.38 special rifle or .45 long colt rifle?

[bensonwe]

I got the itch to buy another rifle. I'm struggling between the .38 and .45. Most likely they will be in the Rossi version but that is not etched in stone. I presently have both calibers in pistols but neither in rifles and thought this would be a fun toy to have. I would not hunt with the one I choose but just shoot paper and stumps on my land. I would however cast for it. Any thought or comments on which one I should choose or the rifle make? I guess it would be fair to say that I'm slightly leaning towards the .38 special/.357 magnum in the 26" blued Rossi but only slightly. I can be swayed if someone has other idea.

[d_man2]

My dad has a Marlin .38/.357. Personally I would go for that. Brass is much easier to find and you have a LOT more loading options. If all you would be using it for is shooting some lead it would make more sense to go with that as well as you will be shooting less of it...less waste means more shooting! With the 357 it should make a big enough bang for what ails you! I have taken two deer with rifle with no problems. .38 special surplus brass can still be found as well.

[Sensai]

I love my 45 Colt Puma, but if you're just going to keep the countryside safe from rogue stumps and rampaging paper the 357/38 Special will be a lot cheaper to feed. I cast and reload for both and the 45 has a real hunger for both lead and powder. I think that the fun factor will be very close to even. Now if you think that you might hunt with it the comparison takes on a whole new complexion.

[fishnbob]

I bought the .38/357 in a Marlin and the .45 Colt in a Rossi. I had to send the Marlin back to have another barrel put on to get the front sight lined up in the middle of the barrel. This was done timely and when I got it back, the sights hit the target on the first shot and never had to be adjusted. Thanks Remington. On the Rossi, I had to replace the front sight with a taller one to get on target. So, I guess you can expect some faults with all of them. I wouldn't say that my experience is typical. Some folks own all types and never had to tweak any of them. I really like my Marlin 357 which is what I fire in it. I'm not sure about shooting a shorter cartridge in a longer throat although I've done it in mine. The accuracy is better using the .357 cartridge than the .38 although the .38 is fun in itself. Long story short, I like 'em all! As Col. Townsend Whelen said, "Only accurate rifles are interesting." But accuracy is only relevant to the rifle type.

[TXGunNut]

I'm in the same boat, have tons of old .38 brass but no moulds. Have a fair bit of 45 Colt brass and really enjoy casting and loading for that cartridge. I think I'd enjoy the 38/357 more because it would be pleasant to shoot and uses less powder & lead, no small consideration these days.
Are you set up to cast and load for either cartridge? Getting set up for a new cartridge is a significant expense for me, I consider it when toying with the idea of a new rifle. I've considered a Rossi but haven't ruled out an old Winchester or Marlin.
Good luck in your quest, this question has had me stumped for awhile.

[jmort]

Used to be hard core .45 Colt guy, now hard core .38/.357. You can't go wrong either way.

[Outpost75]

Read the thread on the. 38/.357 rifle-revolver combo in the Prepper section of Outdoorsman.

[starmac]

I think a 38/357 would handle most if not all the paper,stumps and coke cans I have ever come across. That said I do not own one, but have picked up a 45 cowboy.
Just looking for a fun plinker, I don't think you could go wrong with either one, but like has been said less powder and lead for the 38.

[pietro]

.


Paper-punching is definitely more .38 Special territory then .45 Colt.

Plinking = 50/50.


.



.

[1Shirt]

Both good, but you will save lead with 38.
1Shirt!

[blackhawk44]

The .38/.357 is far handier due to availability of brass and bullets. It makes little difference whether you have a handgun to match since accurate loads in one will seldom be equal in the other.

