.357, .41, or .44 magnum - Page 2

nathangdad · 03-09-2008, 02:21 PM

From your post I get the feeling you are a .357 mag fan and
this is excellent as you have a wide choice of revolvers from
which to choose. I suggest shooting as many as possible in
as many barrel lengths as possible to find the one that "fits"
you best. This is the gun with which you will become proficient
should opportunity or need arise. A man proficient with a .357
mag is ready to stand his ground in almost all situations. A man
who misses his first shot with a .44 or .41 has substantially
narrowed his survival window of opportunity in a crisis situation.
Don't gamble with a gun you do not feel comfortable handling and
firing.

Personally, I am a little lost on the .41 mag versus .44 mag
discussion as I view them as being too similar in both size of
revolver needed and recoil delivered. This being a forum you will get other opinions on the .41 vs. .44 discussion. I am only giving my opinion.

Good luck, good shooting, and good hunting

Midas · 03-09-2008, 02:24 PM

I like the .44 Mag, with hot magnum loads, you can hunt any game in NA, with light .44 Special loads, it makes an excellent self defense weapon.

TXplt · 03-09-2008, 04:44 PM

Depends on what you want to do with it and what kind of threats you face. I'd rather not meet a determined bear determined on me, but if I did I'd want my 450 Marlin or the biggest gun I could have. This probably ain't gonna happen.

I'd vote for the .357 because of its extreme versititlity, and ability to deal well enough with threats I might face. A .41 or .44 mag is going to cost more to shoot (I shoot .44 specials and they're pricey) -- .38 target practice rounds are a fair bit cheaper. Buffalo Bore ammo has some pretty hot and heavy .357 rounds as well for the occasional cougar (but, again, I'd envision at least in the lower 48 animal attacks that the .357 couldn't handle would be rare--animal attacks are rare enough to begin with).
Also, you said you're comfortable with the .357 and can shoot it well. This is a tremendous plus. If, as you said, you hate shooting the .44 mag, you won't and thus you won't shoot it well. Yes, you can train for the recoil and can overcome your disdain. You can also use that training time to sharpen up your skills with the .357. The good hit with the .357 is going to be better than the miss with the .44.

You could also look at a .454 Casull (which can shoot all light and heavy .45 Colt rounds as well as the .454....thinking Ruger or Taurus) but, from what you're saying, I'd probably still opt for the .357 due to better ammo prices, versatility, and availability.

Don357 · 03-09-2008, 05:00 PM

Down here in LA (Lower Alabama), I don't believe that we have anything that a well placed .357mag won't bring down. If you want a gun that is the best of all worlds check out the Ruger Blackhawk Convertible 9mm/.38spl/.357mag. It has an interchangable cylinder. 1 for 9mm and 1 for .38/.357. I have a Blackhawk in .357/.38 with a 6 1/2 in barrel that I use for hunting and plinking, and I plan to get a 9mm cylinder for it this summer which will make for even cheaper plinking. Some folks will say that a single action pistol is no good for home defence but, for me a S/A is easy to control and comes up on sight plane quicky, almost as an extension of my arm. And, the long barrel @ 6 1/2 in helps hold the barrel down to line up on a second shot if necessary and the weight helps control "felt recoil". I also have a Ruger Security-Six .357mag/.38spl. After all, while the .44mag and .41mag are bigger and stronger, the .357mag was the FIRST to penetrate an engine block!

LiveToShoot · 03-09-2008, 05:32 PM

Although this is response to an older posting, I'd like to add my two cents...

My all-time favorite pistol/rifle caliber is the 44 Magnum, and I shoot guns that are chambered in that caliber every chance I get. I've only shot a 357 a few times and really liked the way it preforms. I've never shot a 41, but come close to its performance capabilities when loading/shooting the 44 special rounds.

The main reason I like the 44 is its ability to provide predictable protection while we're in the woods, in areas where we camp/fish and bear incidents/problems are relatively common. Friends have told me about situations where the 357 wasn't able to stop the critter of concern, after shooting the entire cylinder of rounds.

This weekend my wife and I took some guns out shooting, to keep us proficient in using them; especially for my wife to stay proficient should the Idaho Castle Law need to be used: 45 ACP, 44 pistol (using 44 special rounds) and 44 lever gun (also using 44 special rounds). We load up the 45 ACP and 44 special for home use, should a situation arise where it's needed.

