Hi,Im new here as I am to revolvers and reloading.I have loaded many shotgun and rifle shells.I shot a 686 in 357m,and a 629 in 44m.I would like to buy the 357 and shoot some downloaded shells or shoot 38s cost wise.But I really like the 44 it just feels good in my hand.Heres the question,can I download 44s at a decent price,or is it better to go with the 357.Keep in mind I really like the 44,but I really just want to shoot,thanks,Dan.

once either meets the press, you have full control of its throttle.
yup .. the 44 can be tamed rather nicely.

__________________
it just needs more voltage

The 44 Special is one of the sweetest shooting rounds ever made. You are going to love it.

When you handload, the bullet itself is the most expensive part, unless you cast your own. It costs a bit more to buy .44s if that matters to you.

__________________
Science plus Art

I load 44Spl and it's a sweet & accurate round in my Model 29,24-3,624,Ruger.

I'm going to try loading 44/357 mags with extra dies I have since I switched to mostly a progressive press for handgun ammo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, either or. As mentioned the 44 bullets are bigger and cost a little more.

If you buy a 357 than shoot 357. If 44 Mag than load 44 mag.

I do not see the sense in shooting 38 specials out of a 357 nor 44 special out of 44 mag. Use the brass the gun was made for.
If you were buying ammo then yes the smaller versions are less costly.

You can load them "down" either one to target velocities and shoot all day and not hurt you hand or guns.

__________________
Still Running Against the Wind

IF you buy a 44mag, it should ONLY be handloaded IMO. It's what makes it such a great cartridge. You can load it mild to wild, mice to moose. You can even load lead round balls & shoot 400-500fps gallery loads. Anything the 357mag wil do, the 44mag will do a bit better. As noted, the only real diff is slightly higher cost for bullets.

A .44 will cost about 30% more to reload for bullets and powder than a corresponding .357/.38. Light loads for both can be done with lead bullets for half the price (or less) of jacketed bullets. I prefer hard cast semi-wadcutters, but there are a lot of shapes and weights available. Magnum loads faster than 1200 fps should use jacketed bullets to avoid leading. Don't go below the recommended minimum load for either type - you don't want one sticking in the barrel.

It is tempting to load .38 or .44 special cartridges hot for use in a magnum revolver. There is too much risk, IMO, that these cartridges could find their way into a pistol not rated for the pressure. If you want +P loads, buy them.

Light loads for both calibers are superbly accurate on the range, and a lot less painful to the hand and wallet.

Thanks for the replies.Im pretty sure Im going with the 44 mag.My thoughts were the same,if I buy the mag shoot the mag,just want to shoot alittle lighter load if Im shooting it more.I would rather stay with a jacketed bullet,where is a good place to buy bullets and brass.,and are the starline brass good to use,if so ,how many times ave, can you load them.Thanks again,Dan.

Starline brass is considered one of the best. You can buy direct from the company or places like Midway. As to how many times, if you load them light indefinitely or until they split. Jacketed bullets for revolvers, especially the magnums are much more expensive and difficult to get a good heavy crimp on them unless they are XTP's or similar.
Midway, Graf Sons, Widners, Natchez etc.

__________________
Still Running Against the Wind

One thing not mentioned which may or may not matter to you is that light loads in the 44 may result in sooty brass from a failure to seal sufficiently. This happens often in downloaded 45 Colt or 44 Mag. For midrange loads you really should consider quality cast bullets sized .430 they should work great in the .44 and will allow you to shoot much more for the money

Pure nonsesense! You can run proper fitting lead bulelts well beyond 1500fps w/ little to no leading. It's all about proper fit & alloy selection. My hunting loads are relatively soft 25-1 alloy 275grLHP @ 1225fps. If I wanted to go faster, I would just toughen up my alloy, but don't espect them to expand.