.357 Magnum vs. .44 Magnum

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ASG

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Hello everyone,

I would like to know between the .357 Mag and the .44 Mag, which one is the better all-around caliber? By all-around, I mean for plinking, defense, hunting small game, hunting large game, and any other shooting I haven't mentioned.

Thanks,

ASG
 
Greeting's Sir;

Your criteria deploys us into two areas of thinking. You stated,
"what is the best caliber for hunting small game"; then you also
said, "what is the best caliber for hunting large game"?

Well, for most situations including plinking, target practice,
HD, and hunting small game up to and including some of the
smaller sized deer's; the .357 magnum with a 6" barrel will
work well.:) * The 6" barrel was chosen because the .357
does not retain as many ft. lbs. of energy; as does the .44
magnum.

For all other application's excluding grizzly bear's, the
.44 magnum with a 5" (or longer) barrel should do. As a matter
of fact, the Smith & Wesson 629 "Classic's" or the Ruger Red
Hawk's probably would be the best suited choice.:cool: :D

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
The 44 is more versatile

If one reloads, both rounds can be loaded down to about nothing. However, on the upper end, the 44 runs far away.
Even with factory ammunition, the 44 has a far wider range of power levels.

Not that 357 Magnum isn't a fine round in it's own right. I have a couple and carry them when I'm travelling "lighter".
 
Either/or.

I lean more towards the .44 end of things for caliber, and more towards the .357 end of things in choice of gun.
 
The .44s versatility does also come at a price of much greater recoil and blast.

I wouldn't say the .44 is more versatile, myself, I'd say it's versatile through a slightly different set of parameters.

The platform is, depending on the gun, quite a bit larger, which can make it harder to handle for some for defensive use, and also a lot harder to conceal if used for CCW.

I think the most realistic thing to do would be to assess EXACTLY how you're going to use the gun.

If you're going to use it regularly for hunting deer (especially the larger whitetails in the north, or blacktail or mule deer) then the .44 is the way to go, probably with a longer barrel.

If you're only occasionally going to use it for hunting, mostly small game, and general plinking, you may want to consider the .357 Mag. as it generally a lot less expensive to shoot regularly.

If you're going to use it mostly for defensive purposes, I really don't think the .357 can be beaten in that arena.

Both are extremely versatile cartridges, especially if you handload. If you don't handload, then, the .357 is really the way to go as there are significantly more cartridge choices in .357/.38 than there are in .44 Mag./.44 Special.
 
Both good.
.44 more gooder for when you need more clout.

.44 can be loaded from indoor use, quiet, low recoil plinkers up to flashin, bangin, recoilin car stoppers.

Both calibers need large frame revolvers to realize their full potential.

That said. If stuck with one gun for all round use...I would opt for a Smith Model 19 with 4" barrel. Not good for super heavy .357 loads but will do all the rest quite well in a modest sized package.

I would leave the large game for rifle work.

Sam
 
If your going to shoot economical cast bullets the .357 will lead the barrel with any load that has any power.

I don't agree with the post that the larger caliber has more blast. It's really the opposite with equal power loads.

As stated above I also prefer a rifle for game hunting but there are some states like Ohio where the pistol is legal and the rifle is not.

Get the .44 and load it with a Keith type cast bullet to about 1000 fps. It will be far more effective than any .357 at that point.

The .357 "Magnum" in fact is just about useless as compared to larger calibers except for certain concealed carry appications.
 
I agree with Ala Dan

You gave two different criteria to compare by. They are both great, I have a 357 and a 44. If you get one, you will end up wanting the other.
 
"The .357 "Magnum" in fact is just about useless as compared to larger calibers except for certain concealed carry appications."

:rolleyes:
 
357 Useless?

Excuse me, but aren't most types of .357 ammo capable of delivering more energy to a target than other calibers of handgun, such as the well-respected .45 ACP? How could that be considered useless?

Just taking a look at Winchester's ballistics to get some comparison info, the 357 mag had more energy at the muzzle than 38 Special +P, 9X19, .40 S&W, and 45 ACP. Are they all useless too?
 
YosemiteSam's Theorem

Proven: For every utterly absurd opinion there is at least one person willing to post it as fact on a message board.

-- Sam
 
IF.....
Chamber diameter is correct in relation to actual bore diameter.
AND.....the gun is in time on all chambers.
AND.....proper lube is used on the bullets

THEN.....cast bullets of nearly any hardness can be driven at quite high velocitys without leadeng the bore.

Proven by Phill Sharpe shortly after the .357mag went into production and folks were experiencing leading. Proven in the field and under laboratory conditions.

Sam....not Yosimite, he has hair and longer arms.
 
Both are almost as good as the .41 mag.

Run...........away.....................:p
 
I think you should get scientific about this and buy one of each, or better still, two or three or four of each. Why take chances?
 
I would use the .357 for anything up to large game. For large game the .44mag is by far better than the .357. If i was to only have one magnum it would be the .44. I myself have a 357 ,.41 ,as well as a.44mag. I shoot and enjoy them all alot. always remember you can never have enough magnums.
 
Mike said:

"The .44s versatility does also come at a price of much greater recoil and blast."

I have to directly disagree, because milder stuff is available even if you don't handload.

A number of defensive ammo makers sell "tactical light" loads, involving a good 200grain or so JHP doing 1,000fps. This is down near or below full-house .357 power levels. For even milder, you can shoot .44Special. You can also get "cowboy grade" stuff that's REAL mild even though it's in .44Mag cases if you want...the rules in that game call for lead only in speeds below 1,000 and much of it is down around 750fps in a handgun (so that it won't exceed the "speed limit" if you shoot it out of a carbine).

And then you can of course "load it up for bear" if desired :). And THEN you get "sound and fury".

The only issue is, can you get a .44Mag gun that you can comfortably pack? If so, that's the better choice, period, end of discussion :).
 
The power side of this debate: The 44 will go just as light as a 357, up to around double the energy level. You pick your own poison. As far as general usage 357 would be my choice, but you tossed large game into the mix, so 44 it is, hands down.

As for the noise side, and belive me this does concern ANYONE who will ever have to light either one off without hearing protection: In my experience (read "stupid things I did at one time or another") they are about equal in th noise dept. The 44 carries a deafening roar, while the 357 has a crack I have never heard equalled. After a cylinder-full of either one you can't hear for 5-10 minutes. (I now hunt with electronic earmuffs.)
 
I don't think anyone has mentioned the added versatility you get from a .44 mag by simply using .44 special ammo.
 
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