357 Super mag vs 44 mag

[barber]

Can anyone give me any info comparing the .357 Supermag to the .44 mag for hunting elk, black bear, deer?   Thanks

[unspellable]

Much better than a 357 magnum in all respects.  Perhaps a bit shy of a 44 Magnum for whallop but it has a flatter trajectory.

[Paul5388]

The .357 SuperMag is more than enough for deer and smaller game.    For the others, it should be OK also, as long as you can shoot them in the eyeball!    Seriously, I don't think it's enough bullet or speed to be effective on larger game.  It isn't a .35 Rem and it sure isn't a .35 Whelen.  Maybe with something like these center 250 gr Beartooths in .360 DW brass (that's a .44 Mag on the outside right and a 250 gr in a .357 Mag next to it) you could do it, but it's still just a .359" hole.

[DWTim]

I have no experience with handgun hunting, because it is illegal where I live. However, I'd like to point out that .357 Supermag generates 300-500 ft/lbs more muzzle energy than does a hot (but not overpressure) .44 magnum load. ...But, you have a choice of heavier bullets for the .44 mag.

[Cowboybart]

If handgun hunting is illegal where you live - you need to move!!

[gypsyman]

Barber, sorry about this being a late post. If you bought the .357 Super Mag, and are using it for hunting, be careful of the bullet selection you use. A friend of mine, back in the late '80's, or early '90's was using the Hornady XTP in 158gr. Had a good hit on a deer, and it didn't penitrate. Blew up on the shoulder. Thought I was seeing things. Deer hesitated for a second, then took off. We found hair, and a little blood.
About a year later, talking with a guy at a gun show in Indiana, he related just about the same story. He was using a T/C with a 10'' barrel, so was probably gaining about 100/150fps over the D/W. The deer ran towards this guys hunting partner, and he killed it. Upon examinition, the shoulder wound was superficial. Chunk of meat, and hair missing, but no entry wound.
I know that some bullets have improved in the last 10-15 years, but you might want to check out other posts on these bullets. Gypsyman