The 357 magnum can also shoot 38 specials. Receive our newsletter with the best articles covering guides, guns & gear. We could find many reasons to ONLY buy a .38 Special firearm. This doesn’t imply that the .357 Mag has poor penetration for handgun cartridge. The longer barrel and lack of a cylinder gap that one gets with a .357 Magnum cartridge fired from a rifle ups the muzzle velocity. The biggest reason we like this round is not something that we went over in the article. As with the .357 Magnum, he made the suggestion to lengthen the .44 Magnum’s case so it won’t chamber in .44 Special revolvers. The barrel length, grip style, gun weight, and of course the ammunition used all influence the amount of recoil. So, it is time that we saw the areas where the cartridges are used. Good question. The jury is still out on that question. The .357 Mag’s origins begin in the early 1930’s where the police force was in desperate need of a better terminal performing handgun load. In the end, we think accuracy is going to depend almost solely on the one doing the shooting and how much experience and confidence they have with their firearm and the cartridge. I dislike how he presented it … The higher the sectional density, the more force is applied to a smaller area which gives you better penetration. The .357 Mag is smaller compared to the .44 Mag. Not all of the .44 Mag rounds are drastically different from the .357 Mag rounds. So, the cartridge was developed by Elmer Keith, Phil Sharpe, along with Smith and Wesson, by performing changes on the .38 that was used back then. Still, we thought of comparing the accuracy of 357 Magnum vs. 44 Magnum. Here the heavier .44 Mag rounds show more drop overall than the .357 Mag rounds, though it is still only 2-3inches. We should note that the bullet design also affects penetration. For example someone that lives in Alaska will probably go with a .44 Magnum, but someone in Michigan would use a Ruger GP100 .357. If we were to average the rounds and compare the two cartridges this way, we would see an average higher velocity for the .357 Mag rounds out to the 100-yard mark, but the difference shrinks pretty rapidly once past the 50-yard mark. Both of them have originated in the USA and people have loved them for a while. This coefficient is derived after studying the variables of bullet dimensions and it helps in determining if the bullet is streamlined or not. A lot is going to depend on the design of the bullet and handgun rounds, especially those designed for defense just don’t have the shape needed to resist outside forces on their trajectory at long range. The .44 Mag is a better hunting round than the .357 but IMO the .357 is as heavy a load I would want to carry in the streets. Both of them work great for shooting, hunting, and self-defense. In power, it’s in between .357 and .44 Magnum, but closer to .44 Magnum in power, and shoots flatter than either (especially out of a lever-action rifle). The only drawback to the .44mag is the heavy recoil. From the sectional density data, we can see that the .44 Mag rounds are going to provide you with much more penetration than the .357 Mag rounds. In the end it’s not a case of the .38 Special vs. .357 Magnum, rather it’s about which one makes sense at the time you need it. I don't think I have ever heard the debate of the .44 Special vs the .357 Magnum on whitetail deer. The differences between the .38 Special and the .357 Magnum can be subtle, but they can also be pronounced, depending on your perspective on the matter. Not too shabby. My wrists won’t take the .44 mags and even the .44 Specials are no go after a cylinder full. The 10mm penetration was around 16 inches. It should also be noted that the design of the bullet will also be a factor in penetration. Except for case length, the .38 and .357 are virtually identical. But the 357 magnum has something else going for it. This energy, once the bullet hits the target, is transferred over and caused massive damage to the surrounding tissue. It all has to do with the propellant. When you are buying cartridges, the first thing that you notice is the way that it looks. The .357 mag does have a very good track record in actual shootings and there are a few rounds that stand above the rest in terms of effectiveness (the 125 grain, semi-jacketed, semi-waddcutter hollow point made by Federal comes to mind). The .357 Mag is a much smaller diameter bullet than its .44 Mag counterpart. It’s time for part two of our Lever Action Rifle Series! Let’s take a look at another factor that goes into stopping power, the penetration. You should also note that the length of the gun