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The age old question...bigger round or higher capacity?
3/5/2012 7:52:53 PM
Just curious...given the choice, which would you choose for a general purpose wheelgun?
Six rounds of 44Mag or eight rounds of 357Mag in similar size/weight guns.
Poll inbound.
Six rounds of 44Mag or eight rounds of 357Mag in similar size/weight guns.
Poll inbound.
3/5/2012 7:56:12 PM
I would prefer 8 rounds of .38 Super.
Just to be different.
If I couldn't be different, then I would prefer 6 rounds of .44, and use Specials most of the time.
Just to be different.
If I couldn't be different, then I would prefer 6 rounds of .44, and use Specials most of the time.
3/5/2012 7:56:22 PM
44mag. No question.
3/5/2012 8:03:30 PM
If .44 mag tags once, it is over. Hell it hurts on the sending end.
3/5/2012 8:15:52 PM
44 mag.
If six rounds of .44 won't do the job then 8 rounds of .357 sure won't.
I have also found .44s to be more accurate.
If six rounds of .44 won't do the job then 8 rounds of .357 sure won't.
I have also found .44s to be more accurate.
3/5/2012 8:18:19 PM
Neither.
7 shot 686 Mountain Gun, pre-lock.
7 shot 686 Mountain Gun, pre-lock.
3/5/2012 8:20:07 PM
8 357
3/5/2012 8:37:35 PM
I like both. If you can hit with the .44 mag, then go for it. If you can't handle the recoil, then go with .357.
3/5/2012 8:43:44 PM
General purpose? six .44s
HD or dedicated SD? eight .357s
HD or dedicated SD? eight .357s
3/5/2012 8:48:25 PM
Originally Posted By RedFalconBill:
Neither.
7 shot 686 Mountain Gun, pre-lock.
Neither.
7 shot 686 Mountain Gun, pre-lock.
This
3/5/2012 9:49:32 PM
If I'm going by the "Every one knows knockdown power is what counts" 6x .44 Mag.
If I'm going by "Statistically most SD shots are misses" 8x .357 Mag.
If I'm going by "Statistically most SD shots are misses" 8x .357 Mag.
3/5/2012 9:54:58 PM
I like the 44 for a general purpose handgun. You can load it down to very light loads or go full bore 44 magnum.
You can always load the 44 down to 38/357 levels but you can't take the 38/357 to 44 Mag levels.
If you in snake country the 44 shotshell load is much more effective than the 357 at the same ranges.
You can always load the 44 down to 38/357 levels but you can't take the 38/357 to 44 Mag levels.
If you in snake country the 44 shotshell load is much more effective than the 357 at the same ranges.
3/5/2012 11:27:47 PM
I have been packing a 44 magnum for a little more than a couple of decades now in some of the more remote sections of the West's mountains and deserts and can attest to its effectiveness on a bunch of things. Without question, when it comes to a practical, packable revolver, I grab one of my 44 mags first. My only dillema is which one:
3/5/2012 11:35:45 PM
I like my 7-shot .357 Smith. 
3/5/2012 11:36:12 PM
Originally Posted By Lost_River:
I have been packing a 44 magnum for a little more than a couple of decades now in some of the more remote sections of the West's mountains and deserts and can attest to its effectiveness on a bunch of things. Without question, when it comes to a practical, packable revolver, I grab one of my 44 mags first. My only dillema is which one:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/017-6.jpg
I have been packing a 44 magnum for a little more than a couple of decades now in some of the more remote sections of the West's mountains and deserts and can attest to its effectiveness on a bunch of things. Without question, when it comes to a practical, packable revolver, I grab one of my 44 mags first. My only dillema is which one:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/017-6.jpg
Nice collection!
3/6/2012 3:58:46 AM
Thanks MKD,
That is the44 pile. While I do have some .38s/.357s, I rarelyy use them. The one exception being a S&W 442 Centennnial that iscarried as a BUG everyday I wear a uniform at work.It has held up surprising well over the years,finish wise for the amount of street time/hours it has seen.:
There is no question that I am a .44 fan. I have been extremely fortunate to have spent my life close to some of the same areas that Elmer Keith used to write about. Growing up with a dad who was (and still is) an avid outdoorsman allowed me opportunities from litterally the time I could walk to experience things that others only read about. In that time I learned the value of a practical handgun. I suppose It really should be no surprise that I settled on the .44 due to my influences.
