Since I always use ear protection and typically double up that, I can say that I feel a high sharp CRACK with the .357 out of a short barrel. With the .44mag, I feel a huge BOOOM in my upper body (again using wheelgun).
With the lever action I can really feel the .44 in my cheek/face, where the .357, has a lot less felt impact (doh!)
A question or two? (I don't expect anyone here to have THE answers but may be pleasantly surprised to find we have an audiologist or two on board) How and where would one measure db for each? Indoors? Outdoors? How far away to set measuring device? Where to set it relative to muzzle? Rifle? Handgun? Barrel length?
I do recall taking the the GFs boys shooting a few years back. Mom sat in car about 15 yds behind our range line, reading whilst we made noise. AR, AK, .38, .357, 9mm, .45... all fine and well. I pulled out the 29, shot six and she came flying out of that car with hands over her ears wondering aloud (really LOUD), "WTH did you just shoot?"
So my informal survey shows the .44 being REALLY loud.