.44mag recoil

[LMC]

I was just wondering how big a jump it is in recoil from a 357 mag to a .44mag in lets say GP100 for the 357 and Redhawk 44 platforms with factory loads, i ask this because i am thinking of getting a Redhawk for a woods gun but have never shot one, but i used to have a 357 security six and didn't find it bad at all.

Thanks

 

[Mooseman]

Not bad at all for a woods gun. I wouldn't recommend one for personal protection though as it takes too long to fire your second shot. My advice is to find someone who has one and try it out.

 

[Action_Can_Do]

The stock grips on the redhawk are a bit rough on the hands. You might want to change them to rubber ones from hogue. Out of a dozen 44 magnums I've shot, the redhawk with stock grips was the only one I would call unpleasant to shoot. Personally I prefer the Super Redhawk. Smoother trigger and better grip.

 

[Iggy]

I think he is asking for a comparison of felt recoil between the two guns.

 

[Marshall]

It's a different feel.

My 357's are more snappy and sharp. My 44's are more of a powerful feeling push.

Most 44's are also heavier. A Redhawk with a 7 1/2" tube and Hogue rubber is not as bad on my hand as my 357 4" K frame and certainly better than my 357 J Frame.

 

[Majic]

A lot of the difference will depend on what ammo is used.

 

[kentucky_smith]

Here's some Remington greenbox through a 8" Redhawk

Quicktime video

 

[Ben Shepherd]

With "standard" stuff, you'll just go to a much heavier push, but you'll lose some of the snap. At least that's been my experience with those 2 platforms.

Now if you go up to Garrett or heavy cor-bon stuff- This be a different animal!! Even if you went with heavy 357 vs. heavy 44- the heavy/hot 44 is a whole different thing.

My "heavy" handloads are:
Heavy 357: 158gr@1550.
Heavy 44: 300gr@1400.

MUCH more recoil with the 44.

At least that's my experience. YMMV.

 

[LMC]

Thanks, what i gathered from some of the info i read the redhawk is alot more manageable with houge grips for medium hands is this true or would the factory grips be more comfortable.

 

[jad0110]

Sounds kinda like the difference between a 9mm and a 45 ACP: the 45 is a heavier, slower punch while the 9 is snappier and sharper (to some).

 

[Confederate]

While I can shoot a .44 Magnum, I don't ever think of it as a pleasant experience. As a woods gun, the Redhawk will be a horse pistol and difficult to carry on the hip. I've always found the .357 to be fine for general self defense, but would prefer the Smith & Wesson 29/629 over the Redhawk.

Like those huge swords Conan carried on his back, that's how I've always thought the Redhawk should be carried. As a range gun, it's okay, but its grip is configured so that if you replace the wood panels with Pachmayrs, they become too large for normal to smallish hands.

I wish Ruger would rethink its .44 Magnum design and make it better for carry.

 

[MartinBrody]

I think 44 Mag makes 357 Mag feel like a lightweight. If you reload 44, it can be nice, but 50 rounds of factory ammo and you are finished. Also 44 specials are creampuffs in the 44 Mag guns.

 

[bender]

I was thinkin' about buying a 5.5" redhawk, and I've never shot a .44mag either, like the original poster.

Would probably shoot .44special at the range. Was looking at ballistics tables in the hornady manual, and it looks like 44special and 45acp aren't all that different ballistically.

 

[Bula]

I shoot a lot of both, I have a 7.5" redhawk. The difference is definately noticable. But the size and weight make that RH a good shooter. If your reloading you can load some easy shooting 1000 fps 240 lswc and they are a joy to shoot. I do 200 rds per session sometimes. If your on the fence, buy the .44 mag. It is my newest favorite round. I enjoy having both.

 

[Jackal]

20 rounds of .44 mag through my S&W 629 gave me a flinch that took me 2 weeks to get over. My Ruger Security Six however, loaded with standard .357's, hasnt given me any trouble over the years.

 

[dragongoddess]

Several weeks ago I took my new purchase a Colt Anaconda with a 4 inch barrel to the range. I felt the recoil in the hand, the wrist and the elbow. The 44 mag hurt like the dickens. The .357 King Cobra I bought the same day didn't bother me at all.
It will be awhile before I put 44 mags back into the Anaconda. Dang thing scared me witless.

 

[Feldhege]

I must be different from most, I really enjoy shooting my Dan Wesson 44 MAG. Granted it is a large frame, 8" barrel and hogue mono grip so that weight does help tame recoil. I also recently added a muzzle brake (custom Vias). I can (and have) shot over 100 rounds in a single afternoon range session with no problem.

I guess like most people here, Recoil will be a very subjective thing. It can also be tamed if you work on it.

I do also have a DW 357 and I will admit that it is a lot of fun to shoot, but for now, make mine a 44.



Robb

 

[Ben Shepherd]

How the launch platform and the shooter mesh make a huge difference with hard bucking calibers.

I have a handload that runs a 245gr SWC at 1500fps. 100 rounds through my super redhawk is no problem, through my redhawk 100 is the limit.

But through dads super blackhawk, 1 round is flat out painful.

 

[bakert]

Going from a .357 to a .44 mag is a bigger step than many of the more macho types would have you believe. After shooting and getting used to it won't be as bad in some guns as others but it still lets you know it's there. In the right gun it can be a lot of fun but it aint no pussycat.

 

[S&Wfan]

It really isn't bad at all, if the shooter and the grip of the gun are a good match.

Yeah, it's nastier than a .357 kick, but it isn't as snappy . . . more of a really firm PUSH back into the hand and wrist.

Use a firm grip and it shouldn't be bad at all.

PLUS . . . when you shoot it against an animal . . . you won't notice the kick anyway!!!

BTW, I use the very hard kicking 300 grain Federal "Cast Core" ammo in mine when hunting, definately a stout load. However, the 210 gn. and 240 grain stuff ain't bad at all!!!

T.

 

[Onty]

Make no mistake, full load 44 does kick, and in some revolvers could be considerably. Super Redhawk is one of the better ones due its weight and well made grips. Also, I would suggest to try 44 Bisley, you might like it. Now, if you are tossing between 357 and 44, do not overlook 41. For the general shooting I like it more than any other calibre. It has that nice balance of weight, recoil, power and flat shooting trajectory. S&W makes it http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=15706&isFirearm=Y . And Ruger too http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=405&return=Y . Also, used 41 revolvers are available in Redhawk, Bisley, S&W 57, 657 without underlug, etc. If you are looking something for woods, you might not like heavy revolver. In that respect, 6” S&W 57 or 657 or Blackhawk 4-5/8” might be the ticket. Used Blackhawk is also available with 6-1/2” barrel, if I remembered correctly.

If you reload, you might look for S&W 24 or 624. If I run across nice 624, 6-1/2” barrel, I’ll grab it in a heartbeat. It’s lighter due its slimmer barrel. Handloaded, it could be formidable firearm, see http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=4 .