Author Topic: At least 1 more for me! 44 or 357? (Read 3495 times)

sethk · « **Reply #30 on:** February 22, 2014, 07:29:01 AM »

I can't really weigh in much since I've yet to shoot either. I am planning on the 357 myself, but it would be easier for me to go the other route since I've found WAY more 44 handis on the shelf. As a matter of fact, Dick's Sporting Goods is selling 44 mag Handis for $199 in these parts. Don't know if that helps you any, but its worth considering if the same applies in your neck of the woods...oh, wait I just noticed your screen name, ousooners1baby, so, unless your an ex-pat, I guess you would have access to the deal I saw.

Spanky · « **Reply #31 on:** February 22, 2014, 07:30:58 AM »

I've killed a pile of squirrels with my maxi using wadcutters over Trailboss in 38 special cases. I shoot 'em with my 45LC too using 255gr. swaged lead bullets over Trailboss. They end up way deader with the 45.

Spanky

ousooners1baby · « **Reply #32 on:** February 22, 2014, 07:46:47 AM »

In Tulsa Seth?

sethk · « **Reply #33 on:** February 22, 2014, 08:03:13 AM »

Quote from: ousooners1baby on February 22, 2014, 07:46:47 AM

In Tulsa Seth?

OKC

jbgilmour06 · « **Reply #34 on:** February 22, 2014, 08:06:52 AM »

As a southern Indiana deer hunter I see little difference in the two in the fact that they both will kill a deer well at the ranges we have here. I would think the 357 would offer more versatility than the 44 if you reload. I was just having a discussion with another gentleman about my belief that a 357 Mag Handi could fill the roll of small game rifle all the way to large game rifle if reamed to max. pair add a 357 mag revolver and a shotgun and you would have all you would need for feeding and defending yourself.

YRUpunting? · « **Reply #35 on:** February 22, 2014, 08:47:51 AM »

No question 357 Mag. For dollars spent you can pull the trigger many more times with 38spl or 357. If you decide to get a revolver I'd bet the number of 357's and 38spls on the market are double the total of 44mag, 44spl, and 45lc combined.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #36 on:** February 22, 2014, 11:01:08 AM »

Quote from: YRUpunting? on February 22, 2014, 08:47:51 AM

No question 357 Mag. For dollars spent you can pull the trigger many more times with 38spl or 357. If you decide to get a revolver I'd bet the number of 357's and 38spls on the market are double the total of 44mag, 44spl, and 45lc combined.

Have you seen the New S&W Model 69? It is an L Frame 4" 5 shot round butt chambered in 44 Mag. That would make a perfect carry gun and a hunting gun for those that can have only one. Light weight, choice of ammo power levels and since it is an L Frame it has a miriad of Holsters and grips to choose from.
With 44 mag you can choose low pwoer loads to 357 Mag level loads to Big Game hunting loads. That the stainless steel revolver cna share with the 44 Mag Handi rifle.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #37 on:** February 22, 2014, 11:40:55 AM »

Oh...youbad, Duck!
I didnt 'need' to know about that.......

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #38 on:** February 22, 2014, 03:03:46 PM »

Quote from: gcrank1 on February 22, 2014, 11:40:55 AM

Oh...youbad, Duck!
I didnt 'need' to know about that.......

Me either, I was checking on the status of my M28 I sent back to Smith and for giggles I was looking at the K/L frames it was first on the list.
Sorry.

jpshaw · « **Reply #39 on:** February 22, 2014, 08:27:37 PM »

Quote from: petemi on February 21, 2014, 10:46:57 PM

.38s, mags and maxis can all hit the same POI........at different distances. Just play with it and find the magic numbers.

Oh, I play with both of them. I too want my squib load sighted about 25 yards with my deer load at 75 or 100. Problem is that you're adjusting your squib for POI to fit your heavy load not accuracy. I could get my .38 Specials on at 25 easy enough but would I have ruined my accuracy to the point I couldn't hit a squirrel with it? My cast 200 grain (squib) for my .44 has a point that it is very accurate at 25 but that's where it is 4" high at 25. Maybe I need to start using Titgroup. I have found that Unique is not accurate at all with reduced loads and reducing the powder is the only way I get it down to where it needs to be.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #40 on:** February 22, 2014, 11:18:14 PM »

I have been using Unique for reduced loads for 30+ years, so I find your dissatisfaction unusual. If that is with lead bullets you may have the alloy too hard or dia. not large enough. Either way it doesnt get a chance to 'bump up' before accuracy ruining gas cutting begins. With jacketed that is not an issue and Ive had reduced velo loads with Unique that you could about see the trajectory.
I dont remember who said it, but it mirrors my experience; to paraphrase: 'Unique may not be the absolute best powder for ultimate accuracy, but a more than acceptable load can be made with it for about anything' (thus the name 'Unique').

lefty_red · « **Reply #41 on:** February 23, 2014, 12:37:08 AM »

Quote from: mcwoodduck on February 22, 2014, 11:01:08 AM

Quote from: YRUpunting? on February 22, 2014, 08:47:51 AM

No question 357 Mag. For dollars spent you can pull the trigger many more times with 38spl or 357. If you decide to get a revolver I'd bet the number of 357's and 38spls on the market are double the total of 44mag, 44spl, and 45lc combined.
Have you seen the New S&W Model 69? It is an L Frame 4" 5 shot round butt chambered in 44 Mag. That would make a perfect carry gun and a hunting gun for those that can have only one. Light weight, choice of ammo power levels and since it is an L Frame it has a miriad of Holsters and grips to choose from.
With 44 mag you can choose low pwoer loads to 357 Mag level loads to Big Game hunting loads. That the stainless steel revolver cna share with the 44 Mag Handi rifle.

