357 or 308 for carbine deer rifle?

[rc51kid]

Well I have narrowed it down to 357 or 308.  I know they are very different but I am trying to limit the number of calibers I have.  So I think it will have to been one of these two.  I will be using the rifle for deer  hunting in the southeast so the whitetail deer shouldn’t be huge and the range should be no more than 150 yards.  I really want to shorten the barrel down to around 18 inches or so and use a low power scope to make a nice compact rifle.  So I know this will effect the caliber discussion because of the effect on ballistics and recoil/noise.   
So what’s your opinion between the two?  I am narrowing my pistols to 9mm, .45 and .357 and my rifles to .223, 7.62x39 and 308 so these are my choices.  I think that .308 or .357 are the best choices. Of course I will have .22 but that goes without saying.  So for my application which one would you use ?

[darat100]

If I had my choice of those two, I would get a 357 rechamber to max and have a very good 125-150 yard gun.  I am not knowledgeable enough to know what shortening that barrel would do to the accuracy, but I don't think I would want a 308 that close to my ears.  Just my thoughts.

[joshco84]

i dont know about the ballistics/range of the 357, but it would be better suited to the shorter barrel.  i personally would go 308 just for a good deer round though, and even quite a bit more range than 150 if needed also a 22inch barrel on a break open gun is a pretty short gun anyways, taking out the usuall 4 inches or so of the action.

[handirifle]

I think both of the above suggestions are good ones.  I'd not want to count on the 357 for 150yds BUT I have never hunted with one either.  The Max does have a lot more powder room and allow you to push the 150-180 pills at a much better clip.

As an example for velocity, the 240gr Winchester loads for a 44 Mag are listed at about 1300-1400fps from a 7" pistol barrel.  I get 1800 from my 16" Trapper barrel.

I'd expect similar gains from an 18" 357 barrel.  The thing I hear mosr recommend here that DO hunt with the 357's is to use the heavy bullets for caliber, ie. 180 or so.

[trotterlg]

Build one like this in .357    Larry

[rc51kid]

trotterlg,That is what I have in mind. What can you tell me about the scope mount on that thing?    Do you think .357 will be OK for deer?

[Critter]

IMHO, go with the .308.  That covers a lot more situations than the .357 will.  My friend Brad is fond of saying"Use enough gun."  I'm sure he ripped it off from somewhere else but it's true.  Even a 18" barreled .308 will outperform any .357.  If you were keeping your shots to only 100 then it would be a tossup but it sounds like you have the potential for longer shots so why chance it.

[myarmor]

I find myself more and more drawn to versitility. The 308 is a personal favorite of mine for lots of reasons.
But a lot depends on if you reload or not. This opens up so much, it really is amazing.
I haven't been Handloading for very long, so I don't pretend to know everything by any means. But I love the 308 because it really is a versitle caliber and can be loaded to fit lots of situations. With the area you are hunting, and by the way is the same kind I am as well here in VA ,  the 308 can be loaded to 30-30 levels for mid range velocities for the woods. Which is an excellent performer for closer - medium ranges. However I don't know if I want to shorten a 308. With lighter loads it shouldn't be too bad. However I have a 7.62x54R -simulair to a 308Win-  M44 with a 17" barrel and it's a flame thrower. So I can't help you much in this department.  The 357 is a load of fun and does lend it's self to a shorter barrel better, but you do sacrifice performance..the 308 and the 357 are very very different rounds. And I am sure it will take any deer within reason. But for the peace of mind, I personally would take the 308...and am
-Aaron

[single action]

I have taken several deer with the .357 and believe it is adequate for deer. that being said, I have always limited myself to shots under 100 yards. If I expected to have many opportunities past that distance I would much rather have the .308. If you rechambered your .357 to .357 maximum, I believe you could reach out to 150yds with no problem. But imho, 150 yrds is too far for the .357 mag. If I had to choose, I would buy a .308 now to use this season (by the way the .308 is a very handy little gun without shortening the barrel.) And later on when I had the extra cash and time to rechamber get the .357. Or, get the .308 with an accessory barrell in .357. use the .357 for brush hunting and the .308 when hunting more open areas. Thats one of the many joys of handi rifles, you can afford to own many combinations for different uses! Whichever you choose, I'm sure you will enjoy it. Good luck!

[Mac11700]

Well...as much as I like the 308...I normally would lean that way...but not this time..The 357 max is a good cartridge...and many here really like them...but I don't know a-lot about them...However...there is one other cartridge I would take over either of these in a Handi...and it is the good ole 30-30...Probably one of the best calibers in a Handi...I loved mine...It's cheaper and easier to find ammo for than the other 2...and probably killed more deer than just about any other cartridge...I wouldn't even bother scoping it...just get a good peepsite for it and the correct front site...It will be lite and handi enough you won't even need to bother whittling down the barrel...

My $.02

Mac

[Swampman]

The .308 is my favorite bolt action rifle cartridge, but I don't care for rimless cartridges in single shot rifles.  I'd get the .357 or a .30-30.

[shaner]

i was thinkin  same deal why not a 30/30 ?? we have  takin a few deer with the 357 using 180 gr bullets, so   go for it,,

[Roudy]

I would also go with the 30-30.  Really versatile cartridge.  I've had a Handi Rifle in this caliber for 25+ years and have several loads for it,  110 gr JHP's for groundhogs, 120 gr cast GC low velocity for plinking (about like a .357), 180 gr cast GC for deer, and it will even shoot commercial ammunition (if I would ever buy it).

Everyone has their opinions and there are probably exceptions to every opinion.  Given the two choices that you set for yourself I would pick the .308.  One of my opinions is NEVER BE UNDERGUNNED. 