[Gray Fox]

I have Rossi's in .38/.357, .44 Mag and .45 Colt. As a cheap plinker, the 16" .38/.357 is the ticket. It also functions as a good car/truck gun, too. Ranch Dog has done has done an analysis of the chambers of current production Rossi rifles and they pretty much match industry specs which makes it easier to match boolits to bores than some Marlins. Rossi rifles are less expensive, too. As with anything, practice makes perfect and it/s a lot cheaper to do with this caliber. Low recoiling .38s also make it easier to get kids and spouses involved, too, if that is a consideration. GF

[bob208]

I would go with the .38-.357 rifle. there is still a ton of .38 brass out there. that way if you lose some in the weeds no big loss. the 358429 over 12 gr. 2400 in my rossi carbine will do just fine on anything I run into on the farm. groundhog to deer. I would even use it on hogs if we had any.

[bangerjim]

I own and love to shoot both cal's in lever action.

I have a ton of 38/357 and 45LC brass from previous days, so that is not a problem for me. 45 is rather hard to find and is costly. I NEVER find it at the range! I just picked up over 250 rounds of 38SPL & 357 brass last week at the range.

I shoot 45LC's all the way up to 300g, with 5 other mold weights under that. I have many molds for the 38cal and really enjoy shooting it.

Both cals ....... I use lighter loads for fun and minimum noise/kickback/recoil. I cast, load, & shoot for fun. When I want to eat meat, I go to Outback or ClaimJumper!

You will enjoy either cals in a rifle!

bangerjim

[Char-Gar]

With your parameters, I would go with the 38/357 and never look back. If you don't need a big 260 grain slug to do something to what you hit, then why fling it that way in the first place.

[Dirty30]

I have a 38/357 and it is a hoot, the one thing to keep in mind is to load the 38's to your max OAL, and use round nose boolits for ease of feeding. Others may have experienced different than me, but short cartridges loaded with SWC's hang up from time to time. You don't want that when blazing away at a bounding jack rabbit.

[JakeBlanton]

Since you're just shooting paper and such, I would go with the .38/.357 since it will use less lead. Using the Lee 6-cavity molds as a base, you can get a 105 gr bullet for .38/.357 and a 200 gr for .45. That's nearly half the cost of lead there.

[HDS]

I too went with a .38/357 because of brass availability as well as saving powder and lead. I would have liked .44-40 myself for authenticity but 38spl works real nice.

[searcher4851]

I have 2 in .38/.357 and they are my favorite levers to shoot just for fun. I can darn near reload the .38 specials for the cost of 22LR, IF I can even find 22's anyplace. If I'm lookin bigger bang, I've always got .44 mag, 30-30, or 45/70 in levers, but the .38/.357 get more action than all the rest put together. BTW, I have Rossi 92's. One 20" round and the other is the 24" octagon.

[HATCH]

with the exception of the "judge" series of pistols, 45 LC hasn't been that popular as compared to 38sp/357 mag.
Heck I load both rounds and I have more 38sp loaded then I have 45lc.
I have pistols and rifles for both rounds.

[John Allen]

I think either would be fine. I personally like the 45 for the big holes it makes

[hornady308]

I have a 45LC rifle and used to have a 357 Marlin. The 357 was a joy to shoot with any load, no matter how hot and recoil was just not an issue. The 45 can have some recoil when loaded with heavy boolits at top velocity. The 357 was also more accurate and cheaper to shoot. I sold my 357 since I use the 45 for plinking and hunting. The 357 would probably have worked fine for both, but I simply trust a 255 gr bullet more than a 158 when hunting.

[10x]

I've got a Rossi Ranch Hand in 44 magnum that I am turning into a truck rifle by putting a full length stock on it.
I have a Lyman tang sight. I also have the Ranch hand in 38/357 that I will put a stock and tang sight on as well.
Years ago I got a 38/357 Rossi Puma and I really like that one...A gentle shooting gun that works well with a 158 grain gas check bullet.
I want to load up some 200 grain RCBS bullets in the near future.

