A Complicated Want to Buy Revolver Question

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Hokkmike

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A few months ago I bought a 1953 Winchester Model 94 in .32 Winchester Special. Recently, at a Gander Mt. going out of business sale, I saw a Uberti SAA in .357/38. I almost bought it as a companion to the Model 94. I should have as it would have only cost me about $320.00. But, I hesitated because I have doubts about the efficacy of using the .357 caliber should I want to hunt deer with it.

So my question is this; what manufacture/style period revolver would be a good companion for my Winny that would also be suitable for deer hunting should I ever decide to try that?

Thanks for your discussion and comments........
 
44 special or 45 colt flattop new model Ruger blackhawk. Similar size as a colt saa, has adjustable sights and can sling 255gr@ 1000fps with ease to take down anything ya need in the lower 48.

Here's mine. I swapped the grip frame and ejector rod housing from steel to aluminum to shave the weight down to 37 oz KIMG1313.JPG

Edit to add:

If you wanted to stretch their legs, you can do 255gr@1200 (Kieth load),but that is about the limits of the 44 special in the midframe guns, IIRC same goes for the 45 colt aswell. But be more cautious because the cylinder walls of the colt are thinner. You can get 255g@1000fps hardcast loads from a few different manufactures for both calibers, I don't believe anyone makes a 1200fps loading for the 44 special so that has to be achieved handloading. There are the hotter 45 colts but they are NOT SAFE in the flattops, teir 2 loads or 25k psi is the absolute max in the mid frame 45's IIRC.
 
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Generically speaking, if you are talking a lever-action, you would be looking at a single-action like the Ruger. I say pish-posh on that... unless you just have to be all cowboy about it. There is nothing wrong with pairing a lever-action with a reasonable, modern double-action revolver like a S&W or a Redhawk... but the choice is yours.

FWIW, if you want something with a little more punch than the .357, anything over .40" will get you there... .41, .44 (SPC or MAG,) or .45 Colt, single- or double-action.

I regularly pair my .41 Magnum Marlin 1894 lever-action up with my 4" S&W .41 Magnum... it's a match made in Heaven.
 
44 special or 45 colt flattop new model Ruger blackhawk. Similar size as a colt saa, has adjustable sights and can sling 255gr@ 1000fps with ease to take down anything ya need in the lower 48.

Here's mine, I swapped the grip frame and ejector rod housing from steel to aluminum to shave the weight down to 37 ozView attachment 876822

What do you think would be the maximum ranger for whitetail using either caliber?
 
Generically speaking, if you are talking a lever-action, you would be looking at a single-action like the Ruger. I say pish-posh on that... unless you just have to be all cowboy about it. There is nothing wrong with pairing a lever-action with a reasonable, modern double-action revolver like a S&W or a Redhawk... but the choice is yours.

FWIW, if you want something with a little more punch than the .357, anything over .40" will get you there... .41, .44 (SPC or MAG,) or .45 Colt, single- or double-action.

I regularly pair my .41 Magnum Marlin 1894 lever-action up with my 4" S&W .41 Magnum... it's a match made in Heaven.

My brother has a .41 rifle/revolver combo which he likes very much.
 
I successfully hunted deer with a .357 for several years.
I have moved to .45colt for deer now and am more satisfied.
The .45 is more pleasant to shoot, and easier on the ears, and makes bigger holes.
If I were to start fresh, I would start with .45colt or .44mag in a ruger blackhawk or super blackhawk or blackhawk hunter.

Imho the .45colt hits hard without the high pressure blast. If you're into the whole blast/recoil thing, go .44mag.
20190329_170249.jpg .45 blackhawk
 
What do you think would be the maximum ranger for whitetail using either caliber?
I think if you can hit the kill zone with irons under 100 yards with that, you're good. But that's tough freehand or even with sticks and iron sights. Personal ability is the limit honestly. I limited myself to 25 yards iron sights this season, putting a reflex on my other Blackhawk for next year and hoping to push it out to 50 yards with that same load.
 
My brother has a .41 rifle/revolver combo which he likes very much.

Of course he does!

