[Brutz]

Just curious what you guys prefer between the .44 mag vs. the .357. Please elaborate a little as to why you think the way you do.

[ArmedBear]

Have both. Like both. Reload both.

.44 is for the Great Outdoors. Unlike Dirty Harry, I don't see it as the best choice for the city.

.357 is an effective HD round, a good plinker with .38 Specials, and potentially a good backcountry gun with the right ammo.

[okespe04]

If your going to buy one get the .357 first. Its a very practical weapon. .357 packs some major punch and .38 is great for plinking and for people who can't handle the kick on the .357.

[rcmodel]

Kind of a very open-ended poll question.

What do I think about each?
For what use?

Both are very good for certain applications, and very bad for others.

They are not close enough to be compared to each other for hunting, SD, CCW, plinking, or even killing beer cans for two hours straight.

rc

[thunder173]

Have both as well. Load for both as well. The .44 will do things a .357 won't. With .44 Special taking care of the low end,...and magnums at the high end, it gives you a lot more potential than the .357,.....though the .357 or light .38's don't tear up quite as much meat on small game. If I could only have one over the other,...it'd be a .44.......aren't choices fun??

[scottishclaymore]

Nothing where I live is big enough that a .357 wouldn't do the job. It's what I have, so it's what I use.

[Steve C]

.357 mag about 1/2 the price to shoot than a .44mag factory or handloads. .38spl's even less expensive if buying loaded ammo. You can shoot .44 spl in the .44 mag but the spl is often more expensive than the magnum ammo.

,44 mag is a better hunting pistol for large game but every animal on the North American continent has been taken with the .357 mag so it can be done with good shot placement.

For a dedicated hunting gun get the .44 mag, for a multi use gun get the .357 mag. They're both good calibers so its basically how big a caliber you want or need to shoot and how deep your pockets are.

Picked the .357 mag based on its versatility only.

[Loyalist Dave]

Neither actually. I like .44 spl or .38 +P for defense (as well as .45 Colt or .45 ACP, along with .40 S&W, and 9mm Luger). Yes I know the magnums have more foot-pounds by far, and do more damage, but recoil control is also part of SD, and I think controlled recoil is important. I also think controlled recoil important when practicing, as I have found I like shooting the above cartridges more than a .44 Mag or .357 Mag at the range, so will shoot more often.

The .357 will shoot .38 special +P down to .38 special target ammo, and the .44 Mag will shoot .44 special, and I have been told it will also shoot Cowboy .44 Russian. So there are lots of options for plinking and SD loads. I just bought a .357 Ruger SP101 for the "house gun" as I got a good deal on it. I wouldn't have passed on a .44 Mag (or a .41 mag) if a good price had been available on one of those instead.

LD

[Duke of Doubt]

.44 Magnum is more powerful, and the guns aren't all that much heavier.

[R.W.Dale]

I think the 357 is a bit more usefull and better suited for a larger variety of tasks than .44

A good comparison is a Small block chevy VS a bigblock

The BB has more horsepower but fits in limited applications and is a great deal heavier.
The SBC is lighter has can be built to have more than enough HP AND fit's in the same platforms as the BB plus many smaller platforms it never was indended for

any such poll also should take into account 38spec vs .44spec

.38 ammo cheap and plentifull
.44spec ammo is getting hard to find and has one foot in the oblesence grave

[john1911]

Depends on use.

Hunting or protection from 4 legged predators, .44 mag. 2 legged predators, .357 mag. Shooting for fun usually finds me with a .44 mag.

Another option, forget both and get a .41 mag.

[ArmedBear]

.357 mag about 1/2 the price to shoot than a .44mag factory or handloads.

Factory, yes. Handloads, not so much.

[ArmedBear]

Nothing where I live [Texas] is big enough that a .357 wouldn't do the job.

Everything's big in... Idaho.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/images/id/IDDRIspud_sow.jpg

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/03_03/mooseDM2003_468x440.jpg
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/staticfiles/NGS/Shared/StaticFiles/animals/images/primary/grizzly-bear.jpg

[warnerwh]

I forgot many people don't reload before I answered. If you don't reload then maybe a .357 would be better. However a .44 magnum can do anything a .357 can do and more.

