Still searching for the perfect first deer rifle for my son.  Anyone have any knowledge of this calibre?  Compared to 30/30 or 20 gauge? most interested in the felt recoil.

Thanks,

W

I would get him the 30/30, thats one great rifle that has harvested untold number of deer.

The recoil on it is hardly noticeable.

I think the .357mag is not a great caliber for deer hunting, some people use it in a pistol, and if shot placement is good, fine, but for a beginner, go with the 30/30

I have the Marlin 1894CP.

[img]junior.apk.net/~scotts/1894CP.jpg[/img]

With (my homemade) full-house loads, its recoil is a bit more than an AR, but less than an M1-G or 8mm Mauser.  It's very light and well balanced.

I'm not a hunter, so I can't comment on its capabilities.

Check the Game regs, I don't think .357mag is enough for deer, unless your standing over them for a finisher.

Personally I like a .357 lever. I cut down split 38's to 38S&W length and load them using 147gr 9mm loading data - makes the rifle a Hi-Cap! (but this is more for varmints of the two legged variety.)

I would try either a 44mag rifle (you can start him with 44Spl loads.) Or even better the standard 30-30.

If you handload there are some great ultra light squib loads for 30-30 using 110 gr bullets and a very lite charge of red dot or unique.

edit to replace wrong word.

Winchester 94 trapper with 16" barrel in .44 Magnum.
With handloads, it can be effective on deer without excessive noise or recoil.

[img]http://www.ruger-firearms.com/images/ruger_guns/rifles/lever/lvrab.gif[/img]

Ruger 96/44M  Nice light accurate 44 Magnum. I picked one up on sale at Dick's Sporting Goods for ~ $250 to use a a brush gun for deer.  It's worth a look.

[url]http://www.ruger-firearms.com/rfpages/9644m.html[/url]

I've said it before...
The M4 of Lever Guns the [url=http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/1894_centerfireRifles/1894P.htm]Marlin 1894P[/url]

 I have a Marlin 357 carbine I've had a long time. People bad talk 357 for deer, but it's not much off a 30/30. You can throw a 158 gr at 2000 compared to a 150 at 2300.
 The thing is just treat it like a bow and go for the double lung shot. Usually a deer will lay down within 25 yards of that hit. As long as you give him a little time, he won't get back up. A lot of deer have been killed with a lot less like 32-20.
 The gun has almost no felt recoil. On the other hand I have two 44 carbines, a Marlin and a Browning 92 and they both kick more than a 30-30 and are very sensitive to hold. You have to hold them the exact same way every time and hold them tight to get them to shoot well.
 If you put a William's Foolproof rear sight on a Marlin, you should be good to go. Most of the new Marlins have horrible triggers from the factory, so you might want to count in a trigger job. I don't know if you could get that handled before opening day this year or not.
 Overall, the 357 is adequate for deer if you pick your shots and can shoot. It's also hell on beavers and coyotes with 140 HP's. Don't rule out the 243/260 bolt gun though. A Remington Model 7 is a very nice rifle you never burn out on.
 
 

The old Rossi is worth a look.I shoot a lot of big caliber rifles 338 and up.I find the 30/30 Winchester 94 unpleasent.It doesn't hurt me just un pleasant.180 grain bullet inside 75 yrds placed right will do the job.

6.5x55 or 260 REm in my opinion is perfect.Almost no recoil great penetration with a 140 gr bullet.Way ahead of a 6mm and a lot easier than a 308 on reciol.Its what my 2 sons will use if and when thet want to go after deer or something similar