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So, you want a magnum handgun cartridge but just can’t decide between the 357 magnum and the 44 magnum? Although they both have magnum in their titles, the 357 magnum and the 44 magnum offer very different capabilities. In this article, we will be discussing these differences as well as similarities to help make your decision a little easier.
Physical Attributes
The 357 magnum and the 44 magnum are some of the oldest magnum revolver cartridges currently available. Over the years, they have become the two most popular magnum revolver cartridges as well, though they are very different cartridges overall.
As the name suggests, the 357 magnum utilizes bullets that are 0.357-inch in diameter. With this medium bore size, the 357 magnum is most often found with bullet weights ranging from 120 grains up to 200 grains in some cases, though some bullets may fall outside this range.
Unlike the 357 magnum, the 44 magnum does not utilize bullets of the same diameter as its name. Instead, the 44 magnum uses bullets that are 0.429 inches in diameter. With the big bore size, the 44 magnum is most often loaded with bullets ranging from 180 grains all the way up to 340 grains in some cases.
Although the 357 magnum and 44 magnum may differ substantially when it comes to bullet weights, the case length of each cartridge is virtually identical. With a nominal empty case length of 1.29 inches, the 357 magnum stands only five thousandths taller than the 44 magnum’s nominal empty case length of 1.285 inches.
However, We must remember that although the case lengths may be virtually identical, the 44 magnum is much wider than the 357 magnum. This extra width gives the 44 magnum a capacity of approximately* 37.9 grains of H2O. That’s nearly 45 percent larger than the 357 magnum’s capacity of approximately* 26.2 grains of H2O.
Though they may not have similar capacities, the 357 magnum and 44 magnum share a rimmed case design. Because of this rimmed design, 357 magnum chambered revolvers and lever actions can also fire 38 special (shorter parent case of the 357 magnum). Like the 357 magnum, 44 magnum chambered revolvers and lever actions can also fire 44 special (shorter parent case of the 44 magnum).
Power
They may both be magnum handgun cartridges; however, the 357 magnum and the 44 magnum are far from the same power level. According to SAAMI, the 357 magnum has a maximum pressure rating of 35,000 psi, whereas the 44 magnum has a slightly higher maximum pressure rating of 36,000 psi.
With this additional pressure, as well as several other factors, the 44 magnum produces considerably more muzzle energy than the 357 magnum. Looking at Hornady’s 240-grain XTP load offering in 44 magnum, we see that it produces 971 ft/lbs. of kinetic energy at a muzzle velocity of 1,350 feet per second.
By comparison, Hornady’s 158-grain XTP load offering in 357 magnum produces 548 ft/lbs. of kinetic energy at a muzzle velocity of 1,250 feet per second. Although this is a powerful load for a handgun, the 357 magnum only produces just over half the muzzle energy of the 44 magnum in this case.
However, we must remember that these are standard loads for each of the cartridges. While nearly 1,000 ft/lbs. of muzzle energy is nothing to scoff at, the 44 magnum has a lot more potential. If your firearm is rated** for +P+ ammunition, the 44 magnum becomes a formidable handgun cartridge.
Looking at Buffalo Bore’s 340-grain hard cast 44 magnum +P+ offering, we see that it produces 1,649 ft/lbs. at a muzzle velocity of 1,478 feet per second. That's nearly 70 percent more muzzle energy than the previous 44 magnum load referenced, which is astonishing out of the same case.
Although the 357 magnum does not technically have an added pressure load designation, some loads approach light 44 magnum energy levels. In fact, Buffalo Bore’s 180-grain JHP load offering in 357 magnum produces 899 ft/lbs. at a muzzle velocity of 1,500 feet per second. While this is still nowhere near top-end 44 magnum power levels, it is over 64 percent more muzzle energy than the standard 357 magnum load referenced.
It should also be noted that due to each cartridge's relatively high operating pressures, the 357 magnum and the 44 magnum gain considerably more velocity and power when fired out of rifle-length barrels. That makes both cartridges ideal for lever action rifles if you do not want a revolver.
Recoil
If there is one primary reason why people shy away from the 44 magnum, it’s recoil. With its heavier bullets and increased muzzle energy over the 357 magnum, it is easy to imagine that the 44 magnum produces quite a bit more recoil. But how much is this difference exactly?
According to the Smith and Wesson website, an empty 6-inch model 686 (357 magnum) weighs in at 45.3 ounces. Even though the 44 magnum is built on a larger frame, a 6-inch model 629 weighs only one ounce more than the 686, at 46.3 ounces.
With these handgun weights, let’s find the recoil generated by each cartridge. Using the Hornady 158-grain XTP load offering above, the 357 magnum produces approximately 5.85 ft/lbs. of recoil when fired from a 6-inch model 686. Using the Hornady 240-grain XTP load offering above, the 44 magnum produces approximately 16.39 ft/lbs. of recoil when fired from a 6-inch model 629.
So, although the 44 magnum generates over 77 percent more muzzle energy than the 357 magnum, it also generates just over 2.8 times the recoil. This substantial increase in recoil equates to the 44 magnum having considerably more muzzle rise than the 357 magnum, which is not ideal for quick follow-up shots.
Keep in mind that the more powerful loads referenced will increase these recoil figures even further (Model 629 is not rated for +P+ ammunition). So, if you are recoil-shy or simply wish to shoot as fast as possible, the 44 magnum may not be your cartridge of choice.
Which One Should I Choose?
Although both the 357 magnum and 44 magnum have magnum in their names, they are far from the same cartridge. This makes for a tough choice when making a final decision.
While the 357 magnum might not be able to produce anywhere near the muzzle energy of top-end 44 magnum loads, it does not produce anywhere near the recoil. This is an important factor to consider, especially if fast follow-up shots are a requirement.
If you can handle the extra recoil, however, the extra muzzle energy of the 44 magnum leaves little to be desired. With its heavier bullet weights, the 44 magnum is a much more suitable hunting cartridge than the 357 magnum, especially when it comes to large game.
So, do you want power, or do you want more power and more recoil? Ultimately, the decision is up to you, but hopefully, this article makes your decision a little easier.
*The case capacities listed represent the approximate amount of H2O that will fit inside an empty case. These values can vary based on the manufacturer, as different companies typically result in slightly different case capacities.
**Not all 44 magnum-chambered firearms are rated for +P+ loading designations. Always verify that your firearm is rated for the ammo you intend to use.
--Banana Ballistics
