.44 magnum vs. .357 magnum

You switch to a magnum case and you can propel the heaviest bullet they make, a 158 grain at 1265 feet per second
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You might want to check your numbers or update your reloading manual. Hodgdon publishes a load for 158 grain bullets using H110 powder (and I use the load in my 686) that yields nearly 1600 fps. They also publish a 180 grain load with the same powder making nearly 1400 fps, which at 783 ft-lbs is within shouting distance (80%) of the 300 gr. bullet at 1200 fps (959 ft-lbs).

I search our local public range (hundreds of shooters per day) for revolver brass and have never found a .44 special. .44 mag. is pretty rare, and I pick up all of it I can. Whereas .38 special is extremely common and .357 is also pretty easy to find.

The .44 magnum is a more versatile round for the man that has only one handgun
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If the man has only one handgun, then the man probably can't afford to shoot very much, and the man will get a lot more practice time in with a .357, making him much more effective against bad guys or bears.
 
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re:spacecoast

If the man has only one handgun, then the man probably can't afford to shoot very much, and the man will get a lot more practice time in with a .357, making him much more effective against bad guys or bears.
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Why? Does having one handgun make you poor? What if a man only wants to have one handgun due to space constraints or just plain old personal preference. Or instead of using his money to buy more guns he uses it for ammo to practice with the one gun he has.


Yes, I need to update my reloading manuals. With the internet I can't see spending money for one. Thanks for the update. With your your load it does up the power the .357 magnum. But, it still pales in comparison to the other magnum.

Both guns offer the option of using milder loads for practice. The difference is that the mild loads in one are superior to the mild loads in the other.
 
Shooting lighter weight bullets is one thing the .357 can do better. I don't see much load data out there for the .44 with 90, 110, 125gr etc bullets.
 
I've got a few revolvers in each caliber and loading dies and brass for both of them. If I was limited to factory ammo I would probably opt for the 357 but reloading comfortable rounds for the 44mag being an option, I would say one is not better than the other. Just different purposes for each of them. If you asked me to pick one it would be like asking a mother which of her kids she loved more.
 
I owned a 4" 629 44mag for several years. I live in Georgia and felt that it was overkill. My two 357's; a S&W M19 6" and a Ruger SP101 3" serve me as camp and woods guns. When the weather is hot and humid and I am moving ladder stands and bush-hogging the SP is perfect on the hip. The S&W gets that nod in cooler weather. We have deer, hogs, bear, coyotes and other varmint.

The SP also gets home defense duty for the wife, loaded with 38 +P the recoil is easy to handle and the gun is not too large to hold and operate.

My 629 beat the crap out of me and would leave me with a flinch. I have no problems with the 357 even in the sp101. The 38 makes for fun economical plinking for the whole family.

Would I feel under-gunned staring at an angry black bear with a 357-yes, 44mag-yes. Ruger #1 45/70 - not so much.
 
From Roy Reali;
Yes, I need to update my reloading manuals. With the internet I can't see spending money for one. Thanks for the update. With your your load it does up the power the .357 magnum.
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Reloading manuals are very helpful things to have. They are also not so expensive, new or used, or a few years old, that price should hold a fella back. They contain a good deal of information on ballistics and are in a handy package.

But even without a manual we can still find info on both the .44 and the .357 and the loads available to them. The manufacturers websites offer the info and a quick comparason can be had at sites like this one...
http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...Id=7502&categoryString=653***691***&pageNum=1

A quick look at the above shows loads for the .357 up to 200 grs.

I think though that if you set up a debate on the .357 vs. the .44 and you don't set some parameters for the debate then you have set yourself up to lose. Mostly because you have nothing to debate. Yep the .44 Magnum is more powerful than the .357. This is true. Now what? See that fact alone does not tell you much beyond the obvious.

If a fella said "I'm going after Elk. I'll hunt with a handgun. Should I take my .44 or my .357." I'd advise the .44.

If you asked "I need a back up revolver that I can carry in an ankle holster or a small purse. 38/357 or 44spl./44 mag?" Well I'd suggest the J frame 38.

You select a gun and a round and a bullet type based on the task in front of you and your own abilities. Which round is more powerful has to fit within that framework. Seems to me anyway.

tipoc
 
You ain't had fun until you've shot watermelon or water jugs with a 180gr hollowpoint from a .44 magnum, behind a stiff charge of a slower burning powder.

