What's your favorite pistol cartridge?

[vanilla_gorilla]

I have to say that my favorite has to be the .357 Magnum is my favorite round of all time. I love it. As a handloader, I can make it from mild to wild. A 125 grain bullet at 1500 fps? I can do that. The renowned 148 grain wadcutter at 720 fps? Easily done. Shoots like a champ. Need a 158 grain semi wadcutter at 900 fps? Done that. A 173 grain semi wadcutter at 1300 fps? Got those right here.

I really cannot help but think of it as a do-it-all caliber for most people. Granted, it's probably not the optimum caliber for handgun hunters in Alaska, and if you intend to drop an elk, it may not be the first choice, but you know what? It's done both. For years, it was considered the premier manstopping handgun caliber, and was the first choice of peace officers across the country.

No less a name than Skeeter Skelton doted on the .357 Magnum, opening one of his articles with this paragraph:




You can make remarks about the ancestry of my dog. have your doubts about the gas mileage toted up by my family sedan. Spread the story, if you wish, that my backyard barbecues could be best digested by a brood of Arkansas razorbacks. But if you cast aspersions on my .357 Magnum sixgun, get somebody to hold your coat. We'll continue the discussion in the alley.



There are certainly other calibers which push bigger bullets, faster bullets, and even prettier bullets, but at the end of the day, there's nothing I'll run across which can't be handled by my friend, the .357 Magnum.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b53/vanilla_gorilla911/casting045.jpg

Let's hear what you love, and why.

[cuzinbruce]

32/20 WCF in my S&W 1905's. Easy and cheap to load, doesn't use a lot of lead or powder. And I like shooting double action. The long action Smiths have a nice trigger pull. They are what Ed McGivern used for most of his feats, but he used .38 Special. We don't have a lot of grizzlies around here. In fact, there is no handgun hunting at all in Jersey. They do let us use shotguns but I think they would prefer we use BOW AND ARROWS!!!
Next favorite is .44 Mag in a Model 29-2.

[ammohead]

My model 25 S&W mountain gun. Not everyone has a s&w in 45 long colt. It can handle mild to wild, and is very reassuring when you don't know who you are sharing the willows with while stream fishing.

ammohead

[EOD3]

My number 1 is the .44 Mag. 180 grain through 300 grain (commercial) bullets, cast to a bit more. Makes little holes or BIG holes depending on the amount of powder under the bullet. :-D :coffee:

[JesterGrin_1]

Okay you did ask lol. And I have shot many things but I have come to really like the .44 MAG from plinkers to stop anything I wish to here in the lower 48 or beyond if need be lol.

My first one as you see here was the S&W 629 Classic in .44 MAG
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/SHAKERATTLEROLL/629.jpg

And the new addition as of last week was this Ruger SuperBlackhawk Bisley Hunter in .44 Mag. I have only put about 50 rounds through it as of this time but I LIKE IT lol.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/SHAKERATTLEROLL/RugerHunter.jpg
So Yes I do and have shot other pistol rounds but I always come back to the .44 Magnum.

My Main loads are.
Plinking and all around carry is a 240Gr SWC PB with 5.5Gr of TightGroup and a standard LPP

My heavy go to load has been the Lee 310Gr with 21.0 or 21.5Gr of W-296 or H-110 and a standard LPP

The round I am working on now is the GB 44/444 mold with 21.0Gr of H-110 and a standard LPP

Do they kick well YES lol. :)

[9.3X62AL]

VERY tough choice.

Gotta be the 357 Magnum. I don't think any handgun platform ever cobbled up does as many things as well as a Colt Python/S&W 686/Ruger GP-100 with 4" barrel. And, wouldn't you know it--I have a 4" 686 along on most of my back-country forays. It is also listed on my CCW quals sheet and on my H.R. 218 authorization.

[lead Foot]

My vote is for .357mag. From 200 meter silhouette to military service match just perfect. Got a brand new 686 in .357mag coming [smilie=1:- can't weight.
vinilla-gorrilla said it all- .357mag is the best.
Lead foot;

[legend]

mine would be the xp-100 in 7benchrest....

i have or once did own most of the others...

i like them all(41mag most for wheel gun,blackhawk and contender)

from p-dogs to elk it has done the job,AND it is the most accurate handgun
i have ever seen,one hole groups at100 yards is the norm,and many one hole groups at 200 yards attest to its range,one antelope at 285yards wishes he had been a lot farther out....

it loves cast around 1600fps,and j-word 100-120gr at 2380;thats all i can ask..