[hickstick_10]

I got the itch to buy another rifle. I'm struggling between the .38 and .45. Most likely they will be in the Rossi version but that is not etched in stone. I presently have both calibers in pistols but neither in rifles and thought this would be a fun toy to have. I would not hunt with the one I choose but just shoot paper and stumps on my land. I would however cast for it. Any thought or comments on which one I should choose or the rifle make? I guess it would be fair to say that I'm slightly leaning towards the .38 special/.357 magnum in the 26" blued Rossi but only slightly. I can be swayed if someone has other idea.

Easily the 357, I've owned 45s and 44 mag rifles, sold them all but kept my first and only marlin 357 mag rifle. Absolutely stingy on lead, powder and the brass refuses to die, all case losses are from me loosing track of them in tall grass.

I dont care for Rossi's long octagon barrel, its to heavy and untapered. Henry repeating arms suffers from this same defect. You're going to shoot this gun ALOT and you want it to feel nice, the rossi trappers are nice, but a step up is a used marlin 1894 or a new miroku winchester.

[HDS]

I'm never selling my .44mag '92 Rossi either, it's a great plinker too with the right load, but it's a 20" carbine, and in 44 caliber there is not a lot of steel in the barrel making for a wonderfully light and handy gun. I can't imagine a 357 with an octagonal 26" barrel being any fun, if you must have a long barrel I would look for a larger caliber because the combo of small bore and long barrel is not a nice one. My 20" octagonal 1873 in 357 really couldn't be an inch longer or it would be too heavy.

Anyway I have it so the 38/357 guns are used with black powder, the 44s are smokeless. Black powder costs a lot and a lot of it is used in contrast to smokeless so that's a big reason for the 38spl case for me. With smokeless I don't have to fill up that huge 44 case and I can just use a fast pistol powder. Haven't worn out the 500 cases I got several years ago yet, they been reloaded multiple times.

[Lead Fred]

38 for zipity dodah, 45 for slow and dumb

Marlin for the win

Rossi for the fail

[koehlerrk]

About ten years ago, I plunked down some hard-earned cash for a Marlin 1894C that eats 38 Special / 357 Magnum. Best little all-around rifle I've ever owned.

Used it as a stepping stone for all my kids to move them up from a 22 to something bigger. Loaded with 38s, it's a joy to shoot at paper all day long. Loaded with 357s, it can be potent deer medicine as the loads can rival a 30-30 in terms of energy.

It really is hard to beat.

But for me, I'm currently saving my pennies for a Rossi in 454 Casull. Load it 45 Colt and it's a happy paper puncher. Load it with 454s and it's a pocket 45-70.

Any questions?

[Idaho Mule]

Marlin 1894 in 38/357 is a great choice. I have one and love it. That being said, if it was me I would buy the 45 because I don't have one. I have to tell the truth here tho, and the little Marlin 1894 in 38/357 will NEVER be pried from my hands until I am dead. It is that good. JW

[grumman581]

Marlin 1894 in 38/357 is a great choice. I have one and love it. That being said, if it was me I would buy the 45 because I don't have one. I have to tell the truth here tho, and the little Marlin 1894 in 38/357 will NEVER be pried from my hands until I am dead. It is that good. JW

I thought about getting one of the Marlins in .45 or .44mag, but I decided on one in .45-70 instead. I can load it down to powder puff loads if I so desire or I can punish my shoulder if I am so inclined. Plus, there's something about throwing 400+ gr of lead at a hog that is just satisfying.

[Capt. Methane]

38 for zipity dodah, 45 for slow and dumb

Marlin for the win

Rossi for the fail

I'd lean towards the 38/357 but instead of the cheaper Rossi I'd go with the slightly more expensive Henry

http://www.henryrepeating.com/rifle-big-boy.cfm

There are mixed operational reviews on the Marlins since they got bought out...

