Pure Kustom
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Out of a 4" revolver. What has more stopping power? speed vs. mass?
.357 magnum or .44 spl
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Floppy_D
Member In Memoriam
Either puts you in the realm of "having enough gun." Without going +p on the 44spl, you can get more energy out of the 357. From the playing that I've done, both will break a watermelon in half, and make a messy exit. Either is a VERY effective SD round. For 357 I'd prefer a fast 125g JHP, for the 44 I'd want a big heavy slug, since it ain't going to be that fast anyway.
Shawnee
member
Either will do.
Personal favorite is by far the .44 Special. Even the typically watered-down factory ammo for the .44 Special will cancel someone's dance card in a huge hurry. Self-defense (that will stand up in court) is not a long-range affair.
Personal favorite is by far the .44 Special. Even the typically watered-down factory ammo for the .44 Special will cancel someone's dance card in a huge hurry. Self-defense (that will stand up in court) is not a long-range affair.
Fat Boy
Member
As has been written in other places, shot placement is everything. I would go with the .44 special personally, in a gun I could shoot accurately...
Archie
Member
Everything else being equal, the .44 Special is the winner.
You specified 4" barrel. For a six shooter, the choice is either a .357 Magnum K frame (sized) revolver or an N frame (sized) revolver for a .44 Special. For a K framed size revolver, the .44 is only going to be a five shooter, if that's important.
In something like a Ruger Blackhawk, I'd go with the .44 Special and not look back.
Either will do nicely as a defensive handgun.
You specified 4" barrel. For a six shooter, the choice is either a .357 Magnum K frame (sized) revolver or an N frame (sized) revolver for a .44 Special. For a K framed size revolver, the .44 is only going to be a five shooter, if that's important.
In something like a Ruger Blackhawk, I'd go with the .44 Special and not look back.
Either will do nicely as a defensive handgun.
Jeff F
Member
For the most part I have found the .44 spl to be a very accurate and hard hitting like the .45 acp. Its a sweet shooting round.
The .357 mag is a very good and versatile cartridge that everyone into shooting handguns should have at least one with a 4 inch barrel.
The .357 mag is a very good and versatile cartridge that everyone into shooting handguns should have at least one with a 4 inch barrel.
CSA 357
Member
I WOULD SAY THE 44 SPEC HAS THE EDGE, I HAND LOAD FOR MINE, BUT I WOULDNT FEEL UNDER GUNED WITH THE 357! 24O GR BULLET AT 1200FPS IS PRETTY MEAN
dbriannelson
Member
Depends on the loads of course. There are all kinds of definitions of "stopping power." Either of these rounds are plenty good for most any purpose.
Personally, I prefer the .44 with 7.5 grains of Unique pushing a 250 grain Keith bullet about 900-950 fps for pure fun-to-shootedness. Out of a solid revolver, one can push faster, but there's really no point - use a magnum instead. With factory loads, the .357 carries more energy, though one could (and many do) argue about "stopping power" all day long. Mostly folks who haven't had to shoot anything or anybody.
Six of one, half a dozen of the other.
A horse apiece.
-Don
Personally, I prefer the .44 with 7.5 grains of Unique pushing a 250 grain Keith bullet about 900-950 fps for pure fun-to-shootedness. Out of a solid revolver, one can push faster, but there's really no point - use a magnum instead. With factory loads, the .357 carries more energy, though one could (and many do) argue about "stopping power" all day long. Mostly folks who haven't had to shoot anything or anybody.
Six of one, half a dozen of the other.
A horse apiece.
-Don
Pure Kustom
Member
Thanks guys, I appreciate the input.
4" 686 or a 4" 629 I have both. I sent the 629 in for a trigger job. I was thinking the .44 spl was a better choice. I just wanted to see what other thought.
4" 686 or a 4" 629 I have both. I sent the 629 in for a trigger job.
I was thinking the .44 spl was a better choice. I just wanted to see what other thought. Snapping Twig
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44spl IMO.
I can control it better, less flash and recoil, faster follow-up.
.357 relies on velocity, .44spl relies on bullet weight and diameter. Both work.
I can control it better, less flash and recoil, faster follow-up.
.357 relies on velocity, .44spl relies on bullet weight and diameter. Both work.