Well... and I say that because I'm a fan of the .41. In reality, and as I mentioned, anything +.40" will work within reasonable ranges. If I was not into the .41 and had to pick a companion piece to a lever-action, the natural choice is the .44... either .44SPC or .44MAG. I had a Ruger .44SPC Flattop (like MidRoad mentions...) and it was a right handy little pistol. Being a Ruger it had some problems, and I eventually sold it, but the validity of the .44SPC is correct.
 
I like my .45 Colt combo of a Rossi Model 92 and a Ruger Vaquero or a Beretta Stampede for a companion handgun. If I was looking for a single action with adjustable sights I would opt for a Ruger Blackhawk in the same caliber. If it was just a matter of having a revolver along but not in the same chambering as my rifle or carbine, then I would take my Ruger Flattop Blackhawk in .44 Special.

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A few months ago I bought a 1953 Winchester Model 94 in .32 Winchester Special. Recently, at a Gander Mt. going out of business sale, I saw a Uberti SAA in .357/38. I almost bought it as a companion to the Model 94. I should have as it would have only cost me about $320.00. But, I hesitated because I have doubts about the efficacy of using the .357 caliber should I want to hunt deer with it.

So my question is this; what manufacture/style period revolver would be a good companion for my Winny that would also be suitable for deer hunting should I ever decide to try that?

Thanks for your discussion and comments........

I've recently killed a hog and a doe with my .357 lever and a cast HP running over 1700 fps. As stated, both animals died, but I wasn't crazy about the performance compared to game I've killed with the .44 Special and 45 Colt with heavy bullets running 950 +/- fps. So, I'd be a little leery of a .357 revolver unless I could be sure of a perfect broadside shot.

That said, I carry a revolver A LOT around the place here and it used to be a 4 3/4" Uberti .44 Special but for the last year or so I've switched to a 4 3/4" Uberti, in .357. I carry a load of a 155-ish gr. cast SWC running a smidge over 1000 fps. Mind you, I don't hunt with this load, but keep it for the chicken eating vermin that live around and for the occasional swine I might bump in to. For general shooting I really like the .357's because for me they're easier to hit with because of the lower muzzle jump.

Understand that there's more to hunting with a revolver than grabbing one and heading off into the woods. Learning to shoot one proficiently at hunting ranges takes dedication.

35W

ETA- Go find another Uberti, they're great revolvers!

This is my .357 and the load I described.

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The .357 is fine for hogs and deer if you can hit the vitals and use the correct ammo for each animal. I would never use a HP for Hogs as it wont penetrate unless it is an awful small hog. You want a heave 180 gr Lead flat point that will penetrate and break bones as well as leave a nice exit hole if it gets that far. On deer I have used JHP and JSP with basically the same results from each. Recently loaded up some 180gr Lead HP wide Meplat from GT Bullets. Owner swears by them and from my test at 50 yards compared to JHP with penetration and expansion, they are what I'm carrying how but no deer yet. The .357 is not a problem if you can hit what you are shooting at and limit yourself to reasonable distances. I can keep a 158gr JHP in a vital size group at 100 yards off a rest, but I won't shoot a deer at that distance, because of the lack of velocity and I'm scared of no expansion. Deer I stick to 75 and less and Hogs around 50 or less. If I'm going to shoot farther than that, I would go with a 41 or 44 mag or just grab a rifle.
 
A Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag would be my choice. Not exactly a "period correct" companion but it's definitely close enough. Adjustable sights are a must for a hunting revolver imo. Especially if you decide to reload. 45 colt would be my second choice in the Blackhawk, I've never seen the advantage over 44 mag unless you reload or buy the hot rod Buffalo rounds. I'd still take 44 mag... Some one suggested 44 special. No idea why unless it was hot rodded, but then, just buy a revolver chambered in 44 mag and have both options.
What do you think would be the maximum ranger for whitetail using either caliber?
I think of handgun hunting like bow hunting. Know your limitations. If you can hit a coffee can at 50 yards every time, that's your distance. If you miss out to 75 yards most of the time, then no. Or put a scope on it. Good luck op!
 
Adjustable sights are a must for a hunting revolver imo.

Not so much. A well made revolver, properly used, will shoot where it's supposed to. Most of my revolvers are fixed-sight examples. I regulate the sights so they'll be on, or maybe an inch or two high @ 50 yds. with the favored hunting load for each revolver. In doing this, my small game/plinking load is usually on or in the case of the 45 Colt, just a touch low at 25 yds. The real advantage to adjustable sights is they typically offer a better sight picture.

Some one suggested 44 special. No idea why unless it was hot rodded, but then, just buy a revolver chambered in 44 mag and have both options.

Todays handgun hunters, well many of them at least, have figured out that it doesn't take a .44 caliber, 300 gr. bullet screaming along at 1200 fps to kill a deer. So why buy a big, clunky .44 Magnum when a svelte .44 Special will do the same thing? Now if one isn't a handloader, the .44 Magnum has the advantage of availability of ammunition.

35W
 
The real advantage to adjustable sights is they typically offer a better sight picture.



Todays handgun hunters, well many of them at least, have figured out that it doesn't take a .44 caliber, 300 gr. bullet screaming along at 1200 fps to kill a deer. So why buy a big, clunky .44 Magnum when a svelte .44 Special will do the same thing? Now if one isn't a handloader, the .44 Magnum has the advantage of availability of ammunition.

35W
I shoot what I'm comfortable with. Adjustable sights with my handloaded .44 mags give me a nice "comfort level". Btw I don't mind my "big clunky" 44 Super Blackhawk one bit.
The real advantage to adjustable sights is they typically offer a better sight picture.
As a handloader I've found adjustable sights to be much more usefull than fixed sights where you have to dail in your loads around the sights.

But to each thier own. You use your "svelt" 44 spcl. I'll use what works for me. That's the beauty of the USA. So many choices.
 
A Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag would be my choice. Not exactly a "period correct" companion but it's definitely close enough. Adjustable sights are a must for a hunting revolver imo. Especially if you decide to reload. 45 colt would be my second choice in the Blackhawk, I've never seen the advantage over 44 mag unless you reload or buy the hot rod Buffalo rounds. I'd still take 44 mag... Some one suggested 44 special. No idea why unless it was hot rodded, but then, just buy a revolver chambered in 44 mag and have both options.

I think of handgun hunting like bow hunting. Know your limitations. If you can hit a coffee can at 50 yards every time, that's your distance. If you miss out to 75 yards most of the time, then no. Or put a scope on it. Good luck op!

I suggested 44 special because of how the OP came across. He was looking for a revolver to go with his lever action, and was infested in a SAA clone but was unsure of the 357 for deer.

To me that sounds like he wants a side arm to go with the rifle, not a main hunting revolver . Where ya leave the rifle at home and just take the revolver. Maybe I read into it wrong. But when I take a revolver as a side arm I use it as a weapon of opportunity. Meaning I use the rifle, but if a really nice shot within my personal range limitation presents itself, than maybe I'll try the revolver.

I listed the hot 44 special stuff in an edit after the OP responded asking about effective range. Just to have the info availible to the OP incase he was curious if what you can achieve. I suggested 255@1000 in my post as my preferred load , which is warm but very controllable,well within the limits of the guns and plenty for whitetail.its also much more pleasant to shoot in a plow handle than a 44 mag is.

I suggested the flattop because it's the closest gun in feel to the uberti the OP was interested in buying that has adjustable sights. The SBH is a great gun, but it a little bulkier, and doesn't balance or point as nice as the flattops. Not to mention the reverse index pawl the flattops come with is a nice feature. 44 mag out of the shorter barrel SBH's that come with the xr3-RED isn't very pleasant. You can get the longer barreled versions with the bigger grip, but long barreled revolvers can be a PITA when carrying a rifle too. There's always the shorter barreled bisley SBH which is a great option and helps dealing with the recoil and are nice to carry. So that's always a good option if the OP likes the feel of a bisley.

