Most useful Six Gun Cartridge ?

[Art in Colorado]

In my meager estimation I believe that the 44 Special is the one. From most big game, trail gun, small game and about all I can think of. I have never taken big game with it but have read Brian Pierce's hunts with it in Handloader.

What do you all think?

[Thumbcocker]

Can't argue with your choice; although I think geography might play a role.

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[375supermag]

Hi...
Speaking for myself, it would be difficult to decide. My son and I shoot large amounts of .357Mag, .41Mag, .44Mag, .45Colt, .45ACP, 9 mm and 10mm every weekend. Many times we shoot as much as 600 rounds per shooting sessions, not counting rifle rounds which can total a several hundred when we shoot our ARs and SKS rifles.

It seems I am loading three to four hundred big bore revolver cartridges every week and there are few weeks that go by that my son doesn't reload hundreds of .357, 9mm, 10mm and .45ACP.

We get a lot of use out of our handguns.
I have been putting off running another large batch of .44Spl, .38Spl and .45AutoRim.


I c

[bmortell]

id pick 44 mag cause you can load down all you want, while you cant load a smaller cartridge up. and in revolvers picking a smaller caliber don't really give the advantage it does in auto's like how you get a lot more rounds if you pick say 9mm instead of 45.

[Texas by God]

I would be happy with a .44 Special but I’ve always liked the .41 mag the best.

[Walks]

Just glad I don't hafta really choose.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I'd have to say the 44 magnum you can always download

[Larry Gibson]

I'd have to say the 44 magnum you can always download

^^^^^^Concur^^^^^^

[white eagle]

I'd take a 44 special
anytime

[rfd]

useful? .38spl for me. :)

[slughammer]

Most useful. Probaly 44 magnum (though my least used).

Most used. 38 special. Perfect symphony of brass, lead, powder and recoil. Cheap enough to shoot ALOT, and just the right amount of recoil/power to learn how to handle a sixgun.

[ShooterAZ]

If I was forced to have just one, it would be the 44 Magnum. Lots and lots of mold choices, it can be loaded hot or downloaded from mild to wild. Otherwise, I would pick all of them because all of my six-guns are useful, and all of them get used including one seven-shooter. Love my revolvers!

[Thumbcocker]

Are we talking factory loads or handloads?

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[rking22]

44 special would be my vote as well. Beats out the mag in my opinion due to the existence of Bulldogs, M696, and now Gp100s. Nothing in my area that a Skeeter load won’t accomplish that a full bore 44 mag will. Out west, I might feel differently. I love my 38 specials but it’s a bit light for deer. Really love my 41 special, but no generally available guns. Yep the 44 Special is right hang y’all the way round.

[H110]

My 2 cents. 454 Casull. 250gr from 1000-1850fps. 325gr from 800-1550fps. I believe that will cover everything, although there won't be much rabbit left. Heck a 22lr works pretty darn good. I guess the most useful for me would be the one I can shoot the best. Now I'm bummed, I just remembered I can't shoot any of them that well.

[Drm50]

Most useful? The 22 LR by far. It also has the soothing affect of not having to worry about brass.

[mike69]

I'd have to agree with H110 on the 454 Casull I really like mine . I don't down load it much but if you wanted to could use it for just about any thing .

[Art in Colorado]

Are we talking factory loads or handloads?

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Hand Loading. Do not buy factory revolver loads!!

[USSR]

Okay, I'll be the outlier here: .45 Colt.

Don

[Slugster]

Going with the .44 magnum. Load it up, load it down, light boolit, heavy boolit, versatile is it's middle name. Punch a rabbit or squirrel through the ribcage to keep meat loss to a minimum. Will take down any deer that I have ever seen. Might be light for elk.

[rintinglen]

I hold with those who hold with the 357 magnum. Shoot everything from 75 grain WC at 650 fps up to 180 grain boolits at 1180 fps, even more if you have a tight 6 inch or longer barrel. Not much you can do with a revolver that you can't do with a good .357.250908250909250910

[dverna]

Useful for what???

I have one .44 Mag., four .38/.357, one .22/.22mag.

For self defense, semi-auto’s, shotguns, and AR’s are my choice.

For hunting, rifles and shotguns

Revolvers are my fun guns....hate picking up brass.

[Silver Jack Hammer]

Of all my guns my SBH 3 screw .44 mag is the most accurate however at 47 ounces I never carry it. I carry the .44 Special at 35 ounces in a SAA by far the most. The Smith & Wesson Model 69 at 35 ounces is a good carry size but I’ve never shot one with full magnum loads. A friend carries his with reduced loads. Brian Pearce claims to have a US Patent single action which he shoots .44 magnum pressure loads with. I don’t want to carry a 47 ounce handgun or shoot .44 magnum loads out of a 35 ounce pistol, so I vote for the .44 Special.

[samari46]

Before I got into the 44 spl I was a big 44 magnum fan, nothing ti spend an afternoon with 100 rds shooting my Redhawk with the 7" bbl. Since I got my3 44 specials haven't shot the Redhawk in years. 44 special is great as a target round, small game and loaded with 7.5 grains unique big game. Wadcutters for target,Semi wadcutters for small game and maybe hard semi wadcutters for big game. Frank

[drac0nic]

I'm going to go with .357 mag because it serves the role of concealed carry potentially as well with 6 rounds. If I was more in open carry country with aggressive animals I'd go 44 magnum or perhaps 454. The smaller stuff is just too small to be versatile and the bigger stuff you have to carry.

[Lloyd Smale]

yup the 44 mag can go from 700 fps with a 180 grain cast bullet to 1200 fps with a 340 grain bone crushing load and even higher yet in a redhawk. is and allways has been my hands down favorite handgun round. Add a 22lr for really small stuff and you can deal with anything in north America. Ammo is available about any place that sells ANY ammo. Most guns have proper dimensions unlike the 45 colt and ive yet to own a 44 mag that didn't shoot well. Even if you don't handload you have the option of ammo from mild 44 spec to buffalo bore 44 mags that will kill anything. I love a 44 special but NOTHING is more versatile then a 44 mag. I kind of chuckle at guys who heap praise on 45 colts or 41 mags thinking there a member of some cult that knows something everyone else doesn't. Ive seen it many times. Guys start out and there first big bore is a super Blackhawk and then they start reading gun magazines and magicaly they saw the light and buy a 45 colt or 41 mag or both. 10 years later there quietly killing everything with a 44 mag again. It wont get you a phony rep like occonor got for toting the 270 over the 06. But truth be told when you shove all the bs to the side the 44 mag sits on top of the handgun choices and the old o6 still cant be beat for a rifle. Don't need any gun writter to tell me. Its been that way for the 50 years ive been loading and shooting. I have and have had everything from a 22lr to a 500 Linebaugh and if I could only have one handgun to do everything from self defense to hunting small to large game it would be a 4 inch N frame 44 mag. If it was just hunting give me a plain boring 4 5/8s super Blackhawk.

[Went2kck]

If the 6 gun you have is needed, then the one you have id the most useful at that time.

