Newbie wondering .357 mag or .44 mag?
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Redhawk5.5+P+
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Last Activity: August 3, 2012
Join Date: August 3, 2012
Join Date: August 3, 2012
Neither - get a 10mm
Pick yourself up a Glock 20 and you'd be done.
The G20 has 15+1 capacity (or 10+1 if you are unlucky) - more than twice that of any 6-gun, is more compact than a 686/python or 629/anaconda/blackhawk and is cheaper than ALL of them. Yet you can add a lot more gizmos to make the gun work for you: lasers, lights, slings, high-cap mags, the list is endless. 10mm loads can be plenty hot too, certainly enough to take anything you'd run into camping short of a black bear or grizzly.
Double Tap sells a 230 gr WFNGC round that has the following ballistics for a Glock 20 which has a 4.6" barrel:
1120fps / 641 ft.lbs. Muzzle
1008fps / 519 ft.lbs 100 yds
For the 357 Magnum, they listed a 200 gr WFNGC round as follows:
1200fps / 4" Ruger GP-100
1315fps / 6" S&W 686
Muzzle Energy: 640 ft. lbs.
563ft lbs at 50yds from a 4" bbl
Looks to be about the same to me in KO power but when the 357 Magnum is dry, there are still 10 more to go in the Glock 20.
Hope this makes sense....
Chuck
Pick yourself up a Glock 20 and you'd be done.
The G20 has 15+1 capacity (or 10+1 if you are unlucky) - more than twice that of any 6-gun, is more compact than a 686/python or 629/anaconda/blackhawk and is cheaper than ALL of them. Yet you can add a lot more gizmos to make the gun work for you: lasers, lights, slings, high-cap mags, the list is endless. 10mm loads can be plenty hot too, certainly enough to take anything you'd run into camping short of a black bear or grizzly.
Double Tap sells a 230 gr WFNGC round that has the following ballistics for a Glock 20 which has a 4.6" barrel:
1120fps / 641 ft.lbs. Muzzle
1008fps / 519 ft.lbs 100 yds
For the 357 Magnum, they listed a 200 gr WFNGC round as follows:
1200fps / 4" Ruger GP-100
1315fps / 6" S&W 686
Muzzle Energy: 640 ft. lbs.
563ft lbs at 50yds from a 4" bbl
Looks to be about the same to me in KO power but when the 357 Magnum is dry, there are still 10 more to go in the Glock 20.
Hope this makes sense....
Chuck
Last edited:
I have both the .357 magnum lever gun and S&W 627 revolver, and a .44 magnum lever gun and a S&W 329PD. The 329 is light weight and great for hiking/camping. However it is not my choice for shooting .44 magnum. However I do shoot Heavy .44 Specials just fine with it. I first bought Buffalo Bore 185 grain Heavy .44 Special ammunition and shot some of these. They shoot just fine and the recoil is not a problem with me. I then developed a reload using 200 grain GDHP bullets that pretty much emulated the Buffalo Bore load. It has worked out just fine in my 329PD and I now practice with the reloads, but carry with the Buffalo Bore loads when in the outback.
I think the 329PD would make a great backup for a bow hunter in jurisdictions that allow carrying a firearm during bow season. Nothing wrong with the .357 magnum either, but I personally prefer the larger, heavier bullet at .357 magnum ballistics that the .44 Special offers. Just a personal choice.
I think the 329PD would make a great backup for a bow hunter in jurisdictions that allow carrying a firearm during bow season. Nothing wrong with the .357 magnum either, but I personally prefer the larger, heavier bullet at .357 magnum ballistics that the .44 Special offers. Just a personal choice.
Biff Tannen
New member
To carry a .44 mag over a .357 is about 1lb difference... That xtra pound you'll have carried is as much as a super-bowl wingfest weight gain, no big deal!
If your purpose is a camping gun to protect yourself from animals... After having been attacked you'll be waaaay more stoked on your decision to have carried a 44 mag.
If your purpose is a camping gun to protect yourself from animals... After having been attacked you'll be waaaay more stoked on your decision to have carried a 44 mag.
I'm not a proponent of horsepower in handguns. The 357 is a fine gun that you can shoot either way with or without the recoil.....and shoot it cheaply. Hell I'd even go into the woods in the lower 48 and feel comfortable loaded up with 38 xtp or 357 xtp loaded by HPR, Hornady, or BVAC as I would with a 454 casull loaded in hardcast. All that horsepower and noise ain't gonna drop a griz unless you nail him square in the CNS.