[oldhickory]

Sure know how to put the bite on me...Don't ya? Well let's see, .44mag/spl. .45Colt, .45acp. I like em all, so I guess it boils down to what I find myself carrying most often...It ain't my .45Colt, that thing's too long and heavy, a 1904 vintage Colt New Service with a 7.5" bbl. it shoots a little high for most handgun work, but stacks Lyman 454424s on top of one another with 9.5gr of Unique...High, but it stacks em!

My going to town gun is my 1911A1, it rides nice in a Galco pancake holster and I usually have two spare magazines along with it...Just in case. Has all the fight stopping power I need with accuracy, dependability, and quick recharging...Don't leave home without it.

Then there's my S&W 629-3 4" .44maggie, it rides almost as nice in Galco leather as the 1911A1, shoots where I point it out to reasonable ranges with Elmer's load, and is totally reliable...Ain't had a gripe with it yet! It's the gun I carry around the old place I call home.

Any of those three'll suit me just fine, I guess it all depends on what I feel like carrying that day...As long as the caliber designation begins with an "F" I'm comfortable with it.

[NickSS]

My favorite is the 45 colt. I load everything from round ball to 300 gr flat points in it charged with a variety of powders. For heavy loads I have a Ruger black hawk and for any standard or lighter loads I use a Colt clone with a 5.5 inch barrel. It is one round that I have found that handles just about any load I try well and has sufficient power even in factory loads for anything I am liable to need. It also handles bird shot loads well when I am in snake country.

[jhrosier]

I couldn't pick just one. I shoot a lot of .45 Colt, .44 Mag & Spl., and .357 Mag, and .22LR through my flock of Ruger single actions.

In quantity, the .22 LR gets more range time than the others.

Jack

[Poygan]

I think by quantity of reloads that the .357 is first, followed closely by .44 magnums. I switch back and forth constantly. .38 special or 9mm is probably third. .45 acp next and then .41. .45 Colt is gaining favor. The .30 carbine is hands down the least favorite. These might change but they also mirror closely the number of pistols I have in these calibers.

[wallenba]

Tough choice...44 special in my S&W Model 24 4" or 45ACP in my S&W 625JM. Both punch holes in the center of targets, then leave me wondering, as the rest just fly through the holes.

[Dan Cash]

.30 Mauser anyone? Only short coming is finding the little cases out in the pasture after firing :)

[pdawg_shooter]

45 ACP, by far, followed by 44 mag, 357 mag, and 22LR.

[Potsy]

.45 Colt
I've never met one I didn't like, except maybe the .357 Sig (no offense intended), but 454424's @ 1000-1200fps just leave big holes real close together in a easy going sort of way.

[primersp]

32 HR in a s&w 16-4
very pleasant and accurate

[Trey45]

I'd rather cast for, reload and shoot 45 Colt than any other caliber I currently own. I have 2 45 Colts so far, shown below. Top is a Redhawk 4" 45 Colt. Middle is my new SBH Bisley Hunter 44 Mag, bottom is my most trusted and carried sidearm, 5.5" Blackhawk 45 Colt convertible.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/SimonLegree/Gun%20Stuff/45-44-45.jpg
I love my 45 Colts, but that new SBH is so accurate, and so much fun to shoot, it might eventually rank right up there with my 45's.

[sqlbullet]

10mm Auto.

It provides 357 mag external ballistics, .400 hole in the target, and I can carry 15 + 1 in my EAA Witness. Bullet weights from 135 grain to 230 grain.

[atr]

mine is the .357 mag.......followed by the .38 special

but I've always wanted to try the 44/40 or the 44 S&W

[Sonoma2k2]

probably my 9mm's since cheap and easy to reload then again for the long day its the 22lr.

[theperfessor]

I gotta vote for .44 Spcl. Nothing wrong with any other caliber but it's an easy round to load for, is big enough to handle almost anything I could imagine having to shoot, comes in five and six shot revolvers, and is versatile in using different bullet weights at different velocities with reasonable accuracy throughout. Case life is also good.

This isn't the round I shoot most (.38 Spcl takes that honor) but it is the one I have the most wheelies chambered in and is also a caliber that I have the widest variety of molds for. I usually take one along when I go to the range.

[1Shirt]

357 Mag first choice overall. Beyond that, think I would have to go with 44S or 45LC, with big heavy blts. To me it is usefullness, and my inability to be much of a handgun shot.!
1Shirt!:coffee:

[Dframe]

Very difficult choice. Probably from a pure usefulness standpoint is has to be the 357 Magnum. No other calibre has even close to the number and power levels of readily available amunition.

[Treeman]

I'lll answer somewhat perversely-first choice is the .22 rimfire-it is the single most useful chambering-granted that it is far from ideal for heavy lifting firearms tasks. Amongst centerfires my favorite CHAMBERING is .357 magnum. My favorite CARTRIDGE is the .38 Special. specials handle most plinking and many serious tasks but when they start coming up short the higher pressure .357 can take up the slack.

