TXWheeledShooter
Bearcat
Hey everyone,
I'm looking to get into deer hunting with a revolver. Would a .357 or .44 be best?
Thanks
I'm looking to get into deer hunting with a revolver. Would a .357 or .44 be best?
Thanks
.357 or .44?
- Thread starter TXWheeledShooter
- Start date
AzRebel
Single-Sixer
Without doubt, the .44 (mag?) is better for deer hunting so long as you're able to shoot it well.
But I'd pick the one you shoot the best if there's a difference.
Daryl
But I'd pick the one you shoot the best if there's a difference.
Daryl
Revolver-Time
Single-Sixer
Do you reload for any calibers? I have had both the 44mag and the 45colt perform well for me. But I have found that factory 240 gr. 44 mags push through deer at 50 yard distances.
patrick_ford
Bearcat
Hey Brandon,
For hunting deer, either would work. You could successfully and ethically hunt deer with everything from .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum or .45 Colt; to cover what major calibers Ruger chambers.
Obviously if you reload your options would be even more vast and would help balance cartridges that may not be as readily available in your area if at all. The .44 special and .45 Colt are to particular cartridges that shine when reloaded. I like the idea that you should shoot the biggest caliber you can shoot well. After all, a miss with a .454 Casull is still a miss.
The other factor that you may want to consider is the package that these cartridges come in. You could get a medium frame Blackhawk in .357 Magnum or .44 special, but would have to bump up to the slightly heavier and bulkier frame in .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum or .45 Colt. For double action revolvers, large calibers can get pretty bulky. You might want to handle different revolvers and see if any particular set up appeals to you more than the others. I am on a medium frame .44 Special Blackhawk kick right now and it can do anything from light target loads to near .44 magnum loads like Elmer used to shoot with careful reloading. I generally keep my loads to about 1000fps since that does what I need.
Good luck and happy hunting,
Patrick
For hunting deer, either would work. You could successfully and ethically hunt deer with everything from .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum or .45 Colt; to cover what major calibers Ruger chambers.
Obviously if you reload your options would be even more vast and would help balance cartridges that may not be as readily available in your area if at all. The .44 special and .45 Colt are to particular cartridges that shine when reloaded. I like the idea that you should shoot the biggest caliber you can shoot well. After all, a miss with a .454 Casull is still a miss.
The other factor that you may want to consider is the package that these cartridges come in. You could get a medium frame Blackhawk in .357 Magnum or .44 special, but would have to bump up to the slightly heavier and bulkier frame in .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum or .45 Colt. For double action revolvers, large calibers can get pretty bulky. You might want to handle different revolvers and see if any particular set up appeals to you more than the others. I am on a medium frame .44 Special Blackhawk kick right now and it can do anything from light target loads to near .44 magnum loads like Elmer used to shoot with careful reloading. I generally keep my loads to about 1000fps since that does what I need.
Good luck and happy hunting,
Patrick
TXWheeledShooter":37ov3of2 said:
buckeyeshooter
Blackhawk
44 MAG. The 357 will work but it is most effective at a shorter range than the 44.
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flatgate
Hawkeye
Here in WY the .357 is NOT legal for Big Game hunting. Check your local regulations.
In any case, I'd choose the .44, for sure.
flatgate
In any case, I'd choose the .44, for sure.
flatgate
Old Judge Creek
Single-Sixer
No contest.
IMO, the 44 Magnum is The King of Handgun cartridges.
It offers more versatility and utility, and covers a wider array of applications than all others and has more available reloading components to select from than everything except the 38/357 - but it makes up for that shortcoming with the extra ballistic "oomph" it offers.
But whatta I know... :roll:
:lol:
IMO, the 44 Magnum is The King of Handgun cartridges.
It offers more versatility and utility, and covers a wider array of applications than all others and has more available reloading components to select from than everything except the 38/357 - but it makes up for that shortcoming with the extra ballistic "oomph" it offers.
