357 vs 44 for versatility

[D.B. Cooper]

This is going to be a wandering question. Forgive me.

Which do you feel is the more versatile caliber-357 or 44 magnum?

How does the 44 compare to the 357 for a broad range of use? From a handloading standpoint, I know that 38 spl can be loaded way down for plinking and small game and that 357 can be loaded way up for self defense and deer hunting. Would 44 spl make a useful/practical cartridge for hares or is just way too much overkill. (As my teenage son says: "There's no kill like overkill.)

My purpose in asking is I'm thinking about buying a 357 revolver. I own lever guns in both calibers and a revolver in 44. Obviously, I carry the 44 as a bear defense gun. Because I already have the revolver in 44, I'm wondering if it will have that range of use or should I be looking at a 357. This would be a gun I would attach to a pack, possibly carry in the truck (highly unlikely), etc.

My concern is the 357 isn't big enough for a bear and the 44 is too big for almost anything else.

 

[DWFan]

IMO, the .44 is more versatile in terms of power. Trail Boss or Cowboy .44 loads can do anything the .38 Special can, but there isn't a .357 load that can approach a full power .44 Mag. The .357 is more versatile in the variety of weapons. The .357 can be used in smaller and lighter revolvers than the .44.

 

[PO2Hammer]

You can make some real nice target loads in .44 Rem mag. One of my favorites was a Penn cast 185 grain DEWC over a light charge of (insert favorite fast powder here).
I would rate the .44 as more versatile.

 

[adcoch1]

If smallish bears are your top end animal, a high quality 357 will probably cut it, and loads all the way down to varmits are very doable. But a 44 can run a light 200 @ 650-700fps all the way up to 325 grn @1200 for bison and LARGE bears. Plus shot shells in 44 are more effective than from a 357, so versatility goes to the 44 mag. The 357 will be smaller/lighter though, so that may be more important than the broad range of usability. I personally go 44 mag all the way, but I purposefully hunt with them too. Just my 0.02

 

[buck460XVR]

The .357 is easier and more pleasant to shoot, plus ammo is a lot cheaper. While it is too small for DG, and is just a short range deer caliber, overall, it still is more versatile than a .44.

 

[Wishoot]

Have both.

Love both.

Both are exceptionally versatile.

I'd give the .357 an ever so slight advantage based solely on the weight of the revolver itself. If I were romping through the woods, my GP100 or Security Six are lighter than my Redhawk.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

IMO the 44 is more versatile. With max loads it far exceeds the 357 and with very light 44 spl loads it would just make bigger holes than a 38.
The 357 is obviously a better choice for concealed carry and is more economical for high volume target shooting.
Having both is the best choice.

 

[jmr40]

I sold all of my 357's many years ago after buying a 44 mag. I did eventually buy a Smith 28 that I just couldn't resist. Ammo cost is within 50 cents for a box of 50 rounds. A lot depends on the individual guns, but my N frame Smiths in 44 mag are 1 oz lighter than the GP-100 and 686 revolvers I sold and still fit in the same holsters. They do make smaller framed 357's, but I'd much rather carry a compact 9mm single stack for that role. I want my magnum revolvers full sized.

There is no law that says you have to always shoot full power loads. I find that the mid level 44 mag loads or hot 44 Special loads are more comfortable to shoot than standard 357 loads and every bit as effective in a personal defense situation. And if need more power the hotter 44 loads are in another category.

That isn't to say the 357 isn't a good choice. With the wide variety of loads it can cover a lot of bases. I just think the 44 does everything better.

 

[MaxP]

For me at least, when making a comparison of this type, the caliber with the least limitations wins. In this case it the bigger .44 as it can be loaded to maiden's caress level on up to fairly obnoxious. I don't subscribe to the concept of overkill as there are no degrees of dead. JMHO.

 

[markallen]

My opinion, .44. But has been previously noted you don't have to shoot, or carry magnums in either one. If your looking to woods carry, or, CCW, take a look at the CA Bulldog. Stainless steel. Weighs 19oz. The .44 Special makes a great woods gun. And if your not feeding the Bulldog a steady diet of it, Buffalo Bore makes a heavy .44 Special that is safe in the Bulldog.

 

[LNK]

Not really sure either is more versatile than the other. While the 44 is needed for dangerous bears, either will do anything else needed of a handgun. Both can be loaded up or down. 44 has more range for hunting deer sized game. So the question is, what do you plan to use it for? Both will poke a hole in a bunny, unless you are using explosive varmint type bullets, meat damage will be similar.

Can't go wrong with either.

Lnk

 

[Zaydok Allen]

44 for sure. Look at some load data for both, and the answer becomes obvious.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

what about a 41 magnum you do reload now the 41 magnum is just Awesome https://www.ruger.com/products/newModelBlackhawkBlued/specSheets/0405.html or https://www.ruger.com/products/newModelSuperBlackhawkHunter/specSheets/0863.htm
but if it is between a 357 / 44 magnum i would be in the 44 camp but do look into
the 41 magnum

 

[Walkalong]

Have both.

Love both.

Both are exceptionally versatile.

This.

What basic power level do you want to be versatile at is the question I guess.

 

[Duster340]

Another vote for the 44 here. With real light loads pushing little Lee 162 gr WC or 170gr RN cast bullets, it does a nice job on rabbits and squirrel. And no one can deny it's capabilities with full house loads for any NA game when compared to the 357. Imo

Be well folks

 

[Rio Laxas]

.44 is more versatile, but since you already have a revolver in .44, I don't really see the downside of also having a .357. I certainly don't regret having both.

 

[CraigC]

The .44Mag will do everything the .357 will and more and it will do it better. For medium frame guns, I'd rather have a .44Spl. For small frame guns, I'd rather have a .38Spl. One can get along just fine without a .357, even a sixgun nut.

 

[tomrkba]

44 Magnum has a wider range.

Both are fun and useful cartridges.

 

[farm23]

I don't have a 38/357 so my perspective is off but I like the 44/44mag a lot. If you reload then the 44 is a good choice but if going with factory ammo go 38.

 

[bannockburn]

D.B. Cooper

If I lived in Alaska my levels of versatility would probably be something like this:

1) .44 Magnum/.44 Special
2) .41 Magnum
3) .357 Magnum/.38 Special

And since you already have a .44 Magnum I think adding a .357 Magnum would give you even more versatility on top of what you already have.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Both are versatile, but if you are limited to just factory ammo, I think the 357 would be a better choice. And when it comes to full power loads, most shooters will do better with the 357.
But then I have heard that nine out of ten bears prefer the 357 Mag over the 44 Mag.

 

[Charlie98]

The .357 can be used in smaller and lighter revolvers than the .44.

There is the Real Answer. For recreational shooting, wagging around a large-frame revolver can be tedious; for shooting full-house loads, a smaller (K- or L-frame) revolver gets pretty old, pretty quickly. That isn't to say one is more versatile than the other... both can be loaded up or down about the same, minus the differences in bullet width. The question is... what do you want to carry around?

 

[tbob38]

I think I'd at least look at one of those little 5 shot 44's.

 

[BigBore44]

If we’re talking about a 44 or 357 for hares and other small game, the answer is 357. If we’re talking about overall versatility, the 44 is the clear winner. Downloading a 44 with a lighter bullet and powder charge, still produces a larger diameter hole.

 

[joed]

I'm a fan of the .357 Mag and have been for many years. If I were in your shoes it would be a no-brainer for me and I would get a .357 Mag. I have both the .357 and .44 and like them both. The .357 is quite powerful and I've used it for a lot of hunting and carrying.