Newbie wondering .357 mag or .44 mag?

I reload for 38/357 and 44 mag so the best answer for me would be get one of each. Even with reloads, the cost of the .44 mag is still higher so if cost is an issue.....the .357 is best.

Flash
 
I had the same question; ".357 or .44?" I picked the .41 Magnum and never looked back. The best of both. You get .44 Mag power, much more than a .357 (close anyhow), an accurate flat shooting round and less recoil. The .41 Mag is the perfect hunting handgun round, and in the 4"5/8 Blackhawk, is a handy, rugged revolver. Reloading makes it reasonable to shoot pertaining to cost, and I practice with . .22 anyhow.
 
I picked up two N frames at an auction a few months ago, one in .44 and one in .357. I had owned a model 28 in my youth so I knew I wanted that one, but the .44 I got on a lark. It was in great shape and the right price.

I put about 250 rounds through the .44 and am now selling it. A few reasons for this. The first is that I could have bout a nice used revolver for the price of the ammo I burned (I don't reload). The second is that it is uncomfortable to shoot for more than a couple cylinders. And I am not a small guy or new to guns. Finally is that in my area, (Southeast) there is nothing I am going to bump into that would not be taken care of with the .357.

YMMV but I would suggest the .357 for all the reasons already mentioned. :)
 
I have several revolvers ( all S&W ) in .357 mag and in .44 mag ( 2 1/2", 3", 4", 6" and 8 3/8" barrels...).....and .357 mag is my favorite caliber in a revolver. I think the .357 mag is more versatile ...its a heavy caliber / but in a mid to heavy weight gun - its easier on my hands to shoot than a .44 mag...and even though I reload for both / I shoot way more .357 mag than I do .44 mag. So for a 1st revolver - I'd say go .357 mag.

The idea of one caliber for the rifle and handgun is valid though too. So I would probably say add a .44 mag down the road as well / just for the heck of it ( or add another rifle, in .357 mag as well ). I have a Henry Big Boy chambered in .357 mag ...and its a fun gun to shoot.

Either S&W or Ruger ...will give you a lot of gun for the money ....but get to a shop where you can dry fire both ...or a range that rents guns / and fire some of both mfg's and see what fits your hands the best / which triggers you like the best....there is a difference at least to me.
 
I vote .357. It's a great round that will do most of what you can do with a pistol without excess weight. The .44 is a great round, but talk about expensive! The .44 special does not allow the cost-savings proportions of .38 in a .357. In many cases the specials are more than the magnums. That's not the case if ordering online. Finding .357 and .38 is also much easier in many areas than the bigger rounds. Practically speaking, though, the .357 and the .44 are both great rounds and offer strengths in different areas. In my opinion, you can't get into the magnums in a pistol without obnoxious noise, and for general trail use, I carry .38s.
 
I have a model 29. Its a fun gun and I've taken it in the California mountains when hiking. However, that was for potential bear/mountain lions and two legged varmints.

I've shot several .357s though. Unless you are leery of bear/M lions I'd go with the .357. If you are leery of said and can take a long gun, you should be taking the .44 lever action anyway.
 
Japs4:

I would purchase a Smith & Wesson Model 19 or a Model 66 with a four inch barrel. A four inch barrel permits a more precise aim than a shorter barrel and it it is handy for self defence at home.

Semper Fi.

Gunnery Sergeant
Clifford L. Hughed
USMC Retired
 
I started with 357 and most responses will be for 357, but I sold all of mine a few years ago and used only 44's for years. I did eventually buy another 357, but only because I ran across a great deal on a Smith 28.

Here is why. I owned both Smith 686's and Ruger GP-100's. They are good guns and the 357 is a good round. But after buying a 4" 629, the 357's just didn't make sense anymore. Because the 629 didn't have a full length lug, it was actually lighter. It is only about 1/8" thicker through the cylinder and would in fact fit in many of the same holsters. With proper grips, there was no difference in grip size.

You don't have to always shoot full power 44 loads. I firmly believe that hot 44 specials, or mid range 44 mags are MORE effective as a fight stopper, and they do it with less recoil, and muzzle blast than hot 357 loads. Not that much difference in ammo prices either. If you do need full power loads, the 44 takes it to another level 357 cannot begin to approach.