But whatta I know... :roll:
:lol:
Bucks Owin
Hunter
No way Judge, the .45 Ruger is.... :x :lol: Seriously, I'd pick .44 mag. Good selection of ammo...Old Judge Creek":3k1sk3nj said:
BearHawk 357
Single-Sixer
Show me your bullets and let me see you shoot both guns before I answer. Shoot a solid, heavy bullet that will exit a deer and shoot it well, in either caliber, and you will be fine. I take shot placement and penetration over caliber, hype and velocity.
The 44 is looked at as being a superior deer hunting round (and probably is). However, let's say that you shoot 3000 rounds a year. How many of those rounds are actually at deer? Most of them will be at paper or tin cans. Sometimes you have to ask yourself which one will you be most likely to practice with the most. Use shooting sticks in the field and stick with the heaviest, solid bullet that you and your gun shoots most accurately.
Which is better 357 or 44? Where did the bullet hit is a better question? I'll take a 357 to the heart of a deer over a shot to the ankle, with a 44, due to flinching.
Which is better 357 or 44? What bullet are you using? I'll take a heavy, accurate, solid, 357 round that penetrates over an expanding 44 that only splashes and doesn't leave an exit (blood drain).
Which is better 357 or 44? If you are looking at cost then I would say 357. You can get good with your trigger in the off season with cheap and light 38's.
Which is better 357 or 44? Do you hunt deer in bear country? If so then maybe the 44 is a better choice.
There are so many variables to consider. I have been in states where deer are about the size of large dogs while in others states they grow to four times that size. You may want some beef behind your hunting rounds if you are hunting larger deer.
I know a hunter who once said, "I'm only going to take 15 yard shots, at deer, from a 20 foot high treestand, with a hollow point "hunting" bullet, out of a 44 mag." Think of that shot angle. He kept running out of blood while tracking the deer that he had shot. If you shoot at close range, from a stand, with a bullet that spashes then you don't have a drain on the low side (or the exit). Who cares what caliber you used if the animal ran xxxx number of yards and died with no blood for you to follow? You know that feeling when you are tracking an animal and you run out of blood? Panic sets in....people start to walk in circles....someone yells out, "maybe he back tracked." Next thing you know a few days have passed by and you have to end the search.
Folks, this situation can be prevented with a bit of planning. I have always heard the phrase, "you can't argue with power when it comes to hunting bullets/calibers." I say....you can't argue with wisdom. Be smart about what you do when it comes to hunting and have fun. Shoot a heavy, solid bullet. Shoot off of a rest when hunting (shooting sticks work well). Invest in quality LED flashlights like Surefire brand or others. Wait at least an hour or two (if not over night) before tracking a deer that has been shot. THESE are some of the things that will lead to success in the field. Caliber selection will take a back seat, to some of the more important aspects of hunting/woodsmanship, as you become more experienced.
Now, with all of that being said, if all things were equal, would I say that a heavy, solid, 44 mag is better than a heavy, solid 357? Yes. I just didn't want to answer the OP's question without talking about some of the other aspect of the equation. I would like to hear what other hunters have learned as well. So, let's keep this dialog going. This is a great place to talk about these types of issues.
The 44 is looked at as being a superior deer hunting round (and probably is). However, let's say that you shoot 3000 rounds a year. How many of those rounds are actually at deer? Most of them will be at paper or tin cans. Sometimes you have to ask yourself which one will you be most likely to practice with the most. Use shooting sticks in the field and stick with the heaviest, solid bullet that you and your gun shoots most accurately.
Which is better 357 or 44? Where did the bullet hit is a better question? I'll take a 357 to the heart of a deer over a shot to the ankle, with a 44, due to flinching.
Which is better 357 or 44? What bullet are you using? I'll take a heavy, accurate, solid, 357 round that penetrates over an expanding 44 that only splashes and doesn't leave an exit (blood drain).
Which is better 357 or 44? If you are looking at cost then I would say 357. You can get good with your trigger in the off season with cheap and light 38's.