Sunray
Member
No handgun round gives you a 100% guaranteed 1 shot stop. The size of the bullet doesn't matter. As mentioned, shot placement does.
"...was thinking the .44 spl was a better choice..." It's like shooting a .38 out of a .357. You can load .44 mag cases to .44 Special velocities. Eliminates the lube gunk build up in the cylinders if you use .44 Special cases. .44 mag brass is much less expensive too. $119.99 per 100 for .44 Special vs $106.99 per 100 for .44 Mag brass for Winchester from Midway.
CSA 357, please shut off your caps lock.
"...was thinking the .44 spl was a better choice..." It's like shooting a .38 out of a .357. You can load .44 mag cases to .44 Special velocities. Eliminates the lube gunk build up in the cylinders if you use .44 Special cases. .44 mag brass is much less expensive too. $119.99 per 100 for .44 Special vs $106.99 per 100 for .44 Mag brass for Winchester from Midway.
CSA 357, please shut off your caps lock.
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Jim March
Member
In terms of raw energy, the 357 has the edge, by a fair margin. If we're talking about "the most deadly bullet" for defense against humans, I believe the 357 still comes out on top...800ft/lbs energy in a few high-end loads, where the 44Spl will top out around 550 and most factory loads don't touch that.
HOWEVER, to get peak effectiveness with the 357 you have to go seriously supersonic and run big pressure and recoil.
The 44 (and similar rounds such as 45LC, 45ACP) can get a lot done while staying subsonic and moderate pressure. This gives them a big advantage indoors (you don't blow your eardrums out) and gives a much more controllable recoil feel in any conditions.
When you keep a .357-cal projectile subsonic (most 38+Ps), effectiveness drops to a point far below the big-bore slugs.
When you drive the 357 up past 1,500fps it turns into a raging monster - on both ends. I happen to think there's a tactical advantage there - set one off in a goblin's direction and instead of going "I'm being shot at!", whoever is left starts thinking stuff like "HOLY CRAP WHERE'D THE CANNON COME FROM!?"
Of course, loads like that are just not compatible with the "compact" 357s. You have to shoot those in a gun that's as big as most 44Spls. My 357 is a Ruger New Vaquero, same size/heft as a Colt SAA and a fine platform for either moderate big-bore loads in 45LC or 44Spl, or exploring full-power 357.
HOWEVER, to get peak effectiveness with the 357 you have to go seriously supersonic and run big pressure and recoil.
The 44 (and similar rounds such as 45LC, 45ACP) can get a lot done while staying subsonic and moderate pressure. This gives them a big advantage indoors (you don't blow your eardrums out) and gives a much more controllable recoil feel in any conditions.
When you keep a .357-cal projectile subsonic (most 38+Ps), effectiveness drops to a point far below the big-bore slugs.
When you drive the 357 up past 1,500fps it turns into a raging monster - on both ends. I happen to think there's a tactical advantage there - set one off in a goblin's direction and instead of going "I'm being shot at!", whoever is left starts thinking stuff like "HOLY CRAP WHERE'D THE CANNON COME FROM!?"
Of course, loads like that are just not compatible with the "compact" 357s. You have to shoot those in a gun that's as big as most 44Spls. My 357 is a Ruger New Vaquero, same size/heft as a Colt SAA and a fine platform for either moderate big-bore loads in 45LC or 44Spl, or exploring full-power 357.
TonyB
Member
Prime rib or Filet Mignon??take your pick.I recently became a big 44spl fan when I got mY Bulldog.I have always been a 357 fan.One thing to consider is that w/ a 357 you can practice w/ cheaper 38's,more range time = better shooting.but for up close and personal defense..I say take your pick.
as stated already, the .357 has more outright power, but i prefer the controlability of the .44 special.
i'm comparing both in the S&W L-frame...686 vs. 696. i am able to put 5 shots on target faster with the .44 spl.
my current house gun is a 3" 696 loaded with Blaser 200gr Golddots. mine came Mag-na-ported an has the recoil of a .38 spl
i'm comparing both in the S&W L-frame...686 vs. 696. i am able to put 5 shots on target faster with the .44 spl.
my current house gun is a 3" 696 loaded with Blaser 200gr Golddots. mine came Mag-na-ported an has the recoil of a .38 spl
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