Who likes 44s more than 357s?

[Marshall 357]

I have always been a fan of the 357 magnum,but since I bought my 44 magnum, I have not shot my 357s.I really like the large holes it makes in the target,you dont have to look very hard to see where you hit the target. LOL! The recoil is not that bad and I am going to start loading my own rounds so, the 44 will be even more of a joy to shoot. I have started looking for a 3''. Maybe I have been bit by the 44 bug ? What did you guys do to me?!!!! LOL!!!!!

 

[Revolver-time]

I know just what you mean. I have ten or so .357s but more times than not, I always take a 45 or a 44 to the range each week. I should just get rid of those little calibers. If you shoot the bigger guys at the target it takes less shots to take out that bullseye! If you like the 44 try a 45lc.

 

[5906fan]

I favor my 625 over my GP .357.

 

[MMA10mm]

When I was a kid the general wisdom being preached was for a budding pistolero to get a 357, start off with 38s and work their way into the 357 loads. Then, after sufficient training and experience, the shooter could work their way into a 44 or, better, a 45 Colt and then a 44 Magnum.

Well, hogwash! Luckily my mentor knew better. His kids shot the 44 Magnum, and of course becoming best friends, I wanted to shoot it too! It was all about the way it was loaded. It took a whopping three or four days before I couldn't care less what was loaded in it, as it wasn't THAT bad.

Better, accuracy was beyond belief. And, I really think perceived recoil has a LOT to do with the muzzle blast (both pressure wave and noise), and the 44 tended to BOOM, whereas the 357 tended to BANG with more of a crack. I still find, with loads which develop the same muzzle energy (so heavy bullet at moderate velocity in the 44 vs. heavy bullet at high velocity in the 357) that the 44 is MUCH more comfortable to shoot.

Other than when I was mandated to carry and qualify with it for a prior job where everyone was mandated to carry 4" 357s, I never really CHOSE the 357 over the 44. There were a couple times in that job where I wished I would have been carrying the 44...

 

[CHMW]

Hey guys, don't forget the 41's and the 44 specials!

 

[Marksman]

I bought my first .44 in 1976, a 6 1/2" M/29-2. Dirty Harry was all the rage back then, I shot my share of hot loads during that time. I was asked by some co-workers to shoot on an indoor range, only problem was that Magnum loads were not allowed. So I assembled some loads with 3.5 gr. Bullseye under a 240 SWC and everything was fine. Along about that time I became aware of the .44 Special and built one on a police turn in HD using a .44 HE barrel purchased form J&G Rifel Ranch. After I had the resources I purchased my first M/1950 Target model. Realizing that the M/1950's were becoming too valuable to shoot, I had Hamilton Bowen build me a .44 Special conversion based on a 5" Pre 27. That has been my .44 Special shooter for many years now, recently I picked up a 4" M/28-2 that had been converted to .44 Special utilizing a M/24-3 barrel and rechambering the M/28 cylinder. I still shoot .357 on occassion, I have a 5" Pre 27 that I really like.

 

[madmikeb]

When I was a 16 I got my first .357, my mother wouldn't let me have a .44 because of its reputation! I got my first 44 at about 20 and do prefer it over a .357. But at the risk of pushing someone teetering on the edge right over, try a .41 mag!

 

[beemerphile]

IMO, there is no bug that can get you like the .44 Special bug can (unless maybe it is the .45 Colt bug ). Big bore cowboy fun without the punishment. And IMHO .44 Specials should be shot from a proper .44 Special gun, not a .44 magnum. I have lots of M29's and a 329, but the M24(s), M624, M696 get carried out back much more often. I even enjoy my offbrand Ruger Blackhawk .44 Special Bisley.

 

[Mule88]

I just like .44's I shoot them constantly and hunt with them...they just fit.

