How much stronger is the recoil of a 44 Magnum vs that of a 357 Magnum?

.44 magnum generates significantly more recoil than .357 magnum. I dont know how to quantify it. A full size 357 is easy to control even with the hottest ammo. A .44 magnum with hot loads is painful without good technique. I've never shot one that was uncontrollable, but it will absolutely let you know if you're doing something wrong.

It's nothing to be scared of, typical 44 mags are plenty heavy enough to soak up the recoil and I've never shot an inaccurate one. It just takes some getting used to if you're not familiar with shooting heavy recoil revolvers.

Also, you can practice with .44 special which is a pussycat out of full size magnum revolvers.

Put really hot .357 loads in an aluminium snubby.

That's pretty close

Honestly, I've never thought .44 was that bad. It's a vertical rather than torque recoil.

quote:

---

Is the recoil way different or is there a manageable difference for someone used to shooting a 357?

---

Not so much "way different," mainly just "more of it" (assuming you're shooting similar guns, i.e. 6" 357 Mag steel revolver compared to 6" 44 Mag steel revolver). Having said that, different grip configurations can generate different types of recoil. Folks who like single actions (Super Blackhawk) say the recoil is not as heavy backwards, but more of a twisting upward motion compared to revolvers (Redhawk). I've shot plenty revolvers, but not single actions so I don't have personal experience. When I started shooting handguns, I went from 22LR's to a 44 Mag Ruger Redhawk w/ a 7 1/2" barrel. I hand loaded 44 Special loads and shot a lot of them in the beginning, NOT full power loads. I put Pachmayr "Presentation" rubber grips on it and that helped w/ felt recoil as it spread out the recoil over a larger surface compared to the wooden, more narrow grips. I later got a Redhawk w/ a 5 1/2" barrel and narrow Pachmayr ("Decelertor") grips. W/ the lighter barrel weight and more narrow grips, some loads became uncomfortable on the hand w/ the shorter Redhawk despite being ok w/ the longer barrel. Regardless, the recoil is managable, especially w/ the proper set up (consider a good pair of padded shooting gloves when you start shooting full power loads), good technique and load selection (do NOT start w/ full power loads). Learn your gun w/ reduced loads. Consider hand loading for the reduced loads. I don't shoot revolvers much nowadays but I hunt entirely w/ bolt action handguns that include the 308 Win, 7-08 Rem and 284 Win. Learning how to handle recoil is doable. Keep us updated.

Thanks for the information, guys.

I'm familiar with the Pachmayr Presentation grips, have them on both my 357s and like 'em.

I tried my cousins 44 Ruger Blackhawk. 7” barrel?

I hated it. I loaded a full cylinder and emptied it half way, then handed it back to him. Call me a wuss I don’t care, I don’t want to develop a flinch. Great hunting round for y’all that can handle it, though.

According to this research, about double the recoil using full magnums in each caliber:

LINK

Could you imagine shooting one from the bottom of that list with 40+ ft/lbs of recoil?

quote:

---

I've never been bothered by recoil on a handgun until I bought a .454 Casull.

---

And those are generally even bigger, heavier guns.

Frankly, I don't see the point of it other than nostalgia. For the weight of the weapon you're carrying, might as well carry a rifle or carbine, IMHO.