.357 Magnum VS .44 Special for Rocky Mountains trail gun - Page 2

samsmix · July 23, 2012, 11:21 PM

"bigger is always better"

Correct. I'll take the BIGGER (meaning deeper) would channel, and leave the anemic man-killer on the night stand where it belongs. Don't get me wrong: I have LOTS of love for the .44 Spl. It just isn't a tool for this job anymore than the .38 spl, and for the same reasons.

Edward429451 · July 24, 2012, 01:24 PM

I was about to say the 357/180 until you revealed that you handload. This clearly makes the 44 Special the better option. Some of these answers are from people who only read about ballistics.

Southern Shooter · July 24, 2012, 01:45 PM

Yes, I do handload them. And, the .44 Special can be a little more than normal with that.

A 240 grain cast SWC and 7.5 grains of Unique at 900+FPS can't be too much of a slouch.

GeauxTide · July 25, 2012, 12:27 PM

Got a Ruger Bisley in 44SPL and it is a pleasure. Have loaded 240Rem SP to 1200fps and the cases fall out. I also concur with SS. Skeeter's load of 7.5gr. of Unique is great. My favorite is 8gr.

Clifford L. Hughes · July 26, 2012, 04:31 PM

Southern Shooter:

I would take the .44 Spl loaded with a good 240 grain hand load or a hunting load from one of the custom ammunition makers. A large bullet delivers its energy deep.

Semmper Fi.

Gunnery Sergeant
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC retired

samsmix · July 28, 2012, 05:10 PM

I am swayed a little by the handloading angle.....hmmm... Still think you'll punch deeper with the .357 though. A round of testing perhaps?

July 23, 2012, 11:21 PM	#26
samsmix Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2006 Location: Montana (Montucky?) Posts: 1,273	"bigger is always better" Correct. I'll take the BIGGER (meaning deeper) would channel, and leave the anemic man-killer on the night stand where it belongs. Don't get me wrong: I have LOTS of love for the .44 Spl. It just isn't a tool for this job anymore than the .38 spl, and for the same reasons. __________________ You'll probably never NEED a gun. I hope you never do. But IF you do, you will need it worse than anything you've ever needed in your life. IF we're not supposed to eat animals, howcome God made 'em outta meat?

July 24, 2012, 01:45 PM	#28
Southern Shooter Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2005 Location: central Louisiana Posts: 469	Handloading...YES !! Yes, I do handload them. And, the .44 Special can be a little more than normal with that. A 240 grain cast SWC and 7.5 grains of Unique at 900+FPS can't be too much of a slouch. __________________ "My plea is that we stop seeking out the storm and enjoy more fully sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we accentuate the positive. I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort." Gordon B. Hinckley Last edited by Southern Shooter; July 24, 2012 at 02:32 PM.

July 25, 2012, 12:27 PM	#29
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	The Special is Special Got a Ruger Bisley in 44SPL and it is a pleasure. Have loaded 240Rem SP to 1200fps and the cases fall out. I also concur with SS. Skeeter's load of 7.5gr. of Unique is great. My favorite is 8gr. Last edited by GeauxTide; July 27, 2012 at 09:46 PM.

July 28, 2012, 05:10 PM	#31
samsmix Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2006 Location: Montana (Montucky?) Posts: 1,273	I am swayed a little by the handloading angle.....hmmm... Still think you'll punch deeper with the .357 though. A round of testing perhaps? __________________ You'll probably never NEED a gun. I hope you never do. But IF you do, you will need it worse than anything you've ever needed in your life. IF we're not supposed to eat animals, howcome God made 'em outta meat?

July 24, 2012, 01:24 PM	#27
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	I was about to say the 357/180 until you revealed that you handload. This clearly makes the 44 Special the better option. Some of these answers are from people who only read about ballistics.

July 26, 2012, 04:31 PM	#30
Clifford L. Hughes Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2011 Location: Southern Californis Posts: 795	Southern Shooter: I would take the .44 Spl loaded with a good 240 grain hand load or a hunting load from one of the custom ammunition makers. A large bullet delivers its energy deep. Semmper Fi. Gunnery Sergeant Clifford L. Hughes USMC retired