[45 Dragoon]

45 Colt. Especially in a Kirst conversion cyl in a ROA.

Can be loaded up or down and replaced with cap cyl if wanted/needed. ROA = most versatile platform . (cap gun, 45acp, 45C )

Mike

[Gunslinger1911]

For me, 45 Colt. As always - load up or down as needed. My 4 5/8 Uberti for just kickin around. 4" S&W 25 for carry if I want. (Colt officers in 45acp is usual EDC). BH for hunting with "Oh WOW loads. Lever action - kickin / huntin.

That said, my opinion for the best all around revolver for general folks would be a 5" mid frame 357. Yea I know, 4 & 6 inch much more common. 4,5,6, what ever floats your boat.

Mild to wild in factory loads; what ever your warped mind can come up with in reloading. I've gone from 90g to 200 over the years. A 158g SWC HP rules them all.

This is my go to advice for anyone asking what to get, especially if they are a newbie to shooting.

My 2 cents, worth every penny. lol

[Don Purcell]

Right with Lloyd Smale, 4-5 inch N frame Model 29. It packs easy, carry mine concealed in a Sparks Summer Special. Any load that will run a 250-280 WFN at 1000-1100 f.p.s. will take at 90% of whatever you come up against. Don't forget a couple of speedloaders but by that time you better have the situation resolved or be on the way out of there! Everyone is different your mileage will vary.

[ebner glocken]

When I first read the question it seemed like being asked which is your most loved child. As Lloyd I've own or have owned .22s to the 500 S&W and many in between. Each seem to have their nitch with a lot of overlapping. Recoil is subjective and everyone has their comfort level. I was fortunate enough to grow up shooting a wide assortment of revolvers where's the 357 mag was considered a smaller gun, doing this conditioned me to be pretty tolerant of what some considered excessive. There are some standouts. Some just do about anything well, some do a few things great. What's not to love about a 4" 327 federal? The same could be said for a 7" .50 JRH. A .44 mag can be loaded to do about anything a .45 colt can do and vise versa. This could be lengthy but I'll stop there on that, you get the picture.

Now to answer the question. I would love to say my most useful was some obscure 357/44 Brian and Davis but it's not. Especially when stuck with factory ammo I would have to say hands down it's the .44 mag. It can be loaded up or down to do about anything. At the moment I can't decide which is my favorite revolver between a model 69 and a 329. The 69 is a joy to shoot but the 329 seems to disappear on your belt at 25 oz. A light jacket covers either quite well this time of year. Years of occupational injuries and such (tendinitis) make me prefer Skeeter loads these days. A few weeks ago I bought my first .44 specials ever for plinking.

Ebner

[bedbugbilly]

I think it's a hard one to choose as I think the comment on "geographical location" is a true factor

In MI where I was brought up and still live part of the year, I'd say a .357 - primarily because I can and do shoot 38 Colt short/long/special/357 and for the critters there, it's adequate for the most part.

Other places - like where we are in southern AZ - I'd go with your choice of 44 Mag as I would think the 44 spl/mag would pretty much handle the critters and the distances you'd be shooting.

[trapper9260]

For me I would say the 44 mag for all that you can do with it also shoot spl in it . also the 357 mag that you can do the same and shoot spl. if you want to get small and med I would say the 327mag for all that you can shoot in it . I have a rifle for all 3 I stated. You can reload for all of them and shoot the way you want for large to small in the 44 mag but also depend where you live.What will work the best.

[sixshot]

For me it's always been the 44 magnum but I like them all & love to read the arguments given on which is the best. Just be glad you have one, some people don't or can't!!

Dick

[Green Frog]

Here in Central VA, I might even suggest the 327 Fed Mag, especially if you reload. The high performance loads for self defense and even med-large game hunting will work, then you can download through the whole spectrum of 32 cal cartridges to suit your “need du jour.” :mrgreen:

Froggie

[Hickory]

This is a wonderful thread, I like what you people say and how you think. The criteria in the original post would put the caliber options in 35 and up, in that 357 would be a more practical minimum choice for
big game. Not that even a 22 rimfire could not take a deer, they can and have.
For myself, I would feel comfortable in the woods with anything that started with a "4" in order to fill the criteria of small game to large game.
I don't feel there are any wrong answers here, what ever you feel will do the job for you and the caliber/gun that gives you the most confident.

[ebner glocken]

When you reply in a thread like this one you have to remember the original question. Sure there's ones I find more interesting, they have more history, more unique, ect. The question was "most useful". For me that covers a pretty vast spectrum of applications. I love my savage strikers for long range use but they're a bit tough to conceal them in a belt holster in public. I don't own a desert eagle in .44 mag, why? Because it's simply a fun gun that for me has no practical use that I even try to justify it's just fun to load for and shoot so the 50AE it is. As said above this is a fun thread to read. Many people from different places with different needs.

Ebner

[Harter66]

Most flexible is 357 without a doubt . Load it up or down cut back mouth cracked brass to any length from 357-9×17 , load data for all , plentiful cheap brass , BP compatible in a pinch and the mould and bullet choices are just dizzying .

Bears in the front yard out west and just as likely here in the south now have made me want more gun as an answer to the question . I chose 45 Colts over the 44s . I did so because of all of the great reasons listed with the 357 , obviously the range of cut back cases is 45 GAP- Colts and the RBH will manage all of them . As a bonus if you happen to have a S&W N frame in the cartridge a short visit with the smith will get it moon clip compatible and a Red Hawk is available so fitted also . As a real bonus if the platform handles ACP it will handle +P Colts and you can all but match the standard 44 mag loads .
45 is bigger than 44 . Moulds are readily available from 135-535 with a quick extra pass through a sizer , and with correct moulds available from 140-300 what's not to love about it ?

[Der Gebirgsjager]

This is, is it not, one of those questions that can't receive a hard and fast answer. It depends on what the desired use and outcome is. Stop a bear, .44 Mag. Shoot a squirrel, .22 L.R. Shoot the squirrel with a .44 Mag., not much dinner remains. Shoot a bear with a .22 L.R. and you'll likely be dinner. :D

[Todd N.]

Most useful for what???

[sac]

45 colt

[dakota]

44 Mag with 44spl loads to 44 mag loads

But, I suppose I shoot light 357 and 38 more

My most accurate pistol is a revolver - a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag - 2" groups at 100 yards with nearly maximum loads 240 grain and GC. A lighter load in the same revolver 2 1/2" - no GC

[mart]

Most useful sixgun chambering? That's a tough call with a lot of mitigators based on your area and your needs. Arguments could be made for the 22 LR. Great small game cartridge, inexpensive, accurate, and shootable by anyone. Not ideal but can be pressed into self defense service. The same could be said for the 32 H&R and it might serve the role a little better in all areas.

The 38 Special and 357 argument is certainly a valid one for much of NA. Small game, deer, self defense, low recoil, inexpensive, reloadable, very shootable. Vast variety of bullet weights both cast and jacketed.

