357 vs 44?

[1norcalvarmintHunter]

Shoot a couple 300 grain 44 mag out of a super redhawk then ask yourself about the receiving end of that... I load 240 jhp at 1600 fps. My friends who boar hunt tell me they never seen a boar so devastated from a hand gun ever.

44 is a very versatile round from specials to magnum it is a awesome weapon.

[LGB Loader]

44 is a very versatile round from specials to magnum it is a awesome weapon.

yup.

[nagorb]

I would vote to get rid of the .357...and sell it to me!

Or just get both

Buds has a .44 in stock

[paul0660]

Full power .357Mag loads from a carbine are getting into 30WCF (30-30) territory.

Is this true? Because I was just going to suggest a carbine in a true rifle round and keep the .357 revolver.

[chiefnpd]

Thanks for the great comments.
I have decided to stay with the 357 set up and reload some hot mags for my rifle. I knew there were no bear problems but sometimes I ride other places than Ca.

[kmca]

Ohhhh....how about your 357 and a Model 97 in the scabbard???

[Sky_DiveR]

A 357Mag with 180gr HP@ ~1500fps and ~900fpe isn't nothing to sneeze at.

Even 158gr SP@~1800fps and ~1175fpe is a mighty formidable out of a carbine.

Note: 30-30Win with 170gr FP@~2200fps and ~1800fpe out of a carbine.

Buffalo Bore puts out a 44Mag with a 324gr lfngc@1478fps and 1649fpe out of a pistol. Can't imagine the specs out of a carbine but there is listed a 275gr HP@1580fps and 1524fpe out of a carbine.

[WAP]

At least get the pistol. 44mag pistols are sweet.

[CalNRA]

I agree, just get the 44mag.

I am sometimes known to be an enabler.

[scarville]

Sounds like a heckuva good excuse to buy a couple new guns that you don't really need!

What he said. The 357 is perfectly adequate for your AO but if you want the 44 pair and can afford it, get it.

I sometimes carry a 357 pair like you describe with the full bore loads in the Marlin and a mild (for a 357) load in the handgun. Each load is optimized for its respective platform but can be used in either in a pinch.

[Trapper]

Last weekend I cronographed some 158gr handloads out of my 16" 1894CP at 1730fps with no pressure signs. The load was 16gr of 296, CCI 550, and a 158gr Hornady XTP.

[Munk]

I can tell you from first hand experience... shooting a .44mag is a blast at 100 yds. Getting the extra power of the 44 will also add a couple pounds of weight to your total loadout (between rifle and handgun).

Honestly the .357 will handle most of what california has to offer, and if you're proficient with it, all the better.

To maximize the utility, i'd suggest using rifle and handgun specific loads to maximize your punch. You can use a slightly slower powder in the rifle to kick a bit of extra speed out of it with a heavier bullet which will really increase the knockdown power.

I highly reccomend the Hornady FTX bullets. they were built for lever guns and work fantastic out of a wheel gun as well.