A little OT, but......
I am glad to see this! Ia m saving up for a 4" SP101 for my hunting revolver. I do like the GP101, but way not just a 5 shot and lighter weapon? Just makes sense.

Lefty

45-70.gov · « **Reply #42 on:** February 23, 2014, 02:37:27 AM »

Quote from: YRUpunting? on February 22, 2014, 08:47:51 AM

No question 357 Mag. For dollars spent you can pull the trigger many more times with 38spl or 357. If you decide to get a revolver I'd bet the number of 357's and 38spls on the market are double the total of 44mag, 44spl, and 45lc combined.

that said the 44 is still better.....bigger is better...[but its not too big]

get the one that matches your carry gun.......what you carry a 9mm
get the one to match your new carry gun.......meaning 357...probly
or just get both
i have both...i like the 44 better....but seldom carry my 44 handgun
so the 357 rifle is the one that gets to go.....a 357 is ALWAYS in my pocket
i shoot 38s the most.......in the 44 i shoot a lot of 44 russian and 44 spl

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #43 on:** February 23, 2014, 03:00:35 AM »

Quote

I have found that Unique is not accurate at all with reduced loads and reducing the powder is the only way I get it down to where it needs to be.

I've had the same experience with Unique, it's excellent when it's loaded near max but has never worked well for me for reduced loads.

jpshaw · « **Reply #44 on:** February 23, 2014, 04:41:44 AM »

Quote from: Doublebass73 on February 23, 2014, 03:00:35 AM

I've had the same experience with Unique, it's excellent when it's loaded near max but has never worked well for me for reduced loads.

I'm so glad someone else is experiencing the same with Unique. I've tried to use it for reduced loads for years with the same results. Accuracy goes to pot. I quess I should switch to Titgroup or Bullseye for a reduced load. However I loaded up some Titgroup at various charges behind the 200 grain cast and while not as bad as Unique the tightest group was the heaviest charge but even it was a light load.

BBF · « **Reply #45 on:** February 23, 2014, 04:44:32 AM »

Awww, come on, stop pizzing around you don't want a 38 cal pill if you can shoot a 44. What is there even to think about??

gcrank1 · « **Reply #46 on:** February 23, 2014, 05:04:12 AM »

This is a question that has no definitive answer.

boshoot · « **Reply #47 on:** February 23, 2014, 06:06:28 AM »

The 357 for me because I have a revolver in that caliber and it's so economical to reload for. One of my favorite plinking loads is three round balls (000 buckshot) over a small charge of fast burning powder, I used Trail Boss the last time I loaded up some buckshot loads.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #48 on:** February 23, 2014, 06:59:12 AM »

what size are your OOO??
i made some years ago worked great....2 X OOO
thries some a few months ago....balls too small
maybe the ones i made years ago were 36 cal for the cap-n-ball revolver

i though about paper patching the current batch of OOO

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #49 on:** February 23, 2014, 07:48:36 AM »

Quote from: jpshaw on February 23, 2014, 04:41:44 AM

Quote from: Doublebass73 on February 23, 2014, 03:00:35 AM
I've had the same experience with Unique, it's excellent when it's loaded near max but has never worked well for me for reduced loads.

I'm so glad someone else is experiencing the same with Unique. I've tried to use it for reduced loads for years with the same results. Accuracy goes to pot. I quess I should switch to Titgroup or Bullseye for a reduced load. However I loaded up some Titgroup at various charges behind the 200 grain cast and while not as bad as Unique the tightest group was the heaviest charge but even it was a light load.

I like Trail Boss for reduced loads these days. Bullseye is also excellent but you have to be real careful loading it in big cases. Another favorite of mine for light loads is IMR PB which I recently found out has been discontinued

I get my best accuracy with PB in .38 Special and it also works very well in my 16 Gauge. It is also the best smelling burnt smokeless out there, I'll be sad to see it go.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #50 on:** February 23, 2014, 12:29:34 PM »

Go grab a Silver Dollar and heads are the 357, tails are the 44 Mag and flip 3 out of 5 wins.
Either way you still win.

Nothing sounds like a Silver dollar when you flip them.
That PING!

blind ear · « **Reply #51 on:** February 23, 2014, 09:24:18 PM »

Aw guys, there ain't no way to quit. You can always hunt another one in a gun or pawn shop on rainy, cold, hot or just about any kind of day. You're gonna find one and there is always a reason to buy it. A 3030 keeps haunting me. Or a vent rib choke tube barrel. Or a 30 rimmed. No hope. ear

BAGTIC · « **Reply #52 on:** February 24, 2014, 06:13:32 AM »

After 55 years I can tell you from personal experience that reloading does not save money. It merely allows you to do more shooting for the same cost.

Most people have a certain limited amount of money they can devote to their hobbies. When it is gone they stop spending. As long as there is some left they will keep playing.

BBF · « **Reply #53 on:** February 25, 2014, 02:37:28 AM »

Having plenty of ammo and components( particularly lead) on hand only becomes a problem when you decide to move.