The 44 Special is a favorite of mine. In a 4 inch 696 or a 5.5 inch Bisley or New Frontier of the same length, I'd feel prepared for anything NA had to offer, including my home state of Alaska. I like the Charter Arms 44 Specials but they wouldn't qualify in my book as most useful simply because they are better suited to lighter loads than either the aforementioned revolvers will handle.

I have often said I would be fine with a 44 Special as my one and only revolver and because I have a Bisley 5.5 inch so chambered could be content to spend the rest on my life with just it for all my revolver needs.

Were I both pragmatic and revolverless, choosing one gun to do it all, and considering all the available options and my personal needs, I'd probably look really hard at a four inch S&W Mountain Gun in 41 or 43 magnum. With the nearly unlimited variety of bullet molds available, bullets of tremendous versatility can be created for either. And you are only limited by your personal needs and imagination on creating loads to serve your purposes.

[Texas by God]

If Ruger had made a 4-5/8” Blackhawk in .44 magnum during my formative handgun years; I’d probably be less of a .41 magnum fan. But they didn’t. So, after owning 3 of the big honking weirdly gripped Super Blackhawks, I went with the compact Blackhawk powerhouse .41 and it became a lifetime favorite. No cult involved.

[osteodoc08]

I’m partial to the Goldilocks 41 Mag.

[LAH]

Most useful for what???

I'm thinking most useful for you.

[tigweldit]

Got to agree with the .41 fans. Been shooting the same Ruger BH .41 for over 50 years. No complaints.

[frogleg]

^^^^^^Concur^^^^^^

Me Too.

[Petrol & Powder]

Interesting responses.

There are endless factors that influence those choices. Most useful for what?, Your most useful gun or most useful handgun?, Your only gun ?, Where are you? Casting and handloading or factory ammo only?

My very first instinct was 44 Special. Versatile and Accurate.
The 44 magnum could stand in and be downloaded as needed.

But those large framed revolvers are,.......well , large. So while the cartridge is useful (and the OP was asking about the cartridge and not the gun), the guns tend to be a bit on the large size.

That turned me towards the 357 magnum and the 38 Special. The 38 Special is by far my favorite handgun cartridge. And because the OP asked about cartridges and not guns, I should say 357 magnum but..........I just have to go with my favorite - the 38 Special.

The 38 Special lacks the top end performance of the 357 magnum but it excels almost everywhere else. It can fill many roles: self defense, small game hunting, target work and plinking. It uses less lead & powder than the big bores. The variety of excellent guns chambered for it are very numerous. It's just a great all-around cartridge. Sure, it falls short of the big bores for big game and the 357 mag exceeds its top end performance, but it does so many thing well that I can overlook those limitations.
I admit, I have a bias but all of these discussions are rooted in some bias.

[RJM52]

.41s work for me but I think anything that starts with .40 and above will work...

Guy in Alaska just killed a charging 800# brown bear with two rounds from a Glock 20 10mm using a 200 grain hard cast that run around 1200 fps... If that will work most anything listed here will also... Big game hunting, small game hunting, plinking and just a fun trail gun will just depend on how big or small your gun needs to be...

Bob

[onelight]

44 mag for me.
I don't shoot my 44 mag much any more , cause I have so many calibers I enjoy shooting but if I picked one the 44 is proven to serve well for anything you could ask a pistol cartridge to do from defense against man or beast to hunting small game or large . There are others calibers that would do as well but the 44 mag seems to do the most in a reasonably comfortable to cary hand gun. Elmer did good. :p

[LAH]

The 38 Special lacks the top end performance of the 357 magnum but it excels almost everywhere else. It can fill many roles: self defense, small game hunting, target work and plinking. It uses less lead & powder than the big bores. The variety of excellent guns chambered for it are very numerous. It's just a great all-around cartridge. Sure, it falls short of the big bores for big game and the 357 mag exceeds its top end performance, but it does so many thing well that I can overlook those limitations.

Well said.

[robbyPGP2014]

For me it would be either 41 magnum or 10mm there in eastern Ky.

[rfd]

Quote Originally Posted by Petrol & Powder ...

The 38 Special lacks the top end performance of the 357 magnum but it excels almost everywhere else. It can fill many roles: self defense, small game hunting, target work and plinking. It uses less lead & powder than the big bores. The variety of excellent guns chambered for it are very numerous. It's just a great all-around cartridge. Sure, it falls short of the big bores for big game and the 357 mag exceeds its top end performance, but it does so many things well that I can overlook those limitations.


Well said.

indeed. 251052

the ancient very late 19th century .38spl may be old school, born of black powder and lacking in whiz bang modern ballistics, however it is still a cartridge to be reckoned with even now in the 21st century. in a snubby it can be down right lethal for pocket carry self defense and stuck in the cylinder of a much longer snouted wheeler and loaded up +P it can hold its own for other endeavours, both serious and fun.

[joatmon]

Because of pain and weakness in my hands a 357/38spc or 327fed would be my most useful.
Aaron

[megasupermagnum]

I really think 327 federal has what it takes to replace the 38 special, however, 38 special is just too far entrenched in America.

357 magnum is about as useful as it gets in a sixgun. You can load it up or down, or shoot 38 special. You can carry it every day, or you can hunt with it.

Technically you could carry a 44 magnum every day, but most people disagree. 44 special has a great history, however, it is about my bottom pick for a good do-all cartridge.

[762 shooter]

45 Colt.

762

[Hickory]

Got to agree with the .41 fans. Been shooting the same Ruger BH .41 for over 50 years. No complaints.

Here's a man that knows what works for him and sticks with it.

[wildcatter]

I made this decision over 40 years ago when I got my first Blackhawk in 45 Colt. It made it an easy decision to part with my 357 and my 44 mag and invest heavily in 45 caliber molds, from 185 grains to 345 grains. Including a round ball mold. I had less power when needed for squirrel and rabbit, and more power for steel and big game if I wanted for top end hunting.

This was before the 454, and after it's introduction I still had close to 454 performance, and when considering how hard you can push a hard cast and retain it's most useful performance, it will do anything the 454 will. Push a 340 or 350 grain hard cast over 1300 fps and you start risking a loss of lead and if to hard can actually fragment.

So if 454 levels were needed, It can be had with the old Colt in a strong 5 shot Blackhawk with tight chambers, so close to say squirrel to Bison, and if more than that Colt can deliver, I would be far better off going to a 480 Ruger ot Linebaugh, but yer squirrel and rabbits mat skin out with a little less meat even loaded down.

Today, 40 some years later I continue to confirm my choice for the single best revolver cartridge being the 45 Colt was more than optimistic,,,,, it was perfect. No cartridge in history was more ahead of it's time when introduced than the Old Reliable 45 Colt,,, except just maybe that Old 45/70 in a rifle,,, the Ruger #1 proved that as well!

no doubt for sme a 41 mag will do what they need as long as they don't need dangerous big game power. Same could be said for the 327 federal in a GP-100 or Blackhawk, light loads or heavy, better for small game maybe, but if they venture larger than deer, marginal to unexceptable. For me from African plains, to downtown NY and backyard squirrel, nothing handles every situation better than the 45 Colt, many will work with some situations removed, but none better when only one cartridge can be used for all situations!