[David E]

Agreed.

If you don't reload, then the .357

If you DO reload, then the .44.

You can always load the .44 down.....you can only load the .357 up so far.

Since I reload, I picked the .44

.

[MovedWest]

I guess .357's are okay, but the gun frames tend to lighter and recoil is generally harsher because of it. As for using 38spl for HD, there's a reason most LEO's gave it up in lieu of the 9mm or .40 cal.

Loading a 44mag with magnum loads for HD is probably not the best choice as the bullet moves too fast to deliver it's full stopping power for small things like people. I use 44spl rounds for HD personally.

The 44 has the following things going for it:
- It's versatile by being able to fire 44spl, 44mag, and shotshells
- You will always find ammo for it anywhere
- It can do anything the 357 can do and more
- The heavier frame makes it more stable (like match rifles)
- The size of the gun itself is a deterrent
- The sound is less sharp and is less likely to cause hearing damage (although it rattles your guts a bit more)
- There's nothing in North America you can't kill with it
- 300gr JHP is a nice round number
- Reloading gives you nearly unlimited options
- It's fun to catch the looks at your range when you fire your first magnum round of the session :D
- Owning one gives you license to quote Dirty Harry lines to all your friends
- When your shooting buddy pulls out his 9mm ammo, tell him "it's cute" right before dropping one of his rounds into a spent casing from your 44. Laugh cynically when you do this.

I bought my 44 after putting the question to myself: If I could only own 1 gun, what would it be? I have no regrets. That's just my take on it.

-MW

[LTR shooter]

If I want something more powerful than the 357 I simply break out the 44 mag - no reason one cannot own both. Having owned ten 44 mags through the years these days I own only one - a 629 Classic , its the one that turned out to be a keeper! The 357 is the one I have mulitples of , SA and DA revolvers and single shot TC.

[RugerDoug]

I have two GP100 357's and a Ruger Alaskan 44 mag. I do not reload, because of cost its a go with the .357 mag for me. If I hike in the mountains where there are black bears, the Alaskan is what I carry. For HD I use 38 Special ammo.

[22-rimfire]

Both have their uses, and there is little to really discuss unless you frame a question of preference in a context of an application. But as far as the calibers go, I have both 357 and 41 mag handguns. I choose the 41 mag over the 44 mag however just because I like to be different and I consistantly shoot it better. I don't reload.

[pmeisel]

Read Skeeter Skelton's My Friend, the .357.... I think it is still on the Shooting Times website.

.44 is good too, but if I can have only one.....

[colemanw]

I bought a 29-2 because... well... so I could say I have a .44mag...

To this day I have never put a round thru it-

Purdy to look at tho

[sidheshooter]

Picked the .357 mag based on its versatility only.

+1 on that.

[Peter M. Eick]

44 is beyond my skill level. I admit it and recognize my limits. I can handle the 357 maximum, but the 44 just is too hard for ME to shoot well.

Thus I picked the 357 magnum (which is a decent plinking round).

[Saint Dennis]

The wife took my .357. I don't miss it. Hell, she shoots it better than I ever did. For handloaders, you cant beat a .44. From mild wad cutters for punching paper to wild zombie killers. I don't notice much difference in price when I'm reloading for me or the wife.

[jmr40]

I voted 44 but it would depend on the gun you were using it in. My Smith 629 is actually lighter and only slightly larger than the most common 357's in use. The 686 and GP-100. Ammo is slightly more expensive but neither is cheap and I have 22's for plinking and high volume shooting.

There is a wide range of loadings in both but the 44 offers options the 357 does not. As a self defense cartridge I believe light loaded 44 mags or hot 44 specials are ever bit as effective as any 357 and they have less recoil and muzzle blast than the 357. Few people really need the hottest 44 mag loads but they are available if needed.

[the foot]

I shoot holes in paper very accurately with my .357 loads.

I kill whitetail deer, and also shoot holes in paper accurately, with my 44 magnum. I vote for the versatile 44 magnum.

[Quoheleth]

Skeeter Skelton on .44 Mag vs. .357 Mag:

"It's the case of a good big man beating the hell out of a good little man."

