44Magnum The Most Versatile Handgun Caliber

[RealGun]

Mr.Revolverguy - Pistol size is definitely a con but with platforms like the S&W 329 Night Guard and 329LiiteAir weight it makes the great 44 concealable and packable.

Just don't dare shoot it. If needing to tone the loads way down, what's the point?

 

[RealGun]

I vote for the .45 Colt, when sharing ammo with a rifle. The rifle load doesn't have to be compromised to accommodate a reasonable size and weight hand gun.

 

[olderguns]

You guys could just send me one of each (for testing ) then when I figure out which one is best I'll return them, it shouldn't take more than a few years.

 

[WardenWolf]

I second .45 Colt. In a Ruger revolver it can be loaded to beyond .44 Magnum levels, or can be scaled back to be manageable. It just has a much wider range of available power.

 

[RealGun]

I second .45 Colt. In a Ruger revolver it can be loaded to beyond .44 Magnum levels, or can be scaled back to be manageable. It just has a much wider range of available power.

And is not necessarily a large or heavy framed gun like the .44 Magnum.

 

[Barry the Bear]

Good enough for elmer keith and dirty harry then good enough for you and me.

 

[RealGun]

Even Dirty Harry flinched.:>)

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

I must say on the big screen Mr. Eastwood has handled some great weapons in his day. Dirty Harry S&W 29, Gran Torino, Good Bad the Ugly M1 Garand nice.

 

[Njal Thorgeirsson]

I think I have to agree that the .44 is at least very close to the top when it comes to versatility. I think, though, that the .357 ties it:

.44 magnum:
-Hunting (large game)
-Versatile plinking/target shooting
-Various lever/bolt guns that fire it
-Relatively expensive to handload due to increasing brass prices

.357:
-Shoots .38 spl (readily available and cheap brass)
-Better caliber for general CC (due to size- you can get some real tiny .357's)
-Versatile plinking/target shooting
-Various lever/bolt guns that fire it
-Hunting (.44 is probably a little better for large game, although the .357 is capable)

 

[Archaic Weapon]

I prefer the .45LC and the .357 Magnum, personally. Say what else you want, but the .44 magnum has way more recoil and noise. Heck, I do not like to shoot .357 without earplugs. .44 magnum is just ridiculous, with them.

 

[Kleanbore]

The size of a .44 revolver mitigates against concealed carry.

The limited capacity is a distinct disadvantage in self defense.

The bulk and weight of the ammunition are an issue unless it is carried in a vehicle.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I understand the versatility aspect, but the .44 certainly has its limitations, as Kleanbore pointed out above. Lighter calibers like the .357 magnum certainly do as well. I wouldn't tackle a big bear with one, where I would feel comfortable with a .44 mag.

My point, don't try to do everything with one round. Pick the right tool for the job at hand.

That being said, the .44 mag's reputation is well deserved. Its a great round for sure.

 

[Barry the Bear]

The .44 mag can shoot magnums,spls, and russians. The .357 mag can shoot mags,spls,long colts, short colts and even .38 super though dangerous. However Im still a big believer in a round that will take your head clean off

 

[Ash]

Versatility is over-rated. Who here owns just one revolver? I have a 22lr Colt, a .357 Ruger, a 455 Webley, and 7.62 Nagant plus a .45acp.

 

[Kleanbore]

...Im still a big believer in a round that will take your head clean off

Do not confuse muzzle blast, recoil, or kinetic energy with wounding effectiveness in self defense.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

.44 is a great cartridge and revolvers chambered in it are very versitile. I still want to add one to my collection eventually.

However, I feel the 460 mag is far more versitile IMO. I own a 5" version. I can fire the lightest to the heaviest 45 cal bullets out of it. It fires 45 Schofield, 45 Colt, 454 Casull, and 460 magnum. You can range the velocity from under 800 ft/sec, to 2200 ft/sec. You can also range the impact energy from 300 ftlbs. to just under 3000 ftlbs. If we are talking cartridge versatility, I think the 460 wins.

If we are talking revolver versatility, I think it is more of a tie. JMO

The weight and size of the 460 revovler does give a 44 cal revolver the win as far as carry versatility, as I doubt anyone in their right mind would conceal a 460. I do carry my 460, but on the hip. A 44 also gets you an extra round. One less round and more power? Or one more and less power? Which is better is a matter of perspective.

 

[CopperFouling]

Pistol size is definitely a con but with platforms like the S&W 329 Night Guard and 329LiiteAir weight it makes the great 44 concealable and packable.

Ow. It's hard for me to shoot a .357 Mag. through a lightweight revolver like that. I do not even want to think about a .44 Mag.

