Author Topic: .357, .40, or .44 sp? (Read 8595 times)

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #30 on:** May 09, 2012, 06:15:55 PM »

Quote from: quasne.inc on April 03, 2012, 11:45:08 AM

So I take it ya'll like the .357. The more I think about it, the more I have to agree. I cant get more versatile than the .357/.38 combo.

The 357 makes the most sense inversitility and cost.
Looking in the shooting catalog and 44 Special ammo is almost as expensive as a box of 357 mag and a box of 38 Special.
More bangs for the same bucks.

quasne.inc · « **Reply #31 on:** May 09, 2012, 08:11:59 PM »

Mcwoodduck, I was going to go the .357 route, but the .44 was a heck of a deal. And my wife only sees the up front cost of the gun, not the long term cost of the ammo. I figure it just gives me an excuse to finally start reloading.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #32 on:** May 10, 2012, 12:06:51 AM »

If i had to pay the price they ask for factory ammo id probably not own any of them. I allways tell anyone that wants to buy a handgun for the first time to either buy a .22 or buy a loading setup first. For about the price of 5 boxes of shells you can have a cheap lee loading outfit that will pay for itself many times over. With what they get for factory ammo youd have to be a wealthy man to buy enough to get even close to being profiecent with any handgun.

Quote from: mcwoodduck on May 09, 2012, 06:15:55 PM

Quote from: quasne.inc on April 03, 2012, 11:45:08 AM
So I take it ya'll like the .357. The more I think about it, the more I have to agree. I cant get more versatile than the .357/.38 combo.
The 357 makes the most sense inversitility and cost.
Looking in the shooting catalog and 44 Special ammo is almost as expensive as a box of 357 mag and a box of 38 Special.
More bangs for the same bucks.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #33 on:** July 14, 2012, 10:30:29 AM »

Our new C.A. SS Pathfinder snub in 22LR is fit and finished tight and pretty nice. It has popped everything so far in dbl action. We got it for practical, cheap practice for the carry 38 S&W 442. I expect the CF's to be comparable now, and wouldnt mind another 44 for exactly the reasons you have bought yours, but mosly because I like a carry piece that I dont notice until I need it. I had a S&W 624 x 4" and a 44 Mag Trailgun and even they were too much weight on my belt. Most likely the report will scare off the critter without having to shoot it anyway.
BTW, I have given it about 500+ dry fires dbl action to break it in (with full hammer fall cushioned) and it has smoothed up pretty good.
That 44 is likely to do you well, and handloads with cast bullets on the low end will make you proficient for cheap and be easy on the gun. Hope it works well for you.

quasne.inc · « **Reply #34 on:** July 14, 2012, 06:18:06 PM »

I am enjoying the heck out of the .44. I can't carry at work, but I don't even know its there when we go hiking or camping. I had a Pathfinder in .22 lr that I had to sell awhile back. I may try to get another in .22 mag to go with my sportster.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #35 on:** July 15, 2012, 01:42:21 AM »

FWIW, we considered the 22Mag, but the practicality of 22LR for inexpensive plinkin' and practice and fun won out and if/when we 'need' more beans the CF is the carry gun. Part of it is I didnt want to be tempted to carry the 22Mag when the 38 is what I should be carrying. I can be my own worst enemy.........

rodeo kid · « **Reply #36 on:** August 12, 2012, 11:46:21 AM »

Quasne, do not shoot Bufalo Bore in your Bulldog. Their website advised not to! I have one of the original blue Bulldogs I bought in the 70's and still like it but only shoot Boffalo Bore .44sp in my Colt Anaconda, and you can tell it's warm in that. God Bless.

quasne.inc · « **Reply #37 on:** August 12, 2012, 03:25:26 PM »

There is one type that they make specifically for the Bulldog. It is not quite as hot. That is the only one I would shoot it in it and at the price not but a few.

bilmac · « **Reply #38 on:** August 12, 2012, 04:40:35 PM »

The 125 gr 357 is pretty much the best manstopper there is. But, if you are concerned about large carnivores, the 357 may not be the best, even when loaded with heavier bullets. I am a 38/357 guy myself, but the 357 is a very hard cartridge to shoot well. I seldom load my guns with them anymore. I think like Kieth says, the sound has a lot to do with it.

But, since you choose the 44, a good choice in my opinion, by all means get some tools and start reloading for it. The 44 is a good gun, but only if you shoot it enough to be good too. Don't let high priced ammunition prevent you from being a good shooter.

keith44 · « **Reply #39 on:** August 13, 2012, 05:39:22 AM »

Quote from: bilmac on August 12, 2012, 04:40:35 PM

... , but only if you shoot it enough to be good too. Don't let high priced ammunition prevent you from being a good shooter.

This is a very good point about all handguns used for defense.

