.357, .41 or .44 mag for a hunting revolver?

onetohunt · 02-09-2010, 07:34 PM

Hey guys, need some input here. I'm looking to buy a pistol for deer hunting and maybe a little hog? I'm not looking to shoot over a 100 yards, but I would like to be able to if needed. I'm liking the thought of .357 so I can do a little plinking with a .38 round. I will be reloading my own ammo as well. The .41 intrigues me greatly. Let me know what your opinions are on these calibers. Oh yeah, I don't want anything with less than a 6 1/2" barrel, I have looked at the 8 3/8" barrels but they weight may be more than I want. Let me know. Thanks in advance.

podunk kennels · 02-09-2010, 07:56 PM

One of my pardners carries a super blackhawk in .44 mag with a 7.5 inch barrel, itll trounce a hog hadnt shot at extended range but inside 30 yards it does the trick

harter66 · 02-09-2010, 08:21 PM

I'm sure that some will disagree with me.

357 158gr @ 1200 wide meplate (big flat nose) 75 yards is max and that is reaching a bit.
41 200gr @ 1200 SWC or Keith style 75 is safe but begining to reach 100 canbe done but not by me,it should shoot a little flatter than the 44.
44 210 @ 1200 still not really a 100 yard revolver see above. There is load data and cowboy 44 specials available like the 38/357.

Personaly I never cared for the 44. The 45 Colt in a Blackhawk will deliver goods just as well. The 357 and 44 are avalible in carbines with the 44 avalible in the Ruger 10 series. I think I just sold me a 44.

bigbulls · 02-09-2010, 08:50 PM

If I were wanting to use a big revolver to hunt big game up to 100 yards I would go bigger than the 44 mag. I would personally look into a Ruger Super Red Hawk in 454 Casull. A 300 grain hard cast bullet at 1600 - 1700 fps would get it done at 100 yards if you can get it there.

If you are reloading you can load mild 45 colt ammo for plinking.

bronko22000 · 02-10-2010, 01:39 AM

I would have to agree with bigbulls. My minimum choice for deer and larger game would be the .44 Mag. (and you can 'plink' with 44 special loads).
Better still would be the .454 Casull - which will also shoot 45 Colt rounds.
And the 45 Colt, especially if handloaded for use in modern handguns, is a potent deer round as previously mentioned.
IMO the .357 does not qualify as a deer hunting cartridge. Although it can kill a deer, I don't feel it has the necessary energy, even in a rifle, to be a reliable deer stopper.

ajstrider · 02-10-2010, 02:45 AM

As already mentioned, the 100 yard shots are not the smartest thing to do with the cartridges you mentioned. If you intend to shoot at that range I hope you are planning on mounting a scope too. Anyways, back on topic. I enjoy my .41 magnum for deer hunting. It has open sights but has a little ghost ring rear sight that fits into the factory rear sight. This is nice for the type of hunting I do with it where I don't really shoot over 40 yards or so. I do not handload which makes it hard to get good .41 magnum ammo. Luckily Federal loads the 180 grain Barnes XPB round. The 44 magnum will definitely be more powerful but also recoil more, and I deem it unnecessary for my style of handgun hunting for deer. I own several .45 long colts and they are also quite capable deer guns too, especially so if you handload and use a modern gun. Someone already mentioned a .454 casull for you too. If you really want to shoot 100 yards, I would recommend this cartridge. It has been around a while and is not going anywhere and like mentioned, you can shoot .45 long colt ammo through it too.

onetohunt · 02-10-2010, 04:32 AM

Hey guys thanks for the responses. It looks like my search is narrowed down to the .41 or .44. I will also rethink my distance with the two loads to less than 75 yards for sure, probably more like 50 yards. Anyone one else want to chime in?

RugerMike · 02-10-2010, 05:15 AM

+1 Another vote for the fantastic 41mag.
I own 5 pistols and 2 rifles in this caliber. Great pig and deer cartridge.

Sniggle · 02-10-2010, 05:47 AM

Caliber: 357 Magnum (Doubletap Ammo)
Bullet: 180gr. Wide Flat Nose Gas Check Hardcast
1420fps / 6"bbl S&W 686
Muzzle Energy: 676 ft. lbs.

210 grain JHP bullet at 1300 fps with 790 ft. lbs. of ME. (Chuck Hawks)

Both can easily have the power to put a deer down if the shot placement is right.

Daveboone · 02-10-2010, 06:07 AM

What sort of a group sighting in with a rifle do you find acceptable at 100 (or 75) yards?
Make sure you are capable consistently of that before you feel you are ready to go it with a handgun...
An advantage with the .357 is being able to shoot more frequently with inexpensive loads to develop your skills. Alot of guys who try to learn on full magnum anything never are able to hit the inside of a barn because from the first shot they flinch. It takes time to develop handgunnng skills- alot of it.