 

[Dave T]

I side with the 44 Special over the 357 Mag. As someone said the 44 Special bug bite is a real addiction. The only thing that can beat it (sometimes) is the 45 ACP revolvers. Reloading with full moons is slicker than puppy poop on a tile floor! (smile)

Dave

 

[Lowpower]

Long ago in a far away....wait.

Yep I have both love them both but put a lot rounds through my M29, 8 3/8" than I ever have through my M19. I have a M1917/37 that I shoot just a little bit more. If I did an actual weekly round count I'd have to say I only put 30 rounds more through the .45 than the .44Mag. I do run a few hundred rounds a week through my M19 but they are mostly .38's because I'd like to keep it in great condition. Something about cracked forcing cones and hot .357 loads and hard to find replacement barrels.

 

[44Steve]

44Magnum is the Best

Did it a little differant. I started with a 41Mag. then 44Mag., then 357Mag. Ending with a 45 Long Colt.With that said, i all ways keep going back to the 44Mag. I have even added the 500&460 . Still i keep going back to the 44Mag.

 

[bronco45]

I recently acquired a 29-3 6". First long barreled revolver I've owned in several decades. The load it likes and the load I like are the same: a 250 grain Keith at 1050fps. Recoils like a heavy 357 but has a lot for payload delivery without all the muzzle blast. I can shoot this load in this gun until my hand will no longer form a fist.

 

[TAROMAN]

I started with .45, went to .44 maybe 35 years ago and just now have purchased my first .357. The big .44 and .45 holes make you a better shot. Just compare what you can do with a .22 to what you can do with a .44. I got the .357 (Model 681) after shooting one double action at the range. My 8-3/8" Model 29 isn't really the best DA tool.

 

[senecaap]

I love all the heavies for self defense and hunting, 10mm, .41, .44, .45. and I could care less if it says Magnum, Special, Colt or ACP after it. In my opinion, if your pistol battery doesn't include a 1911 .45 or an N Frame .4something you are inadequately armed. I still have .357's but they usually only eat .38s. I prefer loads that are moderate velocity and spread the recoil out, the same way I prefer the 7x57 over the 7mm RemMag and the .35 Whelen over the .340 Wby. Nice heavy bullets with moderate velocity wins every time.

 

[Don K.]

I only shoot, and have only shot, .44 revolvers. It's been about 3 years since I started. I have to say that without personal instruction or belonging to a range, it's been quite an experience. I've taken some punishment and times when I had to basically start over. Still have much, much practice and experince to go, but things are coming together. I prefer snubs, and, as I cried about in a previous thread, shooting them accurately is demanding. But, I wouldn't trade them for anything, nor the .44 cartridge. I've loaded 160g.fwc's that would bounce off 2" pine slabs and land back at my feet, to flame belching hollow points that shake the barn and explode pumpkins and water jugs, and a bit of everything in between. Just an all around capable and fun cartridge chambered in some of the most comfortable, handsome. and accurate Smith Wesson's around. They are all I shoot, all I carry, all I want, and all I need out of a firearm-period.

 

[Nframe357]

I love both but lately the 44's have been getting a litte more range time, both have a place but since my better half has claimed my 686's as her own I'm left with my 629's. I love the 250/10 gr Unique load, lot's of power but mild recoil and blast. Nothjing is more punishing at an indoor range than hot 357 loads out of a 3-4" barrel!

 

[6pack]

I've been a fan of the .44 since buying my first one at age 24.

Hunting....defense....target shooting.....love 'em.

 

[44wheelman]

44 is easier to reload....all the components are bigger & easier to handle.

The cases are easier to look inside to check consistent powder levels as you are loading (I look at every one before I seat a bullet).

Holes in the target are easier to see at 25yds.

 

[feralmerril]

I have a bunch of everything. 4 357s, 6 .44 specials, 1 .44 mag and 4 or 5 .45 colts. Also 3 or 4 .38 specials. The ONLY thing better the .38s and .357s have going for them is they are less bulky to carry.