.357mag vs. .44mag

R

roy reali

New member
Please humor me with thread.

Lets say you have the chance to deer hunt in an area were the longest shot would be less then one hundred yards. You have two choices of guns. You could either used a revolver chambered in .44 magnum or a carbine in .357 magnum. Which would you take?

I don't know how, but some of shooters around here got into a heated debate over this. After a few responses I will let you know my side of this debate.
 
I've never hunted with either one so take my comments for what they're worth. If you've bowhunted and are proficient at getting close to your game then go with the revolver. My preference though would be the carbine in 357.
 
Depends on a persons skill level. I feel like I can hit a Deer in the kill zone out to 125 yds with my .44 mag. I say 125 yds because this is as far as I practice with it.

Also what do you prefer to carry. I prefer a revolver. I switched to Ruger SRH years ago. Because its easier to hump through the woods. And I just like it.

They both kill deer if you can put the bullet where it belongs. As usual it comes down to the shooter.

So .44 mag for me. ;)
 
Easy. 357 from a carbine makes 1800+ fps in most loadings, over 2,000 with some (approaching .30/30 power). It's flatter shooting and the carbine would have a longer sight radius enabling more accurate placement. Both rounds are very capable of easily killing whitetailed deer.
 
Easy choice there Roy. "IF" you have a choice, take the .44. That being said I use a .357. Why? Because I wanted a do'it'all gun from plinking to HD to hunting to trail work. Don't plan on buying another handgun either so I'll keep using my .357. It works but for a dedicated hunting sidearm IMO the .44 is better.

LK
 
As the thread is framed, it would be a tough choice. If you had said under 75 yds, I would say 44 mag revolver if you are proficient with it. Otherwise, I would choose the carbine in 357 mag every time.

The question for me would be how much I want a deer if given the opportunity to take a shot?
 
Sorry Roy, didn't read the part about the carbine in .357, only saw revolver.

.357 Carbine hands down for us mere mortals.

LK
 
As much as I'm fond of my 44's I'd have to say the carbine because I am a mere mortal also. I would load it up with the heaviest solid bullet I could find.
 
Been thinking about it, and can't make up my mind.

I reckon I'd be about as comfortable with one as I would be with the other, so just let me have whichever one isn't claimed yet.

Daryl
 
Wouldn't it be easier for the average shooter to place an accurate shot with the carbine?
Click to expand...

Well you started with "Lets say you have the chance" and follow up "average shooter".

Again, back to the persons experience. Like the guy who stated about archery hunters or a LEO who only has shot handguns, what would you suggest?
 
The .357 carbine, no question about it. I shoot a Marlin .357 with a 24" barrel, and if it's 200 - 250 yds away.. it's a dead deer. Accuracy, velocity, etc. would all be better with a carbine than a revolver. You can use a 180 - 220 gr buffalo bore if you wanted more knock down energy.
 
Im canadian and as such i dont get much chance to shoot handguns. I have fired them although they have mostly been autos. That being said i would use that 44 but in a different manner. Screw 100 yards im setting up 25 yards from the trail. I can shoot accuratly with a handgun at that range. Im not doubing the abillity of a practised shooter to kill way further then that but for me i dont have the oppurtunity to practise with a revolver to be comfterable past 25-30 yards.

So i will say 357 for general hunting but i would go on a handgun hunt provided the set up would resemble bowhunters.

P.S I working on my restricted licence in about a year. It lets me get evil ARs and revolvers so maybe soon i will be able to change my anwser.
 
I would pick the .357 magnum carbine, Out of the carbine the Buffalo Bore 158 grain JHC has 2153 fps velocity. It yields 200 ft-lbs more muzzle energy that the 270 grain ,44 magnum out of a 6" barreled revolver. Better sight radius also.
 
44

I have taken several deer over the years with my S&W 629 .44mag 6". Always seems to do the job. Either round will work if you have correct shot placement.
 
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