Charshooter
New member
Hi, I have that rifle combination, the Marlin 1894 model in .357 and the S&W 686, I believe. I also have an unusual Marlin, it is the bigger, stronger 336 action in 44 mag; I sold off my S&W 629 some years back because it had been changed out, a cylinder job, which many here can explain, then it shot loose again, so, I sold it and kept the custom hand grip.
I like the idea of the combination, and to be frank, the 357 in the Marlin is quite a nice game getter. As many mentioned, the biggest reason, the 38 Special is less expensive when you buy loaded ammunition and much easier to shoot. I have the 6 inch barrel because I like the balance better than the 4 inch. Someone mentioned a S&W model 10, I had one with the heavy barrel and that was a great shooter; I used them both. Now I would like another 44 mainly because, at my age, I would like showing them more than shooting them.
If I wanted a 44 mag revolver for hunting and lots of practice shooting, I would buy the Ruger Hunter model, which I also had and sold. They are single action and very strong, which is another difference, the gun will last and it is heavy. Most honest men will say that the 44 mag is about the upper limit on good handgun control, while the 357 is more manageable, given a similar weight.
If you are not very experienced with revolvers, or handguns, in general, I think the 44 would be a mistake. You may like the power, but shooting it with full factory loads is tiring. I used to load a lighter 180 grain 44 load with about the same power as the 41 magnum. Some mentioned the 44 Special is not easy to find and they are right.
One reason I like the 44 mag in a rifle is that it has good killing power on deer, at a closer range, as we have here. It is also great for hogs. The 357 is more ideal for close varmints and smaller game. One company, in Georgia, used to sell a little 38 with a 110 grain bullet P+ load and it is ideal for small game in the rifle, while, in my opinion, the 44 is better on deer.
If you are looking for a handy smaller revolver, then get a 357 as unless you are very good with handguns, the recoil is too much in a lighter gun for most folks.
If you like the rifle and handgun combination, you might look for the 357 in a Marlin, I think you will like it.
I like the idea of the combination, and to be frank, the 357 in the Marlin is quite a nice game getter. As many mentioned, the biggest reason, the 38 Special is less expensive when you buy loaded ammunition and much easier to shoot. I have the 6 inch barrel because I like the balance better than the 4 inch. Someone mentioned a S&W model 10, I had one with the heavy barrel and that was a great shooter; I used them both. Now I would like another 44 mainly because, at my age, I would like showing them more than shooting them.
If I wanted a 44 mag revolver for hunting and lots of practice shooting, I would buy the Ruger Hunter model, which I also had and sold. They are single action and very strong, which is another difference, the gun will last and it is heavy. Most honest men will say that the 44 mag is about the upper limit on good handgun control, while the 357 is more manageable, given a similar weight.
If you are not very experienced with revolvers, or handguns, in general, I think the 44 would be a mistake. You may like the power, but shooting it with full factory loads is tiring. I used to load a lighter 180 grain 44 load with about the same power as the 41 magnum. Some mentioned the 44 Special is not easy to find and they are right.
One reason I like the 44 mag in a rifle is that it has good killing power on deer, at a closer range, as we have here. It is also great for hogs. The 357 is more ideal for close varmints and smaller game. One company, in Georgia, used to sell a little 38 with a 110 grain bullet P+ load and it is ideal for small game in the rifle, while, in my opinion, the 44 is better on deer.
If you are looking for a handy smaller revolver, then get a 357 as unless you are very good with handguns, the recoil is too much in a lighter gun for most folks.
If you like the rifle and handgun combination, you might look for the 357 in a Marlin, I think you will like it.
Charshooter
New member
Freedom Arms is one of the nicest revolvers I ever owned. The 454 Casull is not just a bit bigger than the 44 mag, it also can take about 60,000 CUP, and it is one heck of a kick! Beautiful made revolver, but what a kick.
I do not remember why, but some may know, it is better to use the Casull brass and load it to the 45 Colt specs, than to use the 45 Colt in that revolver. I used to load mine down to a bit over the 44 mag and it was all the power I needed.
Most do not set out to shoot a big bear with either, but when it is a kill, or be killed situation, the bigger Casull has the advantage. Then is this a real concern for most hunters? Many yes, for some, but most, no.
I do not remember why, but some may know, it is better to use the Casull brass and load it to the 45 Colt specs, than to use the 45 Colt in that revolver. I used to load mine down to a bit over the 44 mag and it was all the power I needed.
Most do not set out to shoot a big bear with either, but when it is a kill, or be killed situation, the bigger Casull has the advantage. Then is this a real concern for most hunters? Many yes, for some, but most, no.
OP. . .It sounds like a S&W 19 or 66 would be good hip companions for you in a pancake holster.
