.44 mag vs. .357 mag
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Quoheleth
Member
Skeeter says
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
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
bluetopper
Member
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.
And much more fun to boot.
Poohgyrr
Member
No comparison. Not even close. 
The .357/.38 fits in J frames, the .44s do not.
The .44s are clearly useless.
The .357/.38 fits in J frames, the .44s do not.
The .44s are clearly useless.
denfoote
Member
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!!
I'll stick with .357!!!
3:37AM and 3:57PM are the twice daily magnum minute!!
Stainz
Member
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
Not a reloader? No question - .357M - at least you can buy plinkers (.38 Specials) reasonably anywhere.
Stainz
420Stainless
Member
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
Member
Both!
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.
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.
Jed Carter
Member
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.
bluetopper
Member
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.
Just my opinion and I'm stickin to it.
I wouldn't shun either one.
chieftain
Member
For those of you that think the 357maggie doesn't have enough "ass" for the job, look at these "store bought" ammo ballistics.
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
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
buck460XVR
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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.
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.
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
Member
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.
Frank4711
Member
Both are good rds, I pick 357 mag....
robsc
Member
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.
A .44magnum isn`t going to shrink.
76shuvlinoff
Member
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.
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
Member
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.
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.
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
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
Member
44
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!
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!
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.
I would say the .357 Mag is more versatile for a first gun, especially if you do not reload.
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