.44 mag recoil vs. .357?

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In my first reply its supposed to be S & W's and Rugers. Stupid auto correct! Also, I should mention that the Bull had less noticeable recoil then my friend's Glock in .40 cal. The 44 has more gun movement, but its almost nil with the shock absorbing grips, weight, and porting. I should also report that I had absolutely no "splashback" to the face which was very noticeable to say the least in the Blackhawk. Again, I'm not knocking Ruger. I have the GP100 .357 stainless myself also. Much better gun than the blackhawk in my book. Have fun, good luck, and happy shooting.
 
For hunting the 44 mag is about twice as effective as a 357 mag. Control of the 44 mag depends on your strength. The gun should not move in your hand . Bend your elbows a bit then when you shoot your arms act as shock absorbers ! For either gun always use ear protection !!
 
In my experience, the only way that a .44 Magnum is going to have roughly the same recoil as a .357 Magnum is if either the .44 is a very heavy gun or the .357 is a very light gun. I currently own four S&W .357 Magnum revolvers: a 2 1/2" M66, a 3" M13, a 4" M28, and a 5" M27. While the larger, heavier N-Frames are obviously the lighter recoiling guns, shooting 100 or more rounds of normal factory 158gr .357 Magnum ammo (1200-1250fps) or my equivalent handloads in one sitting isn't particularly tiring or unpleasant from any of them.

On the other hand, I currently own one .44 Magnum, a 4" 629, and have previously owned one other, a 5 1/2" Ruger Redhawk. In both of those guns, 50 rounds of normal factory 240gr .44 Magnum ammo (1200-1250fps) or my equivalent handloads in one sitting is a full day's shooting. Additionally, the .44's require a different technique to shoot comfortably than the .357's do. With the .357's, I typically "muscle down" the gun much in the same manner that I would a semi-auto or a non-magnum revolver. On the other hand, while I am strong enough to "muscle down" a .44 Magnum, doing so becomes very tiring and uncomfortable after two or three cylinders full. For more that 20 rounds or so, I find that I need to allow a .44 Magnum revolver to "roll" with the recoil in order to be able to shoot it without developing a flinch.

Now, while I've not owned them, I have shot .357 and .44 Magnum revolvers that are the exception to this rule. On one end, the Ruger LCR in .357 Magnum has recoil more vicious than any .44 Magnum I've ever fired due to its extremely light weight. Regardless of what shooting technique I try, shooting more than a couple of cylinders full of full-power magnum ammo through this gun quickly becomes counter-productive.

On the other hand, a Ruger Redhawk with the longer 7 1/2" barrel is just as pleasant to shoot with full power .44 Magnum ammo as my S&W N-Frames are with .357 Magnum ammo due to its much heavier weight. I have no doubt that I could shoot 100+ rounds of full power .44 Magnum ammo through this revolver in one sitting without it being unpleasant in the least.
 
I agree about the 357 not being anywhere near the equal to the 44mag. I'm not sure whether the old cowboy 45 Colt or the 357 mag is the better on game animals.
 
Webley has alot of good points. It all depends on the gun, the load, etc. One 44 may be pleasant, whereas another may be violent . The weight, porting and balance are what make my raging bull so nice to shoot.
 
Love my Taurus 44 mag

I've never shot a 357 so I can't tell you anything about the comparison. However I have owned a Taurus 44 mag Raging Bull for half a dozen years now. I put a scope on my and have killed white tail with it. I can hit an eight inch circle at about 40 yards consistently. Usually the group is tighter than eight inches. I will say that I had to replace a spring in the cylinder and the screw that holds the cylinder assembly in place has to be tightened every now and then. I paid $450 for it about eight years ago (mine is blued) and it was money well spent. I think you will enjoy owning, shooting and hunting with this gun.
Live well, be safe
Prof Young
 
Longshot4

Well Mr.Mod.12 Win. This is my two cents. First if you are just a target shooter enjoy your 357 I love my Mod. 19 Smith. If you are a hunter you want more power not that the 357 isn't capable but the 44 Mag. is more capable of a clean kill. As far as being concerned about over violent. Forget about it. There is nothing to be concerned of. Stay away from the short barrels, don't port and a good set of rubber grips will be all you need. Also If you will be using it for hunting use a bullet that opens up and doesn't loose weight.
 
