Im looking to get my first revolver, and need help deciding. With all things equal, how much more range will you get out of a .44mag vs a .357

i don't think there is any real RANGE advantage to any of the traditional revolver rounds over another. the trajectories are quite similar at realistic ranges, all else being equal. what you get with the 44 compared to the 357 is more power and a bigger diameter at any given range. so you should make your choice based on the game to be hunted. for close in work on deer, the 357 should be fine with the right bullet to 50 yds or so max. the 44 will get you to 100 and a little further due to it's higher energy and increased killing power at that range.

I'd go with the .44 or a .480, the terminal performance between those and the 357 are night and day.

I would go for the 44 magnum. As far as hunting goes it has a very good reputation on a variety of critters. This is the first handgun cartridge I started out with and the very first one that I killed a deer with. The distance was right at about 125 yards and a 240 gr Hornady XTP did the job. I didn't find the recoil of the 44 to be as bad as what all of the writers say about it. Don't get me wrong, you definatly know that you have shot something after a box of hot hunting loads, but I feel that it is a cartridge that most anyone can deal with if they give it enough time. Both calibers have a lot of bullet choices for a reloader, but I feel the selection is better in 44 as far as hunting bullets go. I have also not used a 357 magnum to hunt with so I cannot give any advice as far as its performance. I do know several people who have used it to kill deer though.

You never really did specify what you wanted to use this revolver for. I assumed that you are going to want to hunt with it. Hope this helps you out and let us know what your decesion is.

Budger

My personal preference is the .44mag. But I must admit that my experience with the .357 is very limited. The .44 is a lot better at longer ranges, and it does have the extra punch when needed. I haven't had to buy a lot of hunting loads for the .357 but .44 mag loads are easy to locate if your not a reloader just my 2 cents worth.

I have owned four .44mags and I have used a .357 on a hog hunt. I did not feel well armed in thick brush with the .357, however it was very easy to shoot and have no doubt I would hit what I want at under 50yrds. I have since then got myself a compact .44 to cary when cover is thick. For tough critters I would opt for at least the .44 and for deer(not big Maine whitetails) the .357 is fine but only if you hit where you need to and keep shots close. I admit the .357 is fun and easy to shoot but so is a .22. If you never hunt anything tough then there is no reason why you should not get a .357, in fact I may get one just 'cause they are a heck of a lotta fun to shoot.

I'll throw in my $.02 just for fun. You can load the .44 mag up for just about anything (my moose hunting & bear protection load is either 300 or 320 hardcast @ 1340 fps from my S&W mod 29) or you can load it down with light cast bullets to powder puff levels that barely move the gun for cheap fun. If you don't handload you can do the same thing with .44 Special loads. You can do the same thing on the LOWER end with the .357 (wonderful cartridge by the way) but there's no way you can came anywhere close to .44 mag performance on the upper end.
I'll go .44 mag every time!