One cartridge and these are my reason tops in every situation, small medium large.
251092
251093
251104

If only one gun in that same cartridge I would air on the side of inbetween,,,, that 5.5" Bisley can be mild or wild depending on what I feed it!
251094

[sac]

I made this decision over 40 years ago when I got my first Blackhawk in 45 Colt. It made it an easy decision to part with my 357 and my 44 mag and invest heavily in 45 caliber molds, from 185 grains to 345 grains. Including a round ball mold. I had less power when needed for squirrel and rabbit, and more power for steel and big game if I wanted for top end hunting.

This was before the 454, and after it's introduction I still had close to 454 performance, and when considering how hard you can push a hard cast and retain it's most useful performance, it will do anything the 454 will. Push a 340 or 350 grain hard cast over 1300 fps and you start risking a loss of lead and if to hard can actually fragment.

So if 454 levels were needed, It can be had with the old Colt in a strong 5 shot Blackhawk with tight chambers, so close to say squirrel to Bison, and if more than that Colt can deliver, I would be far better off going to a 480 Ruger ot Linebaugh, but yer squirrel and rabbits mat skin out with a little less meat even loaded down.

Today, 40 some years later I continue to confirm my choice for the single best revolver cartridge being the 45 Colt was more than optimistic,,,,, it was perfect. No cartridge in history was more ahead of it's time when introduced than the Old Reliable 45 Colt,,, except just maybe that Old 45/70 in a rifle,,, the Ruger #1 proved that as well!

no doubt for sme a 41 mag will do what they need as long as they don't need dangerous big game power. Same could be said for the 327 federal in a GP-100 or Blackhawk, light loads or heavy, better for small game maybe, but if they venture larger than deer, marginal to unexceptable. For me from African plains, to downtown NY and backyard squirrel, nothing handles every situation better than the 45 Colt, many will work with some situations removed, but none better when only one cartridge can be used for all situations!

well said

[Green Frog]

.41s work for me but I think anything that starts with .40 and above will work...

Guy in Alaska just killed a charging 800# brown bear with two rounds from a Glock 20 10mm using a 200 grain hard cast that run around 1200 fps... If that will work most anything listed here will also... Big game hunting, small game hunting, plinking and just a fun trail gun will just depend on how big or small your gun needs to be...

Bob

If I were going to be around charging brown bears the most useful handgun I can think of would be a Desert Eagle in 50 caliber, backed up by a large caliber rifle and a couple of friends with large caliber rifles as well. Better yet, I really like to avoid situations where I might encounter charging 800# bears!

OTOH, any of the original magnum cartridges from 357 to 41 to 44 would be likely to work for “normal” encounters. In fact, even the 327 FM mentioned earlier would take care of about 95% of the situations I would be likely to encounter, but of course YMMV!

Froggie

[jgt]

Make mine a 44. I carry a 44 special, but if I could only have one it would be a 44 magnum. My rifle would be a 444 Marlin if I could only have one.

[superior]

45 Colt. They called it the Wild West for a reason.

[P Flados]

The key to this discussion is really the "most useful" and what it means to a given person.

At one time, my "most useful" was my 327 Fed. The "use" was to let me shoot lots of ammo (both mild and wild) at a time I was having a hard time scrounging lead.

Over the years, there has been pretty much nothing that I have wanted to shoot with a handgun that a 357 would not take care of.

A 44 (SP or MAG), 454, and many 45 Colts can "do more" than a smaller gun, but only with the extra gun size and extra bullet weight.

Now, if I wanted a gun for big bear country I would go bigger. Otherwise, the 32s and 35s I shoot do just fine.

[Petander]

Most useful Six Gun Cartridge for me is the one I have a carbine for,too.

[Eddie Southgate]

.357 Mag no doubt .

[Shuz]

Without a doubt,.44 mag.Reasons being I have 10 of them in revolvers, both Smith and Ruger but I also keep them all stoked easily with my Dillon Square Deal B.

[Good Cheer]

Forty bore.
251468
It's what I have the most use for.

[35 Whelen]

I am a HUGE fan of the .44 Special and own more revolvers in that caliber than any other, and load/shoot more .44 Specials in any given year than any other round. That said, the .357 is hands-down is my opinion the most useful cartridge. Loaded with light RN bullets at low velocity one can shoot small game without destroying meat, yet loads with 170-180 gr. bullets running full throttle can handle anything most of us will ever need handled. Last year a doe and a sow both met their end from the little Rossi .357 I keep loaded in the laundry room gun rack in case a coyote comes around for the chickens.

35W

[DougGuy]

The most useful handgun cartridge is the one that SAVES MY GRITS WHEN NEEDED!! The rest are just taking up space!

[rbuck351]

41 mag is all I will ever need. 200gr at 900fps, 225gr at 1500 or 270gr at 1200. Maybe the 44 or 45 will do something the 41 won't but I'm not sure what and I have them as well.

[DLM]

.44 Special with Skelton load for me. If I feel the need for more power I use .45 colt with Ruger only loads. Don't own a .44 mag.

[Three44s]

44 Mag

Three44s

[Lloyd Smale]

357=cant handle a 44? Great if you want to kill beer cans or are to bullheaded to admit your better off with a glock
41=44 mag wanabe with the same ammo problem as 45s. To me its like buying a camaro with a 6 cyl and trying to convince me your cool because its fast enough. ITS NOT. Its never caught on and pure and simple the reason is the 44 is better.
45= finicky 44 that's much harder to find ammo for especially if a variety of game from big to small is figured in. Yup one half of one percent of buyers have the knowledge and ability to make it a "TINY" bit more powerful then a 44 but if you hunt your whole life rotating back and forth between your 45 and 44 your never going to tell the difference. I know I never have.

Like was said I guess you have to factor in the MAIN use. If its a big game hunting round your looking for that can do double duty on smaller stuff then the 357 is about eliminated. If the biggest thing your going to shoot is a coyote then you don't need a 41 44 or 45. Self defense? Non of the above because today we have 9s 40s and 45s in platforms much better suited to self defense then a wheel gun. But if mouse to moose has to be factor in and it still has to be able to be counseled as a self defense gun then make my a 3 or 4 inch N frame in 44 mag. Added advantage is in a pinch I can buy ammo at Walmart or even some gas stations and if I don't need full power ammo I can shoot 44 specials without even having to roll my own. Next best choice is a K frame 357 for the same reasons. The 41 and 45 are those calibers that you been told all your life if you don't own one your not gun cool. But guys that have been there and done that and don't care if someone thinks there cool will about always gravitate back to a 44 mag. Why because it just works. Probably why 10 times more are sold then all the 41s and 45s combined.

