The .44 Special and .357 Magnum are two of the most popular handgun cartridges in the world. Both cartridges have been around for over a century and have been used for a variety of purposes, from hunting to self-defense. While the .44 Special is a powerful round, the .357 Magnum is even more powerful and is considered to be one of the most powerful handgun cartridges available. Today I will compare the two cartridges and discuss their differences and similarities for your better convenience.
Details History About .44 Special & .357 Magnum
The .44 Special: It is a centerfire revolver cartridge developed by Smith & Wesson in 1907 as a black powder round. It was made obsolete by the introduction of the .44 Magnum cartridge in 1956.
- The .44 Special is considered a very accurate and versatile round and is well-suited for target shooting and hunting.
- It is also popular among cowboy action shooters and those who prefer a milder cartridge than the .44 Magnum.
The .357 Magnum: It is a powerful revolver cartridge that was developed by Smith & Wesson and Winchester in 1935. It is based on the .38 Special cartridge, but is much more powerful and has greater penetration.
- The .357 Magnum is one of the most popular revolver cartridges in the world and is well-suited for both self-defense and hunting.
- It is also popular among Cowboy Action Shooters and is used in various revolvers and semi-automatic handguns.
Advantages & Disadvantages Of The .44 Special And .357 Magnum
Advantages of the .44 Special:
- Offers good stopping power at close range.
- Relatively affordable and widely available.
- Low muzzle flash and recoil.
- It can be used for both hunting and self-defense.
Disadvantages of the .44 Special:
- Limited range and accuracy.
- Not suitable for long-range shooting.
- Heavier than other handgun cartridges.
Advantages of the .357 Magnum:
- More powerful than the .44 Special.
- Good stopping power at close and long-range.
- Versatile enough for hunting and self-defense.
- Low recoil and muzzle flash.
Disadvantages of the .357 Magnum:
- Expensive and hard to find.
- Not suitable for small-frame handguns.
- High recoil can be difficult to manage.
Best Uses For The .44 Special And .357 Magnum
The .44 Special and .357 Magnum are popular handgun calibers used for various purposes. The .44 Special is well-suited to target shooting and self-defense, while the .357 Magnum is an excellent choice for hunting, self-defense, and target shooting. Both cartridges offer excellent accuracy and stopping power and have proven reliable and effective.
For target shooting, both cartridges can be used to great effect.
- The .44 Special is well-suited to long-range target shooting due to its low recoil and excellent accuracy, while the .357 Magnum is excellent for short- to mid-range targets.
The .44 Special and .357 Magnum are both excellent choices for self-defense.
- The .44 Special is a great choice for those who want a powerful handgun without the punishing recoil of the .357 Magnum.
- On the contrary, the .357 Magnum is a more powerful round. And it is ideal for self-defense in close-quarters scenarios.
Key Takeaways
The .44 Special and .357 Magnum are both excellent choices for hunting.
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- The .44 Special is an excellent choice for small games, while the .357 Magnum is more suited to hunting medium-sized games such as deer and wild hogs.
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.44 Special VS .357 Magnum: A Complete Comparison
Main Differences:
- The .44 Special is a revolver cartridge that is more powerful than the .38 Special. And 44 is considered a “medium bore” cartridge. It is typically loaded with a 200-240 grain bullet and can be fired in most .44 Magnum revolvers.
- On the other hand, the .357 Magnum is a revolver cartridge that is considered a “magnum” cartridge. And it is typically loaded with a 158-grain bullet. It is more powerful than the .44 Special and is often used for hunting and self-defense.
In-Depth Comparing Of The .44 Special and .357 Magnum
Power
The .44 Special is a centerfire revolver cartridge that was developed in 1907.
- It is a shorter, less powerful version of the .44 Magnum.
- It is a good choice for small-game hunting, target shooting, and self-defense.
- The .44 Special is a low-recoil cartridge and is known for its accuracy at longer distances.
On the contrary, the .357 Magnum is a centerfire revolver cartridge that was introduced in 1934.
- It is a much more powerful round than the .44 Special and is the most popular magnum handgun cartridge.
- It is a good choice for hunting, target shooting, and self-defense.