[Jeff82]

I recommend the Marlin 1894c in 357. I had one in the '70s. Sold it and really regretted that. I eventually purchased a new one. It's the only carbine that I shoot now, and you have a wide variety of pistols to choose from that also shoot the same cartridge. Cheaper to shoot, many many loading options, flatter trajectory. It is now the only cartridge that

[old beekeeper]

Years ago, I had the same problem. I found a Marlin 1894 .357 magnum for $350 and a Marlin 1894 .44 Magnum for $375, found it almost impossible to make up my mind, so I gave the guy $725 and bought both of them, told the wife that I got drunk and didn't know what I was doing, she didn't buy my story, but I looked so sad when she said I had to get rid of one of them, she let me keep both. I've never looked back. Couple years later, I came across a 336 in .35 Remington, gave her the same story, she said I was hopeless, now I have 3 Marlins and am a happy man. However, I must tell you, the .357 is the most fun gun I have ever owned and if I had to give up all but one, I would hold on the the .357. It is accurate and just plain fun to shoot, the little carbine handles great, with a sling on it, you can carry it thru Virginia woods and not even know it is there. It will take deer and black bear, at least the one's here in Virginia, and that is about all I can ask for. With the Ranchdog 175 gr bullet, it is truly a gem. Add a peep sight and you are good to go.

Beekeeper

[starmac]

At least I now know I am not the only one called hopeless. lol

[Lonegun1894]

Lol, we're not hopeless, we're just addicts! Yep, that's it. It's NOT our fault. I mean, we got a taste, and just can't say no. It's a medical condition? Someone help me out here. I mean, it works as an excuse for some people, a lousy excuse, but if it works for them, why not us?

And I have .357s, .45s, and an looking for a .44 next, so I'm not qualified to help you make up your mind, other than saying that my .357s get the most use, if that helps.

[grumman581]

I figure that as long as I'm not buying the same exact firearm twice because I forgot that I already owned it, I'm doing fine. I've definitely bought the same CD or DVD twice because I forgot that I owned that particular album or video. So far I haven't had that happen on any of the firearms that I have bought. :)

[Lonegun1894]

I wish I could say that. I have also bought multiples when I was in the service because I could, at that time, buy a Winchester 94 .30-30 or an Enfield .303 cheaper locally than I could have my parents ship me the one I already had at home. Kinda sad the way that has changed, but I'm glad to have had the chance to do it, and glad to still have them. I also bought a Ruger Single Six because I couldn't find my old one for over a year. Well, A month after I bought the new one, I was cleaning out my truck, and you'll never guess what I found... Yep, I'm getting old and senile, or at least senile.

[gmsharps]

I have a Browning 357 that is a fun gun to shoot. I like the Lyman 173gr SWC but is a bit long in a 357 case so I stick it in a 38spl case and it feeds fine. I also have a couple of 45 Colt carbines. One in a Win 94 that is a blast to shoot. Some folks don't like them but mine has worked just fine for me. I had the oportunity to get a Euberti yellow boy in 45 colt and they put a special serial number on it for me, my initials and birth year. It has the original type of blue which is the bright blue that was very thin and did not wear very well hence the as we know it blue which is the darker almost black in color but wears much better.

gmsharps

[snaketail]

I have a Rossi .45 and wish I'd bought the .357. The .45 is fun to shoot and easy to reload, but it is not as accurate as I'd like. I shoot Cowboy Silhouette and the .45 is pretty much a 100 yard, and not much more, rifle. However the .357 seems to work well for the 200 yard matches.

If I were hunting with the rifle I'd stick to the .45. A hot load will do-the-trick on anything under 100 yards.

But, if I were starting over I think I'd go with the .357...if you can find one - kinda hard to find these days.

[Lonegun1894]

Snaketail,
I'm surprised you're having trouble with accuracy in your .45. Both my Rossi's are 20", one .357 and one .45, and both are equally accurate. Now my .45 seemed less accurate and leaded when I was sizing to .452", but that all went away when I started sizing to .454". No problems since then, and both calibers do great out to 300yds on paper, but the area I hunt is a lot of scrub brush so the vast majority of my hunting shots are under 100yds. I would not shoot to 300yds hunting with these though and have no idea what the performance on meat would be at that range. I have taken hog at 185yds with the .357 and 230yds with the .45 though, but those weren't planned shots, just targets of opportunity and my longest shots so far on varmints with these two guns.

