.357 or .44 mag. help me decide

[ratgunner]

Yes sir. I want 'em all. 

[Kal52]

good luck with your 6.8.

I have a 10" 6.8 on order as well, wanted something that would give me good performance on coyotes at a longer distance than my .22 hornet and give me something suitable for deer if the opportunity arrises.

and I agree you will ask the question again, and you will still end up getting both of them, why fight it 

Dave

[700 223]

The most unpleasant recoil I've ever experienced from a handgun was a 10" .44 Mag fired from a Contender

The 44 is a great hunting caliber but, the stock grips can dish out some punishment

Yep , I found that to be the case starting from round one firing my former 10" TC even using the stock grips with the rubber backing. It was a barrel I did not shoot much or keep very long. The owner seemed very eager to trade it to me and I knew why after that first shot.

In 44 Mag I've owned three Ruger SA in 44 with barrels of 5 1/2" , 7 1/2" and 10 1/2" , two Super 7 1/2" Super Redhawks and two 6 1/2" Smiths and none were even remotely close to the TC in total discomfort. I can shoot the 357 TC till the cows come home. In regards to noise I don't consider a 44 mag stuffed with 25 grains of powder to be any quieter than a 357 mag with 16 grains of the same stuff - both are extremely loud and will severly damage your hearing. I have never shot either without ear protection. 

[kiddekop]

   Here's my take on it: The 44 is a great hunting caliber but, the stock grips can dish out some punishment with factory ammo, unless you have the rubber or Pachymayers.  The 357 is good to 100 meters, just not as deeply penetrating as the 44. The report on the  357 is sharp, hurts my ears.

To be decisive, I'd want a 44 with muzzle brake, 14", myself.

A good  brake I've found is from www.probed2000.com  they're similar to the kdf.

[rawhidekid]

Six grains of Trail Boss powder under a 240 Grn cast plain base bullet, runs 975fps out of my 10 inch 44 mag TC.  Mild recoil and not very load m comparison to my other powder loadings.  Trail Boss was made expecially for filling large cases under cast bullets.  Six grains does not sound like much but the powder is alot of little "o"s and will fill a 44 mag case to the bottom of the bullet!  Again this is a pleasure to shoot! IMO !