[megasupermagnum]

I took it to mean, best overall cartridge for a revolver. Meaning for carry open, carry concealed, hunting big game and small, shooting at the range, ammo availability, etc. If you guys are carrying a N frame, Redhawk, or similar daily, good on you. If you are willing, then 44 magnum is viable. Since 99.5% of people are not willing to carry such a big heavy gun every day, a 357 magnum is available in any size gun. Hunting is such a broad venue. I don't consider whitetail deer big game, but a 357 magnum works great there. Plenty of people have killed moose and elk with 357 magnums. Thankfully we live in a place we are not forced to, but if push comes to shove, a 357 magnum is plenty capable with a good cast bullet. As a range gun, well, I don't see competition shooters with 44 magnums. Ammo availability is a big one for most people, and 357 magnum combined with 38 special are so far up that mountain they can't even see second place.

What's best for you is one thing, but for the "best overall sixgun cartridge" it's the 357 magnum. Nothing else is even close. It's been top dog since 1935.

[35remington]

The annoying thing is a large frame revolver is a PITA for daily carry compared to a medium frame size. Since I live in Nebraska a 357 revolver is the obvious better choice over an unnecessary large caliber revolver as a daily carry gun. Quite honestly a 38 Special would serve as well for most field use without the hearing loss of a magnum caliber. This is for shots of opportunity at vermin or self defense outside of regular hunting season.

During hunting season when I am serious I would carry something else, and likely not any handgun unless I have a doe tag to fill. Shots at a decent buck are chancy enough that handguns are not first choice. If hogs are on the menu a semi auto 308 rifle beats any handgun. I am expected to lay multiples low if I have such an opportunity and a handgun’s ability to hit moving hogs is near zero.

I think it evident for the above reasons that a powerful handgun has limited utility for day to day use. Accuracy shootability and packability are more relevant.

[USSR]

With such a vague term as "Most useful Six Gun Cartridge?", there is definitely not going to be consensus in opinion on this. However, I will say, since this is a forum dedicated to bullet casting and reloading, the better availability of store bought ammo for whatever cartridge trips your trigger is not really a factor. Just MHO.

Don

[Groo]

Groo here

Most useful Six Gun Cartridge? ,, What ever you have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you talk hand loads,,, Any special or magnum, 38 or larger. [ in modern larger frame guns]
A special can be loaded up some or use a better bullet.
A magnum is same as above with the advantage of loading down to about the same level.
As targets/ use very , there is no do everything round.
We don't hunt big game [bear etc] with a 327 mag or Tree rats with a 44 [if you need to eat them]
There should be 2 levels , small game and large.

[LAH]

This is gettin' good.

[Pighunter]

41 Magnum gets my vote

[Misery-Whip]

45 colt Go big or go home...while keeping your hearing.:roll:

[megasupermagnum]

45 colt Go big or go home...while keeping your hearing.:roll:

I keep seeing people reference the low pressure handguns as quiet. Sure 38 special, 44 special, and 45 colt are probably a single decibel quieter, and less crack since those cartridges rarely break the speed of sound. Still, they are all louder than most full power shotguns and rifles. Handguns are loud, and you will loose your hearing without protection. I hear the same thing after I shoot a revolver without earplugs, whether its a powder puff 45 colt, or a full snort 357 magnum. RING!!!

[onelight]

I keep seeing people reference the low pressure handguns as quiet. Sure 38 special, 44 special, and 45 colt are probably a single decibel quieter, and less crack since those cartridges rarely break the speed of sound. Still, they are all louder than most full power shotguns and rifles. Handguns are loud, and you will loose your hearing without protection. I hear the same thing after I shoot a revolver without earplugs, whether its a powder puff 45 colt, or a full snort 357 magnum. RING!!!
Maybe there is a difference in how we hear or how sensitive our hearing is but I am comfortable with just my muffs with 45 auto 45 colt loads , with out plugs in addition to the muffs the magnums 327 and up hurt my ears and are not pleasant to shoot much.
I relate to what Misery-Whip is saying.

[rking22]

You all got me curious, I am one who finds the 357 to feel much louder than the low muzzle pressure rounds. The sound is fatiguing even with plugs or muffs. It is conducted thru the bone structure. Anyhow, I went googling, results below, and note a 3 dB increase is 100% louder, twice as loud. For reference a 7mm Rem mag 20 inch measured 157.5 dB. I am listing the values from the same source.
45 colt 154.7 dB
44 special. 155.9 dB
357 mag. 164.3 dB
I found multiple readings for 357 and one as high as 169! Different testing protocol, bc gap, loads, ect.
A Ruger Bearcat 22lr measured 155 dB, for reference.

So the 357 mag is measured as 320% louder than the 45 Colt. It is 220% louder than that 7mag with the short barrel.
I do not carry a 357 because I figured that inside a car it would be like a stun grenade for little terminal improvement. Now that I see numbers, well

Note the low pressure rounds are right near that 7mag, ain’t none of them ok without ears, some are just worse.

[megasupermagnum]

Like I said, all I hear is RING! I don't get that from a rifle or shotgun unless I'm shooting multiple rounds. I had the pleasure of lighting off a hot 327 federal inside a boxed in deer stand. It's not a stun grenade, just really bad for your hearing.

[rking22]

I am so dang deaf already, I put in ear plugs when I get eyes on my deer. Anything above the “pain” threshold is just LOUD, the instruments say how loud. Bigger number quicker/ more damage. Too late for me, but I dislike headaches. I did not see the 454 dB anywhere but suspect it exceeds the 357 and the 460 even moreso. Shot a 460 once, with plugs, it came close th the 30 carbine b hawk I once had. Most unpleasant, but accurate, revolver I have ever owned.

[35remington]

Try a 38 loaded with wadcutters at 800-850 out of a four inch and a 357 running a 158 at 1250 plus in terms of noise. Ain’t close to the same and if the wadcutter accomplishes the accuracy end of the equation, and it does so with the needed power for most uses most of the time that is the way to go.

For most of what we use a handgun for a good 38 will serve well for a daily carry gun.

I have shot deer for years mostly with rifles without hearing protection. Usually I shoot once. Same for milder report pistol when taking shots at game. For any repeat fire plugs are used. I get no “ring” in so doing. Shooting repeatedly with no protection with rifle or pistol gets the “ring” every time.

[Lloyd Smale]

shot a deer once with my 7 waters contender (hunter model that was ported) in my deer blind. I actually couldn't hear a thing but ringing for about a 1/2 hour. NEVER AGAIN!
Like I said, all I hear is RING! I don't get that from a rifle or shotgun unless I'm shooting multiple rounds. I had the pleasure of lighting off a hot 327 federal inside a boxed in deer stand. It's not a stun grenade, just really bad for your hearing.

[35remington]

Yes, a ported short barrel rifle caliber pistol is an exception.

[smkummer]

38/357 chambered six gun does almost everything needed from a six gun, period.

