I bought a 1894 in .357 Mag about 12 years ago and sold it without ever shooting it much - needed the money. I liked the compactness of the rifle. It seemed well made and was just plain cool. I'm contemplating the purchase of another. I shoot targets primarily, and occasionally do a little varmint hunting - coyotes. Anybody have any opinions about which would give better accuracy? I already reload for .357 Mag, but could easily buy dies for .44 Mag. However, I do like to minimize the number of components that I have to buy and keep track of. The .357's recoil wasn't bad at all. How's the .44 Mag in the 1894? Thanks in advance.

Seeing that you already have the dies and such for .357, it is a fine place to start. Plenty of power for coyotes and with proper loads, will be adequate for deer at limited ranges. I have a .44 and love it but then I would love one in .357 too. It will be lots of fun to shoot. I don't think there will be much real difference in the accuracy potential. Recoil is heavier with the .44 for obvious reasons but does not seem excessive to me. Recoil though is a highly subjective experience.

Loading the .357 Magnum with a 158 gr. HP like the XTP or Gold Dot over 18 gr. of Lil'Gun gives 2000 fps in my 1894C. Should be the bee's knees for coyotes. The gun will also shoot .38 Specials pretty smoothly and is pure fun. The .44 Mag kicks just enough to be a pain to new shooters who might go to the range with you AND lighter loads aren't available at every gun shop.

For your needs the 357 would work just fine. Plan on getting one myself this weekend, used M1894 for $279. My wife has a ruger 96/44 and it's ok but the marlin is much more to my liking. The 44 would also serve you well, but for plinking and coyote should be a blast.

As others have said recoil is very subjective. I find the 44 Mag in a 20" Marlin with even the stoutest loads from Buffalo Bore and Corbon to be a real pussy cat. Having said that if you don't need the extra "punch" the 44 mag offers at 100 yards and you already are set up for loading the 357 I'd certainly go with that. I can't imagine there is any difference in caliber accuracy. The 357 should be great medicine for unwanted Dogs and targets.

I've owned 3 in 44 and 1 in 357. I think you'll find the 357 is plenty adequate, especially with 125 grain hollow points loaded hot, wish I hadn't sold mine.

I love my 1894 44Mag,its recoil is whimpy compared to my
45-70.Its a great shooter too with 300gr CP castcore bullets and hornady 300gr XTP with H-110.This is one of my favorite guns.

OK, I'm sold on the .357 Mag. You guys offered some sound judgement and experience that helped me decide. Where are you guys finding these rifles for $279-299? Around here (DAyton, OH) I have yet to see one in that price range - granted, there's not much competition as one large gun shop seems to own the market. Thanks again.