Author Topic: 357mag/max or a 44mag truck gun? (Read 1113 times)

mcwt247 · « **on:** April 03, 2009, 01:03:14 PM »

Which would be the better choice? Looking to cut one down to somewhere between 16.5 and 18".I am leaning toward the 357 myself, but would like everyones input.

Thanks Glen

gendoc · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2009, 01:10:42 PM »

357mag when plink'n use 38sp
i don't have a clue about the max...

but for me, i'd perfer the 44

all depends on what your go'n to do with it,,,

round here its gators, hawgs to bear...

a job for a 45/70 in 18" mods

as for the cottonmouths, one must have a scatter gun!!!!!!!!

Datil · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2009, 01:11:41 PM »

Ether would be good, i go for 357 Maxie, That's what I have didn't bother to cutting
barrel,keeping it 22inch. still real handi handi. I had a 44 mag would not shoot a group
about 4" or 5" one of the old barrels. My 2 cents Datil

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2009, 02:04:59 PM »

As a truck gun a .357 mag, why not?

After all, you can ream it to max, and be able to shoot three different cartridges out of the same gun.

Pests, varmints, to big game.

.38 special is quiet, and not too expensive to load or buy over the counter, well used to be anyway, and .357 mag or max can handle the bigger stuff.

More options is always good when you are talking about a versatile gun for the truck.

Lefty Dude · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2009, 02:10:52 PM »

I use a 44 standard length.
If you go with a .357, bore it out to a Maxie. Then you will have almost a 44.

Default · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2009, 05:19:02 PM »

I have had the 357 mag and do have the 44 mag (new SB1 model) and liked both... I would say that answering the question of your choice of targets makes a bit of difference ..But i'll tackle it it the general meaning of a Truck Gun in that it fits whatever bill you need it to on a drop of a dime .. I would say the guys are right a 357 maxie would be versitile , but I have always been partial to the 44 mag , for alot of the same reason the guys like the 357 max ... Except if you have a need for a snake gun the , the obvious rat shot loads from a 44mag have the edge over a 357 mag ( more shot) Same logic that makes men walk around with a 10 gauge 3 1/2" load chambered ... I also favor a heavy round when it comes to pistol calibered long guns , And dont forget the ol' 44 spcl.

... Now if your general purpose is the odd yote , the occasional dilo and the once in a while bambi , that also doubles as a common plinking rig for giggles then i would say go with the 357mag/max ... Those are an inexpensive plinking choice for the average reloader .. Not that the 44 mag is to bad on the cost factor if you lean towards hard cast bullets .. But still a little more on the wallet for plinking , and can handle critters up elk and moose should you be in that kinda country .. But you know what would influence me one way more then another regardless of my needs and wants ? If i had a hand gun in one of the two calibers already .. Guess im kinda nostalgic like that .. I like that my 44 super blackhawk has a friend.. And if i hadnt of picked up a 357 mag winchester lever action for the missus i would still have my 357 mag handi

Just my 2 cents

Side note : the newer 44mag barrels are alot more accurate now then they once were, So as long as you stick to a newer barrel or new gun period , you should have a great shooter like mine

Again either is a great truck gun , just depends on what your needs and wants are.

Default

45-70.gov · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2009, 05:35:13 PM »

i prefer the power of the 44

but the 357 matches my pocket gun that is ALWAYS with me

38s are real quiet if you leave the barrel long and cheep

45-70 or 12 gage if you really want power

Lefty Dude · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2009, 07:49:41 PM »

I agree the difference between the two has a lot to do with what Hand Gun you might have.
I have a choice as to what Rifle resides in my truck. My revolver is a Ruger Super Blackhawk three screw.
And my other pistol caliber Rifle is a fully tuned Rossi 92/44 20" carbine, that holds 10 bad boys in the mag tube and one in the chamber.
With the Handi, I can load up some mighty mean big and nasty bullets. Which BTW are too long for the Rossi or the Ruger SBH to chamber.

I reload all my 44 mag. & 44 special ammunition.

And my carry piece is a Charter Bulldog pug 44 special.

Bottom line is, what ever rocks your boat.

Hodr · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2009, 08:21:02 PM »

I am finishing up a backpack/fourwheel/surrvival gun. Criteria was simple, if it was within 75 yds I wanted stop it, If 100 yds i wanted to at least scare it. I started with a 30 year old breach loading 20 guage junker. I cut 10" off barrel (left 20"). took apart and seviced the action, stripped barrel, cut stock to 34" overall lenghth, refinished stock, plumbrown on barrel and reciever overlaid with camo paint. Last thing to do is to braid a sling out of some elk hide I have. I have found at garage sales #3 buck, bird shot in 4,6,7,8 chill 2 3/4 shell. Bought some buckhammers. After firing I added a recoil pad as the gun now weighs just about 4 lbs. I live in the middle of Arizona and believe this should handle about everything and still go hog hunting with my brother in law in texas. With all the old shells I found at estate and garage sales It is probably as cheap to shoot as my .357 winchester. It is louder, but I have already got more pleasure out of the gun than I have invested in it in the rebuild process.

blindhari

cwlongshot · « **Reply #9 on:** April 04, 2009, 12:46:19 AM »

IMHO, either one will suit you just fine. I see no marked advantage to any.

Either caliber will be fine with a stubby barrel. None will offer long range capabilities. The 44 will allow heavier bullets, the MAG will be easier on the shoulder. Both offer the availability of a factory lighter load. I.E. 44SPL and 38SPL's.

My personal preference is for the 357Maxi.

CW

MSP Ret · « **Reply #10 on:** April 04, 2009, 02:24:16 AM »

I have them both and vote for the .357 Mag reamed to Max (use .38's, Mag's, or Max's). I would prefer the barrel full length but if I HAD to cut it I would go no shorter than about 20"....<><....

