I have 44's No Need for 357

Status
Not open for further replies.
bluetopper

bluetopper

Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2005
Messages
3,746
Location
Northeast TX
I have both 44 Magnums and 357 relvolvers and reload for them both, but it seems I have no desire or need now to even take the 357's out anymore. My 44 Mags are just sooo much more fun to shoot and do everything just a little bit better then a 357. Is there anybody else who feels this way. I'd like to hear from other people who own AND reload for both calibers.

You people who just own the 357, don't get offended, it's not personal.
 
I shoot and reload .357 mag. .44 mag, .45LC, .45ACP and .460 S&W mag Handguns. I also shoot and reload .357 and .44 carbines. My next handgun will be another .357. I don't really prefer one caliber to another......I like 'em all.
 
44's are more fun to shoot and plink with, at least for me. I reserve my 38 for my model 10, and focus mostly on 38+p and 357 for my carry pieces. I mostly keep the model 10 ready for the wife.
 
I agree, if you handload for the big bores, there ain't much need for the .357. The big bores can be loaded to fully eclipse the .357's entire spectrum and well beyond. They also put a bigger, heavier bullet on target without making your ears bleed. My only .357 is destined to become something more useful like the .38-40 or .44Spl.
 
I own both and reload for both. I shoot far more .44 than I do .357 but still find the .357 quite useful.
The .44 will do just about anything the .357 will and I agree with you there. The advantage the .357 has is it's a lighter package and great for running light bullets fast with little recoil.
The .357 will shoot a 158gr bullet well over 1500fps flat and straight without nearly the recoil of the .44.
If I want to shoot at something 100 yards away that I don't need a .44 to kill it I'll use a .357.
For general purpose plinking I load a 158gr JHP that runs 1250fps out of a 6 inch gun with little recoil and is a true pleasure to shoot all day.
The .357 is also a good bit cheaper for me to load. 1000 158gr SJHP bullets cost just over $100 where the same money only gets me 500 Hornady 240gr XTPs.
If I had to choose only 1 caliber it would be the .44mag but the .357mag still has it's place in my life.
 
Well, the .357 is good for driving the idiots next to you at the range away....

I really enjoy both calibers, especially when it comes to what guns are available for the .357. Time and place for everything. But if they aren't your ticket, turn them into something you like more.
 
Well, if you get right down to it we only NEED 1 or 2 calibers. I passed NEED a long time ago. Now I buy what I WANT.

I want my Pythons and my Model 27s because they are the top of line deluxe revolvers. I want my Diamondbacks and Model 15s because they are classic 38 revolvers. I want my M57 and M58 because... well, it doesn't matter why I want them, I just do.

If all I wanted was working guns then sure, I don't need all those calibers.

What's your point?
 
I have both, for home defense concealed carry....357. Hiking, hunting, and blowing crap up.....44 :D.
 
parisite said:
I have both 44 Magnums and 357 relvolvers and reload for them both, but it seems I have no desire or need now to even take the 357's out anymore. My 44 Mags are just sooo much more fun to shoot and do everything just a little bit better then a 357. Is there anybody else who feels this way. I'd like to hear from other people who own AND reload for both calibers.

You people who just own the 357, don't get offended, it's not personal.
Click to expand...
Sure thing. You can load the .44 Magnum as anything from a gallery cartridge on up to a real blaster. Great cartridge.

But, what I like about .357 is it is narrow. Smith has squeezed eight into an N frame, seven into an L size, fits six in a K and--save the mark!--five into an Airlite J-frame. You have more choices as to what size gun you use it in.

If that doesn't figure into your own set of needs or wants, sure, get rid of the .357's. Nothing the .357 can do that the .44 can't do, with power left over.
 
I went the other way. I found that the money I was putting into .44 mag ammo and components could be better used for .357. The .357's are more practical carry guns for me, and the .44 mag's weren't really serving much of a purpose.

That said, i do want to get into .44 Special. The problem is the price of good firearms in that chambering.
 
what I like about .357 is it is narrow. Smith has squeezed eight into an N frame, seven into an L size, fits six in a K and--save the mark!--five into an Airlite J-frame. You have more choices as to what size gun you use it in.