[Lloyd Smale]

yup and crank the pressure up to RUGER level loads in a 45 colt or a 44 spec to keith level loads and the quiet goes away quickly. I chuckle at guys who say a 44 mag isn't as loud as a 357 or a 2506 isn't as loud as a 257 wby. LOUD IS LOUD when you don't have ear plugs it it doesn't matter. they will all do hearing damage. Put in a set of good plugs and a fire breathing 460 smith 30 carbine or 7stw is nothing to shoot.
I am so dang deaf already, I put in ear plugs when I get eyes on my deer. Anything above the “pain” threshold is just LOUD, the instruments say how loud. Bigger number quicker/ more damage. Too late for me, but I dislike headaches. I did not see the 454 dB anywhere but suspect it exceeds the 357 and the 460 even moreso. Shot a 460 once, with plugs, it came close th the 30 carbine b hawk I once had. Most unpleasant, but accurate, revolver I have ever owned.

[Petander]

Talkin' bout loud: In certain situations / environments a snub 500 S&W could be very useful,too. Mine shoots 325's @1600 fps. That load is completely manageable,I shoot it every week. Much easier than the heavy boolits,you can even follow-up the same day.

But being a fivegun it doesn't qualify in this thread.

[arlon]

I would be happy with a .44 Special but I’ve always liked the .41 mag the best.
As a reloader I'd have to agree with that. If I didn't reload, I'd probably pick a 38 Special (OP did say SIX gun). I shoot WAY more paper and silhouettes than anything else. I like the 38 for the silhouettes because I don't generally have to go reset the longer range ones with hits from the 38. The 41 tends to knock them over.

[charlie b]

Most useful for me would be the .357, in a short barrel, like SP101. .38spl would be a close second.

I don't hunt and do not go in grizzly country.

[FerricOxide]

357 mag in a ruger revolver.
Light loads, heavy loads, black powder can work, lead bullets of all sizes and designs, jacketed made and sold in every flavor available cheap. Can use nearly any pistol powder for nearly any load desired. can be loaded frugal with little lead plinkers and tiny powder charges or run with heavy charges of magnum powder under heavy bullets. Very few things too tough to kill with a 357.

[Rio Grande]

Okay, I'll be the outlier here: .45 Colt.

Don

Amen.
I'm partial to my .45 Ruger Blackhawk.

[Rio Grande]

38/357 chambered six gun does almost everything needed from a six gun, period.

"Almost". I like a .357 and it is fine, but if I had to pick one caliber for revolver it'd be a big bore.

[R-71]

I’ve used numerous handgun rounds over the years and the most recent favorite has been the 480 ruger however after a couple of range trips recently that left my elbow and wrist sore and aching I’ve ended up turning my 480 into a big 45 colt. I’m using 325-340 grain bullets at 900-1000 FPS for hunting and 800 FPS for range and practice.

If I had to reduce everything to one revolver it would be a 4” 44 mag or 45 colt S&W, loaded down for shooting smaller game, loaded up for bigger stuff and somewhere in between for defense.

[onelight]

You all got me curious, I am one who finds the 357 to feel much louder than the low muzzle pressure rounds. The sound is fatiguing even with plugs or muffs. It is conducted thru the bone structure. Anyhow, I went googling, results below, and note a 3 dB increase is 100% louder, twice as loud. For reference a 7mm Rem mag 20 inch measured 157.5 dB. I am listing the values from the same source.
45 colt 154.7 dB
44 special. 155.9 dB
357 mag. 164.3 dB
I found multiple readings for 357 and one as high as 169! Different testing protocol, bc gap, loads, ect.
A Ruger Bearcat 22lr measured 155 dB, for reference.

So the 357 mag is measured as 320% louder than the 45 Colt. It is 220% louder than that 7mag with the short barrel.
I do not carry a 357 because I figured that inside a car it would be like a stun grenade for little terminal improvement. Now that I see numbers, well

Note the low pressure rounds are right near that 7mag, ain’t none of them ok without ears, some are just worse.


I’ve used numerous handgun rounds over the years and the most recent favorite has been the 480 ruger however after a couple of range trips recently that left my elbow and wrist sore and aching I’ve ended up turning my 480 into a big 45 colt. I’m using 325-340 grain bullets at 900-1000 FPS for hunting and 800 FPS for range and practice.

If I had to reduce everything to one revolver it would be a 4” 44 mag or 45 colt S&W, loaded down for shooting smaller game, loaded up for bigger stuff and somewhere in between for defense.
Those 480 loads sound prefect to me . If I can't resist a 480 , 800 to 1000 FPS with that big fat bullet would be sweet , velocity is not the only way to get effective power. :mrgreen:

[MT Gianni]

I believed a 44 magnum is the most useful cartridge if not always the most useful platform. I now have a model 69 L frame 5 shot S&W 4.2" that is easy to pack, much lighter than a Redhawk and accurate and controllable. I shoot the 38's more, would hate to give up the 32's but the 44 is the most useful.

[Earlwb]

Well ages ago the common handgun caliber was the .44. It started out being used in cap and ball revolvers and then cartridges came out so they just kept the same caliber. At the time it was more popular than the .45 Colt too. So a .44 Magnum makes sense today as you can shoot .44 special or 44 mag loads in it. Maybe the venerable .38's would have been the most popular, as way back then it was at first used in the .36 Cap and Ball revolvers and then later used in cartridges too. Many people bought and used them in the past and still do so today too. Thus a .357 would use Magnum or .38 Special loads.

[Jedman]

I don't own one but for me it would be a 32 H&R mag. I am not really a handgun Hunter although I have shot deer and hogs with them but the one six gun that I regret selling the most was a DA
H&R revolver in 32 S&W long with a 4" barrel that I shot a few rabbits, squirrel, coons, possums, groundhogs and feral cats with.
It just seemed to be the easiest revolver I have owned to hit stuff with and I have owned many from 22's to 44 mags.
I would think a similar model in 32 H&R would also add coyotes and could work as a self defense pistol as well but I prefer a 45 ACP for that.

Jedman

[Lloyd Smale]

had a ruger Alaskan 454. Sent it off and had it cut for moon clips. Very useful little gun. Odd thing was that it was the easiest shooting 454 ive ever owned. With the short barrel that doesn't give the bullet that much dwell time to effect recoil and those soft rubber grips youd swear you were shooting a 44mag. Got talked out of it in a foolish moment of weakness. Never been a 454 fan but that was a cool little gun. I even took it to a ppc shoot once and they allowed me to shoot a round with it (by myself because nobody would stand next to me) At the time my average was around a 294/300 and I shot a pretty respectable 289 with it. Not bad for shooting a 454 double action shooting full power 350 grain cast. It made some jaws drop when I reloaded with moon clips!! I don't shoot league anymore but go and visit occasionaly and every time I do someone will bring that up.
Talkin' bout loud: In certain situations / environments a snub 500 S&W could be very useful,too. Mine shoots 325's @1600 fps. That load is completely manageable,I shoot it every week. Much easier than the heavy boolits,you can even follow-up the same day.

But being a fivegun it doesn't qualify in this thread.

[Jtarm]

That’s a mighty good one (.44 Special).

[MT Gianni]

I wonder if those choosing the 44 special are voting gun rather than cartridge. It really doesn't do a lot different than the 45 Auto Rim or ACP when fired out of a proper revolver. The 1917's have been so long gone we have forgotten what they did through the 1930's. A 245 gr bullet at 1000 fps matches the 44 special very well. I'll stick with the Magnum.