[snaketail]

I'll try .454, but will have to mail order - nothing local in that size.

[TXGunNut]

Looks to me like they ought to ship matched pairs of .357 and .45 with an option for a .454 and/or a 32-20.........Hello, my name is Mike and I'm a levergun addict. ;-)

[dverna]

Another vote for the .357 in a Marlin or 1873 re-production. Forget about a long barrel. You will regret it.

I have had three .357 levers and a .38. I had a .45 Rossi but found the action rough and clunky. I still have two of the .357's and the .38 Cowboy Special. Add a Marble tang sight. You can remove the peep disk and use it as a ghost sight for fast shooting or put the disk in for accuracy testing. Plus it makes it easy to adjust for different loads from mid-range plinking .38's to full load .357 Mag.

[birch]

The .45 colt hands down!! They are a perfect gun. I have the Winchester 92 in the .45 colt and it is by far the best paper puncher and deer popper in my arsenal. If you already have a .45 colt revolver, brass, and already reload for the round, you should get the colt.

Honestly, you can get a 200grain boolit and your are only .50 grains heavier than a .38. As far as powder is concerned: go with Titegroup. I only use 2.7grains more in my moderate .45 colt loads over my moderate .38 loads. They are not that much more to make and they are a whole lot more fun to shoot.

[TMenezes]

I agree with Birch, I use the Lee 200gr flat point for my plinker in 45 colt and the Lee 158gr in my 38. I buy scrap lead so cheap why would I care about the extra 42gr of lead. Same goes for powder, I use 3gr in 38, 5 in the colt. Stress over 2gr of cheap powder? Nope. Plus my Lee auto disk doesn't like throwing super light powder charges with 700X, so its actually more work for me to load 38 as I have to weigh them. Sure I could switch powders but I got a great deal on 8 pounds of it so I'm stuck with it till I use it up.

Here's the single biggest reason though, I like loading and shooting bigger bullets lol. Plus I like making big holes in paper more than little holes.

Also if you want to make some hotter loads its my understanding your much more likely to need gas checks on 357's than you are with 45's.

In the end get what you like better, my reasons (and everyone else's reasons) for liking the big bore or the small bore may or may not have anything to do with your preferences.

[Lead Fred]

The .45 colt hands down!! They are a perfect gun.

Ah, Id leave that title to the 45/70 GG

[snaketail]

I loaded .454 250gr rnfp boolits over 10g of Unique and found the combo to be very consistent in my 20" Rossi. The load is good out to 200 yards for Cowboy Silhouette matches. I can verify that all of my misses were in the same place...well, at least its a start. What it shoots from the bench is way off what it shoots off-hand, but this is a relatively easy adjustment...at least the .454s group rather than "pattern" as .452s did.
I had heard that Unique was a mess to clean up - not so. I'll be staying with this load, but will be adjusting the sights way over!

Michael

[John Allen]

I have the 45lc puma and love it. There is just something about those big round flat noses

[bandit7.5]

38special just because every one wants a 45.

[FergusonTO35]

Have you priced .45 Colt brass lately? The cheapest around here is $26.00/100. You can often get free .38 and .357 brass form public ranges, or buy it dirt cheap on Gunbroker. I'm going to go against the flow and suggest that the heavy octagonal barrel may be what you want. I prefer a heavy barrel because it is way easier to steady when shooting off hand, also helps to tame muzzle rise for faster follow up shots. The octagonal barrel is why I bought my Henry H001T, its actually bigger than the barrel on my .30-30!

[snaketail]

Ferguson TO35 - have you priced .454 Casull brass? Winchester brand is going for $50 per 100. But Starline has a better price point in both .45 Colt and .454 Casull - and I don't see any difference in performance between the brands. I suspect the inflated prices are a result of the shortages - kinda like when gas was hard to get, the price went up, but didn't come back down when supply went back up. I fear we may be stuck with inflated prices on ammo and components.

For Cowboy Lever Action Silhouette both .357 and .45 are considered "marginal" for the long range matches, but fine for the Pistol Caliber matches. At 200 yards I see .357 shooters using a 180gr boolit, for .45 it's 200gr and up. I have a Marbles Tang sight and run out of elevation at 150 yards - The last match I shot I used the bottom of the front bead on the back of the 200 yard rams. I plan to buy another rifle for the long range matches - something in the 30-30 range (I found a 7-30 waters with a good price that has been calling my name all week), when I do I will use the .45 Colt for Pistol Caliber matches (out to 100 yards) only. My load and sights work great up to 100 yards, but get that rainbow effect after that.

In my search for an accurate load I found changing to a .454 boolit had the best effect. The .452s I'd been shooting were not accurate and leaded the bore. I'm happy with my change.

In all honesty I was kinda enjoyed the process of finding an accurate load... always a good excuse for more range time.

Michael

[FergusonTO35]

I'm sure .454 anything would be quite expensive around here if it could be found. Even pre-2008 you rarely saw loaded ammo in that caliber. I've never seen .454 brass in person before.

[Janoosh]

I'd go with the 38/357 rifle. I have a Rossi, circa 1985, engraved, that's just a fun gun to shoot. Easy on the sshoulder when I want it to be, and a gong ringer if I need it to be. The prettiest lever gun I ever handled was a Navy Arms yellow boy or model 66, without the fore-end wood, fully engraved in 38 special. I was young and stupid and had no money and it chose to live with someone else....

[shooting on a shoestring]

I owned a .357 Marlin for a couple of weeks. It was a jammer. Traced the problem to the extractor and did the reshaping, several times and got it useable, but not 100% dependable. After about a dozen different loads and 4 range sessions, i could shoot my 4 inch Model 10 into smaller groups at 25 yds than I could the cute little Marlin. It traded well on an old Winchester 30'06.

I do still feel an itch for a 357 or 38 lever. It would have to run smooth though. I'm still out of patience for a jamming lever gun.

[TCStehle]

I'm trying to make a similar decision, 16 inch Rossi M92 in 38/357 or in 44 Mag? I like the sheer fun factor and economy of the 38/357. But, I also like the idea of slinging a big 240gr+ chunk of lead downrange with the 44. Both would do okay with the right boolit selection on hogs but the 44 is probably going to do it better. I've got 1000's of pieces of 38 Special brass from my PPC/PMA days but only a couple hundred pieces of 44 Mag brass. Dang, decisions, decisions!!! Wish I had the funds for both!!

[Rainier]

For what it's worth...
Both my wife and I have the Puma 92 in .38/.357 and love them both. Easy to cast for and easy on the wallet to load. Never had a problem cycling the 158gr SWC through either one of them - they just work and they're fun!
Just my two cents,
Rainier

[snaketail]

If I were starting over I would go with .38/.357 rather than the .45.

I don't hunt - just use the rifle for Cowboy Lever Action Silhouette - and a 180gr cast boolit will work well up to 200 yards. Not as well as say 30-30 or 7-30 Waters, but good enough. A lot of shooters use the .38/.357 in both the pistol caliber and long range matches and do just fine (of course the serious shooters use more traditional rifle calibers for long range - and usually win more matches).

The small caliber is more economical to shoot, easy to cast and load, you can load it light for plinking or load it heavy for deer hunting.

Of course there is nothing like smashing a 100 yard target with 250gr of lead - the psychological affect is very satisfying... bang - Clang! It becomes an addiction quickly.

