that deer to go down pretty darn quick.

Now, a hot loaded 158 grain bullet is leaving the muzzle of that revolver at something around 1400 fps. With 18 grains of Lil`Gun powder a 158 grain Hornady XTP or Speer Gold Dot averages around 1980 fps ten feet from the muzzle of my 1894c. At 100 yards it's still moving faster than the muzzle velocity of that revolver. Any deer or hog you shoot with that load is going in the freezer.

[Jack357/338]

I have not shot a deer however, I have shot several hogs with my Marlin 1894 357. I use the Buffalo bore 180gr ammo and it will put a hogs lights out! plain and simple. I think if you can shoot your gun accurately a deer would be an easy kill. I feel comfortable up to about 75 yards. Enjoy your hunt!!

Jack

[ramcat]

Pretty hard to argue with that....I feel better already.

[Gohon]

I'd say that it would be marginal for whitetail

Loaded with a max charge of Lil'Gun and a 158 grain XTP the 357 mag will take any whitetail out there up to 100 yards with a properly placed shot. Then again a properly placed shot applies to all calibers doesn't it. As for hogs it is a little light but with a good cast bullet out to 50 or so yards it is very doable. As for a 44 mag being better.....of course it is but a hot loaded 45 Colt is better than the 44 mag, and a 30-30 is better than the 45 Colt, and the 30-06 is better than the 30-30, and and and............

[CalvinMD]

Good shot placement with a quality bullet is what will bring down the meat

[Ballplayer]

Any round that'll take out a man(human) will definetly take down a hog, I've shot more than my share of hogs and most were very large, with .357's. Shot a few with .44 mag and to me it tears up too much good meat.