I know .44 magnum is more practical for hunting but does one feed and function better than the other?

Is one more accurate?

Which is more "fun"?
Which is better for non handloaders?

Any reason to choose one over the other?


Thanks for any input.

44 Mag hands down, reloaders or non-reloaders.

IMO, there is not really any comparison.

If you want to check into it, look up the difference between the 44 Special and the 38 Special.

Also, and again this is just my opinion, the 44 Mag is easier on the ears than the 357 Mag.

I have owned 3 seperate 44 Mag revolvers and 2 44 Mag rifles, IMO, the 357 Mag is not even in the same class.

I've had the opposite experience. I have on Rossi in .357 and have had two .44 mag lever guns. The 44 Rossi had the big ring and it didn't take too long to get tired of that. Accuracy was only fair. I had a Winchester 94 in .44 mag and that rifle couldn't have hit the broadside of a barn from inside.

Since I'm about half deaf from shooting over the years I can't comment on which was louder.

Also, back in the day I had lots of gov't issue .357 and .38 special ammo and it was cheaper than buying 44 mag to shoot the Rossi.

If you get an accurate 44 mag it would probably be more versatile. JMO

Wouldn't it depend somewhat on what you wanted to use the rifle for? For deer hunting, the 44Mag would likely get the nod. For small game, plinking, etc...go with the 357.

You can go down to the 44 specials for plinking etc. That being said I regularily take out Corsican ewes out to about 125-130 yards with the .357 shooting 125 grain semi jacketed hollow points. Now if you need a quiet piece then 38 special wadcutters, chambered one at a time is a great way to go. They don't lever real well. JMO

I've got a Marlin 1894C in .357, and I love it. I don't hunt with it, though I could; I just think it's fun to take to the range and blast away with .38 specials (157gr SWCs). Virtually no recoil with those loads, they cycle just fine, and the rifle is just plain fun.

NathanaelGreene, I was talking about match grade 148 grainwadcutters, the blunts. Semi wadcutters work fine. No problem, just clearing up an apparent misunderstanding of what won't lever real well in my Rossi.

i've never had either in a rifle version,although i would like to. but i do have both in s&w revolvers. and i like the .357 more for target shooting or to carry during deer season for a put down weapon,and not to mention the cheap .38 ammo. but i carry the .44 if i'm going after hogs. both serve a purpose,but i do want a rifle one day in both caliber's, have a few lever action 30/30's and there my favorite rifle's.

I love my Marlin .44mag. It shoots great!

I too have the Marlin 357 lever action. I love it. But they do not recommend using wad cutters in the rifle. I love mine. Can't say which is best. But I've never shot it at anything it didn't kill. Except a few beer cans

Go with the 44 that way you can shoot deer and hogs. Trust me when i say a 357 is not enough for a hog thats coming after you if you ticked him off unless you make a perfect head shot! Been there and done that and it wont happen again. Scared the crap outta me!

I have to agree with Hoytman. 357 is not enough gun for hogs coming your way fast. I used a Marin 44 and a Ruger 44 autoloader in my youth for hogs at night hunting with dogs. GOOD STUFF! Having said that, I wouldnt be concerned about shooting whitetails out to 75 yards with my Rossi 357, especially with the new leverrevolution ammo. It shoots awesome in my gun and has enough punch for deer.

44mag all the way. they are sweet guns and with my experience they are accurate