In short I found that all of my (non work related) practical handgun needs could be met with the .22lr, .45acp and .44 magnum loaded at various levels.
Here is an old pic, I was about 21 years old, fresh out of the Infantry, working for an outfitter and guide ranch in the backcountry of Idaho. I was packing a Ruger Super Blackhawk 5.5" .44 mag in a homemade holster I made from saddle leather:
That is the44 pile. While I do have some .38s/.357s, I rarelyy use them. The one exception being a S&W 442 Centennnial that iscarried as a BUG everyday I wear a uniform at work.It has held up surprising well over the years,finish wise for the amount of street time/hours it has seen.:
There is no question that I am a .44 fan. I have been extremely fortunate to have spent my life close to some of the same areas that Elmer Keith used to write about. Growing up with a dad who was (and still is) an avid outdoorsman allowed me opportunities from litterally the time I could walk to experience things that others only read about. In that time I learned the value of a practical handgun. I suppose It really should be no surprise that I settled on the .44 due to my influences.
In short I found that all of my (non work related) practical handgun needs could be met with the .22lr, .45acp and .44 magnum loaded at various levels.
Here is an old pic, I was about 21 years old, fresh out of the Infantry, working for an outfitter and guide ranch in the backcountry of Idaho. I was packing a Ruger Super Blackhawk 5.5" .44 mag in a homemade holster I made from saddle leather:
3/6/2012 7:29:41 AM
That's a big muley you got there !
3/6/2012 7:39:30 AM
shot placement.
3/6/2012 11:05:04 AM
5 shot .44
Smaller cylinder diameter for carry, but big bullet for oompf
Smaller cylinder diameter for carry, but big bullet for oompf
3/6/2012 11:18:34 AM
Originally Posted By Madcap72:
If I'm going by the "Every one knows knockdown power is what counts" 6x .44 Mag.
If I'm going by "Statistically most SD shots are misses" 8x .357 Mag.
If I'm going by the "Every one knows knockdown power is what counts" 6x .44 Mag.
If I'm going by "Statistically most SD shots are misses" 8x .357 Mag.
Considering that we are talking about two rounds that are both lethal as far as handgun calibers are concerned, I can't see myself in a gunfight wishing I had 25% less opportunities to put holes in the BG. If the choice were between .44Mag and .22LR then it would be a very different story.
*I've never been in a gun fight, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last week.
3/6/2012 11:45:53 AM
I've had both. I prefer the .44. The recoil is different. .357 is snappier, while the .44 is more of a heavy push.
I once qualified using 240 gr factory magnums in the .44 and shot a 570 out of 600, beating the majority who
were shooting .38 special wadcutters in a k frame. It's not that difficult to learn to control the .44, I never shot
magnums in the .357 with equal accuracy.
eta: And yes, I have similar results with .45 vs. 9mm.
3/6/2012 2:41:46 PM
Some nice revolvers, and good responses.
This was mine:
It was sold, basically, to pay the rent a couple years ago
I could shoot it better than any other pistol I've had in my hands, but it seemed like every time it had some use, I had a harder time handling it. My right hand/wrist has had issues since breaking it long ago, especially with hard impacts, so several cylinders of magnums had my hand swollen, shaky, and sore for days. It never saw a special load under my ownership. I like to practice with what I intend to use.
That said, it's becoming easy to justify a .357
The .357 would satisfy 99.9% of my actual needs, and may be the only situation in a hand gun where capacity is favored over a larger caliber.
I was ready to get a Glock 20SF, then remembered how much fun it is shooting a magnum revolver accurately out to 100 yards.
This was mine:
It was sold, basically, to pay the rent a couple years ago
I could shoot it better than any other pistol I've had in my hands, but it seemed like every time it had some use, I had a harder time handling it. My right hand/wrist has had issues since breaking it long ago, especially with hard impacts, so several cylinders of magnums had my hand swollen, shaky, and sore for days. It never saw a special load under my ownership. I like to practice with what I intend to use.