My wife shot really well with the 45 ACP and the 44 lever gun. After one shot, she shied away from the 44 pistol. Part of the problem is that it's a large frame pistol and she has medium to small hands. She also doesn't care for the mild sting associated with the 44 special rounds. (I hoped the 44 special rounds would be mild enough to encourage her to shoot the pistol more, but it was still more than she cared to deal with.) On earlier shoots, she also does well with a 9mm and 40 S&W.

I've been thinking about getting my wife a 357, so she has a powerful round in a revolver and that's manageable for her shooting needs.

A friend of mine CWs a 357 and he finds it to meet his shooting needs.

Good luck on your pursuit of a new pistol, and it would be nice to hear back on what you chose...44, 41 or 357.

Pumpkinheaver · 03-09-2008, 10:59 PM

All three cartridges you mention are great. Of the three I like the .41 magnum the best. I have a taurus tracker and ruger bhawk chambered for this and while not as popular as the other 2 it is one fine revolver cartridge. I keep my tracker loaded with 175gr silvertips for "social" purposes. When I'm somewhere where something with big teeth and claws might get me I keep them loaded with either the 240gr platinum tip load from winchester or with my home loaded heavy cast bullets.

Here are my two.

Deep13 · 03-10-2008, 11:23 AM

0.357 was my choice. It is cheaper to shoot than 0.44mag. It can also shoot 0.38 which is cheaper still. 0.357 is available in medium frame revolvers like "L" frame SW and GP Ruger. 0.44 requires a a larger "N" or Redhawk frame. It is not as loud either. 0.357 is more than enough to stop an attacker. In fact, it is too much as it may go right through the wall. And since most home invasions happen at night, the muzzle flash will dazzle your eyes and the noise will make you deaf.

I'm not aware of anything east of the Mississippi that can't be killed with a 0.357, especially in a carbine. Having said that, no hang gun would be my first choice as bear repellant.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outriderdark

Of course I'm also told that with very large bears, without a .30 or larger rifle you might as well kiss your hams goodbye anyway.
I've heard it said "If you use a revolver for grizzly protection, make sure you file the sights off so it don't hurt so much when the bear shoves it up your ***."

0.357mag is definitely not for grizzlies. Frankly, I am unaware of any handgun cartridge that can instantly kill a brown bear or a polar bear for that matter. If it has to be a handgun, then I would go with 0.460 Mag. which can also shoot .454 cas. and .45LC. Maybe 12-g. slugs would work, but that is a guess on my part. My own first choice for grizzly country would be .45-70 loaded to modern pressures and shot from a Marlin carbine.

Savage7 · 03-10-2008, 11:38 AM

this is just a thought and maybe a little out of your price range, but Desert Eagle makes a semi automatic 44 mag, the semi would prob be alot easier to control than the revolver.

Kolar Dan · 03-10-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ash

.357 no contest.

41MAG Period

HWY 657 is correct. I have owned and shot all three calibers. The 41 Mag. is the hands down winner. I don't have the evidence to back it up, but I would have to say the 41 shoots straighter and flatter and, ballistically speaking has almost as much energy as the 44 without all that recoil. I too have a S&W 657------------- would not trade it for (2) 44 mags. The 357 is a great gun, but I would agree with the other gentleman that I would not want to face a Grizzly with this gun only!

spurrit · 03-12-2008, 04:47 AM

You definitely shouldn't discount the .45 Colt.

The .45 Colt can achieve .44 magnum velocities with a bigger bullet at lower pressures. You should NOT do this in any revolver but a Ruger(except that P.O.S. New Vaquero!) or a custom 5 shot. Since it's working at lower pressures, the recoil isn't as bad, either. The bigger bullets aren't as bad about overpenetrating as the .357, if you're using an expanding bullet.

The Blackhawk is a .357, the Vaqueros are .45 Colt. I was perfectly happy with the .357 round until I held a 158 gr. bullet in one hand, and a 250 gr. bullet in the other.

Remember the old addage: "There's no replacement for displacement!"

Here is what keeps watch at my house:

WhoUCallinGrany · 06-10-2008, 03:22 PM

I don't understand why I read so much about problems with a 44 Magnum. I shoot one without any problem. I shoot a couple of boxes of 240gr., no problem with recoil and I maintain full control. I have never had a problem with sore hands or wrists. I am also "by the way" a Granny.

samuel · 06-10-2008, 04:08 PM

Stay home and talk it over with your wife. sam.

nathangdad · 06-10-2008, 04:58 PM

. . . the ability to hit and hit again and perhaps again.

