The 357 magnum is a excelent handgun and I wouldn't hesitate useing it on a deer and maby as backup on a Blackbear but not a grizzly/brownbear.. The 44 launches a 240gr bullet at around 1300fps and a 357 launches a 158gr bulled at 1200 the 44 penatrates deeper has a bigger bullet but dose kick harder but not nearly as much recoil as a 500