.44 Mag vs .357 Mag (knockdown power)

[6shootercarry]

Originally Posted by DarrellM5

This article has some really good info on stopping power.

Ammunition For The Self-Defense Firearm

The author states:

Read the same article. I load 357B and C357B in my revolver. The other option is the 38 Spec +P They do not have the same "buck and roar" as the author of the article mentioned but will stop at close range.

Matter of feel for you the user. A 44 Mag small enough to carry concealed will kick like a mule. May not be comfortable for you. 357 not so bad (in my opinion) and Federal makes the 357 personal defense ammo in low recoil. With the 357 Mag you have the option for the 38 Spec, 38 Spec +P or +P+, and the 357 Mag loads.
Options are good.

Best way to find the correct caliber is to shoot some and see. I've had the S&W "Dirty Harry" model 29 in my hands with factory 44 Mag loads.. Yikes... Fun, but not when life and death matter. Make sure it's one you can handle. It's your defense weapon, not a show piece.

[6shootercarry]

Originally Posted by srshadwi

I think everyone would agree that a .44 magnum offers more knockdown power than .357. A .44 is also probably the bare (pun intended) minimum cartridge to carry for protection against large game (I would prefer larger). Having said that, if you haven't fired a full strength .44 magnum round from a short barreled revolver, I recommend that you give it a try before purchasing a weapon. If you can handle the recoil AND can reliably make rapid follow-up shots that strike home, great. If after some training you are proficient with a .44 magnum you still have the concealment problem. There is really no such thing as a "small" .44 magnum (there may be some "novelty" derringer-type .44's out there, but I can't image how bad that recoil would be). It will be much easier to conceal a 5-shot .357 magnum. Besides, .357 magnum firearms have been proven to be good "manstoppers."

This is a website I found quite some time ago. I can't personally vouch for the accuracy of the information, but it is at least am interesting read. I found the ammo recommendations for the 10 gauge shotgun especially interesting

Selection of best ammunition for a defensive handgun

After all that rambling, I agree with Fuhr52. 4" .357 would be a decent choice.

Steve

Also I have to agree with the 4" for barrel size (S&W Model 65 here). Better accuracy, smooth follow up shots.

[4570Lever]

Originally Posted by DarrellM5

This article has some really good info on stopping power.

Ammunition For The Self-Defense Firearm

The author states:

the quote here is nonsense. That particular loading has more DATA available due to its commonality of use in revolvers before the modern autoloader era. To say that it has more stopping power than a 44mag is beyond silly...ask anyone who guides an AK brown bear hunt if they'd rather have a .357 than a 44mag.

This is more claptrap from the discredited "Anonymous" piece.

That said, a 44mag is in most cases far too heavy to carry for ordinary street threats.It would become cumbersome after awhile.

[6shootercarry]

Originally Posted by 4570Lever

the quote here is nonsense. That particular loading has more DATA available due to its commonality of use in revolvers before the modern autoloader era. To say that it has more stopping power than a 44mag is beyond silly...ask anyone who guides an AK brown bear hunt if they'd rather have a .357 than a 44mag.

This is more claptrap from the discredited "Anonymous" piece.

That said, a 44mag is in most cases far too heavy to carry for ordinary street threats.It would become cumbersome after awhile.

Yeah I have to agree that the .44 Mag in the same jacketed hollow point configuration would yield more energy at impact compared to the .357 Mag... On that point I have to disagree with the author, but as far as the overall effectiveness of the Federal 357B cartridge it has been a proven performer. As far as the perfect self defense weapon goes the 44 Mag is a little too bulky and heavy. Any small and light 44 Mag with a short barrel is gonna kick hard and be difficult to control for rapid fire with full on Mag loads.. With the .357 Mag the ammo options are abundant.