After doing a little shooting over a chronograph I've decided neither 44 or 357 makes any sense in barrels shorter than 4". And much longer is better, so the small snub 5 shot 357's with 2-3" barrels are out. If I need something small a comparable size 9mm semi will actually shoot faster than a short barreled magnum revolver. It will be more compact and hold up to 3X more ammo.
 
2 things: 1) 140 years ago having your guns fire common cartridges may have been a great idea bordering on a necessity. Today not so much and why own 2 guns that are more expensive to shoot than just one. 2) Everyone, especially those who don't reload, should have a 4" .357.

That's not saying that many other cartridges won't do just as well. Personally I'm just as happy with a .22lr but for the more centerfire inclined the .32H&R/.327, 9mm, .40S&W, .44sp, .45acp, etc, will do everything you're gonna need doing. Don't over think this but if all else fails fall back to #2 above.
 
I was in the same boat few month ago I was deciding between colt python 6 inch and s&w 29. S&W was 1/2 price but was more expensive to shoot. I was actually buying a gun not a caliber, but had to consider all costs. I went with colt and love it. But one of the main reasons is the versatility of shooting 357 and 38 special. And the fact that python is considered one of the best if not the best wheel gun did help as well. 2 more guns on my wish list. Colt 1911 and S&W 29 with 6.5 barell. Don't forget once u start buying them its hard to stop. So even if u make a mistake u can correct it few month down the road. Get them all it's the only way to keep your mind from wondering what if....
 
I agree with post #29 completely, though I never have owned a 357. Only 44s. I bought a S&W 36 1-7/8" bbl for my wife and she gave it back.:o

What am I supposed to do with less than 2" of barrel, lol. So now I am thinking about how I probably should get a 357 just so my 6 cavity mould isn't the court jester of the bunch. A 4" 357 may still be too short for me. I may have to go for the 6".
 
This will be a gun that I take on camping trips and use for self defense in the house (along with my 12 ga).

I was leaning toward the .357 (RugerSP101 in particular) due to recoil and cost of rounds.
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Yeah and look at the huge variety of self defense loads for the 357 next time you are at the gun shop/show or ordering online. Then see what there is for 44 mag personal defense. I would go with the 357 in your position.

I have a 44 mag but still shoot my 357s far more often.
 
japes4, like i said before go with .357 mag, or if you plan on geting in reloading find a .41 mag.

P.S. remember a 44mag is really a .429" mag :D
 
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If you would reload I'd go for the .44 being as you already have a rifle for it. It will do anything a .357 will do and more. You can load a box of medium powered loads with SWC for 7.50 a box. I think my jacketed ones cost me about 9.50 a box including a max load of powder.

.357 ammo using JHP bullets is just over 7 bucks a box. If you shoot much you can save enough money to buy both guns! Otherwise the .357 is your best choice unless you make a good amount of money. My point is that it doesn't take much to save enough money for reloading gear. 150 dollars and you can have everything you need.
 
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44mag

SIG 1911 XO / SA 1911 custom / Colt Gold Cup / SIG P226 e2 / Browning High-power / Beretta PX4 Storm / G34 / G19 / G21 / G22 / G30 / S&W M-19 / Hk USP 40 / Rem 870 / Rock R. AR-15

sent from my Android
 
I did a little research a few years back on penetration (mainly concerning soft body armor) and found that the .357 mag. w/158 gr. SJHP bullets, fired from a S&W mod. 28, 4" barrel, distance from target 1 foot, backing was a flat tire...8 layers of fabric were penetrated. Next test was with a S&W mod.29, 6.5" barrel, 240 gr. LSWC bullet, all other criteria the same...4 layers of fabric penetrated.

.44 mag = approx. 1000+/- fps. (BIG bullet moving fairly fast= lots of blood out, lots of air in it's place.)

.357 mag= approx 1300+/- fps (SMALLER bullet moving faster= lots of blood out, lots of air back in it's place.)

EITHER round MAY exit the target, thus it's total energy dump IS NOT inside the target... EITHER round MAY NOT exit the target, thus dumping ALL it's energy inside the target.

It's the classic "which is better, .45 or 9mm?". Basically it comes down to personal preference and shot placement. ;)
 
Shoot 'em both. Find a range that rents guns or a friend with both.

I would rather something I can handle (357) vs. something that drives my hands back into my face (44). :) But if you reload you can load lighter 44 special or magnum for practice shooting.....then you only have one caliber to deal with...have fun!
 
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