.44mag or .357
- Thread starter FraserJ20
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The question is what do you want the gun for, if it is wilderness carry go, .44mag, if it is because you want something big and macho ,go .44 mag, if you want something you will maybe shot alot ,go .357 mag. There may be people who will disagree but I feel a .357 is easier to handle and less abusive to the shooter, cheaper to shoot even if you don't reload and cheaper if you do reload. If you can afford it get both , or buy one now and start looking for the other.
notoriousDES
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You shouldn't have to make that choice. Buy them both. If your wife objects, get her a gift certificate to the spa and tell her how great she looks in those new jeans she just bought!
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec
Firing a 44 mag is fun, but after 6 shots, personally I am ready for something a bit tamer.
Even full load .357 are NOT pleasant to shoot all day long. 38SPL on the other hand is accurate and won't tire you out.
Even full load .357 are NOT pleasant to shoot all day long. 38SPL on the other hand is accurate and won't tire you out.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I don't know if it still applies in competition, but at one time if the bullet hole cut the scoring ring , the higher score was awarded. This makes the larger holes of the big bore a better choice from a target shooting point of view. The report of the .357 is very sharp, and if you happen to fire one without proper hearing protection, chances are you won't do it twice.
As an ATC gun the .44 is leaps and bounds ahead of the .357, but that only counts if you can shoot it. As a handloader, you can load a .44 to your comfort level, but for protection against large predators, it is at it's best with a 300 gr hard cast bullet at 1200 fps. A 180 gr hard cast flat nosed bullet that hits the mark from a .357 is better than a fatter bullet 100 grs heavier that misses.
I owned and shot a half dozen .357's before I got my first .44, and once I got a .44 I wondered what all the fuss was about. It will do anything the .357 will do and do it better, however I would suggest the .357 as a first gun.
As an ATC gun the .44 is leaps and bounds ahead of the .357, but that only counts if you can shoot it. As a handloader, you can load a .44 to your comfort level, but for protection against large predators, it is at it's best with a 300 gr hard cast bullet at 1200 fps. A 180 gr hard cast flat nosed bullet that hits the mark from a .357 is better than a fatter bullet 100 grs heavier that misses.
I owned and shot a half dozen .357's before I got my first .44, and once I got a .44 I wondered what all the fuss was about. It will do anything the .357 will do and do it better, however I would suggest the .357 as a first gun.
"...ready for something a bit tamer..." .44 mag cases loaded to .44 Special velocities with a cast bullet.
"...you won't do it twice..." You won't indoors with a .22 either. Magnums aren't used in competition much.
"....44 mag or .357?..." For what? .357 cases loaded with cast bullets to .38 Special velocities is about as cheap as you'll get. However, what you're doing with either matters too.
"...you won't do it twice..." You won't indoors with a .22 either. Magnums aren't used in competition much.
"....44 mag or .357?..." For what? .357 cases loaded with cast bullets to .38 Special velocities is about as cheap as you'll get. However, what you're doing with either matters too.
If you are looking at competition shooting, go with a 625. The 45 bullet is wider, the recoil is tamer and if it is good enough for Jerry Miculek it is good enough for you.
PM me if interested, I know of one for sale with only 100 rounds through it.
PM me if interested, I know of one for sale with only 100 rounds through it.
I recently had to make this same decision, 357 VS 44, and I ended up going with the 44. Since you're handloading, you can load some light target loads, or bump up the power level to magnum levels.
The more I read about how flexible the 44 magnum's power range was, the more I became interested in the 44. Shooting 44 Special level loads in a heavier revolver isn't that bad at all, it's extremely fun! Then you can shoot full power loads for ####s and giggles if you should so choose.
The more I read about how flexible the 44 magnum's power range was, the more I became interested in the 44. Shooting 44 Special level loads in a heavier revolver isn't that bad at all, it's extremely fun! Then you can shoot full power loads for ####s and giggles if you should so choose.
I currently have both 686 and 629. I would go with 686 for starters and get used to 357. Once you get bored with 357, go to 44.
I currently don't shoot 357 at all. For practice, I shoot a lot of 38 and when you get that urge for kick, shoot 20-30 rounds of 44 and you are done. If I started it over again, I would skip all together 357 and get a 38 special gun alone with 44. Once you get 44, 357 is not that much fun any more. Long story short, if you are planning on shooting alot, get 686. If you already have something as a daily shooter, get 629.
Igor.
I currently don't shoot 357 at all. For practice, I shoot a lot of 38 and when you get that urge for kick, shoot 20-30 rounds of 44 and you are done. If I started it over again, I would skip all together 357 and get a 38 special gun alone with 44. Once you get 44, 357 is not that much fun any more. Long story short, if you are planning on shooting alot, get 686. If you already have something as a daily shooter, get 629.
Igor.
I have a Ruger Security Six .357 MAG. With the factory wood panel grips, after about 18 shots of full power loads, the heel of my palm used to start feeling a little numb. With the Hogue Monogrip installed, I can shoot full power loads a long time without feeling it in my hands.
I used to load .38 SPL loads in the .357 cartridges (I don't use the short .38 cases because they dirty up the chambers more), but since handloading saves money, I can afford to shoot full power loads...and I know my Ruger will eat up those 158gr all day without complaint.
But if I were personally deciding between .357 or .44 right at this moment, I would most likely go with the .44.
I used to load .38 SPL loads in the .357 cartridges (I don't use the short .38 cases because they dirty up the chambers more), but since handloading saves money, I can afford to shoot full power loads...and I know my Ruger will eat up those 158gr all day without complaint.
But if I were personally deciding between .357 or .44 right at this moment, I would most likely go with the .44.
If it were me, the choice would be between a Python .357 and a vintage model 29 in 44 mag. Stainless just doesn't do it for my.
Overall, I think the model 29 would be my first acquisition. The 44 is just a little more versatile, and the blued model 29 'dirty harry gun' is an icon
Overall, I think the model 29 would be my first acquisition. The 44 is just a little more versatile, and the blued model 29 'dirty harry gun' is an icon
the only S&W I own is a autoloader but I do have a .44mag revolver made by another brand and don't own a .357mag.
I like .44mag it's extremely versatile; esp if you relaod! not to mention you use .44spl in the gun. I can push a 240gr bullet from 750fps to 1500fps+ you can go faster if you use ligher bullets.
I like .44mag it's extremely versatile; esp if you relaod! not to mention you use .44spl in the gun. I can push a 240gr bullet from 750fps to 1500fps+ you can go faster if you use ligher bullets.
