Well, for one thing, .357 mag. and .44 mag. factory loads have been wimped down by SAAMI. Look at advertised velocities for the two cartridges as posted in the mid 1960's. Check current advertised speeds in today's ammo. Check the charge reductions for the two in the loading manuals.
In handloads, powder choice can make a difference in the timbre of the report and muzzle blast although they're still too loud to use without hearing protection. I much prefer A2400 in the two cartridges and as loud and sharp as the report is, it's a bit more tolerable than when I use W296/H110. The regular load for the .44 in the beginning was 22.0 gr. of H2400 when the powder was made by Hercules. Hercules sold their powder portion of the usiness to Alliant and then data dropped to 20.0 gr. as maximum. So were presssures just too high at the original loading or has there been a change in the powder's formula. Alliant says there is no change. I wonder?
The same thing happened with the .357 mag. The original max load of 15.0/15.5 gr. was dropped to 14.0 gr. This is with A2400 powder.
Needless to say velocity of the original loads also dropped with the change in max loads.
Regarding recoil of the two, both guns set back pretty hard from the original loads. However, the .44 mag. with it's larger bore and large cylinder holes was alway the lighter gun, in this case both on the S&W "N" frame. I see no reason that anything would change when comparing two revolvers made by Taurus using the same frame/barrel length style. The fact that the .44 is magnaported, or had a copy similar to magnaporting would alter the recoil of the .44 Mag. The .44 will always be the harder kicker.
FWIW, I have two Ruger Super Blackhawks, one old model and one new. The old madel has been magnaported nd frankly, do not see any real difference in the recoil.
The OM gun is louder though.
I hear the comments on hearing protection with either caliber. I recently bought an expensive pair by Pro-ears and about three weeks ago bought two sets of cheapie protectors for $10.00 plus tax each so my grandkids from out of town could do a day of shooting. The $10 muffs worked better than those pricey $150 a pair muff. They were even more comfortable. They're brand marked Winchester and I got them at Walmart, in case anyone is interested.
Paul B.