help me choose one

[Ron 1]

i live in southern mi. so it is a shot gun zone for deer hunting. we can use pistols tho.i already have a 357 s&w 686  so with that my question is.
get a handi in 357 or go bigger  44 mag or go all out for the 500 if h&r has the 500 that is. or did i miss something in a better cal.?
pros and cons.  the 357 is on the bottom for deer hunting nothing smaller is legal.
i do not reload so it is with factory ammo. what would you get? and why?
thanks for any and all advise
 rw

[tacklebury]

I personally love the .45 Colt Carbine.  It's what I use in MI and I'm north of the line, so I don't even have to.    Getting a little harder to find these days, but if you do, it's well worth it.    I carry my .45 LC Blackhawk also for awkward position or back hand shooting from the stands.    If you don't reload though, the 44 mag would be a better choice. 

 
 
 
 

[rdlange]

You got a 357 already so a companion rifle sounds good.  I put the BC carbine wood on mine.  Looks and feels nice.  Best looking Handi I got.  Try for a 20" bbl; better weight and balance than the 22".  Maybe the Talo 18.5".

You could always ream it to Maxi which is VERY popular with pistol caliber hunters.

[quasne.inc]

I would get the .357 mag and ream it to max.

[Ron 1]

is there a factory 357 maxi shell offered?  i think that 1.8" is the max case length legal for use as
a pistol cartridge and limited to straight wall only here in southern  michigan.   
ron

[cwlongshot]

is there a factory 357 maxi shell offered?  i think that 1.8" is the max case length legal for use as
a pistol cartridge and limited to straight wall only here in southern  Michigan.   
Ron

Al-tho I have never bought them, IIRC REEDS offers Maxi ammo...
 
CW

[bigvarmnt]

Since you don't reload, I'd say 44 with maybe the 18 1/2" barrel would be nice.


I think 500 ammo is expensive but you probably wouldn't be shooting it a lot

[rdlange]

Maxi Case length is 1.605" per specs.  bUT, you can get some serious 357 mag ammo... Hornady 140 ftx LEVERevolution, COR BON, Buffalo Bore, regular makers all sell 357 hunting ammo.  Rifle barrel gives better performance as you know.

[quickdtoo]

Maxi ammo is available from GBO sponsor Reed's Ammuntion as has been said, it's also available from Bullseye ammo, be aware that both require an ammunition statement to be submitted prior to shipping the order.

Dan Wesson ammo is problematic on SB1 shotgun frames with the large firing pin, they perforated primers on mine, works fine with small rifle type pins on SB1 and SB2 rifle frames tho.

Tim

http://shop.reedsammo.com/

http://www.bullseyeshootingsupplies.com/default.aspx