Which PCC for this year's deer hunt?

[Macchina]

We do a week-long island deer hunt (Northern Whitetails). 7 days, no resupply, and a helicopter is the only way to leave early. This week be my 5th time doing the hunt. I've come to love 357 and 44 Mag rifles, but now have 3 of them and can only bring 1.

Most shots are between 10 and 75 yards. I will walk 4-8 miles a day getting to different spots or still hunting so weight is a large concern.

My choices:
-Walnut and blue Marlin JM 1894 in 44 Mag with a Leupold FX-II 2.5X and 20" barrel.
-Stainless Marlin 1894 (made after Remington got their act together, it's excellent) in 357 Mag with a Weaver 4x and 16" barrel.
-Ruger Stainless 77/357 in 357 Mag with a Leupold VariX-III 1.75x-6x with an 18" barrel.

I'm leaning towards the 1894 357 as it's compost (but not as light as I'd like due to the laminate stocks). All 3 guns have been on this hunt and taken deer.

 

[Dr T]

I would go with the 44, but I think a lot more of the 44 as a deer cartridge than I do the 357. Plus, It looks like it wants to get outside for some exercise...

 

[Barbaroja]

I vote the .44 also

 

[Lnf Crzr]

1894 Cp rear stock taken off in bag for a backup…. Css Jm stamped 357 for primary
Lil Gun with 158gr xtp Fp or 180 Xtp and 296

Great flat shooting 357 is my choice,compared to my 44 Marlin SS Jm.

Plus some 38s with a pinch of Bullseye for small game fun.

Plus a 357 on D Hip!

Without question!

Ps- Certainly would Be terrible to Slip and have a Magizine tube damaged on a rock or Break a rear site off when your out there all that time with no back up.

 

[chicharrones]

Ps- Certainly would Be terrible to Slip and have a Magizine tube damaged on a rock or Break a rear site off when your out there all that time with no back up.

I've heard that mag tube protectors are available.


View attachment 1030442
screenshot from a GarandThumb video

 

[ClaymoreAKM]

Whatever rifle you shoot the most consistent with.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

I've heard that mag tube protectors are available.


View attachment 1030442
screenshot from a GarandThumb video

Id still want a back up if I was dropped off for few days. Ya just never know… Broken sight, Drop it off a cliff, Miscellaneous-

Always go prepared, Or as much as possible.

 

[chicharrones]

Id still want a back up if I was dropped off for few days. Ya just never know… Broken sight, Drop it off a cliff, Miscellaneous-

Always go prepared, Or as much as possible.

One carbine for each shoulder?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Love that .44! Its my pick.

 

[AK Hunter]

Mine is not really a PCC hunting rifle but they do make pistols that shoot it.
It's a 350 Legend AR.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Once ya Break a front site off when crossing a stream… and Your Only rifle is down with 2 days left on a hunt, You plan for contingency. Don’t ask me how I know. It’s a wet and cold story

 

[Lnf Crzr]

We do a week-long island deer hunt (Northern Whitetails). 7 days, no resupply, and a helicopter is the only way to leave early. This week be my 5th time doing the hunt. I've come to love 357 and 44 Mag rifles, but now have 3 of them and can only bring 1.

Most shots are between 10 and 75 yards. I will walk 4-8 miles a day getting to different spots or still hunting so weight is a large concern.

My choices:
-Walnut and blue Marlin JM 1894 in 44 Mag with a Leupold FX-II 2.5X and 20" barrel.
-Stainless Marlin 1894 (made after Remington got their act together, it's excellent) in 357 Mag with a Weaver 4x and 16" barrel.
-Ruger Stainless 77/357 in 357 Mag with a Leupold VariX-III 1.75x-6x with an 18" barrel.

I'm leaning towards the 1894 357 as it's compost (but not as light as I'd like due to the laminate stocks). All 3 guns have been on this hunt and taken deer.

View attachment 1030419

Can you elaborate on ammo

 

[Macchina]

Can you elaborate on ammo

Both are loaded with max charges of H110:

357 Mag: 158g XTP at 1746 FPS
44 Mag: 240g XTP at 1800 FPS

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Rite on- is that off your Chrono?

