I'm wanting to buy a revolver, either a .357 magnum or .44 magnum. I don't really have much experience with either, other than shooting a chamber or two of each round using other people's guns in the past.

I ultimately want to use the revolver to shoot deer with. If I was to get the .44 mag, I'm pretty much sold on the Taurus .44 I think they run around $700-$800. If I was to get a .357, I would either go with a Taurus 66 (I think I could get one for $550-$600) or a Ruger GP100 ($900-$1,000). My budget would max out at $1,000 for the gun alone, and would probably eventually get a scope. Whatever chamber I get, I think I'm settled on a 6" barrel.

As far as pros and cons of each, what I can think of off the top of my head would be the following:

.44 mag pros
1. More power
2. More range

.44 cons
1. More recoil
2. More costly ammo
3. Heavier gun

.357 pros
1. Less recoil
2. Lighter gun
3. More affordable ammunition

.357 cons
1. Less range
2. Less power
3. Would require higher accuracy

I'd appreciate any insight people may have on these revolvers or any experience people have using a revolver for deer hunting. Thanks.

… the original man stopper …44 long colt

Buy it cash & carry, no papers.

I have a 66 I bought over 30 years ago and its been a good gun. I'd say its more up to what chambering you want more than quality difference of the two.

Not a lot of experience here, only ever had a .44 Ruger Black Hawk, but If I were looking for another with your budget, Taurus .44 would be my pick, but with the 8" barrel. I'd be more accurate with a longer barreled revolver.

357 will kill anything that walks in the US. You may need to step up to heavy cast for the big stuff so buy a large frame that can handle it. You would be looking a a large frame in 44 so its a moot point.

If you don't need the heavy loads a K frame is more concealable.

I have limited experience, however, in the past I've owned both a Ruger Blackhawk and a S&W model 29, both in 44 mag. I absolutely hated shooting the S&W, it was very painful. Whereas, the Ruger was very comfortable to shoot, it would sort of roll back in your hand, and the S&W would push straight back into the web between your thumb and index finger.
BTW, the Ruger was the most accurate handgun I've ever shot.

ive killed lots of deer with a ruger super blackhawk in .44 mag. 7 1/2" barrel .good for 100 yards.

Savell,
What the heck is a 44 long Colt? Lol


OP,
A good gun you might consider in .357 is a S&W Model 28. Basically a no frills model 27. It’s a strong revolver and heavy enough to help on recoil. They came in 4 and 6” and you could get whichever length well within your budget. I’ve got a couple of the 4” models.

I’ve got a Taurus Tracker in 44 mag. And I’ll just say I’m general compared to Smiths and Rugers the quality isn’t the same. Not saying Taurus is a bad or unreliable gun but hold one side by side to a comparable Smith, Ruger, or Colt…..and you can feel the difference.

you left out the Pro of 38spl from a 357 for when you just want to shoot and don't need magnums


44mag doesn't mean you don't have to make a well placed shot , heck you need to place a shot with a rifle well also.

the GP100 is a better gun than the Taurus

I have a super Blackhawk in 44 and my dad has the GP100 both good guns

The Rugers are worth more later and cost some more now also.

buy once in the caliber you like , cry once

Though I have other guns, I picked up a Taurus Tracker in .357 mag and it about all I will ever use anymore. I was really surprised at how well put together this one is and added benefit I have 7 shots.

It is more accurate than I am- I shot this coyote at 68 yards.

I second the GP 100.

^^^This.^^^ In .357.

Ammo shortages like we've been having, you can get .357 or .38 about anywhere.
Me personally, I wouldn't buy a .44 mag unless I lived in grizzly country.

Dang and he was armed too!

… 2nd number should’ve been 5 … you got me fair and square on that one lol

I googled 44 colt to jog my memory.

It was actually a 45 heel based bullet so the case would also be 45. Designed to fit a bored out 1860 army cylinder.

… inadvertently taught you something I guess lol

Fork over the $$ for one of the new overbuilt Coly Pythons in .357 mag, and call it a day life.

x2

Consider splitting the differance and go wih a .41 mag, best of both worlds!