Which is better 357 or 44? Do you hunt deer in bear country? If so then maybe the 44 is a better choice.
There are so many variables to consider. I have been in states where deer are about the size of large dogs while in others states they grow to four times that size. You may want some beef behind your hunting rounds if you are hunting larger deer.
I know a hunter who once said, "I'm only going to take 15 yard shots, at deer, from a 20 foot high treestand, with a hollow point "hunting" bullet, out of a 44 mag." Think of that shot angle. He kept running out of blood while tracking the deer that he had shot. If you shoot at close range, from a stand, with a bullet that spashes then you don't have a drain on the low side (or the exit). Who cares what caliber you used if the animal ran xxxx number of yards and died with no blood for you to follow? You know that feeling when you are tracking an animal and you run out of blood? Panic sets in....people start to walk in circles....someone yells out, "maybe he back tracked." Next thing you know a few days have passed by and you have to end the search.
Folks, this situation can be prevented with a bit of planning. I have always heard the phrase, "you can't argue with power when it comes to hunting bullets/calibers." I say....you can't argue with wisdom. Be smart about what you do when it comes to hunting and have fun. Shoot a heavy, solid bullet. Shoot off of a rest when hunting (shooting sticks work well). Invest in quality LED flashlights like Surefire brand or others. Wait at least an hour or two (if not over night) before tracking a deer that has been shot. THESE are some of the things that will lead to success in the field. Caliber selection will take a back seat, to some of the more important aspects of hunting/woodsmanship, as you become more experienced.
Now, with all of that being said, if all things were equal, would I say that a heavy, solid, 44 mag is better than a heavy, solid 357? Yes. I just didn't want to answer the OP's question without talking about some of the other aspect of the equation. I would like to hear what other hunters have learned as well. So, let's keep this dialog going. This is a great place to talk about these types of issues.
Old Judge Creek
Single-Sixer
Bucks Owin":180rv31b said:
:lol: :lol: :lol:
contender
Ruger Guru
All this advice & not even one
"Welcome to the Forum!"
Now,, I'll wade in with my thoughts.
Get the 44 mag,, and then,, spend a lot of time practicing,, find a good designed bullet for deer,, and become good with it!
I've taken a lot of deer with a handgun,, and it can be a fun, rewarding way to hunt!
"Welcome to the Forum!"
Now,, I'll wade in with my thoughts.
Get the 44 mag,, and then,, spend a lot of time practicing,, find a good designed bullet for deer,, and become good with it!
I've taken a lot of deer with a handgun,, and it can be a fun, rewarding way to hunt!
bigboredad
Blackhawk
I'd go with the .44 but my first choice would be a .45 colt. Just remember a good heavy bullet going at a moderate speed will do things that will amaze you. You do not need loads going the speed of light to punch thru a deer or break a bone or two
Revolver-Time
Single-Sixer
bigboredad":2zanismk said:
You could not be more correct!
OP
TXWheeledShooter
Bearcat
Hey guys,
Thanks for the welcome contender. I think I'll go with a long barrel 41 or 44 mag.
Thanks for the welcome contender. I think I'll go with a long barrel 41 or 44 mag.
batmann
Single-Sixer
Welcome! IMHO, a .44M Hunter Super Blackhawk Bisley should suit you very nicely.
Three44s
Single-Sixer
Get a "fourty something" revolver and HANDLOAD!
.41 mag, .44 mag or .45 Long Colt ........
Three 44s
.41 mag, .44 mag or .45 Long Colt ........
Three 44s
maxpress
Buckeye
welcome to the forum.
i have never seen a deer not fall to a well placed .357. but i still take a .44 with me. that being said is this going to be a dual purpose gun such as a carry gun also? if that were the case i might go with a .357 till more funds came along for a 44/45.
i have never seen a deer not fall to a well placed .357. but i still take a .44 with me. that being said is this going to be a dual purpose gun such as a carry gun also? if that were the case i might go with a .357 till more funds came along for a 44/45.