barrel may also have a role in the velocity of the bullet. Sniper Country is reader-supported. If you do need something to give you more range, there are rounds designed for use with carbines that have much better ballistic coefficients. We are looking at the actual energy that is generated from firing these rounds and not technically the actual felt recoil. Perhaps the one drawback form having “too much velocity” comes with the potential for overpenetration, but you need extremely high velocities and a bullet that does not expand or fragment for overpenetration to be a real threat. The trajectory is discussed with more fervor when discussing rifle cartridges, but there is something to say about it regarding handgun cartridges such as the 357 Mag vs 44 Mag. We will take a look at the velocity, ballistic coefficients, and the trajectory of the 357 Mag versus the 44 Mag to better sort these two cartridges into specific shooting applications at the end of the article. What stands out is the large increase in recoil energy for the .44 Mag over the .357. The .357 Mag has higher velocity compared to the .44 Mag at a distance of around 100 yards, but they do perform quite similar at the 50 yards mark. Along with that, there are different varieties when it comes to .357 Mag, which isn’t available for .44 Mag. In mark3smle test you can see the .357 penetration at 22 inches. The .44 Special with good handloads and the right bullet will drop a deer. Is the .44 Magnum "better" than the .350 Legend? For such a round to be effective, you are going to have to put some force behind them and what you get from that extra power is more recoil. .357 Magnum vs .44 Magnum Lever Actions 11-02-2020, 10:35 PM. It boils down to what each individual shooter likes or dislikes. The .44 is a bit powerful for self defense, but the 44 magnum can also shoot the .44 special, which will be plenty adequete for defense. The .44 Mag has a much more pronounced and severe recoil than the .357 Mag. Wildlife photography is a thrilling activity but can sometimes be challenging. Recoil is also a factor that affects accuracy. All of the .44 Mag rounds carry a lot more energy downrange when compared to the .357 Mag rounds except for the single 158gr Winchester Super-X round. The FTX hollow point expands reliably, even when penetrating heavy clothing and it uses a low flash propellant which is useful in dark, close-quarter situations. We mentioned earlier that ballistic coefficient for handgun rounds normally does not warrant much attention from those shopping around, but both of these cartridges can be used with carbines where you might be taking shots at longer range. The only reason the 357 Magnum is not a preferred cartridge to a semi-auto pistol is ammo capacity. It was also developed for better velocity and energy. Barrel length is especially important with these two cartridges where barrel length can vary pretty widely from gun to gun. The five .357 Magnum loads were pretty consistent with an average 5-shot group size around 1.8 to 2.8 MOA. Except for case length, the .38 and .357 are virtually identical. The 20+ Best Kayaks of 2020 – Reviewed & Compared in... Top 10+ Best Layout Blinds – Reviews And Buying Guide 2020. If we note these, then .357 Mag is a better choice to go for when it comes to self-defense. When we are talking about cartridges, we cannot skip talking about its ballistic performance as it is one of the key parts of developing a new cartridge. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. I'm jealous that you have the option. The accuracy of the cartridges differs in terms of recoil. While a lot depends on the bullet, the .44mag will give you more security as a trail gun than the .357. It is expected given the design of handgun rounds. The trajectory of this round is the only downfall of this round once you hit the 75-yard mark, but up until then, it has a flat trajectory. 44 compare accuracy, range, and recoil-wise? With its recoil, you’re not going to get fatigued as quickly giving you more shots that are not wasted. The .357 Mag was a handgun cartridge that provided unrivaled velocity and terminal ballistic performance at the time. .357 Magnum vs .44 Magnum Lever Actions - Lucky Gunner It's time for part two of our Lever Action Rifle Series! From the .38 special, modifications began to be made by Phil Sharpe, Elmer Keith, and eventually the guys at Smith & Wesson. Knowing about the ballistic performance is especially required for the hunters who want to know about their probability of getting their target. It’s relatively inexpensive compared to other rounds on this list, and the hollow point still