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I am looking at getting a nicely built revolver and lever gun set up with both being in the same caliber.
I am looking to get this for walking around in the woods and spontaneous hunting ventures in the woods. I already have a YoBo 45/70 Big Lewie rifle which is my primary for hunting.

Anyway...
It mainly seems my best options would be 44 mag or 45 Colt.
As thats what I will most easily find a lever fun in that would work for this build and I think .357 is a little underpowered for deer if I was to see a nice one when walking through the woods.

I do not handload/reload nor do I have much of an interest in starting.
As I have smaller hands so far I have been happier with the S&W .44 over the Rugers. In a perfect world Id like it to be DA but if I have to cock it first so be it.

What do you guys suggest? What would be my ideal caliber and what model would you look at if you were me (keep in mind smaller hands).

I already know I am going to have YoBo do the rifle for sure!
Just not sure who I will have do the revolver as YoBo isnt taking work on revolvers right now since they are already swamped with us 1911 junkies...

PS I want a barrel between 4 and 5 1/2 in I think... Something in the upper 4's most likely. I can always buy longer and have it cut.

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Kentucky Colonel, Tennessee Squire & Combat Leprechaun
"You won't rise to the occasion - you'll default to your level of training." Barrett Tillman

I would go with the .45 Colt. With all the cowboy action shooting going on you can get loads all the way from cream puff to serious stuff from Buffalo Bore.

My Grandfather's .38-40 SAA is being restored now and I'm looking for an 1892 in .38-40 to go with it.

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Steve

J.-One piece that I have had good success with as a "woods gun" was a S&W Model 25 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt. I too have small hands, and with a set of aftermarket stocks on it, I got to where I actually enjoyed having this on me most of the time when I lived in the country. It was powerful, not too heavy, very accurate with factory load (mine liked silvertips....in a heavy gr. bullet). I once used it to dispatch a large wild dog that was approaching me with what looked like less than honorable intentions (and this dog was part of a pack that had killed a neighbors livestock). The Colt round did exactly as it should and promptly sent the old pooch to the big dirt-nap! Anyway, Smith is still making a version of this gun (I think) and I couldn't have been happier with mine....I will be purchasing another one day!--John

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

I am really starting to consider the .45 colt

Would it be enough to knock down a hog or deer in the woods through a nice Marlin Lever or does the .44 pack that much more of a punch?

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Kentucky Colonel, Tennessee Squire & Combat Leprechaun
"You won't rise to the occasion - you'll default to your level of training." Barrett Tillman

Good article on the .45 Colt in a lever rifle:
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/ ... vergun.htm

Since I reload, I would use the .45 Colt. However, in your case, the abundance of options is best with the .44 mag/44 special. Hot, medium or mild, you can't find the same number of options with the 45 as you can with the 44.

Lenny

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Show 'em where you live....

How about the .454 Casull?

Ouch!

I did an article on the .454 for a Spanish gun magazine (Armas) in about '87. I borrowed two Freedom Arms revos and soon was referring to the .454 as "the gun nobody borrows twice", because WOW did it hurt to shoot! The FA's were bank-vault buil,. really quality pieces..... eventually I got to where I could shoot maybe 30-40 rounds in one sitting.

That is a little more than I can handle....
I have the 45/70 for my big power gun.
This is just something for walking around and playing with.
I would go .357 BUT I really think its not enough if I was to see a really nice deer or something along those lines.

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Kentucky Colonel, Tennessee Squire & Combat Leprechaun
"You won't rise to the occasion - you'll default to your level of training." Barrett Tillman

Thats about 27-37 more than I could do....

Smiths in .45 can't handle hot loads. I would definitely go with .44. Although....with modern controlled expansion loads the .357 would probably do the trick on a deer. A buddy of mine used to shoot them with a .38 levergun and they died every time.

This is a 629 Gary Reeder did for me 9 years ago.

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The only place you will find success without hard work is in the dictionary