Totally agree with your bowrange limitation, and using an optic if you want to go further. I also agree that 44 mag in general better for hunting. BUT, only if you're using it as a dedicated hunting rig, where you need the extra velocity to push your range out further. If it's a side arm and you're limiting your shots to bow range, than 44 special is plenty of gun for north Eastern whitetail as long as you do your part.
 
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After spending the last 10 years overseas, and not having time to reload - 357 mag for me. Allows me to buy / shoot cheap bulk 38 special. I'm home now and need to build a barn to get some space in the garage before setting up my reloading press.

Interarms Import Rossi 92 - 357mag
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Uberti Hombre 357 mag
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Uberti El Patron Competition 357 mag
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I successfully hunted deer with a .357 for several years.
I have moved to .45colt for deer now and am more satisfied.
The .45 is more pleasant to shoot, and easier on the ears, and makes bigger holes.
If I were to start fresh, I would start with .45colt or .44mag in a ruger blackhawk or super blackhawk or blackhawk hunter.

Imho the .45colt hits hard without the high pressure blast. If you're into the whole blast/recoil thing, go .44mag.
View attachment 876825 .45 blackhawk
+1 but buy a .45 convertible, the aluminum case federal.45acp is cheap plinking ammo
 
What do you think would be the maximum ranger for whitetail using either caliber?

The maximum range in a handgun from 10mm/357 up is on the shooter in my opinion. Not the caliber.

Many people cant hit a 6 inch kill box at 25 yards reliably. Most cant at 50. So whether they have a 460 xvr or a 357 their range is 25 or 50 yards. If you can hit a 4 inch group at 100 yards with a 357 or 10mm then it will kill a white tail. (And I live in the land of the big whitetail)
 
I suggested 44 special because of how the OP came across. He was looking for a revolver to go with his lever action, and was infested in a SAA clone but was unsure of the 357 for deer.

To me that sounds like he wants a side arm to go with the rifle, not a main hunting revolver . Where ya leave the rifle at home and just take the revolver. Maybe I read into it wrong. But when I take a revolver as a side arm I use it as a weapon of opportunity. Meaning I use the rifle, but if a really nice shot within my personal range limitation presents itself, than maybe I'll try the revolver.

I listed the hot 44 special stuff in an edit after the OP responded asking about effective range. Just to have the info availible to the OP incase he was curious if what you can achieve. I suggested 255@1000 in my post as my preferred load , which is warm but very controllable,well within the limits of the guns and plenty for whitetail.its also much more pleasant to shoot in a plow handle than a 44 mag is.

You discerned my intent exactly. Thank YOU and all of the rest for your responses.
 
The trajectory of .357 Magnum is typically better than the big bore cartridges and I have not read a sensible explanation of why any .44 Special, .45 Colt, .41 Magnum or .44 Magnum would have a terminal effect on lightweight deer that would be meaningfully better than a .357 Magnum with a suitable bullet. On very heavy game, the .357 may have difficulty achieving sufficient penetration, but not on any native American ungulate that we use the term "deer" to name. If the .357 is penetrating something like a whitetail, what is the .44 Magnum doing that the .357 is not?
 
A 45 colt loaded to pleasant shooting pressures will still go through a lot of meat without blowing your eardrums out or having sharp recoil. That's why size and weight matter, doesn't require velocity to be effective. you may end up with a steep trajectory (depending on weight & speed) ,it doesn't matter at handgun distances. Of course shot placement is key but punching a 1/2" hole works well when expansion can't be guaranteed and penetration is desired .
 
The trajectory of .357 Magnum is typically better than the big bore cartridges and I have not read a sensible explanation of why any .44 Special, .45 Colt, .41 Magnum or .44 Magnum would have a terminal effect on lightweight deer that would be meaningfully better than a .357 Magnum with a suitable bullet. On very heavy game, the .357 may have difficulty achieving sufficient penetration, but not on any native American ungulate that we use the term "deer" to name. If the .357 is penetrating something like a whitetail, what is the .44 Magnum doing that the .357 is not?

The .44 Mag is meaningfully better on deer than the .357. I cannot come up with a scenario where it is better on any front, from a performance standpoint.
 
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