357 max vs. 44 mag recoil

[tc scout]

I know this has probably been asked before, but couldn't find  some good opinions. As some may have read, I had to give up my 396-44 special  because of hand surgery. Replaced it with a 686- 357 mag. 150 rounds at the range yesterday, all is well. Pulled out the 44 mag contender, fired off a shot, OUCH!! So I guess it is time to swap the 44 for a 357. Question is mag or max, if the max is close to recoil of the 44 mag it is not going to work for me. Other calibers (bottle neck) are out as I hunt deer in southern Mich. Would like to use the max but if recoil is too severe will just have to use the mag loaded to the hilt. Also when I decide which one I will be looking for a trade soon. Thanks for your help and opinions, as always much appreciated.

[SHOOTALL]

I had both in a super 14 contender and recoil with the 357 was less . Might add that my 357 max. shot standard 357 mag . just fine .

[Redhawk1]

The felt recoil of the contender is always going to be more, because there is no cylinder gap to reduce some of the felt recoil.
You may want to consider a muzzle tamer to aid in the felt recoil.

How about  44 Specials?

Depending on your load and bullet weight in the 357 Max, it can come close to the 44 Mag recoil. But it is a little less.

[Catfish]

I have an Encore with a 15 in. .357 max. barrel on it. It wears a 2 1/2 x 8 Leupold and a 27 in Harris by-pod. This is not a gun to be shot off hand, but when setting on the ground and resting the pistol grip on my knee it will reach out and touch a deer. There is very little recoil with this gun as heavy as it is. I only use this gun from a stand, I with carry a revolver with a 2X scope or iron sights when walking.

[irold]

Redhawk1 has it right , the closed breech is always going to hit you a little harder.  I have a 10" 357 MAX for my Contender , its not near the recoil of a hot 44 ( in the contender or encore ) ...how ever if you load it up  ,  it will bump ya pretty hard.  The Max will work real good on deer sized game with a moderate load of 296.....shouldn't be too bad for you .  Good Luck

[tc scout]

Thanks to everyone for your replies and information. Was leaning towards the max as I already have the 686 in 357 mag but wanted a longer range barrel for my contender. I was just a little apprehensive about the recoil being too close to the 44 mag. My thought was 357 max  loads in the medium range would be manageable and still be a viable deer load. Think I will give the max a try.   

[irold]

tc scout ,  I think you'll be happy.........now , just in case you ask in another thread about bullet weight....probably everyone will tell ya 180 grain is the way to go....and perhaps it would be the "best" for the Max ...but the 180s will bump ya quit a bit more than the 158s . I've used 158 grain XTP's , and I get good groups from them.  And a 158 through the lungs.....need I say more !  Good Luck

[EdK]

A steel scope base and rings plus scope helps tame recoil plenty for me on a 12" Contender - much less than a 44 in my opinion. As was mentioned an Encore is already pretty heavy.

[22popnsplat]

I would suggest that you look into a barrel with a muzzle tamer , they do work . I have a 375 winchester barrel that is very comfortable to shoot , recoils like my 7tcu but of course has alot more punch. By the way the 375 would also be legal for you to hunt with if I am not mistaken , It is a straight taper case

[tc scout]

22popnsplat, Not sure if that cal is legal in Mich. says straight wall cartridge only. Anyway I purchased a 357 max for deer hunting this year, will see how that works for me.

[nilescoyote]

tc scout, comparing the 357 max in the contender barrel you bought to my 10" 44mag barrel also in a contender, the 44 had quite a bit more recoil. Hope that helps and yes the 375 would not qualify as a straight walled handgun cartridge per rules for Michigan hunting.

I have heard a rumor while attending a hunters safety class with my daughter that Michigan dnr is considering changing the rule if there is enough hunters support to do so that would allow neck rifle cartridges. But you know how rumors are...

[tc scout]

Thanks nilescoyote, Didn't think it was either, anyhow I did not want to start reloading a completely different cartridge. Have alot of components in the 38-357 realm, so I just wanted to stay in that caliber. Have got my scope mounted on the barrel I bought from you and loaded up some various loads to try in the 357 max.  Haven't made it to the range yet, maybe Fri. Haven't heard anything about that change, but you never know what the DNR might do to sell more license's.

[Graycg]

Have both, max loads in 357 max with 180 grain bullets is much sweeter to shoot than max loads with a 300 grain bullet in my 44.  Even 240 grain 44 loads are much stouter than my 357 max.  One thing I do with my 357 max carbine barrel is to load it like a 38-55 or 45-70.  I use 240 grain cast bullets over unique or 4227 or even more fun, american pioneer black powder substitute to about 1200 fps, very very accurate and a hoot to shoot.

regards,
 Graycg

[jager]

I'll just add my two cents about the .357 max. I had a Contender with a 10" BBL and I thought the recoil with 180 and 200gr bullets was worse than my S.A. 44 (I don't know about the Contender in the .44mag).  Beecause of the "saw horse" grip on the Contender, the pistol tends to recoil straight back into the grip, which hurts the hand. Due to the recoil direction, I prefer  the "roll" of the S.A. pistol to the Contender when shooting the .44. I had my "Max" ported (similar to a "muzzle tamer" treatment) and it made a "world of difference"; it recoiled like a regular .357mag. I'm sure extra weight of a longer barreled Encore would further help in the recoil department. I do like the cartridge a lot and feel it is far more versatile than either the .44mag or the standard .357 because it has the powder capacity to handle heavier bullets than the "standard" chamber while offering the use of the .357 and .38 Special rounds for small game or target practise on the "cheap".

[tc scout]

Just a follow up on my post/question. After my first trip to the range today with the 357 max contender I will have to say the recoil of the max is much less than the 44 mag. After 50 rounds of 180 gr loads I was wishing I had brought more to the range. The max is very accurate and a joy to shoot compared to the 44 mag. I now feel very confident on 100 yd shots, never did with the 44, probably because I could't shoot it enough to become really proficient with it. I am a happy camper now with this caliber and looking forward to this deer season. Thanks to all who offered help and suggestions and I think we can put this topic to rest at least in my mind.