Therefore, the .357 is your best choice.

Personally, I believe the .41 mag is already experiencing a
bit of embalming fluid. I was never a good idea as it never
had the exact mid-ground between the .357 and the .44
plus it needed a mid-sized frame between the two cartridges.

The .44 is truly famous yet you will not find that many people
who can hit well and consistently with it. Yes, there are always
a few but statistically the general population cannot master this
caliber.

I know some true .44 fans will come after this post and I
respect their opinion in advance but I stick with this post.

I am following up on my previous post due to a message I
received making me feel a further statement was a good idea.

Good luck and good hunting.

stalebiscuit · 06-10-2008, 05:13 PM

.357 is nice, you can shoot .38's and its cheaper, recoil isnt as bad

.44 is nice because....well, its a damn .44

but my grandad had a .41 magnum and it felt just ohh so right

madcratebuilder · 06-11-2008, 06:07 AM

I shoot all three calibers in SA and DA guns. If your concerned about recoil, a heavy barrel 357 would be a good choice. You could also shoot spl loads in a mag gun. All three well be around for a long time. 41mag may be harder to find.

KW Gary M · 06-11-2008, 06:51 AM

I don't have an answer but have been asking the same question and now my question has been answered. I'm buying a .357. I was leaning that way due to size for carry purposes. Now I'm certain.

LiveToShoot · 06-11-2008, 07:11 AM

PH,

What are the make/model of grips you've got on that Ruger Black Hawk?

jimkim · 06-11-2008, 07:47 AM

The .41 was developed after Skeeter Skelton and Bill Jordon had suggested a handgun in that cal. for law enforcement. With the officers I worked with the most popular Cal. was the .41 mag. It was also the hardest to find ammo for. So they had all owned and sold their S&W mod 57's and 58's. So 357 it was. You have to think about ammo availability as well as which one is better. That said go with the .44 load with .44 specials for carry.

Here is a good article on the .41 The .41 Mag: if only we could do it over | Guns Magazine | Find Articles at BNET.com

SwedeSteve · 06-11-2008, 12:41 PM

Add one to the 44 vote! I also like the 41, but it has been overshadowed by the 44.

WhoUCallinGrany · 06-11-2008, 06:05 PM

One thing that I have noticed is that you can't treat all 44mags the same. Some of the older ones were a little rough. The one that I shoot is a Tauras raging Bull, model 444. The grip and the porting make a lot of difference.

03-09-2008, 02:21 PM	#21
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,434	I think you have already answered your question From your post I get the feeling you are a .357 mag fan and this is excellent as you have a wide choice of revolvers from which to choose. I suggest shooting as many as possible in as many barrel lengths as possible to find the one that "fits" you best. This is the gun with which you will become proficient should opportunity or need arise. A man *proficient* with a .357 mag is ready to stand his ground in almost all situations. A man who misses his first shot with a .44 or .41 has substantially narrowed his survival window of opportunity in a crisis situation. Don't gamble with a gun you do not feel comfortable handling and firing. Personally, I am a little lost on the .41 mag versus .44 mag discussion as I view them as being too similar in both size of revolver needed and recoil delivered. This being a forum you will get other opinions on the .41 vs. .44 discussion. I am only giving my opinion. Good luck, good shooting, and good hunting

03-09-2008, 02:24 PM	#22
Midas Troll B' Gone Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Springdale, Arkansas Posts: 3,784 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 6	I like the .44 Mag, with hot magnum loads, you can hunt any game in NA, with light .44 Special loads, it makes an excellent self defense weapon. __________________ "Recoil lasts for a second, gravity lasts forever"

03-09-2008, 04:44 PM	#23
TXplt Lost in the Ozone Again Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 2,773 Images: 4 Blog Entries: 2	Depends on what you want to do with it and what kind of threats you face. I'd rather not meet a determined bear determined on me, but if I did I'd want my 450 Marlin or the biggest gun I could have. This probably ain't gonna happen. I'd vote for the .357 because of its extreme versititlity, and ability to deal well enough with threats I might face. A .41 or .44 mag is going to cost more to shoot (I shoot .44 specials and they're pricey) -- .38 target practice rounds are a fair bit cheaper. Buffalo Bore ammo has some pretty hot and heavy .357 rounds as well for the occasional cougar (but, again, I'd envision at least in the lower 48 animal attacks that the .357 couldn't handle would be rare--animal attacks are rare enough to begin with). Also, you said you're comfortable with the .357 and can shoot it well. This is a tremendous plus. If, as you said, you hate shooting the .44 mag, you won't and thus you won't shoot it well. Yes, you can train for the recoil and can overcome your disdain. You can also use that training time to sharpen up your skills with the .357. The good hit with the .357 is going to be better than the miss with the .44. You could also look at a .454 Casull (which can shoot all light and heavy .45 Colt rounds as well as the .454....thinking Ruger or Taurus) but, from what you're saying, I'd probably still opt for the .357 due to better ammo prices, versatility, and availability. __________________ Old fighter pilots never die.....They just wind up in Texas Last edited by TXplt; 03-09-2008 at 05:06 PM.

