I have just been pondering the two calibers. Both seem borderline for under 50 yd deer. I do not want to track over 100 yds really. The 327 fed if you could get squirrel accuracy @ 50 yds seems like with a 125 gr hardcast should do the job on a deer neck. Have any of you done the double lung boiler room shot with a soft boolit with the caliber with successful outcome. The 44 special loaded close to 1000 fps with a soft 240 gr should do a boiler room shot under the 50 yd mark and not have to track to the next county.
My ponderance is based on that I might not be able to handle the 44 mag as well in my coming years. I personally think the 357 is to light or less expectant for deer, and a little large for squirrel. Though, the 357 can do a fair job on targets. I do have more respect for the larger cal with a hunk of lead. Though, with a bunch of range time plinking I think the 44 special might become less comfortable than the 327 fed with a 32 H&R or 32 long. The 32 long seems like it could be a decent little squirrel round.
Another use for an excuse to go to the range would be for CBA postal shoots whether the 50 yd irons or 100 yd scope. I don’t think I would put a scope on the 44 special, but something like the Single Seven might be able to at least present a target. A scope might help with aging eyes for squirrels. I am not sure with the 1 in 16 twist. I noticed that neither cal has a double action with a 6” barrel. They are all kinda short for my taste with 3. or 4. something inches.
There is a small wedge percentage on the pie chart concerning SD.
Pie chart consist of
50% plinking
20% squirrel
15% deer
8% CBA
7% SD
Thoughts