My personal minimum is 50 rounds every 3 months, AFTER I become proficient with the weapon. Which seems to take a couple hundred rounds on average.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #40 on:** August 13, 2012, 08:03:38 AM »

The 357 makes sense but in a rare case reloading may be a concern. If the 40 can be used with clips then it might be a better choice. But I always prepare for worst case .

quasne.inc · « **Reply #41 on:** August 13, 2012, 05:31:01 PM »

I definantly need to get my reloading stuff soon, cause I am not proficient with it at all yet.

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #42 on:** August 19, 2012, 04:48:52 AM »

You did good! I've had mine a long time. I recently loaded it up with DoubleTap 180 grain and fired them off. Though they're advertised as regular pressure loads safe in any gun, lordy the blast and recoil are pretty bad. I'm going back to Gold Dots 200 grain.
Another point. I think the .44 comes from the factory sighted to 240 grain loads. So, to shoot lighter bullets like the 200 or 180's, I filed the front sight so that I'm dead on.

gandog56 · « **Reply #43 on:** October 01, 2012, 01:26:25 PM »

All the .40 cal revolvers I know require the use of moon clips, a pain in the butt. Why not a .44 magnum? They will also fire .44 special and .44 Russian, just like a .357 mag will also fire .38 specials. Also a .454 Casull will also fire .45 Colt.

quasne.inc · « **Reply #44 on:** October 02, 2012, 07:44:01 AM »

The new Charter Arms .40 revolver doenst require moon clips. And I have no real use for a .44 mag or .454. Admittedly they would be fun, but I can only afford one handgun at the moment and I need it to be my conceal carry.

embalmer883 · « **Reply #45 on:** October 02, 2012, 05:13:51 PM »

I was looking at the buffalo bore for the charter. It's a hardcast wadcutter at 1000fps. Little over 900 in the bulldog, would make for a bad day for anything in it's way!

keith44 · « **Reply #46 on:** October 02, 2012, 07:20:19 PM »

Quote from: quasne.inc on October 02, 2012, 07:44:01 AM

The new Charter Arms .40 revolver doenst require moon clips. And I have no real use for a .44 mag or .454. Admittedly they would be fun, but I can only afford one handgun at the moment and I need it to be my conceal carry.

.44 Special, .40 S&W, .45 Colt all are more than capable of serving the intended purpose, and can be used to take game as well. (assuming proper range and bullet placement) I would not feel under gunned with any.

Enjoy your acquisition

Anna · « **Reply #47 on:** October 05, 2012, 06:21:51 AM »

Just my HO , but from a womans point of view ,the 40 was an excellent choise for me over all in a Charter Arms.
There is nothing wrong with a good 38 , but the 40 adds a little more projected mass into this equation. The 357 is a very good round , but with a 2 1/4 inch barrel in an emergancy situation I am not likely to have my ear muffs handy like I would at the range .
It wouldn't matter anyway what caliber you had. Anything more than five shots means you are not in a gun fight , you are in a war . And a good shot gun or an AR would then be my choise , just my two cents for all it's worth .
And usually that's not worth a whole lot ,unless you are planning to try and buy a can of beany weenies with money .

FPH · « **Reply #48 on:** October 05, 2012, 06:37:40 AM »

Quote from: Anna on October 05, 2012, 06:21:51 AM

Just my HO , but from a womans point of view ,the 40 was an excellent choise for me over all in a Charter Arms.
There is nothing wrong with a good 38 , but the 40 adds a little more projected mass into this equation. The 357 is a very good round , but with a 2 1/4 inch barrel in an emergancy situation I am not likely to have my ear muffs handy like I would at the range .
It wouldn't matter anyway what caliber you had. Anything more than five shots means you are not in a gun fight , you are in a war . And a good shot gun or an AR would then be my choise , just my two cents for all it's worth .
And usually that's not worth a whole lot ,unless you are planning to try and buy a can of beany weenies with money .

I'm not worried much about ear muffs in an emergency situation. I do agree with you about the shotgun. However I would not trust my life to an AR in an emergency situation. I also carry a .40 or a .45. However, the .357 is hard to beat cartridge wise.

Anna · « **Reply #49 on:** October 05, 2012, 07:06:15 AM »

Quote from: FPH on October 05, 2012, 06:37:40 AM

Quote from: Anna on October 05, 2012, 06:21:51 AM
Just my HO , but from a womans point of view ,the 40 was an excellent choise for me over all in a Charter Arms.
There is nothing wrong with a good 38 , but the 40 adds a little more projected mass into this equation. The 357 is a very good round , but with a 2 1/4 inch barrel in an emergancy situation I am not likely to have my ear muffs handy like I would at the range .
It wouldn't matter anyway what caliber you had. Anything more than five shots means you are not in a gun fight , you are in a war . And a good shot gun or an AR would then be my choise , just my two cents for all it's worth .
And usually that's not worth a whole lot ,unless you are planning to try and buy a can of beany weenies with money .