03-09-2008, 05:32 PM	#25
LiveToShoot Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northwest USA Posts: 2,062	Although this is response to an older posting, I'd like to add my two cents... My all-time favorite pistol/rifle caliber is the 44 Magnum, and I shoot guns that are chambered in that caliber every chance I get. I've only shot a 357 a few times and really liked the way it preforms. I've never shot a 41, but come close to its performance capabilities when loading/shooting the 44 special rounds. The main reason I like the 44 is its ability to provide predictable protection while we're in the woods, in areas where we camp/fish and bear incidents/problems are relatively common. Friends have told me about situations where the 357 wasn't able to stop the critter of concern, after shooting the entire cylinder of rounds. This weekend my wife and I took some guns out shooting, to keep us proficient in using them; especially for my wife to stay proficient should the Idaho Castle Law need to be used: 45 ACP, 44 pistol (using 44 special rounds) and 44 lever gun (also using 44 special rounds). We load up the 45 ACP and 44 special for home use, should a situation arise where it's needed. My wife shot really well with the 45 ACP and the 44 lever gun. After one shot, she shied away from the 44 pistol. Part of the problem is that it's a large frame pistol and she has medium to small hands. She also doesn't care for the mild sting associated with the 44 special rounds. (I hoped the 44 special rounds would be mild enough to encourage her to shoot the pistol more, but it was still more than she cared to deal with.) On earlier shoots, she also does well with a 9mm and 40 S&W. I've been thinking about getting my wife a 357, so she has a powerful round in a revolver and that's manageable for her shooting needs. A friend of mine CWs a 357 and he finds it to meet his shooting needs. Good luck on your pursuit of a new pistol, and it would be nice to hear back on what you chose...44, 41 or 357. __________________ "Happiness is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it." -Unknown

03-09-2008, 10:59 PM	#26
Pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,336	All three cartridges you mention are great. Of the three I like the .41 magnum the best. I have a taurus tracker and ruger bhawk chambered for this and while not as popular as the other 2 it is one fine revolver cartridge. I keep my tracker loaded with 175gr silvertips for "social" purposes. When I'm somewhere where something with big teeth and claws might get me I keep them loaded with either the 240gr platinum tip load from winchester or with my home loaded heavy cast bullets. Here are my two. __________________ Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!

03-09-2008, 05:00 PM	#24
Don357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Semmes Alabama Posts: 269	Down here in LA (Lower Alabama), I don't believe that we have anything that a well placed .357mag won't bring down. If you want a gun that is the best of all worlds check out the Ruger Blackhawk Convertible 9mm/.38spl/.357mag. It has an interchangable cylinder. 1 for 9mm and 1 for .38/.357. I have a Blackhawk in .357/.38 with a 6 1/2 in barrel that I use for hunting and plinking, and I plan to get a 9mm cylinder for it this summer which will make for even cheaper plinking. Some folks will say that a single action pistol is no good for home defence but, for me a S/A is easy to control and comes up on sight plane quicky, almost as an extension of my arm. And, the long barrel @ 6 1/2 in helps hold the barrel down to line up on a second shot if necessary and the weight helps control "felt recoil". I also have a Ruger Security-Six .357mag/.38spl. After all, while the .44mag and .41mag are bigger and stronger, the .357mag was the FIRST to penetrate an engine block!

03-10-2008, 11:38 AM	#28
Savage7 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: clemson sc Posts: 14	this is just a thought and maybe a little out of your price range, but Desert Eagle makes a semi automatic 44 mag, the semi would prob be alot easier to control than the revolver.

