what rifle caliber to start with?

[arcticat]

I have a 357 vaquero.
I thought in an 1894 marlin the recoil will be so light as to take some fun away, ie like a 22.

I am thinking 44 mag.  Doubles as a deer gun too.  May get a limbsaver recoil pad too.

I know it is legal.  Is it acceptable.

thanks

[Silver Creek Slim]

If you have a pistol in 357, I would advise a rifle in the same caliber.

Slim

[Ransom Gaer]

arcticat,

Like Silver Creek Slim said go with .357.  This way it is impossible to swap ammo from one gun to another inadvertantly.  Also, if you reload it means you only have to load one cartridge and not several.  With .357 you can also use .38 special although a rifle may have difficulty using it.  Not to say that it will.  Using .357 or .38 will also cost less.

I have, up till now been shooting .45 Colt in everything.  Again common caliber in revolvers and rifle.  I switching to Frontiersman so I will shoot cap and ball revolvers and a .45 Colt 1860 Henry.  Because the revolvers are cap and ball I can't swap rounds.  Still safe shootin'.

Ransom Gaer

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[Doc Shapiro]

What they said!  It's a lot easier if all your guns are the same caliber.

[Ringo Steele]

Another thing to think about is that the recoil with all the pistol caliber rifles, using cowboy loads, will be light, so not much difference there, either.

As to your original final question...yes, it is completely acceptable.

As one who started with mixed calibers, I can tell you that it is best to have two very different calibers, such as the 357 and the 44, (and not a 44 and a 45, or 45 and 44-40, etc.) if you are going to mix calibers, as it will be much easier to tell them apart at a glance or by feel.

P.S. ... the 357 ain't such a bad (small to medium) deer rifle if used within it's limitations, either. Check out postings on www.marlinowners.com for more info, if interested.

[Montana Slim]

I know it is legal.  Is it acceptable.
thanks

It's your choice Pard, and I see nothing wrong with it.
Others are basing on the obvious logistics issues & potential problems.

Slim
Whose rifle cartridges won't fit his pistol, neither 

[38-72]

I have 2 Marlin Rifles, one in 357 and one in 44 mag.  Given the type of loads normally used in this sport, there isn't a whole lot of difference in recoil between the two. 

Your better off to stay with one caliber.  If you want more recoil in the 357, try shooting a heavier bullet. 

When my local club when to heavy knock downs, it was iffy that my 357 pistols shooting 158 gr. bullets would take them down.  So I went to 180 gr. bullets.  No problems.