That said, it's becoming easy to justify a .357
The .357 would satisfy 99.9% of my actual needs, and may be the only situation in a hand gun where capacity is favored over a larger caliber.
I was ready to get a Glock 20SF, then remembered how much fun it is shooting a magnum revolver accurately out to 100 yards.
3/7/2012 12:28:48 PM
Rick,
I believe you missed out on the greatest attribute of the .44 magnum. That is its ability to shoot extremely well across a wide spectrum of loads. The loads you were describing were more towards the upper end (for standard factory).
For the most part, I load three basic loads. A light, medium and heavy load. The last load gets used maybe 5% of the time and that is when I am confirming a gun's zero and practicing up for an upcoming elk season.
The other 95% of my loads are split between the light and medium loads, both using 240 grain cast bullets and Unique powder. The only diiference is the powder charge. The medium load will work on Mule deer and smaller sized animals and is just a great general purpose, all around load.
The light load, I use for hunting small game, jackrabbits, plinking etc. It is an easy shooting load and won't leave your wrists aching for days.
BTW, I understand what you are talking about in regards to swollen wrists/pain. I used to ride bucking horses in college and broke my wrists more than once. Now I only shoot the super heavy loads in short practice sessions.
Long story short, don't give up on the .44, just RELOAD!
I believe you missed out on the greatest attribute of the .44 magnum. That is its ability to shoot extremely well across a wide spectrum of loads. The loads you were describing were more towards the upper end (for standard factory).
For the most part, I load three basic loads. A light, medium and heavy load. The last load gets used maybe 5% of the time and that is when I am confirming a gun's zero and practicing up for an upcoming elk season.
The other 95% of my loads are split between the light and medium loads, both using 240 grain cast bullets and Unique powder. The only diiference is the powder charge. The medium load will work on Mule deer and smaller sized animals and is just a great general purpose, all around load.
The light load, I use for hunting small game, jackrabbits, plinking etc. It is an easy shooting load and won't leave your wrists aching for days.
BTW, I understand what you are talking about in regards to swollen wrists/pain. I used to ride bucking horses in college and broke my wrists more than once. Now I only shoot the super heavy loads in short practice sessions.
Long story short, don't give up on the .44, just RELOAD!
3/7/2012 3:01:35 PM
There's nothing in a 500+ mile radius that can't be stopped with a .357.
But 8 shot .357s are too big to be "general purpose" IMO.
But 8 shot .357s are too big to be "general purpose" IMO.
3/7/2012 4:17:12 PM
I'd rather have a .45 ACP revolver in an N frame. If I can't do it with that I'll use a rifle.
3/7/2012 6:26:34 PM
Originally Posted By Chris_1522:
There's nothing in a 500+ mile radius that can't be stopped with a .357.
But 8 shot .357s are too big to be "general purpose" IMO.
There's nothing in a 500+ mile radius that can't be stopped with a .357.
But 8 shot .357s are too big to be "general purpose" IMO.
IDK, the S&W Night Guard is pretty damn sexy, and not THAT big, and being scandium framed, not all that heavy either.
3/7/2012 7:17:01 PM
I'd give my left nut for that gun. 
The cylinders on those are a pretty wide, I guess its not an issue in a belt holster!
The cylinders on those are a pretty wide, I guess its not an issue in a belt holster!
3/7/2012 8:06:15 PM
They're expensive as hell too :(
3/7/2012 8:59:17 PM
Originally Posted By Combat_Jack:
I'd rather have a .45 ACP revolver in an N frame. If I can't do it with that I'll use a rifle.
I'd rather have a .45 ACP revolver in an N frame. If I can't do it with that I'll use a rifle.
I had one of those, too.
Out shooting with a coworker he said he had never seen someone shoot a pistol so well.
I sold it for this
3/10/2012 3:42:22 PM
Im very happy with just a 6 shooter in 357magnum but using 38spl+P only for SD
3/10/2012 4:10:32 PM
Originally Posted By FMJ:
Im very happy with just a 6 shooter in 357magnum but using 38spl+P only for SD
Im very happy with just a 6 shooter in 357magnum but using 38spl+P only for SD
Same here.