A 180gr .357 is a heavy, dense proposition that starts to arc on its trajectory.

A 180gr .44 is a relatively light projectile that tends to disintegrate when it meets resistance. It can be pushed to nearly 2000fps from a handgun. 180's tend to be designed for .44 special velocities and they act like little grenades when they hit something at magnum velocities of 1500+fps.

Granted, you can do the same trick with a 110gr .357 round with less powder and bullet expense... but it just ain't the same. :D

I favor the .44. I've never really liked the .357. I love shooting the .38 special, .44 special and .44 magnum.

When it comes to 2-legged protection, I'd rather have a .44special on my side than a .357 magnum. If a small platform is desired, then I go to the .38+p in a J-frame or a SP101 3". If I "need" a .357 and I can somehow justify the added power over a .38, then I probably need the .44 magnum actually.

But, I subscribe to Keith-a-nomics when it comes to sixguns (or 5/7/8-guns). Wide meplat hard cast lead bullet of the largest diameter you can control, and at the fastest velocity your gun can handle and you can shoot well.
 
Good morning friends.

I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 mag with a 10.5 inch barrel. The recoil does not really bother me, but it is not the most comfortable pistol to fire, and in that long barrel configuration it is pretty unwieldy.

I also have a Smith and Wesson model 19 .357 with a four inch barrel. It is a dream to fire, pretty accurate and dependable.

If I owned a .44 magnum that was a little more user friendly, I might end up with a different outlook but in my opinion, if you can't kill it with six rounds out of a .357 magnum, you probably shouldn't be shooting at it with a handgun.

Just my ever so humble opinion.
 
.44 mag. is highly versatile. I am not very big and have shot my Redhawk many thousands of times. I handload bringing down costs. My repertoire of loads goes from what I call 'powder puff' to whomper-stomper. Recoil goes from negligible to uncomfortable.
If I could have only one CF handgun, it would be a .44 mag.
 
back in the day when revolvers were king for LE .44magnum took the spot but it was said that it truely just became over excessive and .357 was better for their prupose on the job and took the spotlight back for good. this is what I heard while reading about model 29 .44 rise to fame since starting in 50's, then dirty harry, etc. + reading other histories of firearms ect over the last couple yrs. personally I dont know the answer but I do like .44 very much. there is no doubt in my mind that .357 gets the job done, and this is why I donot go under .357- if it comes to it I want the ones that hit their mark to do some serious damage or better
 
I'd prefer the 357 because in most cases its all you need. Not to mention the fact that 100 rounds of 357 take up much less space then 44 mags (just based on the plastic boxes I put my reloads in) and those 100 rounds are much lighter (not a trivial thing when you might be toting a backpack).

Kill a coyote, cougar, black bear or whatever just as dead within 100 yards out of a carbine. And if your worried about bigger bears and are hell bent on a lever gun then you should have at least a 30-30 and leave the damn 44 at home.

Out of my nearly 9 pound henry rifle, the 44 mag kicks far more then my 6 pound marlin CB in 357. Makes a big difference in fast and accurate shooting.

Out of a pistol I prefer a 45........... so I guess Im undecided
 
reLonghair75

If I owned a .44 magnum that was a little more user friendly, I might end up with a different outlook but in my opinion, if you can't kill it with six rounds out of a .357 magnum, you probably shouldn't be shooting at it with a handgun.
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You are right, for many situations a long gun is superior to a handgun. If a bear is charging, no sidearm is your best bet. However, in my opinion, a .44 magnum would be a better option then a .357 magnum. I believe elephants have been killed with .44 magnums. I wonder if any have been killed with the other round?
 
go back about 25 years ago... I was getting married to a wonderfull woman, whose father was a pretty big gun collector... I was not ever planning to start collecting :rolleyes: just wanted to buy the most versitile gun out there, to have something in common with my new father in law ( BTW I also did the one / most versitile rifle thing as well )... I figured if I bought one versitile gun, I could borrow one from my father in law, if I needed something specific... I thought long & hard before I bought my 1st handgun... what I thought at the time, was the absolute most versitile handgun... I bought a stainless 4" 357 magnum revolver...

