Jon
I think you will find the 357 much more enjoyable to shoot, but try to find/rent a 44 just to try it and see....JJ

I've shot both and the 357 is much more enjoyable. I've even shot the 357 from a small snubbie and it was tolerable, can't say the 44 would be even when shooting out of a long gun the 44 has a punch to it. 357 is just a great overall round and being able to trade out and shoot a 38 special from it just for target practice and cost is great.

All depends on your shooting program - hunting, long range, or paper punching. The .44 is far more fun to shoot overall, its big slugs kick up dust and dirt that can bee seen easily from a great distance. And things hit by the .44 jump or bounce in a far more dramatic way. Sizeable game hit with the .44 tends to go dowm and stay down quicker. Small game hit by a .44 doesn't leave too much meat.

But for a fun day of tin can bouncing at shorter distances, the .357, loaded with .38 Special or mild handloads is a great way to spend an afternoon. Further, the smaller, lighter guns are often preferred by younger shooters and the ladies.

You pays your money, you takes your choice.

Bob Wright

Originally Posted by Bob Wright

All depends on your shooting program - hunting, long range, or paper punching. The .44 is far more fun to shoot overall, its big slugs kick up dust and dirt that can bee seen easily from a great distance. And things hit by the .44 jump or bounce in a far more dramatic way. Sizeable game hit with the .44 tends to go dowm and stay down quicker. Small game hit by a .44 doesn't leave too much meat.

But for a fun day of tin can bouncing at shorter distances, the .357, loaded with .38 Special or mild handloads is a great way to spend an afternoon. Further, the smaller, lighter guns are often preferred by younger shooters and the ladies.

You pays your money, you takes your choice.

Bob Wright

Ditto on that and well said. You can opt for 44 Special out of a 44 magnum, i haven't priced ammo lately on the 44 but it's not cheap. The 44 magnum is a considerably more powerful cartridge dependng on the load you shoot. If you shoot hot and heavy 44 magnum loads i suggest good ear protection and hold on tight, but manageable. I had to locktite the screws on the well shot S&W Model 29 I used to have as they kept backing out when I shot the hotter and heavier loads. I recall shooting six rounds rapid fire at an old steel drum w/o hearing protection (stupid) and my ears rang for a week and when I went to the doctor he told me I had scarred my eardrum tissue.

Well, yeah, ear protection is a must for any shooting, I can attest to that. When I first started shooting, ear protection was considered "sissy." I am paying the price for that. I can't hear the beep of battery checkers, nor other high frequency sounds.

Bob Wright

for DA revolvers - if you hand fits the 44mag revolver - get it
the 44 is the most versitile handgun cartridge - from mild cowboy loads to hot loaded 44mag's - the energy range is huge
for SA - not an issue. those rugers fit any hand