Q

[parisite]

44 Mag..........no comparison. Much more versatile. You can reload it from very mild to wild. Cast bullets make it very economical.

And much more fun to boot.

[navajo]

I did not vote. I prefer the .41 mag.

[Erik]

Your polling on two great cartridges, in case you didn't realize it. Of the two, I refer... Ahh... That one. :cool:

[Poohgyrr]

No comparison. Not even close. :evil:

The .357/.38 fits in J frames, the .44s do not.

The .44s are clearly useless.

:neener:

[denfoote]

I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with my friends .44mag!!

I'll stick with .357!!!

3:37AM and 3:57PM are the twice daily magnum minute!! :evil:

[Stainz]

I can't pick one. I reload - and love both, albeit in power levels undeserved of the 'magnum' title. I love my 627s with their 8-shot capability for my .38-ish loads in .357M cases. I love my 629s because they are super .44 Special (and Russian) shooters. Decisions!

Not a reloader? No question - .357M - at least you can buy plinkers (.38 Specials) reasonably anywhere.

Stainz

[420Stainless]

I haven't done any handgun hunting and haven't got around to getting a .44 magnum yet. I want one, either a Blackhawk or a 4" Redhawk, but its more of a down the road, good price on a used one kind of want.

[walker944]

Needed a "Both" button on the poll.

I have several in each caliber, and like them equally as well. Just wish the cost of ammo wasn't so high on either one. I don't shoot enough of these calibers to justify reloading...so, in the meantime I grumble and gripe when I pick up ammo. :mad:

[Jed Carter]

The history behind the .357 magnum proves it to be the all time one shot stopper. Nothing else comes close, not the .44 mag, not the .45 acp. It has not been the mainstay of law enforcement since the 80's, and still it holds this distinction.

[parisite]

I think this poll is skewed towards the 357 simply because percentage wise that's probably about how many 357 are out there in peoples hands in relation to 44 Mag.

Just my opinion and I'm stickin to it.

I wouldn't shun either one.;)

[chieftain]

For those of you that think the 357maggie doesn't have enough "ass" for the job, look at these "store bought" ammo ballistics.


About Buffalo Bore 357 Mag. ammo

Our 357 mag. ammo adds more power than ever before to the 357 mag. This ammo is safe to shoot in ANY all steel 357 revolver—this includes J frames. This ammo is no harder on your gun than any other normal 357 ammo. Please don’t phone us and ask if this ammo is safe in your gun. It is, providing your gun is in safe condition for use with any normal 357 ammo.

We don’t recommend this ammo to be fired in super light alloy revolvers as bullets may jump crimp under recoil, but the ammo itself wont hurt these super light weight revolvers. These revolvers are simply so light that the recoil is severe enough to cause crimp jump.

The below velocities are offered so that you can see what guns/barrel lengths give what velocities with this new 357 mag. ammo. You’ll notice that new S&W revolvers with short barrels are often shooting faster than older S&W revolvers with longer barrels. The new S&W revolvers are very good and are made with equipment that makes them more consistent and faster than the S&W revolvers of yesteryear.

Make special note of the Marlin 1894, 18.5 inch barrel velocities. Item 19C/20, supercedes 30-30 energies!!!

1. 3 inch S&W J frame
a. Item 19A/20-180gr. Hard cast LFN = 1302 fps
b. Item 19B/20-170gr. JHC (jacketed hollow cavity) = 1299 fps
c. Item 19C/20-158gr. Speer Uni Core = 1398 fps
d. Item 19D/20-125gr. Speer Uni Core = 1476 fps

2. 4 inch S&W L frame Mt. Gun
a. Item 19A/20-180gr. Hard cast LFN = 1375 fps
b. Item 19B/20-170gr JHC = 1411 fps
c. Item 19C/20-158gr. Speer Uni Core = 1485 fps
d. Item 19D/20-125gr. Speer Uni Core = 1603 fps

3. 5 inch S&W model 27
a. Item 19A/20-180gr. Hard Cast =1398 fps
b. Item 19B/20-170gr. JHC = 1380 fps
c. Item 19C/20-158gr. Speer Uni Core = 1457 fps
d. Item 19D/20-125gr. Speer Uni Core = 1543 fps

4. 6 inch Ruger GP 100
a. Item 19D/20-125gr. Speer Uni Core = 1707 fps

5. 18.5 inch Marlin 1894
a. Item 19A/20-180gr. Hard Cast = 1851 fps
b. Item 19B/20-170gr. JHC = 1860 fps
c. Item 19C/20-158gr. Speer Uni Core = 2153 fps---- Can you believe this?!!!
d. Item 19D/20-125gr. Speer Uni Core = 2298 fps---- Or this?!!!

