musicman

OK, like the title says, I've never hunted before. Well, I used to hunt down lizards in the backyard with my bb gun in Miami as a kid. But other than that, no real hunting of any kind. I have a couple friends who are all willing to take me deer hunting this year, and I've got to choose which rifle I will use. I don't have the money to buy another gun, so I've got to choose between my Mosin 91/44 carbine, or my Marlin 1894C in 357 mag. I'm asking for all of you experienced hunters' help in weighing the pros and cons of these guns, and helping me make a decision. I reload for 357, and have worked up some pretty hot and consistent loads for the Marlin. I do not reload for the Mosin, and at this point I just have about 30 round of old surplus ammo. I know there is modern, non-corrosive soft point ammo available if I choose to go with the 91/44. Neither of these guns are currently scoped, so I have to go about getting mounts and scopes for whichever I choose. I am having problems with the marlin at 100 yards with open sights. It shoots WAY high, with both 125 and 158gr loadings. I cannot crank down the rear sight any more, and the front sight is not adjustable. Other than being way high, it shoots good groups for a levergun, I think. I've been getting around 4" with my bad eyes at 100 yds. I think with a good 2 or 2.5x scope, I could cut that in half. I get about the same with the Mosin, but need the bayonet extended to shoot to sights. With it folded, they land far low and left. Again, if I scope the Mosin, I can just sight it in with the bayonet folded, and the problem is taken care of. The Mosin is one heavy beast. I don't relish the idea of carrying that monster through the woods. The Marlin is not the octagon barrelled cowboy version like Eddie's (molonlabetn's) gun, and is of a much more manageable weight. Stupid noob question: do you wear ear protection when hunting? I know you want to be quiet, and to be able to hear everything, so I would guess you do not wear muffs/plugs while searching for your animal. Do you stop and take the time to put on earware when you've foun him? I would think that would take a lot of time and make noise, which would maybe make you lose your shot. Do you just take the shot and deal with some ringing for awhile? The Mosin (as most of you know) is L O U D!!!! I really don't look forward to the idea of shooting that thing unprotected. The Marlin does have a strong report with hot 357 loads, but not even in the same realm as the Mosin. I don't have a chronograph, so I can't give real velocities for ammo in either of these guns. I am positive that the Mosin has more power, based on velocities listed in ballistics charts. Its bullets also have a better profile for longer and flatter shooting. However, I don't know of and good hunting bullet designs in 7.62x54R. I know there are modern softpoints, but I don't know if they have a strong reputation or not. In 357mag, a lot of velocity is gained by the longer barrel (18.5" on my gun) producing, in some cases I've read about, 25-40% more velocity than in a 4-6" handgun. There is also no loss due to cylinder gap. The shorter, wider, gaping hollowpoint of the .357 bullets produce more drag, and more bullet drop. I have Hornady XTP hps in 125gr, 140gr, 158gr, and 180gr on hand. Though I have no real world experience, I tend to like heavier than faster. I am leaning toward a 158gr or 180gr loading, and then testing so see the flight curve at 25, 50, and 100 yards. With the 158gr load, I don't think it will be too bad. Should I even b concerned so much with drop beyond 100 yards, and velocity loss? From what I hear, most deer in TN are taken well inside 100 yds anyway. Am safe in assuming that I can hold a 3-4" group at 100 yards, and that if the bullets lands in the right place, I should have venison for dinner? Whaddya think guys? Tell me what you think, and tell me what you think I have completely missed. I am a noob, and really appreciate and look forward to your advice. Thanks!

That new first post icon is good. Thanks!

Another +1 for Smyra. There'a Hampton inn right off the highway that's nice. I worked with Shannon Speir on an event there awhile back and she was very nice. Give her a call and tell her what you need and are willing to pay. She can eitehr say yes or no. 615-355-8432. (avoid the Hilton like the plague... awful management) There's also a Sleep Inn right beside that which is good. My family stayed there when they came up for my wedding last year. 615-220-2260. Both of these places are right behind God's gift to the south, Cracker Barrel. Have a good trip!

