.357 Mag or .44 Spl for dual purpose handgun?

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

"Unless finances just won't allow it I'd not try to do the compromise and get a hunting gun and a CCW gun". - x2.

The 357 is a better Whitetail cartridge than the 44 Special.  The 357 is a magnum cartridge with pressures running from 32 - 42,5000 CUP.  I was designed as a magnum, high pressure cartridge.  The 44 Special will run from 12-15,000 CUP pressures, not the same at all.  You can not make a 44 Special into a 357, so don't waste your time. 

"Magnum" is nothing more than a name.  It doesn't make something more deadly.  And neither does pressure.  About the only real world advantage the 357 has is flatness of trajectory.  A 44 special will punch a bigger hole and have better momentum as you can use a MUCH heavier projectile.  I don't think either is a bad choice.  I doubt a deer could tell the difference.

[Ak.Hiker]

For me it would be a 4 inch 357 Magnum. I had a real nice 4 inch Colt Python that I carried for years in a high riding Kramer Pancake holster. Real nice for packing under a light shirt. It made a great trail gun. One of my favorite loads in that gun was a 160 grain LBT with a full charge of H-110. I gave it to my son just like my Father gave it to me. The 4 inch Ruger GP 100 would be a very good pick. With a good holster it would be easy to pack. 

[FAStevo]

I have used/hunted with both 357 and 44 special, if I had to pick one handgun to do what "needed to get done" (including ccw), it would be the Charter 44 special target bulldog(or other light weight 44specials/magnums), I have the older, blued, model. Despite what folks will tell, the target bulldog can be plenty accurate and loaded with 250 grain hard cast at 1100-1200 fps (Veral Smith gets the same speed from his 280's) it will do the job on any game, one is likely to encounter, use a soft nose cast or Lyman Devastator and it will handle any light bodied game or varmint, including the 2 legged variety. The 44 special is really, really good and most just don't give it the credit it deserves. I carry the Charter TBD any time I enter the woods, it is lighter (19 oz.) than any 22 pistol I own and I never worry, whether or not, I will have "enough gun". Regards, Steve

[mike@nds]

I own and like both of them. 

One gun nobody has mentioned is the Smith & Wesson Model 60-18 5-shot .38 spl/.357 magnum revolver with a 5" barrel.

It's a J frame, but with a longer barrel. Kind of an oddball, but they were thinking about minimum barrel length requirements in some states for hunting.

It might not be perfect for CCW, but it is still smaller and lighter than a GP100, and would be easier to hit with than a snubby.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=158560733

[t-reg]

I've hunted with and carried both .357 mags and .44 specials.  Greatly prefer the special.  Covers the same jobs with less blast-n-flash. 

Had a Taurus 441 that I shouldn't have let go.  Current BH .44 special is a sweet heart.  A mid frame DA, like the Taurus, is lighter and better suited for SD/CCW, but the BH is accurate, carries well and sees it's share of CC and nightstand duty.

[EdK]

Bigeasy had best idea .
EDK the 4 inch mt gun in 44 mag weighs 39.5 oz the GP100 with 6 inch bbl weighs 40 oz . Knock 2 inches off the bbl to a 4 inch or 3.5 inches for a 2.5 bbl and the GP100 is lighter . Then when loaded the S&W is more weight than any GP-100 . 

Ruger says 4" GP100 = 40 oz http://www.ruger.com/products/gp100/specSheets/1705.html

True on the added weight of the ammo over 357 but the OP was considering a 44 special which would have similar weight slugs

[OLDHandgunner]

IMO, if you can spend a few dollars more I'd go either Ruger or S&W for a gun.
Over the years I have carried a Ruger Security Six, S&W Model 19 & a Colt " 357 " all in 4". But since I've owed my S&W 696 in 44 Spl. It's the winner hands down. I don't leave home without it.

[SHOOTALL]

EDK, the site i visted said the 6in bbl gun was 40 . Still less loaded 

[dogngun]

Get a used S&W or Ruger rather than a Charter Arms revolver. Of the 2 calibers, I'd go with the .357 Magnum - it is much more flexible because you can use .38 Specials in it and you have a very broad range of bullet weights and types for small game up to deer at close range. Get something with an adjustable rear sight, and a 4" minimum barrel.

FWIW, I use a 4" .357 magnum Smith, but I have owned several Ruger Security Six revolvers and they would be excellent choices, too.

The Charters are too lightly built and the .44 Special is too low powered - it you really want a .44,get a magnum.

mark

[Drilling Man]

  Unless you are going to buy a super strong 44 spl., and shoot over loaded spl. ammo in it, i'd take the 357 mag. every time.  I have no use for over loaded 44 spl. ammo, that's why 44 mags were invented!

  DM

[Mike in Virginia]

It's been said that the .357M 125 grn. jhp is the best man stopper ever produced (for a hangun).  The trajectory is certainly better than a .44Spl., and even better than a 44Magnum.  However, I'd take a .44Spl. over a .357 anytime.  Muzzle velocity and energy are just numbers on a paper when it comes to stopping a deer or a man. I've never believed the hype about a .357's mystical ability.  For me, the only handgun that will serve self-defense and hunting needs, is a .44 Special with a barrel at least 4" long.  I don't have one, but my idea  that gun is a S&W .44 Special.  The new classic Smith's come with a 6.5" barrel and CAN be concealed even in summer. 

I carry a .44 Charter Arms most of the time, but it ain't fit for hunting.  The Blackhawk is no good for self-defense.  Get a Smith. 

My second choice, which is not a questioned posed in this thread, is a 5" 1911, which hides very well, and when loaded with +P, will kill a deer at handgun ranges. Pay a lot for a .45 acp, and you'll get one as accurate as any .357 made.