Yes, they are for real. Plug these in your energy formula.

I had one of the very early 44 magnums both 629 and Winchester 94 in 1970. Didn't care for it in either pistol or carbine.

I have a bunch of S&W 38spl and 357Magnum revolvers, and my favorite all time rifle which is a little Marlin 1894 factory 16" barrel with a factory comped barrel. (I have no idea at all why they comped it. But is sure is sweet) This rifle is just plain fun. Whether shooting Wally World white box 38's or Buffalo bore full house.

I load that little carbine based on what the mission is. Fun or business.

Go figure.

Fred

[ArmedBear]

The history behind the .357 magnum proves it to be the all time one shot stopper. Nothing else comes close, not the .44 mag

ROTFLMAO

Journalism 101: How to Misinterpret and Misrepresent Statistics (that anyone with high school algebra should understand).

[buck460XVR]

I didn't vote because there isn't an application listed. You also didn't state whether it was with a handgun or a rifle or both. I too have both and prefer one to the other depending on application....and handgun cartridges in a rifle are a whole different ball game.

[hwyman]

I am not a long range pistol shooter. At the ranges which I feel comfortable shooting at game with my revolver, a .357 is plenty deadly. Ammo is less expensive and just or more plentiful.

[batmann]

I have been asked this question in one form or another many times and I always answer the same. Go with the .44M
I find the recoil of a .357 to be sharp and the recoil of the .44M to be more of a push. The one thing to keep in mind, all factors being equal, you always down load a .44M to .357 ballistics, but you CAN"T up load a .357 to .44M levels. Hope this helps.

[MCgunner]

I don't know what I'm supposed to be voting on, what use, but the .357 is more versatile, comes in carry sized guns, shoots the .38 (huge bonus) and I don't have a .44. For the big gun, I got a .45 Colt Blackhawk and handload for it. I carry and shoot and use the .357 a lot more than my .45 Colt, not that I don't like the .45 Colt a lot, too, and the .44 mag for that matter. They're all good at what they do.

[Lawnman380]

Both are good rds, I pick 357 mag....

[robsc]

I voted .357mag. beause it`ll drop an elephant at a 100 yds. The sliug doesn`t make a little hole going in and a bigger hole exiting. The slug removes whatever it hits.
A .44magnum isn`t going to shrink.

[76shuvlinoff]

I say I really need to acquire and shoot .44 to be able to compare.
So I vote .357. I don't cc it I run it in a Blackhawk and a Marlin 1894c ...and I don't reload... yet.

[punkndisorderly]

Each has their goods and bads:

The .357:
-Great track record for defensive use when stoked with good defense .357's
-can be had in a smaller package (though a .357 snubbie is a real handful)
-relatively inexpensive to plink with when loaded with .38's
-Can be had in 7 and 8 round capacities
-has a reputation for blinding muzzle flash in dark situations and lots of muzzle blast

.44 Magnum:
-can be a good defensive weapon when loaded with .44 Specials, overpenetrates like crazy with magnums
-Can take big game relatively easily and humanely
-Limited to 6 rounds max
-Magnum loads can be too much for many to handle and most to handle well
-more expensive to shoot and very expensive to shoot if you don't reload

I've owned 2 .44 Magnums. The first was a Short Barreled Blackhawk and was downright abusive. Torqued violently in the hand.

The second was a Taurus Model 44 with ported 8" barrel. Was not abusive to shoot even with the meanest factory loads I could find. I had to watch my buddy's 100 pount girlfriend when we went to the range or she'd go through a whole 50 round box of Magnums without leaving any for anyone else to shoot. It did bedside duty for a while stoked with Cor Bon .44 Specials.