Oh, ok. That's not such a big, and doesn't need to go to a gunsmith if he's got a vice at home. (I know, too late now) Like others, I had that happen a couple times with my very first batch of reloads. I had 3 powderless cases in that box of 25!! I have no idea how I was so stupid, but some 15k or so rounds later, it has never happened again. I'm just glad another round didn't get behind it, and that no one was hurt.

yea, a crazy sound at that! Look at their eyes!! :death: yea, yea, I know... it's the flash and their eyes relfecting... whatever, it just looks funny!! We caught a mouse at my church in Miami (haha, church mouse, haha!) and kept if in a cage for awhile. It'e right eye was about twice the size of his left eye, and we named him Buckeye. He was a fun critter.... til our cat got the lid off the cage..... anyways, these night pics remind me of him!

Sweet!! Yea, I just noticed that button was a lot harder to target than in the previous layout. Thanks!

My Cheerios are missing!! I blame the new layout.

Hehehe, I built two ARs with just a flathead screwdriver and an old set of brass punches. Pain the butt!! When I get to do it again, I'm buying real AR tools!! :wall::rant:freakin springs and crap....

I know that this is late, but I will add my vote for a 38/357 too. However, I would suggest a steel-frame gun, not an unobtanium ultra-light weight hand slapper. I carry a 2" model 64 S&W, which is basically a stainless steel model 10. It's not really heavy, it just has a nice, solid feel about it. It also makes the recoil VERY tame! Even hot +p loads are not tough at all. No, it's not really +p rated, but whatever. With different heat treating of the cylinder, this gun is the .357 mag model 66. I'm sure it can take a little +p diet.

Diggit.

pure awesomeness

Wheee!!!!!! Can't wait!!

A day at the range is always a good thing! Curious, the reloader in me wants to know more about the "squib and resulting barrel situation." I don't mean to pick anyone or anything, but I would like to hear the details of this situation. Would you mind sharing what happened?

wow, have no idea how that censored my abbreatiation for "appreciate you"!! I know I didn't even come close to the word for poop that starts with an S! Weird stuff. Regardless, thanks for the code!

Hey, congrats man! I got married June 30th last year. Boy the first year is a doozie!! Enjoy your honeymoon, and have a great time. Then remember that great time over the next 6 months as you adjust. You'll need a "happy place"! But so far, it's all been worth it. Come back with weddin' pics!

dang, I'm down. 'pree*****e ya!

yea. I definitely want to attend some of their classes as well. If I can get business cranked up by about 25% it will be a real possibility. Maybe I'll see you there!

Dang! Never thought about second strike like that! All of my handguns have second strike capability... on another fresh round. That's because all off my handguns are revolvers right now!

Congrats!! It's always fun putting together a gun! Yea, if you get a complete upper, there's not much to do except assemble the bolt whcih is really easy. The hardest part of building an AR is getting those freking pins and crap in the trigger group and handle together. You've already done the hard part. PICS PICS PICS!!

Those guys are what really makes me like gunshops. There were a few (maybe still there, but haven't been back in over a year) at the Reloader's Bench in Mt Juliet all the time. I used to go there just to sit and talk with them. (Really, to listen. I'd ask a question every now and then, too.) I'm young and have never been in the armed forces. I freely admit I am a wuss and a chicken. I love guns and shooting, as long as all the bullets are speeding away from me, and not toward me. I have a great love and respect for these heroes of America.

Just make sure you don't get your whatchamacallit put in all cattywhompus, otherwise you're in BIG trouble!!

I hate to see the direction this is going. I hope whatever issues there may be are resolved and everyone walks away happy. I don't want to see more fine folks kicked off of this site or pissed off at each other.

Yea, I remember a couple years ago they were $2.38 for the Federal Field & Range shotshells. I had over a dozen cases all together. I haven't bought any shotgun ammo since then, either. But unfortunately I'm running low, and I know I will have to buy more some day soon. Dang money. Stupid ammo prices.

You're welcome to come on down to my place and learn on a Lee turret press. My bench is a little messy, but I can clean it all up. I also have some .40 brass all polished up. I've even got some bullets, primers, and powder you can use to run off your first 50 or so rounds. I will suggest that first, you buy a good, comprehensive reloading manual and read about the physics and forces that make reloading work. I've got all the dies and stuff for .40, but haven'tlaoded it in forever, so you'll get to set it all up from scratch, which is good practice. Just send me a PM if you wanna come down. I'm 3 minutes from I-24's exit 66.

Nope.... THIS is one helluva speaker: