What thoghts cross your mind when decdiding wether to go with the .357 mag or .44 mag when selecting the Trapper? Why would you choose one over the other? Thanks amigos! Wadcutter

Ammo cost, and recoil.

Then again what do you want with the gun . Are you going to hunt of just shoot?
To hunt and plink, I chose the 44 .
Now for CB shooting you will need ten rounds , so make sure she will take 10 44 Sp.
Now with the trapper in 357, you will be able to load 10 38 Spl. BUT a lot of trappers will not load the 38 Spl.
My wifes 357 trapper spits out the 38 spl. with out a fuss.
I on the other hand , finally gave in ,and bought a 1894 Marlin. Loved the trapper , but then the Marlin would hold the tenth round in 44, and cycled faster . And easier to clean.
Had I had a chance to start over . I would then probably bought the 45 colt in the cowboy.
You can load it mild , then on the other side load it up to pass the 44 Mag with cast bullets.
Hunt and plink. and perfect for the cowboy shoots.

Cost ! yes a bit more .I never had much money to spare , but always able to shoot the big bore .
Happy

Then again what do you want with the gun . Are you going to hunt of just shoot?
To hunt and plink, I chose the 44 .
Now for CB shooting you will need ten rounds , so make sure she will take 10 44 Sp.
Now with the trapper in 357, you will be able to load 10 38 Spl. BUT a lot of trappers will not load the 38 Spl.
My wifes 357 trapper spits out the 38 spl. with out a fuss.
I on the other hand , finally gave in ,and bought a 1894 Marlin. Loved the trapper , but then the Marlin would hold the tenth round in 44, and cycled faster . And easier to clean.
Had I had a chance to start over . I would then probably bought the 45 colt in the cowboy.
You can load it mild , then on the other side load it up to pass the 44 Mag with cast bullets.
Hunt and plink. and perfect for the cowboy shoots.

Cost ! yes a bit more .I never had much money to spare , but always able to shoot the big bore .
Happy
Harry, My "real world" use for this firearm will be casual plinking and a SHTF home defense weapon. Thanks. Wacutter

Harry, My "real world" use for this firearm will be casual plinking and a SHTF home defense weapon. Thanks. Wacutter


All said and gone .
I started with a model 14 S&W bulleye shoting at a club , then moved up to a 686 .
Shot enough 38Spl to fill the house over ten years.
Then I got a Ruger in 44 Mag followed by a model 27 in 44 Mag. That got me shooting metal plates At 25/50, and a hundred yards, and also then after into cowboy shooting.
Now I use two single action rugers for the CB shoot along with the 44 rifle.
Now, overall, like the 44 bore more than the 38 other than it has more thump at the 100 yard plate.

Now I would shoot maybe three to four hundred rounds a week or per month with the 357's usually at the shorter range's ,and again half as many 44 bullets with the 44 at the 50 and 100 yard mark.

Other than the 44 mag doubling up a a deer hunting round , I think it is more fun to use the big bore with lead bullets.

As for defence, I think I would show abit more respect seeing the end of that big bore.

Cost, well to me it is about the same I tend to aim more and shoot less with the 44 , compaired to speed shooting @ short range with the 357 using 38 Spl.

Now shooting 5.6 grs of bulleye over a 200 gr. RN .430
compared to 3.8 grs of titlgroup and 357Rn is not going to break the bank . At least not at my house .

The big bore is indeed more useful and more fun.

'nough said , see if you can try both out with some target rounds at a range, then go with what style suits you .
Happy

All said and gone .
I started with a model 14 S&W bulleye shoting at a club , then moved up to a 686 .
Shot enough 38Spl to fill the house over ten years.
Then I got a Ruger in 44 Mag followed by a model 27 in 44 Mag. That got me shooting metal plates At 25/50, and a hundred yards, and also then after into cowboy shooting.
Now I use two single action rugers for the CB shoot along with the 44 rifle.
Now, overall, like the 44 bore more than the 38 other than it has more thump at the 100 yard plate.

Now I would shoot maybe three to four hundred rounds a week or per month with the 357's usually at the shorter range's ,and again half as many 44 bullets with the 44 at the 50 and 100 yard mark.

Other than the 44 mag doubling up a a deer hunting round , I think it is more fun to use the big bore with lead bullets.

As for defence, I think I would show abit more respect seeing the end of that big bore.


Cost, well to me it is about the same I tend to aim more and shoot less with the 44 , compaired to speed shooting @ short range with the 357 using 38 Spl.

Now shooting 5.6 grs of bulleye over a 200 gr. RN .430
compared to 3.8 grs of titlgroup and 357Rn is not going to break the bank . At least not at my house .

The big bore is indeed more useful and more fun.

'nough said , see if you can try both out with some target rounds at a range, then go with what style suits you .
Happy
Thanks Harry, appreciate the feedback. Wadcutter

I gave up on mulling it over and just bought both the Win 94 trapper in .44 and the Marlin 1894c in .357 and I'm very glad that I did.. Each of the two rifles have their strengths and weaknesses.