- The .357 Magnum is known for its stopping power and accuracy at longer distances.
Accuracy
The accuracy of the .44 Special and .357 Magnum is generally good. And both are accurate up to distances of around 25 yards and can be used for target shooting and hunting.
- The .44 Special is considered to be slightly more accurate than the .357 Magnum due to its larger caliber. But both can still produce accurate shots when used properly.
Recoil
- The .44 Special produces a moderate amount of recoil when fired. And this makes it a popular choice for target shooting and personal defense.
- In contrast, the .357 Magnum has a significantly higher amount of recoil and muzzle blast. And this makes it more suitable for hunting and other applications where more power is needed.
Ammunition
The .44 special is a popular revolver round that is widely available.
- Most major ammunition manufacturers, such as Federal, Remington, Winchester, CCI, Hornady, and PMC, produce .44 special rounds.
On the other hand, the .357 Magnum is also widely available, with the same major manufacturers producing the round.
Digest
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- Both rounds are typically available in a wide range of bullet weights and styles, from light target loads to heavy hunting loads.
Cost Comparison
The cost of .44 Special ammo varies widely depending on the weight, brand, and type of bullet, but it is generally more expensive than .357 Magnum ammo.
- For example, a box of 50 rounds of .44 Special Winchester 180 Grain FMJ ammo typically costs around $30-40, while the same amount of .357 Magnum Remington 158 Grain FMJ ammo typically costs around $18-25.
Short Comparison Chart: .44 Special VS .357 Magnum
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Factors |
.44 Special |
.357 Magnum |
| Bullet Size | .429 in | .357 in |
| Muzzle Velocity | 800 ft/s | 1,500 ft/s |
| Recoil | Low | Moderate |
| Muzzle Energy | 325 ft-lb | 583 ft-lb |
Which Is Better For You: .44 Special or .357 Magnum?
The .44 Special and .357 Magnum are both powerful cartridges that can be used for various purposes, such as hunting, target shooting, and self-defense.
The .44 Special: It is a revolver cartridge that was introduced in 1907. It is suitable for hunting medium-sized games and is popular for target shooting and self-defense. It is easier to control than the .357 Magnum. So it’s a better choice for novice shooters.
The .357 Magnum: It is a powerful revolver cartridge that was introduced in 1935. It is suitable for hunting large games, and it’s popular for self-defense and target shooting. It is more powerful than the .44 Special and has more recoil. So it’s a better choice for experienced shooters.
Key Takeaways
- At last, the .44 Special is better for novice shooters who want an easy-to-control cartridge for hunting, target shooting, and self-defense.
- On the other hand, the .357 Magnum is better for experienced shooters who want a powerful cartridge for hunting large game and self-defense.
Faqs:
Is A 44 Special More Powerful Than A 357 Magnum?
No, a .44 Special is not more powerful than a .357 Magnum. The .357 Magnum is a more powerful cartridge than the .44 Special, with more muzzle energy and a higher velocity.
Will A 44 Special Stop A Bear?
No, a 44 special would not be powerful enough to stop a bear. A bear-stopping caliber would typically require a larger handgun such as a .44 magnum, 10mm, or even a rifle cartridge.
What Caliber Will Stop A Grizzly Bear?
No caliber of a handgun or rifle cartridge can reliably stop a grizzly bear. It is best to avoid close contact with them if possible. If you must defend yourself, a large caliber rifle, such as a .338 Winchester Magnum can help you in that matter.
Can A Taser Stop A Mountain Lion?
No, a taser would not be effective against a mountain lion. The best way to protect yourself from a mountain lion is to make yourself appear as large and intimidating as possible and to back away slowly. If the mountain lion does attack, fight back with whatever you have available.
Is A 357 Magnum More Powerful Than A 38 Special?
Yes, the 357 Magnum is more powerful than the 38 Special. Because the 357 Magnum has a higher muzzle velocity and more energy than the 38 Special.
Final Thought
The .44 Special and the .357 Magnum are both powerful and reliable cartridges, but they have different uses. The .44 Special is a great choice for target shooting and hunting small game, while the .357 Magnum is better suited for self-defense and hunting larger game. But in the end, the choice between the two cartridges depends on your needs and preferences.