As a defensive cartrige, .44 Magnums are not a good choice IMHO. Very few people can get off multiple rounds quiclky, rounds will definitely overpenetrate posing a danger to anyone behind the threat, and run the risk of assertions of "Dirty Harry" fantasies by prosecutors.

[J&J]

I voted 357 Mag, as has been stated for it's versatility. I enjoy shooting 357mag in my gp100, sp101 and my Winchester 94. The 94 is by far my favorite long gun and is deadly accurate and quick to handle.

A few years ago a buddy and I took a several shoulder hams out to the woods and did our own testing of rounds and the damage they caused on these chunks of meat and bone. We shot at about 10 yards. Out of 22lr, 380, 38 spec, 9mm, 357, 44, 5.56 and 12 ga, the damage was as follows...

Not much difference between the 22lr, 9mm, 38, 380. All were jhp rounds from a variety ofmanufacturers. All rounds passed through and left wound channels commensurate with their size.

The 5.56 was FMJ and obviously passed right through the meat, shattering bone and blowing a decent size (2-3") chunk out.

The 12 ga. was by far the most devastating. The 3" 000 buck obliterated the shoulder ham, blasting bones and meat to bits. Made me rethink my HD choice... downgrading to 2 3/4" 00 buck.

Between the 44 and 357. The 44 were Gold Dots, the 357 were winchester silver tips. The 357 foar outperformed the 44. Blowing large chunks of meat and bone into the air, tearing the meat apart. The 44 was impressive also, but really no comparison.

I know nothing of ballistic tables and FPS and so forth. I only know what I observed about these specific rounds and that makes the 357 my go to round in most circumstances.

Still though, I plan on a 44 mag revolver (Ruger alaskan, probably) and a Lever action carbine to match at some point.... just because.
John

[klover]

that said, I would not be without at least one K frame 357.

To me, a J frame has the disadvantage of being a small handle in a large hand. I much prefer a bigger frame, regardless of the caliber for most uses (that said, I sometimes pack a J frame).

What really shines is the 44 punching out of a lever rifle. Way fun!

[Walkalong]

I have both and like both. I download .357 brass to plink with the .357, as well as shooting some full loads. I do not download my .44 Mag. I shoot my .44 Spl's instead.

I would say the .357 Mag is more versatile for a first gun, especially if you do not reload.

[corpsmanup!]

With a 44 special that has terminal ballistics very close to a 45 auto- I like to carry those in my magnum around town. -HOWEVER! anytime I'm in the woods, I like the .44 mag for that old saying "better to have it and not need it than...". I wouldn't feel undergunned around town with a 357 but out in the woods I do. Just my .02

[ArmedBear]

Between the 44 and 357. The 44 were Gold Dots, the 357 were winchester silver tips. The 357 foar outperformed the 44. Blowing large chunks of meat and bone into the air, tearing the meat apart. The 44 was impressive also, but really no comparison.

That was probably a function of the bullet, not the caliber.

Assuming that I know what ammo you're talking about... the Silver Tip is a pre-cut hollowpoint. The Gold Dot is a jacketed soft point.

The pre-cut hollowpoint is designed to expand immediately and transfer all its energy to the target. This is why it's an effective self-defense round, a "man stopper."

The .44 Gold Dot, if it's the bullet I'm thinking of, is designed to penetrate a lot more, and expand less. That's why it's an effective hunting bullet: animals we hunt tend to be thicker and tougher than humans. That, apart from the obvious social stigma;), is why we wear gloves and other things made of deer, elk, cow or buffalo skin, not human skin...

Anyway, if you lined up three hams and shot through them, the .357 self-defense load would probably blast the first one but do little to the second and nothing to the third.

The Gold Dot would likely go through all three, but not be so spectacular on the first.

[CSA 357]

i would go with the 44, i can load it up, i can load it down, the 357 is good too, :D

[jjohnson]

......who said: Have both. Like both. Reload both.

There's some overlap, but I like my Smith 13, REALLY like my 686+, like my Ruger .357/9mm New Model Blackhawk Convertible.....

Like my Smith 629 Classic....... Oh, right, have .357 and 44 Mag Contender....

