.44 Magnum vs .357 Magnum

.44 Magnum vs .357 Magnum

  • .44 Magnum

    Votes: 45 18.1%
  • .357 Magnum

    Votes: 203 81.9%

  • Total voters
    248
  • Poll closed .
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Barrel length doesn't really have any bearing on accuracy. You get a longer sight radius (length between front and rear sight), which equates to being able to shoot more precisely, but it isn't inherently more accurate. You also get more velocity, less flash, less blast, and more weight to soak up recoil out of a longer barrel.
 
One huge difference over dry firing with a .22, and that is instant gratification and feedback, not to mention the FUN of shooting ever tighter groups. Dry firing will never truly tell a shooter how he's pulling the gun off target slightly via poor grip/mechanics/trigger pull.

Hitting paper with a soft-shooting but accurate handgun helps a shooter enjoy practice and rewards with the targets to reinforce good habits.

That's my story . . . and I'm a stickin' to it!;)
 
Recoil wise a single action's grip is much easier on my hand than that of a double action's.

When I shot my Colt Python the recoil bothered the web of my hand. I even bought fancy Herretts grips for it and it was different but not better.

When I got the Ruger Blackhawk the recoil did not hurt at all. The Blackhawk recoils barrel up more and the smooth grip slips some and does not dig into my hand.

If I was doing it over I would get a Blackhawk in 44 mag and a reloading kit again.
 
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I love both rounds! You cant go wrong with either . My first handgun was a ruger super blackhawk and just recently bought a ruger sp101 in .357 talo.edition. .38s for the 2 legged varments and .44s for mr and mrs bear
 

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I prefer the .357 magnum from a practical use standpoint.

I have both a .357 mag and a .44 mag, for me the .357 is easier to handle recoil wise any day of the week even with hotter loads.

.44 special on the other hand is very comfortable, has a nice large diameter, and still has enough power to do the trick in a SD situation.
 
Buy a .22 to learn to shoot a handgun with.

Then buy a .357 so you can shoot .38 Special in it until you learn to shoot that.

Then start shooting .357 Magnum, and take a giant step backward in your shooting skill when you start flinching and jerking the trigger due to .357 Magnum recoil & noise.

Then go back to the .22 and learn to shoot all over again.
Then work back up through the .38 Special & .357 again.

Then it is time to buy a .44 Magnum, and start jerking and flinching all over again.

Trust Me!!

rc

My thoughts exactly! And what i always recomend when i'm asked by a new shooter, what handgun should i buy?

DM
 
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I own both 357 and 44s. Love both, but if I were to choose one,it would be a 357 in a 4". Especially for the needs listed. My first handgun is still my favorite. GP100 stainless 4".
 
Rcmodel speaks the truth. That is precisely the route I took but I still shot 22's more than anything else. Maybe that's why I had so much trouble dealing with 357 mag recoil at first? I migrated to 41 mag and really liked it. I can see why people like 44 spl's. Had I gone that route, I would probably love them.

BUT, I believe the OP is not a new shooter; only new to revolvers.

I prefer 6" or longer for hunting and 4" for general carry in the field and woods. I do shoot a 6" a little better than a 4" on average and certainly a lot better than the 2" carry revolvers.
 
Buy a .22 to learn to shoot a handgun with.

Then buy a .357 so you can shoot .38 Special in it until you learn to shoot that.

Then start shooting .357 Magnum, and take a giant step backward in your shooting skill when you start flinching and jerking the trigger due to .357 Magnum recoil & noise.

Then go back to the .22 and learn to shoot all over again.
Then work back up through the .38 Special & .357 again.

Then it is time to buy a .44 Magnum, and start jerking and flinching all over again.

Trust Me!!

rc

Thread could have been closed after this post. Truer words were never spoken. That is my exact advice to anyone looking to learn to shoot a handgun. While I am a big fan of the .44 mag., it is not for the inexperienced or faint of heart. If you cannot train yourself to ignore the recoil you will never enjoy the caliber or become proficient with it.

That said...I voted for the .357 in the poll.

Edit: This is funny. I did not wade through the entire thread...just responded to rcmodels post. Looks like at least a few of us are in agreement:)
 
Gotta go with the .357 crowd as well. You can get them in J frames, K frames, L & N, snub, 3", 4", 5", 6" and longer if that floats yer boat.

.44s being mostly an N Frame thing.

Tho' there are single actions as well as double actions for your consideration as well...

Gotta agree with RC. A .22 is a beautiful thing to own and shoot as a first handgun (or rifle for that matter).
 
I own both as well as a .454. I would to with a .357.the only reason I have the big dogs is for when I am in Alaska. You just don't need a .44mag
 
I've got a brace of both and both do the job well so long as I match the cartridge to the job. I'm a long time hand loader, so I have the option of going from puppy poots to full house eargesplittenloudenboomers in both. It's possible to do that by buying specific factory loads in either.

The .357 Magnum will also shoot the .38 Special and the .44 Magnum will also shoot the .44 Special and the .44 Russian. The possibilities of various levels with factory fodder is not as high as with hand loading, but it is considerable.

Currently, my .44 self defense cartridge is the Speer Gold Dot Ammunition 44 Special 200 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point. The .44 Special is no slouch when it comes to self defense all the current wonder guns notwithstanding. The .44 Magnum will certainly work, but it can be just too much gun.

Here's an excellent article and self defense ammunition:http://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/
 
Enough "new shooter" advice already. The OP pointed out 2 pages ago he was new to revolvers, not new to guns.
 
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