Any one of those will work. Shoot the one you have the most confidence in. If you do not have any of them and need to choose then go with the 30-30 because it will do the job out to 200 yards if needed and is usually accurate in a Handi rifle. It also has plenty of power. I think the 30-30 kicks less than either the 45 Long Colt or the 44 Magnum with full house loads and it has much better "knock down" power than a 357. If you have all of them to choose from pick the one you shoot best. There is nothing that beats a well placed and constructed bullet.
It's a no brainer. 30-30 Its record as a great deer cartridge speaks for its self. Especially
at the range and conditions you are talking about. Put a Remington Corelock through
the boiler room of a deer with that 30-30 and he is finished.
All of the callibers you listed are killers at that distance with well placed shots. I for one vote for the 44 or 45 as I like big boolits. I would pick the rifle caliber combo that your going to have the most fun with in the other season. I trust you have the same seasons were you live as we have here in northern Alberta #1 Hunting Season #2 Waiting for Hunting Season.
Another vote for the efficient 30-30, which stands alone as the all time deer getter, out to 200 yards.
Just from your description, you could possibly be looking at a 150 to 175 yard or longer shot, and the 30-30 would be a comfort to have if the shot presented itself!
Now while im not against the old time tested 30-30 by any means i myself would go with the 44 mag... i have owned a Ruger deerfield in that chambering and loved it , took a few nice animals with it , and maybe in the single shot platform the recoil is different ... but i wouldnt think it to be more recoil then the 44 in a rifle setup .The 30-30 that is.. anyways just my opinion
BTW i own one of the 357 handis .... and if a shooter that is a little more timid to recoil might shoot your choice i can with all certainty say that the 357 is absolute pleasure to shoot ..but as the boys said those are all good caliber choices ..Good luck with your desicion
I agree with PartsMan. The bullet performance of the 170 grain flat point in a 30-30 is impressive at the distances you describe and can reach out further if needed.
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