[megasupermagnum]

I wonder if those choosing the 44 special are voting gun rather than cartridge. It really doesn't do a lot different than the 45 Auto Rim or ACP when fired out of a proper revolver. The 1917's have been so long gone we have forgotten what they did through the 1930's. A 245 gr bullet at 1000 fps matches the 44 special very well. I'll stick with the Magnum.

I'm not aware of a medium frame gun chambered in 44 special, that isn't also chambered in 357 magnum. 357 is about 300-400 fps faster with similar bullet weights, plus you get an extra round or sometimes two. You could overload a 44 special to close the gap, but that's not something you can do in a medium frame gun. I could see something like a GP100 being a candidate for a best overall revolver. Does S&W even make a 44 special anymore? I would never pick a large frame for an overall choice, very few people want to carry them outside of hunting seasons.

Really what we are looking at is a choice between the Ruger SP101 and GP100, Smith's K or L frame, Charter arms Bulldog, or similar. Maybe a Ruger Blackhawk. 357 magnum is about the most powerful cartridge chambered in those guns. Smith has a 44 magnum L frame, which might be an option. The Blackhawk is at it's peak with the 41 magnum, however, a 357 magnum often makes more sense in regard to ammo availability.

44 special is a fine round on it's own, but it is not a good choice for an across the board useful revolver. Honestly I can't think of a worse cartridge for that role. Maybe 32 S&W, unless we get into auto pistol chambered revolvers.

[onelight]

I'm not aware of a medium frame gun chambered in 44 special, that isn't also chambered in 357 magnum. 357 is about 300-400 fps faster with similar bullet weights, plus you get an extra round or sometimes two. You could overload a 44 special to close the gap, but that's not something you can do in a medium frame gun. I could see something like a GP100 being a candidate for a best overall revolver. Does S&W even make a 44 special anymore? I would never pick a large frame for an overall choice, very few people want to carry them outside of hunting seasons.

Really what we are looking at is a choice between the Ruger SP101 and GP100, Smith's K or L frame, Charter arms Bulldog, or similar. Maybe a Ruger Blackhawk. 357 magnum is about the most powerful cartridge chambered in those guns. Smith has a 44 magnum L frame, which might be an option. The Blackhawk is at it's peak with the 41 magnum, however, a 357 magnum often makes more sense in regard to ammo availability.

44 special is a fine round on it's own, but it is not a good choice for an across the board useful revolver. Honestly I can't think of a worse cartridge for that role. Maybe 32 S&W, unless we get into auto pistol chambered revolvers.
I didn't pick 44 special I picked 44 mag which can do more than 44 special , but 44 special would do everything I would would need if limited to one cartridge .
I would be interested to hear about your .357 loads that will do 15 or 1600 FPS with a 250 grain bullet from your sp101 or gp100 8-) I like 357 , but if I only git one I want a big bore.
I would be Served as well with a 45 colt or 41 mag.
Aren't you glad we each get to make our own choice.

[megasupermagnum]

I didn't pick 44 special I picked 44 mag which can do more than 44 special , but 44 special would do everything I would would need if limited to one cartridge .
I would be interested to hear about your .357 loads that will do 15 or 1600 FPS with a 250 grain bullet from your sp101 or gp100 8-) I like 357 , but if I only git one I want a big bore.
I would be Served as well with a 45 colt or 41 mag.
Aren't you glad we each get to make our own choice.

With very few exceptions, 44 magnum chambered guns are not small enough to carry concealed for most people. 357 magnum of course will not do what a 44 magnum can. It is topped out at about 1350 fps ish with a 180 grain, or 1300 fps with a 200 grain. That depends greatly on barrel length. I've never clocked a 215 grain, but I'd guess ballpark 1200-1250 fps is attainable. Those are current top level loads. Loaded to the old standards, you could pick up 50-100 fps on those. Commercial loads are generally wimpy by comparison, but some like Buffalo Bore offers a 180 grain at 1375 actual FPS in a 4" barrel. Grizzly makes a 200 grain load that claims 1300 fps. Buffalo Bore ammo is safe in ANY 357 magnum gun ever made.

By comparison a 200 grain 44 special is not going to break 1000 fps. Hodgdon claims 15 grains H4227 will get you to 1021 fps, but from an 8" barrel. Buffalo Bore does NOT make any 44 special ammo that is safe in a Charter Arms Bulldog. With that in mind, it maybe safe in a GP100. Even still, you are looking at 1150 fps for the 180 grain load, and 1000 fps for the 255 grain load. Not wimpy, but not exactly a powerhouse.

It doesn't make any sense to choose 44 special when you can choose 357 magnum. You get more power, 1-2 more rounds in a cylinder, incredible ammo selection and availability, and 38 special, also available everywhere.

[onelight]

The 44 special can be loaded to power levels close to 44 mag and has been since the 1930s at least .
I don't load it that hot I don't need to but I would if I wanted that power level and was limited to one gun .
Here is a fairly modern article that shows the potential of the cartridge I think 357 is a great cartridge that can be loaded for many purposes so is the 44 special or magnum and we do have a gp100 in 44 special available as well as the flattop Rugers and the Charter Arms
http://www.goodrichfamilyassoc.org/44_Special_Articles/Brian%20Pearce%20on%20the%2044%20Special.pdf

[ddixie884]

I much prefer the lighter N-frames and a .44spl is really nice. That said The mountain Guns offer that package for .44mag and medium warm .45colt. This may be the best, but I am really fond of the M-24 and 624 S&W. Hand loaded at 250X1,000 or 1,100 it's no slouch. All that said I use, carry and shoot more .38sps from my M 15-3 than any other. On the other hand I live in the Piney Woods of NE Tx............

[charlie b]

When I think of "most useful" it is what do you carry the most.

[USSR]

As I said previously, "useful" is an ambiguous term and you will find no consensus here.

Don

[onelight]

In my meager estimation I believe that the 44 Special is the one. From most big game, trail gun, small game and about all I can think of. I have never taken big game with it but have read Brian Pierce's hunts with it in Handloader.

What do you all think?
Art tells us his choice and it mentions hunting large and small game , smokeless powder , strong guns and hand loading make the special an excellent choice against man or beast , great for hunting or defense .
In my experience any handgun that is a good choice for power and accuracy is going to be a little or a lot awkward for constant carry , but it can and is done .
I'm glad I'm not limited to one gun , and that we have so many great choices in caliber and models to choose from.

[Jtarm]

I'm glad I'm not limited to one gun , and that we have so many great choices in caliber and models to choose from.

Amen to that.

[MT Gianni]

When I think of "most useful" it is what do you carry the most.

That is gun dependent not cartridge dependent.