I was at the WSI range 14 years ago, and the guy sweeping the floor said I would have to leave if I could not hit the target.
He then stood there leaning on his broom and watched me.

I felt stress.
So I got out my most accurate gun, a 29-4 44 mag 6" loaded hot.
It was so loud, the first shot made the lighting fixture in front of me fall out of the ceiling and break on the floor.
 
I would use the Taurus mostly as a range/fun/plinking gun and I want it solely because I want it.
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This is where handloading/reloading really shines. You can custom tailor your loads to suit how you shoot.

When it comes to "throwing energy" downrange, the larger .44mag will do it a lot better than a .357magnum.

A .357 mag load - full boogie - that will set your teeth on edge can be bested by a .44 at little more than "plinking levels" - if that.
 
How much more recoil can you expect? I am not a big guy, sorta average, 5'9 180lbs. Twenty something years ago when I was in my prime, I had no problems with my 6" GP100 357Mag with full power loads. My buddy let me shoot his 4" Model 629 and it hurt my palm to fire. It was not comfortable to shoot. There is a difference, I am sure you could work through it. But it will be noticeable. Still, don't be afraid.
 
I agree, it would be incorrect to say the recoil is not heavier than the 357 magnum. How much heavier? Oh boy, that's hard to say. I have not shot a 4" barrel 44 magnum- only the Model29 with a 6 1/2" barrel. On that gun I'd say maybe 20-30% more recoil. On the hurt hand thing, as I said before the grip is very important. I started with a big oversized grip because that's what everyone said I was supposed to use. It was okay but really too big for me. There are 3 standard S & W type grips. I'm not sure what the names are but let's start with the big oversized style. On the smaller, there is a very old style that wasn't much wider than the frame. Then an inbetween style. That inbetween style- look at the gun sideways and it follows the frame in the grip area BUT look at it endwise and it is about as thick as the big oversized grips- which means you have the same amount of grip pushing back in your hand and if it fits your hand correctly the weight is better distributed and the recoil feels less. I also have smooth rather than checkered grips and maybe the gun moves a little in my hand without my realizing whereas with a checkered grip I'd notice it. In any event, at least think about the grip on your gun. I think a lot of guys are using the wrong grip and that may explain at least partially why there seems to be a difference of opinion on recoil. Of course some folks are just recoil shy. My cousin is in the navy and thinks the Colt Govt model kicks hard.
Pacmeyer (sic?) sells a soft rubber grip with a certain amount of give. That would also work well if the recoil is an issue.
 
Depends on the size and weight of the gun and of course the load. A .357 snub can have more recoil than a full size .44 revolver.
 
But we all have to remember the original question was about a 6" GP 100 and a ported Taurus. A 6" GP 100 should be a relative powder puff with the barrel weight and soft grips. I would still wager the ported 44 Taurus would still give a good amount more recoil than the above mentioned gun. Now comparing something like a J frame 357 to a 44 Redhawk is kind of a stretch and not very realistic.
 
I agree with all that has been said, in my case I delayed getting a 44 magnum because of all the talk. The Model29 I bought was second hand with only a box of rounds put through it because the guy couldn't take the recoil. Well happy me. I love that gun. It is one of my favorites. It is a little too heavy to pack on your belt if you are just going for a hike, then I'd go with a 357 mag 4" barrel, but that doesn't mean I don't love the Model 29. Anyone interested in the gun but is holding off because of all the recoil talk. Go ahead and get a 44 magnum. You won't regret it. I also like the Red hawk with the 7 1/2" barrel. If I was going to work as a big game guide with pack horses, etc. I just might switch to the red Hawk to get that slightly longer barrel.
 
I think we are all tracking. There is no real reason not to get a .44 Magnum in a handgun with the weight and grips to help manage the recoil. If you did go with a shorter barreled version you can still soften things up through the use of .44spl or lighter 44 mag loads. A .44 magnum does not have to be an uncomfortable or un-fun gun to shoot just because of the caliber.
 
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