Markus · « **Reply #11 on:** April 04, 2009, 03:44:41 AM »

Here's just a thought. I'd choose a 12 or 20ga for a truck gun. You could hack it to 18" and only have between $50.00-$100.00 invested in the gun. be careful though because this cheap gun will become your favorite and your freinds will make fun of you.

rickt300 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 05, 2009, 04:53:58 AM »

If I were shooting trucks I'd go 45-70 for sure. I picked the 44 magnum for my anything that might need shooting gun in rifle form. The stock Handi is short enough if you are in a full size truck but in a small one 17-18 inches would be better. The 44 with a hard cast semi wadcutter pushed to 1400 fps will take small stuff without too much damage and still be good enough for hogs and deer. Recoil isn't too bad either. If you need a bit more range you can get a bit over 1700 fps with the same weight jacketed bullet. I second the new barrels being plenty accurate enough though the slow twist makes it necessary to get at least 1400 fps with 240 grain bullets to avoid tumbling, at least in my rifle.

petemi · « **Reply #13 on:** April 05, 2009, 09:22:07 AM »

I've got an old, ugly, nasty 3" 20 ga. Brazilian imported by FIE I bought about 18 or 20 years ago used for $35.00. It has legally killed about everything that lives in Northern Michigan. It also has put many miles behind the seat in my truck. But, my favorite truck guns are my Handi .357 and my .357 Blackhawk. The 22 inch fits just fine in my pickup.

I gotta agree with CW, the .357 Max. will do it all.

Pete

Troyboy · « **Reply #14 on:** April 05, 2009, 09:29:41 AM »

I'd stick with the 12 or 20 for a truck gun. Slugs or shot will kill everything.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 05, 2009, 09:47:54 AM »

+1 on the 357 Max. I have both the 357 Max and 44 Mag barrels. A shot gun is a possibility, but I do not think it was one of your options. I think a 22 semi auto rifle is a good truck gun. But your best choice depends on where you live, what you are likely to run into and where. If all your potential targets were big game, I would opt for the 44 Mag. I believe in most states you can not shoot from a roadway, so you are going to have to park your vehicle and stalk/walk to your target. If you are going to carry it on a tractor or on a large ranch, you have different criteria. IMHO; Part of the fun of a truck gun is impromptu shooting, so cheap shooting is mandatory. Not only will the 38 Special/357/357Max do what you want it is just plain fun to shoot. Of the 6 different barrels I have, the 357 Max is my favorite. You do not need to cut it down to be handy, a 22" barrel on a short break open action is not very long. But you can with out sacrificing too much velocity. If you stick to 357 Mag they are a bit cheaper to shoot than a 44 Mag so you can shoot a little more (more fun). There isn't very many center fires that are cheaper than a 38 Special to shoot. The 44 mag will also work, I just like the 357 a little better. Good Luck and Good Shooting

Sourdough · « **Reply #16 on:** April 05, 2009, 12:57:23 PM »

Depends on what your target would be. That is determined on where you live. Both would be good in most areas of the country. Where I live neither would work well.

So to me I would say which one you like and enjoy shooting the best.

maglvr44 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 06, 2009, 06:32:08 PM »

Quote from: mcwt247 on April 03, 2009, 01:03:14 PM

Which would be the better choice? Looking to cut one down to somewhere between 16.5 and 18".I am leaning toward the 357 myself, but would like everyones input.

Thanks Glen

Now, for a TRUE "truck gun" there are things to take into consideration, for instance... if you go with 357 it will allow you to shoot 38spl rounds that are considerably quieter that either 357 mag or 44 mag, and the 38's will not spook the game wardens nearly as bad, when you pop their remote control deer decoy out the truck window at 3 in the morning

wreckhog · « **Reply #18 on:** April 07, 2009, 06:01:20 AM »

What is a truck gun?

Is it something with no value?

Something very compact?

Something with a wide variety of uses?

Something that gets shot a lot or hardly ever?

Something ultra reliable?

I was looking at riverbed guns on another forum.
Those are guns that you can throw in the water, recover later, and mostly not give a crap about.

I keep a shotgun in my trunk, somewhat disguised, in 3 pieces. I can pull over and have a versatile gun ready in minute or 2. Almost no value $. And an opportunistic thief would probably not have a functioning weapon. Useless for a quick shot though (self defense or a deer in the field)

teamnelson · « **Reply #19 on:** April 13, 2009, 11:06:00 AM »

Quote from: rickt300 on April 05, 2009, 04:53:58 AM

If I were shooting trucks I'd go 45-70 for sure.

You must be talking those full sized critters you see out in the country. I think the 45-70 is overkill for the little ones you see scooting around town.

myarmor · « **Reply #20 on:** April 13, 2009, 03:16:58 PM »

I know fellas that have every thing from a shortened SKS, to an old Mosin Nagant, to a Mossberg 12ga. it really does depend on your conditions and the wear and tear on what rifle or shotgun you plan on using. Most I know around here in the Blue Ridge Mountins of VA can range from a lot

shots can range from really short thick woods conditions to nice open fields between the vallys. Plan on your gun to match up with what your needs are.
I know many that are very happy with a 30-30.... guess I can't argue.
Still in a Handi we have many good choices to fit our needs.
A 357 or 44Mag would work well within it's range limits.

-Aaron

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #21 on:** April 13, 2009, 03:23:48 PM »

My dad carries a .357 mag marlin for a truck gun. The pest it is used on are usually coyotes, but he has shot everything with it, skunk, porcupine, deer,ect. We don't have anything bigger than deer, but depending on were you are a .44 mag may be needed. The .357 is like shooting a .22 but I have the same gun in .44 mag and it is not as much fun to shoot. Still lots of fun just not as much as the .357.