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Someone on another forum asked the question: "Why didn't Ruger manufacture a .357 version of the Deerfield?" I've often wondered myself as I think it would be an instant hit with shooters. Seems like it shouldn't be too hard to adapt the design - the magazines already exist.
Furthermore, I can't find a .357 semi-auto long gun from any manufacturer. Have I overlooked something? I've had a lever, a pump and now an M77 but I've always wanted a semi-auto rifle in .357. Is there some technical reason why it can't be done? Magnum Research has the Desert Eagle .357 semi-auto pistol, so... Anyhow, I really think the Company could sell a ton of .357 Deerfields. Make mine blue in a walnut sporter stock, please?
Your thoughts?

Ruger didn't sell enough of the .44 mag Deerfields to keep it in the line up, so I imagine they never gave any other caliber a second thought, as the .44 would be much more appropriate for deer hunting than .357. I know, people use it every year, I am just stating the obvious.

Not everyone is a hunter nor is every gun. Ruger just re-released the 77/357 - what's that used for? Pistol-caliber, semi-auto carbines are all the rage and the .357, while not packing the wallop of a .44 mag, is a formidable round out of a rifle. Also cheaper and kinder to the shoulder.
I would also point out that there are no Deerfields for sale on Gunbroker (and haven't been for a while) and I rarely see them on any site. So folks are holding on to them for some reason.

Interestingly, I approached Mitch Schultz about taking a 44 carbine and rebarreling and reworking to fire .41 mag. We came up with a plan, but alas, shop closed and my funds were appropriated elsewhere.

I think that any rimmed cartridge in a semi auto poses problems to some manufacturers, Ruger seemed to have it solved for the 44 mag… too bad there are not sister calibers to the 44 carbines….