If that doesn't figure into your own set of needs or wants, sure, get rid of the .357's. Nothing the .357 can do that the .44 can't do, with power left over.
Click to expand...

I agree 100%... It's all about the "package"!

DM
 
I had both. I no longer have any 43's. I KNOW it says 44 on the gun and on the ammo box, but my calipers tell me 43!

I've gone to 45's and .357's. Whatever the 357 won't do, the 45 surely will. The 45 does what I want and it doesn't have to lie about its' size just to make itself feel better! :D
 
"The 45 does what I want and it doesn't have to lie about its' size just to make itself feel better!"

A clear case of caliber envy.

I shoot and reload 45, "44", and 357. It just costs less to shoot 357/38. My CCW is a 357 mostly because of ease of concealment. But I really like launching big "4-somethings" downrange!
 
Well it's fine to like the .44, it has lots of power, but when lugging the gun all day you will find a .357 is mucho easier unless you go to those ultra light .44s and then you will find those .44s not so fun to shoot.

Deaf
 
I tend to shoot my 44 Specials and 45 Long Colts more than my 357's and 44 Mags.

The 357 is an accurate and powerful round, but I get similiar "on gong" performance with the lower pressure rounds.
 
I feel exactly the same way. My very first gun was a GP-100. Then I added a SP101 and a Python 4" Royal Blue. I've since sold them all since I rarely shot them, I finally admitted I just was not a fan of the .357, I find the recoil and muzzle blast too violent to be any fun. But I LOVE the 44 mag, my first one was a Ruger SRH Alaskan, I think I shot that thing more than all my 357's combined. And yes I reload too, no way I could afford to shoot it that much otherwise!
 
I reload 7.62 x 38r Nagant; .38 Spcl & .357M; .44 Russian, Special, & Magnum; .45 ACP & AR; and .45 Colt & Schoffield. I shoot 'em all - and a potful of .22LR's, too. Admittedly, my last eight revolvers bought included four .357M's and a .38 - they may as all be labelled for .38's! The other three are my .22 collection. Interests change - and the need for a good thumping fades (My .454 Casull SRH was traded, ultimately, for an '04 5" h-l 686+ which hasn't shot a real .357M since it was tested.).

Someone said a CC .44 Special wasn't viable... my 296 2.5" 5-shot AirLite Ti would beg to differ!

IMG_0596.jpg

Another plus for the above - it satiates any need I have for a hand thumping - those 200gr Gold Dot .44 Specials say howdy in a convincing manner!

Stainz
 
.357 does come up lacking for me in some ways. Good power requires high pressure which leads to recoil and noise out of proportion to the power generated.

Low end loads are pleasant, but you may as well have a more petite revolver to shoot them in, like the model 10 .38 special.

I don't have a need for full power .44 magnums either, but I did find a nice compromise, the .44 special.

The 4" S&W 624 is my choice, N frame with a shortened cylinder for the special, and barrel profile of the Mountain guns, so it's not too heavy. The new Blackhawks (not Super Blackhawk) in .44 Special also look nice.

.38 Special, .44 Special and .45 Colt are fast becoming my favorite calibers, and I don't think I'll ever buy another magnum.

For carry, a Glock 19 fits that bill for me.

I don't suppose this would be a good time to put my Freedom Arms 97 .357 up for sale, would it?
 
The 44 mag/spl will do everything that the 45LC and the .357mag can do, and do it better! Proof is in the range and hunting results. Enough said.

I only shoot and reload for one caliber...44. Enjoy the .44 my friend. Unless you have dangerous African game charging you, you do not need a larger caliber!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D.B. Cooper
  • Locked
357 vs 44 for versatility
2 3 4 5 6 7
Replies
157
Views
16K
Shane in MT
S
M
  • Locked
question 357 / 44 sp
Replies
7
Views
603
Oro
O
G
  • Locked
.357 magnum vs .44 magnum recoil?
Replies
21
Views
23K
MrBorland
MrBorland
R
  • Locked
357 mag louder than 44 mag?
2
Replies
30
Views
4K
RugRev
RugRev
P
  • Locked
44 Magnum Recoil
2 3 4
Replies
98
Views
28K
AStone
A
Back
Top