Roudy

[trotterlg]

The scope mount is for a Contender, made for a barrel with a diameter of about .800 it fit just right on the bull barrel handi, just a drill and tap and I was done.  Scope is a 2.5X NC Star, they make a nice cheap 4X and a 3-7X also.  Larry

[PartsMan]

These are just my opinions.

357 mag is not enough for deer at 150yds but will shoot nice out of short barrel.
357 max will not work in your pistol so you might as well get 30/30.
308 will work very well  but will be unpleasent to shoot (LOUD AND MUSSEL FLASH)
Don't forget the 7.62x39 and .223 both have more energy at 150yd than 357 mag.

[quickdtoo]

Just a reminder, the 7.62x39 is no longer in production, so I wouldn't count on getting one.

Tim

[Swampman]

And it seems like the 7.62X39 is no longer in production because there were problems with it. 

[rc51kid]

So do you guys think that 223 with the right quality bullet is a better choice that .357?  I figured it was to light of a bullet.  But it would be nicer to shoot than the 308.

[darat100]

I have killed a couple of deer in the 50 yard range with my 357 revolver.  Very quick, clean kills.  The rifle barrel will give you alittle extra velocity.   I would much rather have the 357 than 223.  Just my opinion.

[dw06]

I have an 18inch 308 carbine,and have taken many deer with it.As some have said,it has a good bit of muzzle blast but is a great cartridge for carbines.I agree with single action,in the handi rifle a 22 inch makes for a very handy rifle.Also have t agree with the posts on the 30-30 in the handi,either one would do you good.

[Swampman]

Personally I'd never use a .223 on a deer.  I'd rather have the .357.

[PartsMan]

I will be using the rifle for deer  hunting in the southeast so the whitetail deer shouldn’t be huge and the range should be no more than 150 yards.

A 357mag would be best at 50yd but t 150yd I would rather have 223.
federal power-shok 62g 223 has as much energy at 150yd as 357mag 180g at the muzzle.

[Ranger J]

I took two deer last season with my .308 bull barrel Handi, both dead in tracks.  While I don’t have a .357 Handi I do have an 1894, great gun, and would not feel undergunned with it in the woods where I usually hunt, shots 100 yd or less.  If I was really serious about a deer hunt and there was the chance of that deer of a lifetime I would sure go for the .308.
RJ

[EDELWEISS]

Forgive me but this seems soooo obvious, that I have a hard time wundering where you guys are going.  The 357magnum is a pistol round and the 308 is a rifle cartridge suitable for any game in the lower 48 states.  That being said I have carried many 357's and I wouldnt want to stand in front of one at a 100 yards from a rifle or pistol!

The original post said he wanted to limit his number of calibers, so suggesting he lengthen the chamber to 357 max doesnt really help and even so you still dont equal the 308.  Even with a short barrel the 308 still out performs the 357.  Sure there are lots of bullet choices in 357 and even more if he reloads; but no magic is gonna make the 357 into a 308.  Then lets think about all the options avaliable in 308 bullets, from 55gr sabots to over 200 grains.

You guys have lots of knowledge; but from some of the comments I wunder how much you've had to pay to get it.  Ive hunted both 2 and 4 legged animals around the globe and carry a handgun everyday.  Given the option Id swap my issued SIG for a Python in a heartbeat and never feel deprived.  A pistol is handy to keep close when your busy doing other things and a rifle would get in the way; but a rifle with is for real work.

Ive hunted Wild Boar with a handgun.  It was a Contender in 44mag with a 14inch barrel, so not much different than a 16inch barrel in a Handy.  My longest shot was just under 50 meters.  It would have been a perfect shot except I foolishly used inapproiate bullets.  I allowed myself to believe the "hype" about black tallons, insted of a good heavy solid.  My follow up shot was just two steps away, because the Boar charged as I was reloading.  At that range even the wrong bullet smacked him like the 'Hand of God'.  Need I mention that with a 308 rifle I would have had my bacon with a bit less stress and a few moments sooner.

With all this dont think me some old fool.  The 357 is a GREAT round and I believe it even has a place in rifles; but not in the context of this disscussion.  Its simply not a deer round at 100+ yards.

[hellacatcher]

The only thing I know is that last year I droped 3 deer out as far as 125 yrds maybe more with a 357 max. all never took a step just went flop, two where through and through.

[darat100]

Gotta love the Max.

And keep in mind, that if you have it bored to max, you can still shoot magnums if you wish to just carry one ammo at times.

[Swampman]

If the .308 had a rim, it would be perfect in the Handi.  The .30-40 Krag is perfect, but it wasn't a choice.

[Cheesehead]

The 308 has better than twice the energy of a 44 magnum at 100 yards, not to mention the 357. Greater energy means greater hydrostatic shock or knock out punch. This means the chances of dropping the deer in its tracks are much greater at 100 yards and beyond. But it comes at a price, recoil and muzzle blast. An accurate hit with the 357 at 100 yards will eventually kill the deer most likely from blood loss perhaps after a fairly long run, maybe onto posted land. The 307 is a rimmed version of the 308 and a good option.

Cheese

[Swampman]

Could a .308 barrel be rechambered to .307???

Is the .30-30 barrel the best option for a .30-40 rechamber job?

[quickdtoo]

Our dear departed friend, Deadeye47 had a Handi rechambered to .307 Win. Here's a pic of all of his guns, the bottom rifle is the .307, work was done by David White. I think all that needs to be done is the rim recess cut and the ejector modified. IIRC, the .30-30 is the donor barrel for rechamber to .30-40,

Tim