New Revolver dilemma

Fastestmanalive

Fastestmanalive

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Have'nt bought a new gun for at least...3months, now itching for a revolver, I don't own one yet, just semi's.

I am on the fence between 44mag and 357mag. I have 2 gun range membership, one indoor where 44mag is not allowed but you can fire .357. My other range is outdoor where I am not restricted on caliber. I could get a 44mag for the outdoor range (I don't go much in the winter) and shoot 44sp reloads indoor (this is permitted) or get a 357 and use it at both places all year long. It looks like 44sp brass and reloading components is harder to find than the classic 38/357 stuff. The 44 scenario is clearly more complicated but to get the 44mag option is appealing.

What do you guys think ?
 
I can find 44spl brass just as easily online as 44mag brass.

357mag would be cheaper for reloading and bit less of a pain as you're not readjusting your dies. If you bought two sets of 44mag dies and adjusted one for 44spl, it would make things easier.

ps 44mag dies will reload 44spl and 357 dies will reload 38spl when adjusted correctly.
 
Go with the .357 then get the .44 The .357 is much more versatile and you will shoot it alot while the .44 is more of a fun gun you won't shoot as much,unless you shoot .44 in a rifle then shooting full house .44 mag is fun.
 
LouF said:
Go with the .357 then get the .44 The .357 is much more versatile and you will shoot it alot while the .44 is more of a fun gun you won't shoot as much,unless you shoot .44 in a rifle then shooting full house .44 mag is fun.
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X2. Try a 586/686 loads of fun.
 
Do you HAVE to use 44 Special??? Years ago, my range would not allow full power 44 Magnum on the indoor range, but if you loaded the Magnum cases down to ballistics similar to 44 Special (under 1000fps with 240gr bullets), you were good to go - so you didn't need 2 sets of brass and die adjustments. The 44 Magnum, with the right powder selection, can have reduced loads that are equivalent to 44 Special.
 
Since the OP has a hankering after the bigger bore, I was going to suggest the new Ruger GP100 in .44 Spec, but it's only available with an evil 3" barrel, at least so far. But, as Calahan suggeested, the .44 Mag. can be down-loaded, although convincing an RO of that could be difficult.
 
josquin said:
Since the OP has a hankering after the bigger bore, I was going to suggest the new Ruger GP100 in .44 Spec, but it's only available with an evil 3" barrel, at least so far. But, as Calahan suggeested, the .44 Mag. can be down-loaded, although convincing an RO of that could be difficult.
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Actually they are making a limited 5"

RU1765%20-%20R.jpg

http://www.lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=RUGP-4451-5

357 will be cheaper and more practical, but if you have the itch for the 44, go for it. If you don't want to shoot 44 spec. and going to the outdoor range becomes an inconvenience, you can always sell the 44 and get a 357.
 
gdawg said:
Actually they are making a limited 5"...
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Oops... I stand (er, sit) corrected. So they do. And, being a Ruger, one can probably load it up a little beyond official .44 Spec. levels if you feel the need for more whump. Not to .44 Mag. levels, but 1000-1150 should be safe. Doing a little digging I came across this article by Brian Pearce (always a reliable source of information.)
 
357/38 the way to go. You dont have to deal with the range restrictions.

I have a 357/38 revolver and a 1873 revolver in 45lc. I love them both. Am sure you'll love 44 mag just like the 357.

In your case.....just make more sense to get 357 since you can shoot 38 and you can use at both ranges.

If you have the extra cash. Buy a 357 and 44 revolver. You wont be disappointed.
 
357 would get more use.

If you reload, load the 357 brass at full power and at 38SPl for plinking.

If you go with a 44Mag, use the 44Mag brass and download it to 44Spl power for plinking. No need to use the short brass.
 
gdawg said:
Actually they are making a limited 5"

RU1765%20-%20R.jpg

http://www.lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=RUGP-4451-5

357 will be cheaper and more practical, but if you have the itch for the 44, go for it. If you don't want to shoot 44 spec. and going to the outdoor range becomes an inconvenience, you can always sell the 44 and get a 357.
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Wow. Now there's a sweet looking wheel gun. Any idea if or when it'll be available north of the border ?
 
josquin said:
..being a Ruger, one can probably load it up a little beyond official .44 Spec. levels if you feel the need for more whump. Not to .44 Mag. levels, but 1000-1150 should be safe. Doing a little digging I came across this article by Brian Pearce (always a reliable source of information.)
Click to expand...

Good article. Yes I'm sure the Ruger could handle heavier special loads.

Salibas007 said:
Wow. Now there's a sweet looking wheel gun. Any idea if or when it'll be available north of the border ?
Click to expand...

Profit river has some on order apparently. That is a reasonable price too.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1607143-Ruger-GP100-44-Special
 
As has been said, just buy a .44 magnum and reload for it. Shooting factory cartridges is crazy wasteful. The brass casing can be reused many times and constitutes 50% of the cost of factory ammunition. You can easily load down to .44 Special velocities.

Since you won't be shooting bucket loads of ammunition, a single-stage press like the Lee Challenger is all you need, along with a set of dies and a few small tools. You can bolt it to an old kitchen table for a bench, or bolt it to a piece of plywood and C-clamp it to any kitchen table or work surface.

While some falsely assume that a reloading set-up is too expensive, you can get going with new gear for less than $300.00 (including dies), or buy up some used gear for less.

Lee dies are decent quality (I've used RCBS, Lyman, Redding, and Lee dies and they all work well) and you can get a set for under $50.00, complete with a shell holder. That makes it easy to simply pick up another set of dies when you buy a .357 revolver, or whatever.

Reloading is easy and not doing it is a waste of money.
 
OP...based on your range restrictions I would buy the .357 revolver. You will get more use out of it especially when winter comes..
If you already shoot .45ACP find a S&W 625......
 
I am already reloading a lot in various calibers. I have all the equipment I need. I am just skeptical the RO will want to manage a muddy application of the rules with light loads in 44mag cases. That would be a hard sell. While I can afford both calibers, I can't afford a divorce! I will have to pick one for now. A lever action 44mag rifle is on the wish list but not in the close future.

Good feedback guys, will think about it!
 
Get what makes you happy - get them all and you wouldn't be disappointed. Revolvers are loads of fun. I find that I can hit better with wheel guns than autos.
 
My advice go with the GP-100 in a 4.2" .357/38spl. The gun balances well and is a great shooter. Like all Rugers it will need some TLC. My cylinders all need reaming out to .358. Three would not allow a .355 bullet to pass through them. In addition hammer and trigger shims works wonders. To reduce the trigger pull I replacced the hammer and trigger return spring.

I use my Ruger to shoot IDPA and have a 686 No Dash 105.14 MM barreled revolver for back up. I prefer the slightly lighter GP-100.

Take Care

Bob
 
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