I like this 357 mag because it is a mid sized 4" 357 mag which shoots lights out. There are other options, but none as easily packable and easily shootable. You can pick a good used one up for $400 - $500.
I like the 44 mag in the case you think your SD need is more 4 legged. A Ruger Blackhawk with a 4 5/8" barrel is a great hip companion in 44 mag or 45 LC. The 45 LC also has a 45 ACP cylinder sometimes.
A S&W 29 or 629 are good 44 mags also. A Ruger Redhawk is a fine 44 mag, but long barrels and super heavy weight make it not a nice gun to me.
357 vs 44 . . .I prefer the 357 until I start thinking about taking deer sized game or larger. Then 44 mag has a clear advantage. The 44 mag will have much harder to learn recoil. A 45 Colt is an excellent option. In 45 LC, there are 255 SWC handloads from 900 fps - 1400 fps. . .all safe for a Ruger Blackhawk. Factory ammo is generally ~900 fps. I think Buffallo Bore makes hotter 45 LC ammo.
I like this 357 mag because it is a mid sized 4" 357 mag which shoots lights out. There are other options, but none as easily packable and easily shootable. You can pick a good used one up for $400 - $500.
I like the 44 mag in the case you think your SD need is more 4 legged. A Ruger Blackhawk with a 4 5/8" barrel is a great hip companion in 44 mag or 45 LC. The 45 LC also has a 45 ACP cylinder sometimes.
A S&W 29 or 629 are good 44 mags also. A Ruger Redhawk is a fine 44 mag, but long barrels and super heavy weight make it not a nice gun to me.
357 vs 44 . . .I prefer the 357 until I start thinking about taking deer sized game or larger. Then 44 mag has a clear advantage. The 44 mag will have much harder to learn recoil. A 45 Colt is an excellent option. In 45 LC, there are 255 SWC handloads from 900 fps - 1400 fps. . .all safe for a Ruger Blackhawk. Factory ammo is generally ~900 fps. I think Buffallo Bore makes hotter 45 LC ammo.
Kreyzhorse
New member
That's an easy one. Hands down the .357. As far as the gun choices, if you plan on shooting a lot, and why wouldn't you, I'd go with something a big bigger framed than the SP. Take a look at the S&W 686 or the Ruger GP100. Both will make shooting.357 loads much more enjoyable.
My 4" 629 in 44 mag weighs 41 oz.
My 4" 28 in 357 mag weighs 42 oz.
A 4" 686 in 357 mag weighs 40 oz.
A 4" GP-100 in 357 weighs 40 oz.
Depending on the gun a 357 is either 1 oz more, or 1 oz less for a comparable 44 mag. Certaily not a full pound. Nothing at all wrong with a 357, but a 44 does everything a 357 does and a lot more in comparable size guns, with comparable recoil.
You don't have to shoot full power loads. They make 44 specials just like 38 specials. In fact as I stated earlier in post #29. The good 44 special loads are a much more effective SD round than 357 mags and they do it with less recoil and muzzle blast.
Ammo is not that much more expensive. I can buy 44 mags or specials for $23/50 rounds. Only about $2 more than comparable 357 ammo.
http://georgia-arms.com/44remmag.aspx
youngunz4life
New member
I'm gonna say 44 here for the simple fact I see you buying another handgun anyways at some point. You have the rifle same caliber and I am getting the impression you aren't too too worried about making sure this is totally concealable. When you decide to do that the next time, you can get the 357. I still have no 44 handgun, and it was almost the first handgun I bought...I too have the 44 rifle
**yeah definitely 44 if camping andor home defense weapon plus the rifle caliber issue interests you. ruger alaskan gets a thumbs up from me too; I recommend the ruger super redhawk alaskan or model 629 S&W(I have shot both extensively and want both...my HD and camping/outdoor handgun is 357 ruger gp100 and the mossberg 500 12gauge(sometimes I just have two 357s at the ready at home and my buck knife of course
**yeah definitely 44 if camping andor home defense weapon plus the rifle caliber issue interests you. ruger alaskan gets a thumbs up from me too; I recommend the ruger super redhawk alaskan or model 629 S&W(I have shot both extensively and want both...my HD and camping/outdoor handgun is 357 ruger gp100 and the mossberg 500 12gauge(sometimes I just have two 357s at the ready at home and my buck knife of course
Yeah Hook, I haven't read the whole thread but that was my thought too... IF cost isn't a big factor the S&W 329PD is THE hiker's .44 Magnum at 26 oz... Scandium and titanium...
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/26649
One can always shoot .44 Specials through it for comfortable range fare...
(I kinda want one...)
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/26649
One can always shoot .44 Specials through it for comfortable range fare...
(I kinda want one...)