Author Topic: .357 Mag or .44 Spl for dual purpose handgun? (Read 4824 times)

Masterblaster1 · « **on:** February 09, 2010, 08:45:00 AM »

Okay here it goes, I want a relatively light 4" barrel revolver for light hunting use up to Michigan deer size and also for concealed carry possibly. I think I am going to get a Charter arms target model. Question is, which caliber is a better deer cartridge? I handload so that isn't an issue. All the data I could find on .44 spl for a 200 grain bullet did not exceed 1000fps. Also noticed the .357 is loaded to 2-3 times the pressure. I would like to use jacketed bullets and stay away from the lead stuff. Any opinions?

walks with gun · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2010, 09:25:18 AM »

I kind of like Charter Arms but don't think either one is really strong enough for heavy hunting loads, I also think it would be more comfortable shooting a little heavier gun. Maybe you might be able to find a used security six or something along those lines.

Noreaster · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2010, 09:33:51 AM »

I love the 357 mag. nothing else compares for versatility. For a light carry gun the S&W model 60 w/3inch barrel is hard to beat. For hunting with the 4inch barrel either a Smith or Ruger. Check out Buffalo Bore. He did some test with 357 mag ammo and newer Smith & Wessons with shorter barrel actually have more velocity than longer barrel older guns.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2010, 09:36:26 AM »

Either caliber would work. Personally I'd stick with cast in the .44 Special and 158s in the .357. I would not recommend the 4" Charter for hunting or concealed carry either but I suppose you could make do on both chores with it. Since I have S&W M66 in both 4" and 6" I don't really need to compromise but really neither is used as a CCW as I have better choices for that.

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

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2010, 09:39:56 AM »

I agree the charter many not make the best hunting revolver. Oklahoma hunting regs do not allow 44 special, due to a case length rule. I am sure you have checked your regs but a thought if you haven't. Might check ruger blackhawk in 44 special--although SA not the best for ccw. GP100 ruger in 357 would be nice or a smith 686. Any of the 44 mags can be loaded back a little. But the ones I know of are a bit large to CC. I would have to go .357 considering the CC option and limit your hunting range to say 50 yards or less.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2010, 12:33:40 PM »

Just a person opinion of course but I love hunting with my .357s. I don't care much for Charter arms but that's just me I have never really heard nothing bad about them. The revolver I carry most is my Ruger GP 100, With bulk Remmy 158gr JSPs it makes a fine deer getter. But I prefer 180gr hardcast.

BTW 180 gr hornady XTP FPs work very well also.

spruce · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2010, 12:55:17 PM »

You're asking an awful lot from one gun!

If there's any way you can swing it I'd say buy two. Decide which one you need most, get that first and then save up and look for a good deal on the second one. Maybe a Charter .38 snub and a S&W 586/686 or Ruger w/6" barrel if you go with a .357.

It can be done with the Charter target model, but I'll bet after you carry it concealed for a few hours you'll be cussing it for being too big and heavy. Then, when you're hunting you'll be wishing for something heavier and longer barreled!

Just my opinion. Good luck with whatever you choose.

bluecow · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2010, 01:19:37 AM »

+1 graybeard! buy 44 for hunting, something smaller for ccw. but to your question if its got to be one gun get the 357. you can get ammo anywhere anytime in 357/38spl. i know that the 44spl is the darling of wheelgunners right now but try finding it in some backwater gas station. charter arms are ok liked the bulldog i had, yet id save my change and get a smith or a ruger for one gun to do it all. (colt???)

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2010, 03:32:03 AM »

If I were getting a firearm for personal defense or hunting, I would get the b est quality arm I could afford...One must be reliable for your protection, and the game you hunt deserves equal consideration....Personally, I carry a model 60 .357 with 38 spl.+ 125 hollow pt.s for hunting a .44 comes in to play..shots will be longer in hunting that personal defense.....

sachel.45 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2010, 10:44:50 AM »

id go for the gp100 with a 4" barrel

Masterblaster1 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2010, 01:06:48 PM »

All, good points guys, I am leaning toward a ruger gp-100, I already have a few ruger products so I know they are quality. I like the the looks of the Taurus model 66, but I am afraid of made in Brazil.... I think i will look for a good used gp-100. Trying to keep it around 4 bills.

teamnelson · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2010, 01:44:42 PM »

+1 on .357 My choice for that question is a S&W 627PC 5". Concealability for me was the smaller issue.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2010, 02:26:40 PM »

LEARN TO LIKE LEAD
just get 2 guns only you know which will come first
both in same caliber
carry gun still goes with you hunting

357 that is the most logical concealed carry
most available options
i have a charter 44 spl

also i have a 3 inch 629 44mag that is amazingly accurate
tho i see my 5 inch 44 [629] as a back up rifle

i carry the 5 inch concealed on rare occasions
in a home made holster made from a back support

i carry my 357 [640 SMITH] EVERY DAY EVERY WHERE

Bigeasy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2010, 03:09:10 PM »

The 4 inch Ruger GP 100 is a good choice at a reasonable price. While not a pocket gun, it will carry well with a proper holster that rides high and distributes the weight (pancake style). You know, like we all used to do before the new generation of compact auto's became popular. A 4 inch 357 mag with a good controlled expansion bullet will kill deer, just place your shots in the heart / lungs, and keep your shots inside of 50 yards or so.

Larry

45-70.gov · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2010, 03:35:04 PM »

http://charterfirearms.com/products/Charter_Bulldog_74440.html

it is interesting tho

i cast 280 WFN for ALL my 44s.....even teh charters...so does veral i beleive

Bullshop Junior · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2010, 07:54:42 PM »

After having several hand guns, I finally settled on a Ruger security six 357 mag. My dad also settled on a 357 Mag, but he has a Ruger Bisley.