And I reload .38 Special, .44 Special, along with .357 Mag, .44 Mag, so.... jeez.

None of my .357s are N-Frames (or similar) so they're a bit more handy, but I wouldn't carry .357 if I figured a .44 Mag was required (like handgunning for black bear or elk).

Come to think of it, I have .357 and .44 Mag Interarms Pumas (think '92 Winchester copy). I like those, too!

If you shoot revolvers a lot and like heavy loads, you'll find plenty of work for the .357 and .44 Mag both. I shoot .38 Special and .44 Special ten times as much as mag loads anyway. Since I do, I also have a .38 Special and two .44 Specials. I can shoot maybe 200 .38s or 100 .44 Specials just plinking at the range, but I won't do that with either magnum - For me, 50 of either is about enough - I start to flinch before I get to 100 rounds.

So... the question just doesn't give us much context. It's like asking a golfer what does he thinks of his putter and his driving iron:scrutiny:. For what?

[wep45]

S&W .357 magnum..........there is no substitute:evil:

93293

[jbkebert]

I purchased a Ruger GP100 in .357 and it is pretty fun to shoot even more with .38 rounds.

I have a sw 29 .44 mag and after today I have 2 Ruger Super Redhawks in .44
The .357 is more fun overall to shoot. I will not hunt with them though.
The .44 is my choice for deer sized game inside 60 yards. That is my current self imposed limit. I know the gun is capable of more by I am not "yet":D

[Ala Dan]

I like 'em both. but the .357 wins every time~! :uhoh:

[Poohgyrr]

These two S&W's are very comforting to have around dangerous places like MacDonalds, restaurants, gas stations, churches, 7-11's, downtown, uptown, fishing, picnicing, camping, or any other place frequented by thieves, robbers, dopers, and murderers:


http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8948/myrm642iv0.jpg

[Poohgyrr]

The .44 caliber is classic American, although I certainly don't mind giving my heartfelt respects to those in other countries who also understand the calling of the .44 and have helped us get our .44s that we have today.

Here are two .44 Specials, a S&W and an EMF M92 (built and tuned by Steve's Gunz out of Port Arthur, TX):


http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/6958/emfsaw003th3.jpg

[Matt-J2]

I had a .357mag.
I had a .44mag.
I have a .45 Colt.

I don't know why, but me and that .45 Colt just go together. So that's my pick, even though it's not on the list. :D


Well, the reason why might be the BP loads.

[Monster Zero]

.44mag vs. .357 for what?

For a PD weapon, .357 hands down. In order to get the .44mag down to controllable load levels you've got to load it down to the level of a hot .44special load anyway.

Then again, if you're going hunting or just want a .44 magnum, no reason not to have one. Buy one of those too, and then you have one (more) of each.

[Monster Zero]

Now that I think of it though...

One situation in which I'd want a .44 magnum hands down over a .357 is if I ever had to deal with a 200 pound ape that had gone ape=$#!+ in a fit of jealousy and was tearing some poor little old lady's face off.

In that case I'd definitely rather be packing a .44 magnum than any other handgun.

You never know when you might have to deal with something like that, you know.

[CoRoMo]

.357 is my choice.

[FoMoGo]

Owned both... shot both... reloaded for both...
The .357 gathered dust.
My wife preferred to shoot my .44s.
I dont carry J frames so that takes the tiny pocket guns out of the equation.
I honestly found the GP100, while accurate and reliable, boring to shoot.
My 629s always put a grin on my face.
I can load them for any situation.
If I need it in a social situation the extra intimidation factor of the big hole in the muzzle could hold some weight in it ending with no bloodshed.
It starts with a .4
I dont like guns without much recoil.
Its a .44...
I am not a girl. :D


Jim

[SlamFire1]

I have them both. I shoot a lot more 357's than 44 Mag's. I can shoot 150 rounds of 357, and I might have a flinch due to the muzzle blast. Around round 50 of the 44 Magnum, and my elbow hurts.

For those who think they are going to tackle bear or moose with a 44 Magnum revolver, take a rifle instead.

M27-2 357 Magnum
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/SlamFire/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20Pistols/ReducedM27-2N3666881970rightsidecoc.jpg