Neither. I'd rather have a .30-30 or .35 Rem for something cheap off the shelf. .45-70 would be ok just overkill. But, I'm into that.

If I was going to look around a bit I'd rather come up with a short bolt gun in .338 Federal or something in .358 Winchester any day over any of these. I like the 18" barrel Model 7 as well.

I know that's not what you asked but having had all these... that's my take on a "woods gun". A BLR takedown in .358 is about as good as it gets for me.

To specifically address your question - Personally I'd rather have a 7.62x39 over the 44 any day if I was going to get around 100 yards or further. I've kilt a pile of deer with both a Ruger mini-thirty and a Ruger 44 carbine. I had a 44 carbine a long time ago and bought another within the last couple years. I do like one. The 44 will grease one up close but at any kind of distance it is not optimal.


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