.38 Special vs. .44 Special

[peacebutready]

.38 vs. .44. Both firing a semi-wadcutter loaded to standard pressure. A single shot from each. How much more effective is the .44 in terms of ending the threat? Assume all else is equal (skill with firearm, shot placement, etc).

 

[joneb]

.38 vs. .44. Both firing a semi-wadcutter loaded to standard pressure. A single shot from each. How much more effective is the .44 in terms of ending the threat? Assume all else is equal (skill with firearm, shot placement, etc).

The bigger diameter and heavier slug moving around the same velocity will impart more blunt force trauma. So my vote goes to the .44

 

[tallpaul]

depends on the threat and where the shot is placed... often just the presence of a firearm or a warning shot would likely be the same. a bunny rabbit hit in the vitals won't know a difference. gut shot on a moose... 44 likely quicker. too many variables but all around and generally bigger is better to stop a threat.

 

[GRIZ22]

Generally the 44 will do better. If shot placement is good, either will work.

 

[200Apples]

.
Is this a trick question?

My vote is always for the bigger, heavier slug.

That said, I do enjoy plinking tin cans with .38s...

 

[dickydalton]

44 times better! snicker

 

[cfullgraf]

The 44 caliber bullet is already "expanded" to 44 caliber. No need to hope the 38 caliber bullet will expand.

 

[peacebutready]

The question was how much more effective is the .44.

 

[Missionary]

Good morning
Bigger holes with deeper penetration are always better. And no matter what... there is a reason a 5 shot revolver has 5 shots. Like the old sarge stated to us tank crewman.. "Ammo is cheap. Keep on shooting till you see it burn."
Mike in Peru

 

[Drail]

Would you rather be hit head on by a Peterbilt or a VW? Mass is your friend when it comes to bullets.

 

[eastbank]

i like and carry a host of big bore pistols and revolvers for defence, but i,ll have to admitt there are times when due to hot weather dress i carry a dehorned S&W model 60 in 38 special loaded with 125gr +p,s. is it the best, maybe not, but it sure beats a sharp stick. eastbank.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I'll go with the .44 special wadcutter

 

[CajunBass]

Well, if you're talking carry guns, the 44 will back home in the safe, a 38 would be in a holster on my belt, so it's a heck of a lot better.

Now, if I had one of those Charter Arms, 44's...it's a different game, but my 44 is an N-frame Smith & Wesson.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The question was how much more effective is the .44.

I know what you are asking but I'm not sure there us an easy answer. Dead is dead, there isn't a more dead. On a human size threat the .44 Williams a bigger hole and loss if blood quickly will incapacitate quicker but the .38 will do that too.

I'm sorry I can't help with a quick answer.

 

[Catpop]

Remember the old 1911 850 fps 230 gr RN 45 acp? If by chance it didn't kill you, it would knock you on your butt!
Wonder why dangerous game hunters use big bore RN cartridges?
As stated here over and over, bigger hole and more mass is better! Although I like flat pointed bullets for self defense.

 

[RealGun]

.38 vs. .44. Both firing a semi-wadcutter loaded to standard pressure. A single shot from each. How much more effective is the .44 in terms of ending the threat? Assume all else is equal (skill with firearm, shot placement, etc).

I am having some difficulty with the premise. Maybe we could say both bullets loaded to equivalent velocities. Then greater mass (along with bigger holes) wins on energy measurement. The question cannot be answered so easily without a number of rather precise parameters.

When specifying that both be loaded to "standard pressure", that is not often a reloading data parameter. We load by the corresponding powder weight and desired velocity, perhaps concerned about leading or hollow point performance. Few are equipped to measure pressure. In any case, any available pressure data could be expressed as CUP, while the standard would in PSI. Any pressure numbers are alongside minimum and maximum powder weights and velocities. One would do well to simply load the same powder to max levels in both cartridges.

I still say that both cartridges operate in the same velocity range, so load them both to the same velocity, and the math alone will tell you which will be more devastating.

 

[MikeJackmin]

Bigger is clearly better, but no one can really say how much better. We just don't know.

 

[Tallball]

I have two 38 snubbies and one 44. The 44 gives me more of a warm fuzzy feeling. Before my son's friend went off to the Navy he went shooting with me and his dad. He was amazed by the size of the 44 ammo. He picked up a round and his comment was, "Wow! You could hurt someone just by throwing this thing at them!"

 

[RealGun]

The little 38 on your belt is better than the big 44 you left at home.

 

[Catpop]

The little 38 on your belt is better than the big 44 you left at home.

Anything on your belt is better than the one in the car or at home. This is why even a 22 is acceptable!
Someone here once stated,
YOUR CAR IS NOT A HOLSTER, CARRY!
I vote 44 special.

 

[RealGun]

Anything on your belt is better than the one in the car or at home. This is why even a 22 is acceptable!
Someone here once stated,
YOUR CAR IS NOT A HOLSTER, CARRY!
I vote 44 special.

I disagree in that some guns provide a false sense of security, and thus my moniker, "RealGun". One would need the right mindset, knowing that it takes more than just any old gun. But we digress.

 

[eastbank]

i believe the one with you would be best. eastbank.

 

[Kleanbore]

.38 vs. .44. Both firing a semi-wadcutter loaded to standard pressure. A single shot from each. How much more effective is the .44 in terms of ending the threat? Assume all else is equal (skill with firearm, shot placement, etc).

If in both cases the shot happens to hit something vital, there may be something of a difference--or not.

The real question is one of whether the shooter can fire controlled shots more quickly with the .38. Those vital somethings are hidden and will be moving, so hitting them is as much a matter of luck as it is a matter of skill. More fast controlled shots leads to a higher probability.

I always liked the old Smith .44 at the range, but not on the hip--too heavy.

 

[bannockburn]

peacebutready

Don't know the answer to your question but as for me I would go with a .44 Special with it's larger diameter and heavier bullet over that of a comparable .38 Special wadcutter round.

 

[Hanshi]

A .44 hits harder, makes a bigger hole and often does more damage than a .38 will. That's about as much as can be said in answer to your question. There's no magic in bigger bores, just physics. A target hit with even multiple .44s can still fire back or run off. I recommend forgetting about one vs the other and use what you can shoot best.