Mikey · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2010, 01:58:50 AM »

"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.

Get a nice S&W 357 for field work and hunting and load it with hard cast slugs. Jacketed slugs may not give you the performance you either expect or marketers advertise. Hollowpoints and soft nosed slugs may not penetrate as they should and their soft lead noses may cause the bullets to deflect off harder bone structures. Hardcast slugs will drive on through larger bone structures. Properly sized cast slugs will not lead your bore and are often more accurate than jacketed.

A 200 gn 44 Special slug can be driven to 1,000'/sec, you're just not looking in the right loading manuals, but a 200 gn 357 slug (semi-wadcutter) can easily be driven to 1250 - 1300'/sec and will definately give you better range and penetration than a 200 gn 44 Special at 1,000.

I would get a nice lighter weight 4" 357 for field use and a nice lightweight S&W j-frame snubby for CCW - you can make it a 357 if you like - mine's a 38 and I see no need to go any heavier. HTH.

Old Fart · « **Reply #17 on:** February 11, 2010, 05:47:55 AM »

If you can only afford one then get a 3 or 4 inch 357.
The three inch might lend itself to CCW a little better.
But with this compromise come another compromise.
Keep your shots within range.

I personally take my 629 44mag w/8&3/8 barrel when deer huinting.
My ccw varies between my 44spl titanium and a 32 h&r mag j frame.

EdK · « **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2010, 01:17:57 PM »

A S&W 44 mag mountain gun is all steel, weighs less than a GP100, affords you 44 mag power for hunting, and anything beneath (you handload)

For carry it is not a top choice but it is easily as carryable as the GP100, not much more weight/bulk than a K-frame or security six (and much more of a hunting arm).

poncaguy · « **Reply #19 on:** February 15, 2010, 01:13:40 PM »

How about a 45 colt?...Otherwise, I prefer the 357, have a 6" GP 100 with a One Ragged Hole rear sight, works well with my 68+ year old eyes...........

Sweetwater · « **Reply #20 on:** February 15, 2010, 01:46:20 PM »

Lots of good choices - the one you have to live with is the one you make.

Back in the mid-80's when I was carrying all the time, I had a S&W nickel plated 3" model 13 357mag that shot well with its fixed sights. It wasn't the tack driver that my 6" model 19 S&W was, but it fit a pancake holster in the small of my back and even my lawyer didn't know I had it in the Mediation Room (not in the courthouse) until an accusation by my ex made it necessary to prove that I had possession of it. I was legally licensed. Lots of times I forgot I had it on until I got undressed or reached for it, which was an automatic reaction. The model 13 is a K-frame and was nic-named the FBI model. I would probably get another or possibly an L-frame with the 3", but the L-frame would be stretching the comfort carry level, I think. My present wife does not make me feel that I need to be packing iron. That first one did. Her 2nd husband did shoot her, after she stabbed him. Court even ruled he was justified. Neither of them died, but they did get a divorce on the spot. Should be a bunch of model 13's available since the bureau has changed sidearms several times since then.

Just another choice. Good Luck with yours!

Regards,
Sweetwater

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #21 on:** February 15, 2010, 02:33:46 PM »

poncaguy,,please tell me what a ragged hole rear sight is...something like a peep?

?

Sweet water,,,that is some story about you first wife.....WOW....

poncaguy · « **Reply #22 on:** February 15, 2010, 02:46:52 PM »

Yes, large hole peep sight, works very well, have different sizes............Google it.........

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #23 on:** February 15, 2010, 03:43:14 PM »

Hey, thanks....

Sweetwater · « **Reply #24 on:** February 15, 2010, 07:23:32 PM »

WCH - Her #2 was a senator's son. My leaving cost me my home, my business, my daughter, some of my friends and most of my cash assets and I still think I was the lucky one. My scars are mainly emotional.

I like the sound of the One Ragged Hole site. Will be looking into that one (no pun intended)

I'd still look for a S&W model 13 357mag. It's potent, doesn't beat you to death with "real" loads, packs concealed realistically, and with a little practice would take a deer within its limitations. Came out before the GP100 was on the drawing board and has a long track record. I doubt they are worn out.

Regards,
Sweetwater

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #25 on:** February 15, 2010, 11:42:46 PM »

i could get by with a 3 or 4 inch n frame or L frame 44 special for about all of my hunting and its still compact enough for most ccw carry and whipping up proper ammo for both situations would be easy enough. Personly id take it hands down over a 357 especially for the hunting side of the deal.

bluecow · « **Reply #26 on:** February 16, 2010, 01:43:39 AM »

how about the taurus 44 tracker? ported?? quality???

AtlLaw · « **Reply #27 on:** February 16, 2010, 08:39:31 AM »

Quote from: bluecow on February 16, 2010, 01:43:39 AM

how about the taurus 44 tracker?

You mean the snub nose 44 Mag Tracker?

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #28 on:** February 16, 2010, 10:22:59 AM »

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 .

skiforce · « **Reply #29 on:** February 16, 2010, 05:06:14 PM »

I own the charter 44 bulldog. Love it. It is my first house gun. Stays loaded 24/7 in my quick action bed safe. Hate to carry it. Plus, 44 special is not legal in my neck of the woods for hunting deer. Does not make the 500 ft/lbs min. Additionally, the bulldog does not have at least a 4" barrel. Gotta love NAZIville Illinois and its government knows better laws.
With that said, I hunt with a 357 Maximum contender. Would I go into the field if all I had was 180gr 357 Mag Buffalo Bores to fire out of it? Absolutely. I would be killing deer all the same. Go with a 357. It is way more versitle. 158grs for bipeds and 180 BBs for quadrapeds.