.357 or .44?

Question

Hello, I have a question concerning caliber size. Why would anyone choose a .357 over a .44? Or would they? A .44 is bigger, so doesn't that mean it's automatically better?

I forgot to check what category this went in, but I didn't really mean for hunting, but for self defense, millitary use, etc.

Answer 1

I believe you can use 38 special ammo in the 357. Making it a bit easier and cheaper to find ammo for.

Answer 2

The main advantage a .44 RemMag has over the .357 Magnum as a hunting cartridge are:

1 - The higher pressure, and greater bullet weight, and higher velocity gives the .44 RemMag an extra 50 yards of usable range. You can ethically shoot game out to about 100 yards with a .44 RemMag, but with a .357 Magnum, you should limit the range to 50 yards or less.

2 - The added bullet weight of the .44 gives better penetration, generally through and through penetration on side shots, that give a better blood trail, if the animal doesn't drop in it's tracks.

The advantages of a .357 Magnum over a .44 RemMag are these:

1 - Less recoil. Even if fired from guns of the same weight at the same velocity, a 125-158 grain .357 Magnum bullet will generate less recoil than a 200-300 grain .44 RemMag bullet.

2 - .357's are generally lighter, and handier to carry than .44 RemMag handguns.

I like both cartridges, but I have sold off my .44 RemMag and have kept my .44 S&W SPL's and .357 Magnums.

Doc

Answer 3

I own both a .357 and a .44 and I would have to say that for hunting the .44 would put the deer down instead of wounding them. When comparing them side by side the .357 would break my 2 litre pop bottle ice blocks into little pieces but the .44 would just destroy it.
For deer hunting the .357 would wound more deer instead of killin it. You would have to try and get a good head shot. The .44 works great for a brush gun. My dad nailed a deer in the head (where there was one) in one shot and we didnt have to track it far either.
For personal protection I would have to say the .357 would work nicely since it is smaller and you shouldnt need all the power of a larger magnum to kill an intruder. Also .38 Special rounds could be used in the .357 if you would prefer rounds with a little less kick.
Each weapon has its ups and downs. Just like everyone has their own preference to what they wanna carry.

Answer 4

Especially surprising in this day of the 'bigger & better' hand cannon, terminating in the near uncontrolable .500 S&W Magnum, which MUST have barrel porting, it's strange to me how few people know how much felt recoil a .357 or .44 Magnum really have. Neither of these Magnums are slouches in the power department.
I was one of the multitude that was enamored of the mighty S&W M-29 .44 Magnum during the "Dirty Harry" craze of the early 70's, when you could hardly find one, and prices were a premium, at least for a while. . . . . .
By '77 or '78 you could find a .44 again for a reasonable price, after so many of the 'gotta-have's' learned how massive the recoil of these cannons really was. I personally know several people who shot their .44's just ONE session, and either turned around & sold them, or relegated them to storage as an investment. I aquired several M-29's this way, as I LIKED the 'Big Bang', and STILL do, even though I carry a H-K USP .45ACP Tactical, which is much lighter & more controllable!
Most shooters, having tried both calibers, will usually choose the lighter, more controllable .357, instead of the .44. A classic example of this is the long-standing favoritizm enjoyed by the Colt 'Python' .357, compared to its' short-lived 'Anaconda' .44 Magnum 'big brother'

Answer 5

As a hunting round for deer sizer or larger, the .44 mag would be a better choice, as long as you can hit with it. Doesn't matter what the size, speed or weight of the bullet if you can't hit your target.
With that thought in mind (hit the target) if your target is a man and the weapon is being used for self defense, then the .357 Mag. would be the better choice for most people. This would be because of the recoil factor and the flinch factor.
With the recoil being so much more in the .44 Mag. it makes it difficult to get a quick follow up shot if needed. If you are being fired on by the intended target, this become a critical factor. The more rounds you can get into the target the more likely you will come out the winner.
On the flinch factor, a lot of folks don't practice with the defense weapon as often as they should, and firing a heavy recoiling weapon tends to make the pulling of the trigger a quick jerk while anticipating the recoil, instead of a steady deliberate pull of the trigger.
Having trained officers for the state, and trained civilians in the defensive use of hand guns, believe me, control of the weapon under stressful situations is more likely to occur with the .357.

