Thread: Bergara 357 or 44mag for light weight pig gun

HI Guys Looking at a Bergara single action stainless
So choice is 357 or 44mag for light weight pig gun what do you prefer ???
Could also use short range deer and I understand 44 is better for that.

Will tell you one thing, their not light weight, if you want something lighter look at a Howa Mini in 7.62x39.

Was looking more at the short range over dogs so 7.62 x 39 not so much for me

16 inch Rossi 92 in 44 mag or a Win 94 trapper in 3030 if you can find one, just as light or lighter than that truck axel. Pigs are quick and don't always stand conveniently still. Never understood the attraction of single shots for pig hunters.

Got ya more of a clean up on our bush block then full time. Normally hunt with bow and the 7mm mag in a bit much. I did look at the rossi as well so will look harder that way. thanks for the advise

Originally Posted by Got-ya

16 inch Rossi 92 in 44 mag or a Win 94 trapper in 3030 if you can find one, just as light or lighter than that truck axel. Pigs are quick and don't always stand conveniently still. Never understood the attraction of single shots for pig hunters.

Yep, go for the 30-30,it will do everything if its close enough, with open sights.

Or marlin 1894 suppressed 357 would be similar weight i think

I have the short 308 Bergara, and a Win 94 Trapper. I bought the Bergara so it could be suppressed for shooting over a dog, I wasn’t going to butcher the trapper (it was as bought for pig hunting on horseback). Pluses and minuses to both, both probably similar weights (I can check later). Are you using an indicator dog, or bailers?

indicator dog so not holding or bailing

Have various 44 and 357 in both lever (Rossi and Marlin) and single shot (Rossi/Rergara/H&R), and to be honest, the lightest is probably the 357 Rossi lever action. Similar ballpark money too. Only advantage the single shot has is that it's maybe a little easier to get one suppressed, but you can still suppress the levers (DPT do them)

Theres a Rossi 44 in the for sale section,
Ive owned a rossi lever and a bergara single shot, still own the rossi

Just picked one of trademe thanks guys Rossi 16 stainless 357 mag Great price. Thanks for the advice all

if you feel that way inclined there are a heap of vids on youtube showing how to disassemble and smooth out the action and a couple of tricks for lightening the trigger pull.

FTX thanks will have a look

Originally Posted by Beanie

Just picked one of trademe thanks guys Rossi 16 stainless 357 mag Great price. Thanks for the advice all

Awesome, you won't regret it. There very mild over dogs and have plenty of punch in close on pigs. It'll drop deer/goats out to 150m and have plenty enough punch.

As mentioned, the 16in Rossi 357 is way lighter than a single shot bergara. I ran one over my hounds and it was my favorite gun due to being so light and handy.