03-12-2008, 04:47 AM	#30
spurrit Banned Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 60	You definitely shouldn't discount the .45 Colt. The .45 Colt can achieve .44 magnum velocities with a bigger bullet at lower pressures. You should NOT do this in any revolver but a Ruger(except that P.O.S. New Vaquero!) or a custom 5 shot. Since it's working at lower pressures, the recoil isn't as bad, either. The bigger bullets aren't as bad about overpenetrating as the .357, if you're using an expanding bullet. The Blackhawk is a .357, the Vaqueros are .45 Colt. I was perfectly happy with the .357 round until I held a 158 gr. bullet in one hand, and a 250 gr. bullet in the other. Remember the old addage: "There's no replacement for displacement!" Here is what keeps watch at my house: Last edited by spurrit; 03-12-2008 at 04:49 AM. Reason: Damn pictures weren't working!

06-10-2008, 03:22 PM	#31
WhoUCallinGrany Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Newport News, Virginia Posts: 3	Why the problem with 44 Magnums? I don't understand why I read so much about problems with a 44 Magnum. I shoot one without any problem. I shoot a couple of boxes of 240gr., no problem with recoil and I maintain full control. I have never had a problem with sore hands or wrists. I am also "by the way" a Granny.

06-10-2008, 04:08 PM	#32
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	Stay home and talk it over with your wife. sam.

06-10-2008, 04:58 PM	#33
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,434	Well, with these choices it is really about . . . . . . the ability to hit and hit again and perhaps again. Therefore, the .357 is your best choice. Personally, I believe the .41 mag is already experiencing a bit of embalming fluid. I was never a good idea as it never had the exact mid-ground between the .357 and the .44 plus it needed a mid-sized frame between the two cartridges. The .44 is truly famous yet you will not find that many people who can hit well and consistently with it. Yes, there are always a few but statistically the general population cannot master this caliber. I know some true .44 fans will come after this post and I respect their opinion in advance but I stick with this post. I am following up on my previous post due to a message I received making me feel a further statement was a good idea. Good luck and good hunting. Last edited by nathangdad; 06-10-2008 at 04:59 PM. Reason: addition

06-10-2008, 05:13 PM	#34
stalebiscuit Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: atlanta, but much rather be in valdosta Posts: 1,560	.357 is nice, you can shoot .38's and its cheaper, recoil isnt as bad .44 is nice because....well, its a damn .44 but my grandad had a .41 magnum and it felt just ohh so right

06-11-2008, 06:07 AM	#35
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 561	I shoot all three calibers in SA and DA guns. If your concerned about recoil, a heavy barrel 357 would be a good choice. You could also shoot spl loads in a mag gun. All three well be around for a long time. 41mag may be harder to find. __________________ The difference between a hot dog and a weenie is a fine line.....

06-11-2008, 06:51 AM	#36
KW Gary M Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Key West Florida Posts: 1,267 Blog Entries: 1	I don't have an answer but have been asking the same question and now my question has been answered. I'm buying a .357. I was leaning that way due to size for carry purposes. Now I'm certain.

06-11-2008, 07:11 AM	#37
LiveToShoot Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northwest USA Posts: 2,062	PH, What are the make/model of grips you've got on that Ruger Black Hawk? __________________ "Happiness is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it." -Unknown

06-11-2008, 07:47 AM	#38
jimkim Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Near the Little Ocmulgee river in GA Posts: 2,038 Blog Entries: 11	The .41 was developed after Skeeter Skelton and Bill Jordon had suggested a handgun in that cal. for law enforcement. With the officers I worked with the most popular Cal. was the .41 mag. It was also the hardest to find ammo for. So they had all owned and sold their S&W mod 57's and 58's. So 357 it was. You have to think about ammo availability as well as which one is better. That said go with the .44 load with .44 specials for carry. Here is a good article on the .41 The .41 Mag: if only we could do it over \| Guns Magazine \| Find Articles at BNET.com __________________ Jan. 4, 2007...Gasoline $2.10/gallon HMMM? Jim Last edited by jimkim; 06-11-2008 at 08:54 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

06-11-2008, 12:41 PM	#39
SwedeSteve Bullet Maintenance !! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The anchor point, Alaska Posts: 10,255 Images: 1	Add one to the 44 vote! I also like the 41, but it has been overshadowed by the 44. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers Last edited by SwedeSteve; 06-11-2008 at 12:43 PM.

06-11-2008, 06:05 PM	#40
WhoUCallinGrany Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Newport News, Virginia Posts: 3	44 mag One thing that I have noticed is that you can't treat all 44mags the same. Some of the older ones were a little rough. The one that I shoot is a Tauras raging Bull, model 444. The grip and the porting make a lot of difference.