I'm not worried much about ear muffs in an emergency situation. I do agree with you about the shotgun. However I would not trust my life to an AR in an emergency situation. I also carry a .40 or a .45. However, the .357 is hard to beat cartridge wise.

+ 1 :-) I only say an AR because I am a spray & pray kinda gal !

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #50 on:** October 05, 2012, 08:51:40 AM »

I carry a 357 mag with a 1.8 inch bbl. what noise ?

speak up !It's the recoil in a 12 oz gun that get your attention. But if the target is close the flash will set them on fire if the bullet misses

Shotgun ++++1
Don't have a problem with an AR in say 6.8 spc. but why reach behind a socom to get it

Anna · « **Reply #51 on:** October 05, 2012, 09:55:43 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on October 05, 2012, 08:51:40 AM

I carry a 357 mag with a 1.8 inch bbl. what noise ? speak up !It's the recoil in a 12 oz gun that get your attention. But if the target is close the flash will set them on fire if the bullet misses
Shotgun ++++1
Don't have a problem with an AR in say 6.8 spc. but why reach behind a socom to get it

5.56 seems to be pretty good with the 9x twist and a 62gr JHP . Any heavier a bullet and I can't get it to work very well in my magazine . Oh my , what can I say . I'm the youngest and the only girl out of three big brothers .

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #52 on:** October 05, 2012, 09:59:56 AM »

the Socom is 7.62 X 51 , 16 inch bbl very handy . Yea big flash and boom

What mag ? If factory loaded they should fit I would think.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #53 on:** October 05, 2012, 11:00:14 AM »

My wife says,"shootin straight with my 38 beats givin jive with a 45".
I ain't gonna argue with her, Ive seen her shoot center.

txpitdog · « **Reply #54 on:** October 05, 2012, 11:37:40 AM »

To keep your shooting costs cheap, go to midwayusa.com and look up the Lee hand press. Cheap, portable, and gets great reviews. All you'll need to get are dies, powder, primers, and components.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/650614/lee-breech-lock-hand-press-kit

Also, the 44sp has enough bullet diameter that you can shoot a hardcast bullet like a 200gr RNFP for penetration without worrying about expansion. The 44sp in a snub is about as powerful as a standard pressure 45acp, so you can go to a hollow point if you want, but you won't need it to be effective. Finally, Speer makes a very soft 200gr JHP specifically for the 44sp. These would be perfect in your short barreled revolver.

Good luck!

quasne.inc · « **Reply #55 on:** October 06, 2012, 05:23:25 PM »

I kinda came into a little money and now I have a Ruger LCR in .357 mag as well. Now I just have to practice and see which one I am a better shot with so I know which to start carrying.

gandog56 · « **Reply #56 on:** October 13, 2012, 02:43:04 PM »

Quote from: tacklebury on May 05, 2012, 07:41:00 AM

Don't know about the Buffalo Bore, but I do know XTP's have worked well in all the calibers I've tried them in including my wife's .38 Special Charter Arms Pink Lady.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/hornady-pistol-44-mag-200-gr-jhp-xtp-20-rds.aspx?a=506947

I just read in another forum where somebody said he was using Buffalo Bore .38 special ammo in his .357 Mag and it jammed it all up pretty bad. Could not rotate the cylinder.

By the way, I have all three calibers, but my .40 Cal is a semi pistol. I find having to use moon clips in a revolver just too much work! I like how I can fire .38 specials out of my .357 mag and .44 special and .44 Russian out of my 44 mag. If you had to get a revolver for .40 S&W, I would consider getting one in 10mm. Stronger cartridge, shoot way higher velocity, and it will still also shoot .40 S&W.

wganz · « **Reply #57 on:** January 28, 2013, 01:35:08 PM »

I'm looking for a .357 to go in the BOB and found this for $459 delivered not counting any FFL transfer fees:
http://www.czechpoint-usa.com/products/revolvers/357-magnum/czechpoint-3530/

gandog56 · « **Reply #58 on:** February 11, 2013, 02:28:49 PM »

MY .357 mag, though I'll admit it cost me a lot more than the $450 mentioned above. I can put on barrels from a 2.5" carry snubbie to a target 8". My go to barrel is the 6" barrel. The target shown is from that barrel.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #59 on:** March 01, 2013, 07:38:12 AM »

Quote from: quasne.inc on May 05, 2012, 04:42:31 AM

Does anyone have any experience with Buffalo bore antipersonel rounds in the .44 spl? It's a full wadcutter and says it penetrates about 2 feet.

I started with a 44 spl and have never regretted it. Be careful with Buffalo Bore 44 in your Charter. BB actually only makes one load that is safe in the Charter....the antipersonel round. All others are not to be used in the Charter.