Which is the most versatile 44 mag or 357 mag

[kemosabi45]

As I get older I would like to carry a hand gun with a Burris Speed dot on it so that I use it from 5 feet out to 50 or may be even 75 yards. I live in Florida and need it to be able to take pigs, down to nasty snakes. I love my 4" S&W Model 15 38 Special but I'm afraid that's not power enough to carry for self defense and hunting in the woods. What about a 22 Taurus 941 4" 8 shot 22 mag? I have a Ruger Bisley Valquero 5-1/2" SS 44 mag but I will not install a Speed Dot on it. I aslo have a S&W 66 2-1/2" 357 mag I like it but I can't see the sites so good so I'm not sure how accurate it can be. I would put the Speed Dot on it if it's a good idea. I also would like to have a matching rifle caliber.
What does your experence show you? I

[Old Savage]

Rather depends on the upper end of the power spectrum required in your versatility. I guess the pigs are the issue here. 357 for pigs - I don't know but many here might.

[Rusty]

I'd go with a .44 if it were me. BTW I'm in Plant City, where are you?

With some of the hogs around here that hit the upper side a 250# a .357 might leave you a tracking job if you don't put it between the blinkers.

When I'm looking at something with 3" cutters I want to make sure I bring enough gun.

There's also quite a bit of difference between the effects of a .357 and a .44 when using shot rounds if that is what you had in mind.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

As I get older I would like to carry a hand gun with a Burris Speed dot on it so that I use it from 5 feet out to 50 or may be even 75 yards. I live in Florida and need it to be able to take pigs, down to nasty snakes. I love my 4" S&W Model 15 38 Special but I'm afraid that's not power enough to carry for self defense and hunting in the woods. What about a 22 Taurus 941 4" 8 shot 22 mag? I have a Ruger Bisley Valquero 5-1/2" SS 44 mag but I will not install a Speed Dot on it. I aslo have a S&W 66 2-1/2" 357 mag I like it but I can't see the sites so good so I'm not sure how accurate it can be. I would put the Speed Dot on it if it's a good idea. I also would like to have a matching rifle caliber.
What does your experence show you? I

357mag from a rifle on pigs I wouldn't feel undergunned at all but from a revolver, because you lose quite a bit of velocity, that 357 revolver may be marginal. Not so with a 44mag revolver.

[claybob86]

I like the .44. Rather have too much than not enough!

[ndcowboy]

I've got two 44 Rugers. I've used them on turkey and deer with good success.

[alnitak]

Seems to me the .44 provides more versatility...certainly on the high-end and you can load it down to .44 Special for SD or Cowboy ranges for fun shooting and plinking. Loaded up to magnum levels, you can take hog or any number of other animals.

[Idiot]

The larger caliber more powerful cartridge will always be the most versatile. You can always load down to the point of just dropping the bullet out the end of the muzzle with either cartridge, but you will never load a 357 Magnum up to the power of a 44 Magnum. The difference between the 44 and 357 in real life on real live targets is significant. The 44 Magnum is well suited for the potential uses you described.

And BTW, don't fool around with the weenie guns like the Smith and Wesson or Taurus 44 Mags; go for an absolutely reliable, load anything you want, handgun - the Ruger Super Blackhawk. Now, if you need something that can also be used as extra weight on the rear of your truck for the purpose of gaining traction in dirt, get the Ruger Redhawk.

[Blaine]

I use a Speed Dot on a 6.5" 629PP....... Small white rocks fear me out to 100 yards and a bit farther and it will print cloverleafs up closer. I like a mild (1000fps) 300gr hardcast load. That would knock the pee out of anything you shoot with it.

[piller]

I'd choose the .44Mag simply due to the heavier bullets available. The .357 is a great cartridge. I just like larger heavier bullet.

[AJMD429]

Now, if you need something that can also be used as extra weight on the rear of your truck for the purpose of gaining traction in dirt, get the Ruger Redhawk.

They're still almost as fun to shoot as the Super Blackhawks...

[tman]

a hardcast 180grain bullet loaded hot will take all north american game out to 50 yards ,if you place your bullets in the vitals. using that load, the fast, light 125 jhp.'s and the various .38 special loads, a 148 gr. wadcutter can substitute for a .22lr., the .357 can do it all, from big game to selfdefense,concealed carry, small game and target shooting. the .44mag is a great cartridge, but the .357 has the allaround versatility that no other cartridge has.

[kemosabi45]

Thanks it was all great info. I believe that the 44 mag in my Bisley is the way I will go for now. I will use snake shot for close up snakes. Will a 44 Special cowboy load destroy a squirrel or just kil it dead. Thanks for the info on the Burris Fast Fire, but I found that you can't use it real close up. The site sits up to high from the barrel and if you site it in for 25 yards it shots low at 10 feet. That should be no problem with the Snake Shot.

[jeepnik]

Given the choice of "just" those two. The .44 mag. Like some have said, it's capable of wild to mild. But, my personal preference is .45 Colt. Just as down loadable (is that a word) as the .44 mag, but has a bit more oomph at the top end.

[kemosabi45]

Tman --- The 180 gr bullets loaded hot sounds good but all I have for the 357 mag is a S&W 66 2-1/2". I believe you are talking about using a strong revolver like a Ruger Black Hawk correct?

[Birdman]

I have 357 and 44 revolvers and leveractions. They are both wonderful calibers in either the handgun or rifle, and we can talk til the cows come home about which will do what better. Maybe sometime after the next 100,000 rounds or so I might be able to tell you which is best for me. I'll never try to tell someone else what is best for them. Help yourself to America's freedoms and enjoy your shooting.

[tman]

not a steady diet of this particular load. my point was to show the versatillity of the .357 magnum. if, u feel you need a hammer most of time, by all means, go with the .44 magnum .300grn. hardcast. two great cartridges. i'll bet you can get by with either one.

[Rodfac]

I'd have to go with the .44. For a couple of reasons. It's good for what ever you're hunting, at least in the lower 48 if you use the proper loads. 1300 fps out of a 6" S&W is really no problem and 1700 fps from a 20" carbine barrel is easy as well (and a whole lot easier to handle recoil-wise). If you're into target work, .44 Special velocity loads are easy to put up as well. Too, I've alway had an easier time finding good working loads for a .44 than a .357. Go with a .44, you won't be sorry. Regards, Rodfac

[JimT]

Yes! They are!

Never

EVER

get into the habit of picking one over the other.

GET BOTH!

They ARE versatile!