 

[Barr]

I have never heard anyone regret taking too much gun unless they miss due to recoil. First deer of the year or once a year hunt gets my best chance of success. Take the .44 and leave the cannoli.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

The 357 Will penetrate

 

[JDGray]

I vote 44 Mag! 357 Mag is the bare minimum whitetail caliber in my state.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Revolver or Rifle- huge difference.

Many a deer have been dropped with the 30/30. The 16” trapper 30/30 I have produces 2,000-2100 Fps.

The 357s I have produce 18-2100 depending on Powder or specialty ammo. Not that much of a difference within 100 yards

 

[Riomouse911]

Marlin .44. You may not need the little bit of extra horsepower it packs… but you’ll have it along in case you do.

Stay safe.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Since I’m the only advocate for the wee little 357… I figured I’d state some stat’s of real world small 16” carbines. This is from another forum. The small carbine is nice to carry. I do own 44s… I do like them. Yet far to often the 357 is dismissed.
The 357 maximum in a Blackhawk/Contender is a serious handgun for deer, No one would dismiss that? The 16-18” carbine 357 is on par with the 30/30 16” to 100 yards and same with the 357 max in a handgun. It’s simply ballistics.

Would anyone dismiss a Trapper 30/30 As a sufficient deer rifle? My brother Layed out a Big Doe at 85 yards with a Winchester 30/30 trapper.
It all depends on Distance and Bullet/powder/ammo choice of the 357 carbine.

 

[Macchina]

View attachment 1030654 Since I’m the only advocate for the wee little 357… I figured I’d state some stat’s of real world small 16” carbines. This is from another forum. The small carbine is nice to carry. I do own 44s… I do like them. Yet far to often the 357 is dismissed.
The 357 maximum in a Blackhawk/Contender is a serious handgun for deer, No one would dismiss that? The 16-18” carbine 357 is on par with the 30/30 16” to 100 yards and same with the 357 max in a handgun. It’s simply ballistics.

Would anyone dismiss a Trapper 30/30 As a sufficient deer rifle? My brother Layed out a Big Doe at 85 yards with a Winchester 30/30 trapper.
It all depends on Distance and Bullet/powder/ammo choice of the 357 carbine.
View attachment 1030653

The other thing to consider in 30-30 carbines is blast! My brother has a 16" Marlin 336 and it's the loudest rifle I've heard. Worse than my AR pistols. It's panful with hearing protection on, I warned him about using it for hinting with bare ears...

 

[JDGray]

View attachment 1030654 Since I’m the only advocate for the wee little 357… I figured I’d state some stat’s of real world small 16” carbines. This is from another forum. The small carbine is nice to carry. I do own 44s… I do like them. Yet far to often the 357 is dismissed.
The 357 maximum in a Blackhawk/Contender is a serious handgun for deer, No one would dismiss that? The 16-18” carbine 357 is on par with the 30/30 16” to 100 yards and same with the 357 max in a handgun. It’s simply ballistics.

Would anyone dismiss a Trapper 30/30 As a sufficient deer rifle? My brother Layed out a Big Doe at 85 yards with a Winchester 30/30 trapper.
It all depends on Distance and Bullet/powder/ammo choice of the 357 carbine.
View attachment 1030653

The energy from the 30/30, will always out perform the 357, almost by 2X. The 357 is the smallest handgun cartridge we can hunt with, as I'm sure it produces enough energy to do the job. Is 2X the energy needed?

 

[Lnf Crzr]

The energy from the 30/30, will always out perform the 357, almost by 2X. The 357 is the smallest handgun cartridge we can hunt with, as I'm sure it produces enough energy to do the job. Is 2X the energy needed?

16” Carbine

357 mag,2000 fps and a .357 cal Bullet with a weight of 158gr

Or

30/30,2000 fps and a .30 cal Bullet with a weight of 170gr

You are saying 30/30 has 2x the power?

That’s incorrect.

Perhaps you referring a handgun with a Short barrel.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I'd not feel sorry for myself with the .357, although I'd up that 158 grain bullet to a 180 or 200.

 

[sarduy]

I don’t hunt deers with pcc but if i would, it would be with a 300blk 220gr