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Author Topic: 357mag or 44mag barrel  (Read 698 times)

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Offline wls

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357mag or 44mag barrel
« on: February 09, 2010, 12:10:36 PM »
Hello Everyone,
Trying to decide between a 357 or 44 magum. I can hunt with either in  Indiana.  I have handguns in both calibers and reload for both calibers.   I've harvested deer with a 44mag ruger and t/c, nothing with the 357.
Is the rate of twist, 1:38, good for all weights of bullets,240and 300?
All opinions are welcomed
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Offline Swampman

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Re: 357mag or 44mag barrel
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2010, 12:14:15 PM »
I believe the .44 is a 1:20" twist rate.  The .357 is much cheaper to shoot.
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Offline Daman

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Re: 357mag or 44mag barrel
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2010, 12:19:06 PM »
Let me say it before someone else does:

Buy the 357 ream it to max and install a Leupold scope on it. Then you will have your deer gun!

Daman
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Offline Swampman

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Re: 357mag or 44mag barrel
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2010, 12:29:55 PM »
Or don't waste your money on a Leupold and get a Nikon Prostaff 2-7X32.
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"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

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Offline wreckhog

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Re: 357mag or 44mag barrel
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2010, 12:41:35 PM »
For pure hunting with factory ammo, 44. For all round use if you reload, 357.
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Offline Big Blue

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Re: 357mag or 44mag barrel
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2010, 01:14:12 PM »
If your looking for a deer hunting rifle, I'd have to give that edge to the .44 mag. The most devastating kill I've ever had on a deer was with a .44 mag. rifle using 320gr. Cast Performance bullets. I'm hoping to end up owning one of each of the handgun cartridge Handi rifles. So far I've been able to get two, a .500 S&W and a .45 Colt. Either of those would also fit your needs.
Don
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Offline gendoc

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Re: 357mag or 44mag barrel
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2010, 01:35:53 PM »
Quote from: Daman on February 09, 2010, 12:19:06 PM
Let me say it before someone else does:

Buy the 357 ream it to max and install a Leupold scope on it. Then you will have your deer gun!

Daman



the .357 don't have to be maxed out, and a 4X32 simmons pro-diamond sg scope
will take'um down at 100yrds or less.... got 3 in tha freezer for proof.
the 1 i got was at bout 40yd, my son's was at bout 30yds
my grand-daughters's was at a DRT at 78yds....
all three were horned !!!
ya jus gotta know your gun and what it likes and its limits...
shot placement is most critical
all were done by 1 handload recipe. ;D
not counting the many hawgs its put down ;)
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Offline Kal52

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Re: 357mag or 44mag barrel
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2010, 02:12:47 PM »
I think either would be just fine, Ive killed 7 deer with my .357 lever gun, all fell right over.  The .44 may give you a touch more range, I havent killed anything with mine yet, so not sure on its range yet, but there is always next year.
as for a scope, I just got a Millet DMS and that thing is great!  especially if you are in close, and has the red dot for low light.

Dave
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 357mag or 44mag barrel
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2010, 02:14:46 PM »
Quote from: wls on February 09, 2010, 12:10:36 PM
Hello Everyone,
Trying to decide between a 357 or 44 magum. I can hunt with either in  Indiana.  I have handguns in both calibers and reload for both calibers.   I've harvested deer with a 44mag ruger and t/c, nothing with the 357.
Is the rate of twist, 1:38, good for all weights of bullets,240and 300?
All opinions are welcomed

The 44mag twist is 1:38", 357mag will likely be 1:15½", of the two, if I lived in Indiana and you handload, I'd go for the 357 and ream it to Maximum.  ;)

Tim

http://357maximum.com/



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Offline Dinny

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Re: 357mag or 44mag barrel
« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2010, 03:41:00 PM »
Quote from: wls on February 09, 2010, 12:10:36 PM
Hello Everyone,
Trying to decide between a 357 or 44 magum. I can hunt with either in  Indiana.  I have handguns in both calibers and reload for both calibers.   I've harvested deer with a 44mag ruger and t/c, nothing with the 357.
Is the rate of twist, 1:38, good for all weights of bullets,240and 300?
All opinions are welcomed

I hunt in Indiana! I have killed deer with the .357 Mag, .45LC, and .44 Mag. It doesn't matter which one you use on these deer, dead is dead. As far as all else is concerned, I will soon take possession of my .357 Maxi Handi and the others will have to take a hiatus. If my predictions are correct, the Maxi will get used more than the other two combined, it's just that much more versatile. That doesn't necessarily mean I will sell the 45LC Handi either. ;)

The proofs in the pudding.....

Thanks, Dinny
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Offline mechanic

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Re: 357mag or 44mag barrel
« Reply #10 on: February 09, 2010, 03:48:38 PM »
357.  IMO the most accurate "out of the box" of all the Handi's with the possible exception of the 45-70.  I believe the 44 to be a great round but again IMO more finicky about what bullet it likes.  My 357 shoots everything well and some things great.

Either will without doubt kill efficiently.
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Offline LaOtto222

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Re: 357mag or 44mag barrel
« Reply #11 on: February 09, 2010, 11:20:27 PM »
I think a 357 max with 180 - 200 grain bullets. Recoil is mild and is plenty accurate. If you are going to stick with factory loads go with the 44 Mag. Your present 357 dies should load up the Max OK so you would not have to buy new dies. If you do not ream to a 357 Max get the 44 Mag. I have used the 265 grain Hornady bullet with the 44 Mag and it works good at rifle velocities - 1650 fps. Winchester White Box 240 grain soft points work well for a factory load - 1800 fps.  BTW I also live in Indiana and have a 357 reamed to Max and a 44 Mag barrel, both on SB 2 frames.
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Offline wls

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Re: 357mag or 44mag barrel
« Reply #12 on: February 10, 2010, 03:07:55 AM »
Thanks everyone for your input.  Lots of good info.
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Offline jeepmann1948

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Re: 357mag or 44mag barrel
« Reply #13 on: February 10, 2010, 04:25:24 AM »
The best answer is get them both choices! Either are excellent ;D
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