[tucumcari_kid]

I dunno. Phil Sharpe offered 200 grain 44 special loads with 2400 powder that topped 1300 fps at 23,000 pounds in 1937. And over 1100 fps with unique at 15,000 pounds. I think it is quite easy to do if you're serious. Obviously 2400 and unique are still available. I don't think the 44 special case is limited to 15 grs of 4227. That said I wouldn't feel limited to 44 special since I get to choose. I would just go with 44 mag, although I would probably go with a 357 instead. Depends on the details of the scenario.

[charlie b]

That is gun dependent not cartridge dependent.

Not really. I carried an SP101 snub in .357 daily and while fishing (my version of a kit gun). Carried a 4" .357 for east coast deer hunting and target shooting. Use both for casual plinking. So, yes, the .357 was the 'most useful' for me as I carried it the most. At the time I also had 9mm, .45acp, .45LC, .38spl, 9mm MAK, and .32acp (.45LC and .38 were revolvers).

"Most useful" remains what you use the most. If you carry daily then I would say that cartridge is the most useful to you. If you think another cartridge is more useful then why would you not be carrying it daily?

[Scrumbag]

I’d plump for 44 mag as how useful it can be in a lever action

[curioushooter]

Useful for what?
I'd reckon that the 38/357 slam dunk in 1935 is the answer for 99% of "uses." Maybe not for killing grizzly bears. Any brass can at a public range will tell the story: 38 followed by it's taller and hot headed younger brother are BY FAR the most popular revolver cartridges and they are both dandy in a levergun, too.
As for bore size. I'd take a .357 hp over any solid .429 at handgun velocities any day of the week. Every hollowpoint I've tested has expanded beyond .429 diameter in calibrated ballistic gel.

[megasupermagnum]

Useful for what?
I'd reckon that the 38/357 slam dunk in 1935 is the answer for 99% of "uses." Maybe not for killing grizzly bears. Any brass can at a public range will tell the story: 38 followed by it's taller and hot headed younger brother are BY FAR the most popular revolver cartridges and they are both dandy in a levergun, too.
As for bore size. I'd take a .357 hp over any solid .429 at handgun velocities any day of the week. Every hollowpoint I've tested has expanded beyond .429 diameter in calibrated ballistic gel.

It's true, and lets not forget the massive 44 caliber bullet usually has a meplat of about .275". There is no doubt a solid 44 magnum bullet is lethal, but after seeing what a 180 grain 357 magnum next to a solid 260 grain keith bullet in a 44 mag do to a deer side by side, I just don't see why anyone is so dismissive of 357 magnum. Both had a deer dead before it could run 40 yards, yet the 357 magnum clearly causes more damage. Of course if you use a hollow point in the 44 magnum, you have that much more on top of that.

[am44mag]

44 Mag is the most useful to me. It, and 44 Special can be load to fit into a lot of different loads. Small, medium, and large game, self defense, bear defense, target shooting, ect. It's an extremely versatile round.

Out of a rifle, it can really do some damage to whatever it hits. One of my favorite hot loads is a hefty load of H110 behind a 200gr bullet. Out of my 20" barrel, I'm getting just over 2000 FPS. It kicks hard and hits like Thor's hammer.

[DHDeal]

For a fact, the 44 Magnum is the most useful. The 357 Magnum also the most useful, and lastly the 45 Colt is just as useful and the other 2 mentioned. I don't have a 41 Magnum right now but it is probably a most useful cartridge too.

Oh nevermind....

[KCSO]

I mostly use a field gun for taking an occasional rabbit, squirrel or clearing out vermin, coyotes at closer ranges. Since I got my wife a 32 H and R mag ruger I kinda got hooked and now my field gun is a 32-20 SAA. It will finish off deer hogs ect and is a great small game gun and accurate too boot.

[Rodfac]

Geez I'd like to agree with you Art, as your .44 Special choice is my hands down favorite large-bore caliber, but considering factory fresh commercial availability, I'd have to choose the .357 Magnum as the most useful. Useful is the key word here...if you can't buy 'em over the counter easily, useful it is not.

While I find the .44 Special easier to find a truly excellent load, and its LSWC bullets of several weights are uniformly accurate and easy to cast, it's a handloader's proposition for sure. I've found it more accurate in my guns (Rugers and a Smith M24) than the .357 (an even half dozen between my son and I) is only as good as my .44's with full wadcutter target rounds of low power.

All that said, you can go into any Walmart coast to coast, and find good enough factory rounds for any purpose from targets to CC use, to deer hunting and handloading just expands that usefulness.

Love my .44's but...for the average Joe who's not into handloading, & with a greater choice of weapons, the .357 is a better bet.

JMHO, and YMMv...Rod

[USSR]

All that said, you can go into any Walmart coast to coast, and find good enough factory rounds for any purpose from targets to deer.

As Inspector Clouseau says "Not any more".

Don

[rking22]

I agree the 44Special is impractical using factory loads, or equilivent and the 357 wins, but... Back at post 19 the op stated that reloading only, never buy revolver loads. So, I believe that would put you in the 44 camp :)

[wildcatter]

I said 45 Colt because I didn't think we were talking about best for anything! Question was for "ONE ALL ROUND CALIBER"

I don't care if it's from a Rifle or handgun, from over 40 years using the 45 Colt in every category, small game to earth's largest, and self defense;

what else can shoot 45 acp rimmed power levels, 45 cowboy, 45 ruger only and 5/8 oz shot loads to work from mild to wild all in one revolver? Maybe the 460, but no practical weapon to conceal for that makes me stop at 45 Colt, but many are not talking about EVERYTHING WITH ONE CALIBER!

SELF DEFENSE
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SMALLEST OF GAME AND STILL EDIBLE
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MEDIUM GAME TO DEAR AND ANTELOPE 270 GRAIN CAST
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EVEN DANGEROUS GAME WITH POWER TO BUST THE LARGEST BONES AND PENETRATE DEEP, i WILL USE MY OWN 340 HARD CAST THAT, OR SOLID BRASS PUNCH BULLETS, THEY WILL GO OUT THE OTHER SIDE LEAVING NEARLY A 1/2 HOLE ALL THE WAY THROUGH! AT NEARLY 1300 FPS, ON THE REALLY BIG STUFF
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If one gun were included to the statement most useful six gun, that 5.5" Bisley would be my only logical choice far everything with one caliber, but the Bond makes concealing sweeter than a J-Frame and way more effective,, in skilled hands! For me in 40 years I have never found anything to cover, everything, as well. But have always found one thing or another than can do individual things better!

If not, what else will do all this. I suppose only the 454 could do all that and more, with all the variables mentioned above, or loaded up and down in one gun, so maybe best over all, should be the 454, since the Alaskan is not that much bigger than some carry like the Service Six as seen here??? But forget the pocket pistol, more than needed up top, but not enough for compact carry??? I just know the answer is a 45,,, for me its common sense.
252867

[gwpercle]

41 special / 41 magnum all fired from the S&W model 58 in my avatar .
Load it up , load it down , NOE makes wadcutter moulds and Keith SWC moulds ,
Add a lever action rifle and you can cover a lot of bases with that outfit .
Gary

[LAH]

Wildcatter I like the way you answer a question.