Answer 6

recoil is less with the 357, as well as lighter in a carry gun, an 38 specials can be shot in 357, as well as 44 specials in a 44 mag, but size matters as with all things the cool factor is the 44 mag , but with less recoil an more control for rapid fire the 357 is the choice, as far as miltary and police applications most go for the semi autos and more shots in the clip, comparing the 357 an 44 is like comparing the 40s&w and the 45acp

Answer 7

I'm a big fan of forty-somethings, including 41 Magnum, a couple of 44 Specials, and 45 Colt, and don't have a 357, but I have to admit that statistically the 357 seems to be the most efficient man-stopper, and the firearms tend to be smaller and lighter, which is to say easier to carry and handle. On the other hand, I'm a peaceful sort, probably won't ever have to shoot anybody, and perfectly content with my big bores, which would certainly do in a pinch.

Answer 8

Why would anyone chose a .357 Magnum over a .44 Magnum for defensive purposes? The .357 Mag. is recognized as the best man-stopper yet, loaded with the 125 grain semi-jacketed hollow point ammo and fired out of the 4" barrel. This is because this particular round will dump more energy on its target than other popular pistol or revolver ammo around. The .44 Magnum, for example, will tend to over-penetrate allowing a lot of its energy to exit the target rather than stay-on-target (for lack of a better term). In other words, it is an overkill; the extra energy is simply wasted. Also, the .44 Mag. will tend to over-penetrate which can definitely be a liability especially in a home defense scenario where unintended victims can be sleeping in the next apartment or bedroom.

Now for hunting say deer, boar, bear the .44 Magnum is the better choice because these are larger, heavy bone, heavy muscle creatures that are harder to take down than the two-legged predators.

Best.

H

Answer 9

The one you are the most accurate with is the way to go. The 125 grain SJHP 357 Magnum is legendary in it's ability to stop a fight. The 44 Magnum is for those who have mastered big caliber wheel guns. The big Magnum is not for everyone.

Answer 10

"but I didn't really mean for hunting, but for self defense, millitary use, etc."

The .44 mag has entirely too much recoil for self defense, military use as a defensive/fighting gun. While it has plenty of power it's recoil makes for slow times between each shot. Plus most people can not handle the recoil of a .44 magnum with both hands, and it is even harder for one hand. Plus the gun that contains the .44 magnum is equally big and bulky and is uncomfortable to carry and not easy to move quickly and fire with one hand if needed.

In a fight, with blood pumping and adrenaline rushing, hitting a moving target that appears briefly is not easily done, and harder still with a weapon that causes flinching in many shooters. But one with "light recoil" 9mm, .40, .45, .38, .357 all allow for fast follow up shots to either keep a target occupied while ducking or to keep him occupied through each bullet tearing through his skin, smashing bones, and crushing major organs while waiting for his blood pressure to drop and pass out or disrupting his central nervous system.

But honestly with a little practice an experienced shooter can handle a .44 mag well enough to hunt with and although not the best choice it would take away a lot of cover!

Answer 11

I go both ways on this, depending on what you want to do.
For personal defense, .357Magnum all the way. Lots of options, gun-wise, lots of options ammo-wise, cheap .38SPL for practice (yes, I know you can shoot .44SPL out of a .44 MAG, but it ain't so cheap as .38).
For hunting with a handgun, .44Mag all the way for anything bigger than dog-size. That said, I carry a 4" .357 revolver on my hip when hunting anything with a rifle.
For hunting with a pistol-caliber-rifle I am OK with .357 for anything up to Whitetail Deer size, but they're pretty small around here...and .44 for anything larger.
Having hunted both Feral Hogs, and actual Wild Hogs (Javelina and Wild Boar) both ways (.357 and .44, rifle and pistol), I'd not go after ANY angry wild swine with a .357, rifle or pistol.