makes it a great round to have loaded at night in case the need to use it arises. Animals and birds are often skittish and will get agitated by... Are you desperate for some night vision? While it has been eclipsed by newer cartridges, the .44 Mag still offers extremely high velocities and energy from handguns. On the flipside, if you are a .44 mag … As the neck is longer in the .44 Mag, it can hold bullets of heavier grain compared to the .357 Mag. The .357 Magnum cartridges were made to be used by the police department as they needed a better terminal performing handgun load in the 1930s. In February of the following year, Elmer received a prototype of what would later become the S&W Model 29 and the first few runs of … The .357 Magnum on the other hand does this job and that of a game getter as well. The increased neck diameter also means that the .44 Mag is going to hold bullets at much heavier grains than the .357 Mag as you will see just below where we have listed several rounds for each cartridge. When standard factory ammo is considered, the .41 delivers 25 percent more energy than the .357 Magnum with a wider, heavier bullet. To save on time, you can buy factory loaded ones in which the .44 Mag will cost much more than the .357 Mag. All of these qualities give you a great and reliable .357 Mag round for home defense. Developed in the 1950s by Elmer Keith, the .44 Magnum improved upon the power of the .357 Magnum. Though the .357 Mag rounds have a smaller diameter, the huge increase in weight of the .44 Mag rounds boost their sectional density. We have seen from the velocity and the trajectory that you are not going to have to be making huge adjustments to your shot placement when firing a round. The later one has a more voluminous cartridge, which helps store more gun powder, and it is also able to take better pressure after ignition. Final Thoughts: .45 Colt vs 44 Magnum. 44-40. We give the edge to the .357 for home defense, but the .44 mag is more than capable when in the right hands. The .357 Magnum is a powerful cartridge, but in this case it takes a narrow 2nd place to the 10mm Auto. The best method for quantifying penetration without the use of ballistic gel is to look at the sectional density of the bullets for each cartridge. Both of these cartridges are known for their power and associated recoil. 45 Colt and 44-40. Though it is important, putting numbers to accuracy for cartridge comparison is difficult to do. You're probably not using... Crossbows hunting can be a fun and rewarding activity. That translates to groups roughly in the neighborhood of 1 to 2 inches at 50 yards. For the ballistic coefficients and the long-range trajectory, it might not be very insightful especially for those only looking at handguns, but some might be interested in their use with a carbine for larger game where the BC could be useful. Lucky_Gunner October 16, 2020. When used properly and in the right settings, both the .44 Mag and .357 Mag can be a joy to handle and shoot. The availability of these rounds also differs. So, if you don't like shooting .44 mag handguns and prefer .357's, then the .357 lever gun is the obvious choice. But. This is an incredible amount of stopping power for a handgun round and will factor into what applications we feel this cartridge is useful for. This indicates what we already knew: The 44 magnum is much more powerful than the 357 magnum. This is valuable when using a handgun for defense or even hunting purposes. Highboy . 10mm vs. 357 Mag Muzzle Energy. The 44 Special will not do anything a .357 Magnum can do. Thanks For handgun cartridges, especially in home defense settings, accuracy is obviously an important factor. At the distances often encountered when using these rounds the low BC doesn’t mean anything and does not have any impact on getting rounds on target. True, the 44 magnum can also shoot 44 special, but there isn't nearly as much of a downgrade in kick and boom in the 44 as in the 357/38special. Overall, a higher ballistic coefficient usually coincides with a bullet that is easier to put on target down range. .357 Mag Federal Personal Defense Jacketed Hollow Point 125gr, .357 Mag Hornady FTX Critical Defense 125gr, .357 Mag Federal Hydra-Shok Low Recoil 130gr, .357 Mag Hornady American Gunner XTP JHP 125gr, .44 Mag Federal Hydra-Shok Low Recoil 240gr, .44 Mag Federal Vital-Shok CastCore 300gr, .44 Mag Buffalo Bore Lead Flat Nose 305gr. As the velocity drives the bullet, it should also have to stop power. These specifications gave gun owners the option for a hard-hitting and deep penetrating handgun cartridge, and that remains true to this day. The .44 mag with some heavy bullet loads is going to get excellent penetration on bear or other predators if you are out in the backwoods. There are even lighter and heavier bullets for this cartridge though they’re availability is more limited. I no longer reload, so .44 SP ammo is both rare/hard to find and expensive for me. There's also lever guns chambered for. This is another factor involved in stopping factor, which makes a difference. But the 357 magnum has something else going for it. The velocity will also tell the probability of the penetration of the bullet after shooting. Both cartridge types have their pros and cons and excel at certain shooting applications. We hope that you great satisfaction when you buy your ammunition. If you want to spend less, then do load the ammo yourself. The higher grain weight of this round and the amount of velocity behind it bump it up to energy levels that are even higher than three of the .44 Mag rounds. The role that velocity has on bullet effectiveness, especially when it comes to home defense, is highly debated and the arguments can even turn a little nasty. Compared to the .357, the .44 was loaded to a higher pressure, which increased its velocity. The higher the ballistic coefficient, the better the bullet is at cutting through the wind with minimal air drag and less prone to wind drift. We do want to note before we move on how exactly we came by these numbers and what they mean. Like we briefly mentioned earlier, velocity also plays a role how a bullet performs on impact. Still, as a general pattern, .44 Mag rounds are going to carry more energy and in theory, cause a lot more damage to the target. And the rim is about 1.285’’ of length. My urban concealed carry is a 5" 1911 in either .45 ACP or 10mm with one spare magazine. I would say there is a very noticeable difference in recoil between full power loads in each. If the same person shooting the .44 Magnum, and the .357 Magnum were equally skilled at handling both, the percentage of "one shot stops" would probably be the same. A snub nose for either of these cartridges is going to have significantly more kick than a handgun with a 4” barrel. Even up to 50 yards, the bullet drop was minimal for both cartridge types. They are just more .357 chambered handguns and carbines in use than the .44 Mag. We will focus more on typical ranges handguns are used for shortly. This is great for self-defense when you have to shoot a bear or any other predators. In this case, it is rounds for hunting, defense, and use on the range. Suicide Claimed More Lives in October Than 10 Months of COVID-19 in Japan, Report Shows - Foundation for Economic Education . If we're talking about the standard Marlin 1894 with 18 1/2" or 20" barrel, there is a difference in recoil when shooting standard 357 and 44 mag loads. If you handload. dxr. As we said above, both the cartridges were made when people felt that they needed better velocity and energy. If you want to shoot more high volume range time, 357 all day long, without regret. 10mm generally packs higher muzzle energies thanks in large part to the larger bullets. At 100 yards, which is amazing stopping power. Reply. So, let us see how the two differ in terms of performance. The amount of velocity and the expansion power often lets us know about the energy that will be achieved by the bullet. The one benefit of looking at the sectional density for a cartridge comparison is that it takes out the other variables such as bullet design which spans across the cartridge type. So, if you don't like shooting .44 mag handguns and prefer .357's, then the .357 lever gun is the obvious choice. A bullet needs to travel well and have good penetration to be effective. 44 Magnum Desert Eagle L6 Ballistics Test with Underwood XP and 180gr JHP Review 9mm vs. 40 S&W vs. 357 Sig vs. 45 Auto vs 10mm Liberty Ammunition Short Barrel Ballistics Gel Test .41 Magnum 10 Inch Thompson Contender 210gr Underwood JHP Should have had a graph for 357 drop with handgun in dotted line and solid line in a rifle, then done the same with 44 magnum. The .38 Special case length is roughly 1.15 inches, while .357 Magnum is 1.29 inches. It’s not that you won’t find .44 Mag ammunition, but the selection is usually going to be smaller when it comes to the variety of rounds available. I shoot only full power 45 Colt out of my revolvers and rifles. I was asked why someone would consider a .44 special over the .357 magnum for carry or general defense. We have compiled the BC for as many of the cartridges as possible from the manufacturer and listed them here. 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