M

[ozo]

For the most part, I prefer shorter barrels [carbines] for daily use.
Truck, horse, walking around the property, etc. , especially plinking.
The Marlin 1894CP [Trapper] is side and top ported on a 16" barrel.
.38special is fine in it, and .357's scream.........but to get the best
performance you need different powder for barrels past 6" in length.
I generally shoot 158gr TCBB lead [sometimes 125gr, sometimes 170gr]
but I load .38special with W231 and it burns too fast for long barrels.
Since I went to AA#9 for the .357's in any barrel 8" or longer, I now have
some loads that share very well between handgun/rifle.
Still, powders like #9 use more per load [less rounds per pound] but it
meters so well in the Dillon and the slower burn rate works better for
accuracy in longer barrels.
My longer barreled levers, Rossi, Henry, Winchester, Marlin, Browning,etc.
are all fine shooters, in all calibers, and anyone should be happy with any
of them. My Henry's are 'by far' the sweetest actions, but they are heavy
guns. Not something I would tote around all day.
I have owned levers for over 60yrs and love em........BUT [just for thought]
a couple months ago I bought a new Ruger 77/357
Thinking was a gun to occasionally leave in the shop, or pickup, or carry in
light rain, etc. and not have to worry about dings-dents-rust with it's
stainless steel/composite makeup, just a dependable kick-around gun
with enough juice for the coyotes, bobcats, wild dogs.......
price was a little steep for a plain gun, but once I started messin' with it....
well, I don't feel like shooting any of my others......it is just so _____________!!
I don't know how else to convey....but I haven't been this excited about a
new gun in years, and I surely have purchased some.

Point is, if it doesn't have to be a lever gun, check these out. [Ruger model 77/357]
Comes in .44mag also......but I want one [dream of] chambered in .327federal magnum.

Pic is ported Marlin 1894CP

[OverMax]

In life's choices. "BIGGER is always better!!" 45 Colt partner. You can down load it to 44 Special or up load to near 44 Mag velocity's. Yesiree. Let those who like too shoot little boolit's buy those little rifles that shoot those boolit's is my suggestion Sir.:guntootsmiley:

[millerwb]

I already have a Marlin 1894 in 44 Mag. My next one will be in .357.

[grumman581]

In life's choices. "BIGGER is always better!!" 45 Colt partner. You can down load it to 44 Special or up load to near 44 Mag velocity's. Yesiree. Let those who like too shoot little boolit's buy those little rifles that shoot those boolit's is my suggestion Sir.:guntootsmiley:

As far as I am concerned, if you want a .45 caliber in a lever gun, you should go with a .45-70.

[gwpercle]

If I could have a dream come true it would be a model 92 in 41 magnum. But a 38 special/357 magnum would be the next choice. A 357 magnum fired out of a rifle/carbine barrel will do fine on hogs and deer and the 38's will take care of the rest . Cases and boolits are easier to come by and proably cheaper to shoot. I got more 38/357 moulds than you can shake a stick at so got cast boolits covered.
Gary

[DEVERS454]

Used to be hard core .45 Colt guy, now hard core .38/.357. You can't go wrong either way.

Same boat, but other direction!

45colt with a 255-275gr is about perfect for most short range game and still big enough to crack a skull.

But if the choice is between 45colt and 357magnum for hunting, the 357 has alot more legs to it at 100yds than 45lc.

[taurus judge]

I have both a henry in 45 colt and a rossi in 357/38.both work and shoot good as I could expect other than henry breaking firing pin once so far. Henry has great customer service for sure. I just shoot paper targets with them. so I would rather shoot the 45 colt cause it makes bigger hole. But I bring the same amount of ammo to the range for both when I go so neither gun gets its feelings hurt. If it goes bang its all good no matter what it is. My problem is I would like to have 1 of every gun and caliber and 2 of most, so if I find myself stuck wanting say, a, 45 colt or 357,then ill get whichever I see first for a good price and hope to find the other someday. I am not sure my wife agrees with this form of thinking. Have fun and don't let them collect dust