... 25 years later... we now own my father in law's collection, & I have nearly doubled what he owned... I now reload for around 50 different calibers... I can shoot 38S&W, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 357 Maximum, 40 S&W, 10mm, 10mm Magnum, 44 special 44 Mag, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 454 Casull, 50 Special, 50 A.E. & any number of chamberings from 22 shorts, through the 38 S&W, & in any number of formats, from compact autos & revolvers, to large hunting Autos & Revolvers, & including many specialty single shots... point being, I think I'm qualified to offer an opinion...

the O.P. & any other poster is certainly entitled to their opinion... but after 25 years & alot of guns later, IMO, the stainless 4" 357 magnum is still the most versitile gun available... before anyone gets their panties in a bunch... yep, I've got, & do shoot a couple 45 autos, 9mm's, & a 10mm in semi auto ... knowing what I know today... if I had to cut down to just one handgun... it would be that stainless 4" 357... OK... flame on...
 
point being, I think I'm qualified to offer an opinion...
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Well, you were well qualified to offer an opinion before posting your resume. We were qualified to offer an opinion back when you only owned a 4-inch stainless .357 Magnum! :p

The thing you are missing is that it doesn't matter about anyone's opinion, the OP has thusly decided that .44 Magnum wins the thread and that shall be chipped in to the tablets where it shall stand as the law of the land. :rolleyes:
 
+1 Magnum Wheel Man

the absolute most versatile handgun... ...a stainless 4" 357 magnum revolver
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Small enough to carry with the proper cover garment, big enough to handle any 2 legged and most 4 legged problems. Small enough not to intimidate most folks, big enough to get the job done. Plus the 357 is going to run you less money feeding it. If you look at sales data, obviously lots more people have bought 357 than 44.

Now don't get me wrong, I love my S&W 629. But I also love my 60 and 19. The 629 is a much more recent acquisition. I could live without the 629 (rather not though) but I can't imagine not having a 357.

Magnum Wheel Man, that's a dang impressive collection of calibers you got there. I assume, though, that you leaving out 41 Magnum was an oversight? Right? Surely you've got a couple of those too... :-)
 
( as of right now ) I don't have anything in 41... but my 10 Mag gets pretty close to 41 Mag power level... but I will have one, before I quit buying & start selling ( not a point in my life I'm looking forward to ;) )
 
Fact vs. Opinion

An opinion is something that can not be proved or disproved. If I say .22 rimfire handguns are my favorite, it is just an opinion. If I say blonds are better then brunettes, again another opinion. If I think a .44 magnum is more versatile then a .357 magnum, just another opinion, as would be anyone stating the opposite. No one is right about opinions and nobody is wrong.

Facts on the other hand can be evaluated for accuracy. They may be incorrect, but there is proof of that. So here are some facts.

A .44 magnum shoots a bigger and heavier bullet then a .357 magnum. A .44 magnum makes bigger holes in things. A .44 magnum can out-penetrate a .357 magnum. Against smaller targets, like humans, I'll admit either one should do. Against bigger targets with claws and teeth, the larger cartridge should do more damage to flesh and internal organs.

That a .357 magnum can be had in smaller and lighter guns is a given. Some are saying that the .357 can be had in small, compact revolvers. But if one were to use his .357 for hunting, that small gun isn't going to be that practical.

Please answer this one question. Name one thing that the .357 magnum cartridge can do better then the .44 magnum cartridge. Not the guns chambered for them, the actual round itself.
 
The answer to the question must lie in the purpose intended for the use of either the .357 or the .44. My next gun will be a Ruger Super Redhawk in .44 for my woods carry. I already have .357 GP100 for woods carry, but up in Idaho, they now have grizzly once again to contend with. If I don't have my .444 rifle at hand, I will always have the .44 by my hip.

I carry SP101 .357 on a daily basis and for this instance, I would not trade it out for .44. Depending on the study and expert you look at, the .357 125 gr HP is the deadliest self defense round out there. I shot a .44 for the first time this summer, and after shooting my little SP101 all summer, the recoil was not bad at all comparatively. Yet, the muzzle energy and choice of lead to throw at a bear for instance is double with the .44 over the .357. Since the recoil is not an issue with me, the .44 wins hands down.

In fact, some of the Buffalo Bore +P .44 loads rival a 454 Casull.

Heavy .44 Magnum +P+ Ammo - 340 gr. L.F.N. - G.C. (1,478 fps/M.E. 1,649 ft. lbs.) - 20 Round Box

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=54

454 Casull Ammo - 360 gr. L.B.T. - L.W.N. (1,425 fps/M.E. 1,623 ft. lbs.) - 20 Round Box (Big Game up to 2000 lbs.)

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=60
 
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