3/12/2012 1:33:31 AM
Originally Posted By Rick_A:
Just curious...given the choice, which would you choose for a general purpose wheelgun?
Six rounds of 44Mag or eight rounds of 357Mag in similar size/weight guns.
Poll inbound.
Just curious...given the choice, which would you choose for a general purpose wheelgun?
Six rounds of 44Mag or eight rounds of 357Mag in similar size/weight guns.
Poll inbound.
High stress =misses and seeing as 357 is a more than capable round.i go with the 8 rounds
3/21/2012 12:05:32 PM
Originally Posted By Lost_River:
Thanks MKD,
That is the44 pile. While I do have some .38s/.357s, I rarelyy use them. The one exception being a S&W 442 Centennnial that iscarried as a BUG everyday I wear a uniform at work.It has held up surprising well over the years,finish wise for the amount of street time/hours it has seen.:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/001-19.jpg
There is no question that I am a .44 fan. I have been extremely fortunate to have spent my life close to some of the same areas that Elmer Keith used to write about. Growing up with a dad who was (and still is) an avid outdoorsman allowed me opportunities from litterally the time I could walk to experience things that others only read about. In that time I learned the value of a practical handgun. I suppose It really should be no surprise that I settled on the .44 due to my influences.
In short I found that all of my (non work related) practical handgun needs could be met with the .22lr, .45acp and .44 magnum loaded at various levels.
Here is an old pic, I was about 21 years old, fresh out of the Infantry, working for an outfitter and guide ranch in the backcountry of Idaho. I was packing a Ruger Super Blackhawk 5.5" .44 mag in a homemade holster I made from saddle leather:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/Edited91muley.jpg
Thanks MKD,
That is the44 pile. While I do have some .38s/.357s, I rarelyy use them. The one exception being a S&W 442 Centennnial that iscarried as a BUG everyday I wear a uniform at work.It has held up surprising well over the years,finish wise for the amount of street time/hours it has seen.:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/001-19.jpg
There is no question that I am a .44 fan. I have been extremely fortunate to have spent my life close to some of the same areas that Elmer Keith used to write about. Growing up with a dad who was (and still is) an avid outdoorsman allowed me opportunities from litterally the time I could walk to experience things that others only read about. In that time I learned the value of a practical handgun. I suppose It really should be no surprise that I settled on the .44 due to my influences.
In short I found that all of my (non work related) practical handgun needs could be met with the .22lr, .45acp and .44 magnum loaded at various levels.
Here is an old pic, I was about 21 years old, fresh out of the Infantry, working for an outfitter and guide ranch in the backcountry of Idaho. I was packing a Ruger Super Blackhawk 5.5" .44 mag in a homemade holster I made from saddle leather:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/Edited91muley.jpg
Its amazing to me that you were able to shoot that animal without a scentlok suit, rubber booties, 55mm objective lens, etc. your belt buckle likely gives your position away for 800 meters too
I3/21/2012 10:01:15 PM
"It's better to be missed by a 44, than to be hit by a 22."
3/21/2012 10:28:19 PM
I would prefer to have eight rounds of .357 magnum over six rounds of .44 magnum, unless I lived in BIG critter country (Alaska/ grizzly bears, etc.).
3/22/2012 1:30:13 PM
For most 2 and 4 legged creatures, .357 is more than enough. If I'm going somewhere with larger 4 legged creatures, I'll take my 6 shot 5.5" Ruger Redhawk in 45lc and either some Corbon 335gr. +P rounds or handloads.
3/22/2012 4:52:46 PM
Awh hell some body had to say both For GP I like the 8 shot .357. There in nothing in my A.O. that I can't drop with the .357 Have fun choosing. 
RLTW
For GP I like the 8 shot .357. There in nothing in my A.O. that I can't drop with the .357 Have fun choosing.
RLTW
3/22/2012 4:58:40 PM
I voted neither, I prefer my 686+ 7 round model the cylnder is pretty much the same as the 6 shot 686.
3/26/2012 2:18:25 AM
A seven round .357 seems like an ideal compromise.