The .44 Mag. is a great round, for sure, but I'd want something different for carrying, unless I were somewhere deep in the woods (which is, unfortunately, not often).

 

[CraigC]

I don't think it will ever topple the .357 in the hearts and minds of a lot of shooters but I wouldn't trade one .44 for a crate of .357's. I think more non-handloaders like the .357 because they can shoot cheap .38's in it. Whereas one really needs to handload to take advantage of the .44's versatility. Rather then being stuck with full-bore factory magnums or powder puff .44Spl's.

The .44Mag can do everything the .357 can do and more. With the only exception of fitting into pocket guns but if you're using .38's in your J-frame, we might as well consider the smaller .44Spl's as well.

A 3-4" N-frame carries just fine on the hip. If you can conceal a Commander length 1911, mid-size Glock or 3-4" L-frame, you can do the same with an N-frame.

It can be loaded with anything from 200gr target .44Spl loads to full-house 355gr at 1200fps. The cartridge can go from concealed carry in your trusty 629MG to a large frame Ruger taking the largest game on earth.

I think the .45 Colt can be shot by men and women comfortably, in a range of guns and certainly a range of loads in the larger frame guns, primarily Ruger. It is also well suited to a lever rifle. Once you get away from the stereotype cowboy loads with lead bullets, there are some intriguing possibilities.

And what exactly keeps you from doing so in a .44Mag? Did you actually read the OP and look at the loads used? Two of the loads were in the moderate 1050-1150fps range.

I think this gets to the crux of the issue and that is that many have a strange perception of the .44Mag. As if it has to be run at full steam all the time. As if loaded it to less than its full potential somehow negates the point. I don't understand this at all and enjoy the full range of the cartridge's potential. Probably why I own seven or eight of them.

I would never consider the .460 to be more versatile. Considering it has no capability to take larger game but only offers more range. Yet it only fits into huge sixguns with very little practical use.

 

[farm23]

We are a split home. We own more than one of each. My wife votes for the 38/357 and I for the 44 but we also have 45 & 45ACP. Now days I don't have to worry so much about CC so the 44 gets my vote. My wife does not hunt so she votes for the 357. All are good but if I had to choose just one it would be the 44.

 

[Cosmoline]

Unless your .44 Mag can fire .410 shotshells, I don't think it beats the .45 Colt. And how well does the .44 Mag do with black powder loads? Probably not as well as the .45 Colt. Finally, can the .44 Mag revolver offer you a drop-in alternate like the .45 ACP?

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Unless your .44 Mag can fire .410 shotshells, I don't think it beats the .45 Colt.

My .45 Colt doesn't shoot .410 shotshells.

Finally, can the .44 Mag revolver offer you a drop-in alternate like the .45 ACP?

Don't see where it needs to. You can buy .44 Special ammo and not have to worry with changing cylinders every time you switch ammunition.
I think your arguments refer to the platform more so than the caliber.

 

[CraigC]

Unless your .44 Mag can fire .410 shotshells, I don't think it beats the .45 Colt. And how well does the .44 Mag do with black powder loads? Probably not as well as the .45 Colt. Finally, can the .44 Mag revolver offer you a drop-in alternate like the .45 ACP?

The .45Colt can't fire .410 shotshells.

What exactly precludes the .44Mag from utilizing blackpowder?

You mean like the .44Colt, .44Russian, .44Spl all in the same cylinder? Or the .44-40 with a spare?

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Elmer Keith could not have been wrong!

 

[Godsgunman]

Just like many have already said, to each his own. I really like the .357 platform and it suits MY needs well. Proven man stopping power and capable of taking down any 4 legger I'm likely to encounter in my neck of the woods. Plenty of concealable choices also. If the .44 platform suits you better then good on ya. Not that I'm not intrigued by the .44 myself but .357 suits my uses better. Glad you enjoy your choice! Have fun and stay safe!

 

[savit260]

The size of a .44 revolver mitigates against concealed carry.



The bulk and weight of the ammunition are an issue unless it is carried in a vehicle.

Nonsense ! That's a 44 Mag Blackhawk and carrying it is a piece O cake.

The limited capacity is a distinct disadvantage in self defense.

... as compared to a 5 shot J frame ?

And how well does the .44 Mag do with black powder loads? Probably not as well as the .45 Colt.

It makes for a fine black powder load. Feels pretty similar to a 45 Colt when loaded with a full case of Black Powder, and it's every bit as fun to shoot!! I load BP rounds for my 44 Virginain Dragoon and my 45 Blackhawk and they're both a HOOT!


... and CraigC covered the other arguments pretty darned well. By the way my 45Colt BH doesn't shoot .410's either.