[EDK]

Referring to SKEETER SKELTON....His article on converting 357s to 44 Specials, in SHOOTING TIMES, made the comparison to "A good big man beating the hell out of a good little man." (I hope I haven't lost the paperback of Skeeter's articles and stories!) Obviously this wasn't with factory ammo.

I load 357 and 44 both to around 1000 feet per second with 158 and 250 grain boolits in magnum brass. This area has worked for me for almost 40 years. I do load some hotter in MARLIN rifles chambered for the respective cartridges.

45 ACP is good...and a 45 ACP SMITH & WESSON revolver with moon clips is superb. I had custom COLTS 45 Autos and have S&W 645s.

I'm short on 22 LR pistols...a SUPER SINGLE SIX and a BISLEY, but there's a S&W 617 in the near future if opportunity knocks....and I have some yankee dollars!

If I remember correctly, John Taffin said "a 357 lever action was the third most useful firearm to have, following a 22 LR lever action and pistol." You might have to nominate a 357 revolver for the fourth most useful firearm.

:Fire::cbpour::redneck:

[HeavyMetal]

45 ACP and 44 Special. In anything!

Nuff said!

[Freebore]

I've always figuired that a .44 Mag Revolver of your liking is about a "Do All" handgun within standard parameters. I shoot better with a K or L frame Smith & Wesson though, so .357 Magnum is my favorite, but very closely followed by .44 Magnum. Revolvers offer versatility, which I like even though I own quite a few autoloaders. .45 Colt is third place with me.

[Heavy lead]

45 Colt, have seven of them currently. I have a lot of other favorites, and life would be boring without them, but if I could have just one it would be the 45.

[lurch]

I'd have to go with 357 followed oh so closely by the 44 mag. The only reason the 44 is second is because I shoot the Smith better than the Redhawk.

[Glen]

Tough call -- I'm evenly split between the .38 Special and the .44 Special. Both of them are great!

[Dale53]

I have three favorites, in no special order:
.44 Special, .44 Magnum, and .45 ACP. I can do most of what needs done with a revolver with any of the three.

Dale53

[GSM]

I hope Treeman will share his boat with me - 22 for many, many things, 38, then 357 when things get bigger and farther away.

[Dean D.]

Hands down for me it's the .45 Colt chambered in a Colt SAA.

[Lloyd Smale]

44mag is the king of handgun rounds. Nothing is more versitile.

[timkelley]

41 Mag.

[BD]

.45 acp and .44 mag.

I shoot a lot more .45 acp in the course of a year, but the .44 mag would be my choice if I could only have one hand gun. It's just so versatile. I can load it for anything from quail to bear, and I can make a usable load out of any powder from Bullseye to 1680. My DW744 has been through a lot and never let me down.
BD

[Three44s]

Absolute favorite: Make mine a .44 mag!!!

I have on going daliances with:

.22 lr
.22 win mag
7.62 X 25mm
.380 auto
9mm Para
9X18 Mak
.38 spec.
.357 mag
.41 mag

But when the chips are down: ........... give me da .44!

Three 44s

[mtgrs737]

By shear volume it has to the 45 ACP, followed by the 44mag/44spl. then the 41mag. then the 38spl./magnum, and finally the 45 colt, 9mm, 380acp, 32acp,25auto.

[bisleyfan41]

41 Mag.

x2! :)

[odis]

I reload 357/38s 44 mag and 45 colt. Right now the nod goes to the 45 colt.

[Marvin S]

Hands down I would say it would have to be the center fire type of various calibers. But If I could have only one, them maybe the 38/357. That's one, right?

[9.3X62AL]

.30 Mauser anyone? Only short coming is finding the little cases out in the pasture after firing :)

Yeah, these are fun little critters. I have 3, one each Broomhandle--Tokarev--and CZ 52. Ya wanna see the brass get flung? Run those cartridges to the CZ's full potential, and they get some real launch distance to them. They are all small game/varmint machines, although actually connecting on a jackrabbit with the Broomer is a triumph of hope over likelihood. Hell for style, but poetic as to accuracy. The CZ-52 is STONE ACCURATE. The ChiCom Tok is about service-accurate, and shoots high at closer ranges.

[StarMetal]

Yeah, these are fun little critters. I have 3, one each Broomhandle--Tokarev--and CZ 52. Ya wanna see the brass get flung? Run those cartridges to the CZ's full potential, and they get some real launch distance to them. They are all small game/varmint machines, although actually connecting on a jackrabbit with the Broomer is a triumph of hope over likelihood. Hell for style, but poetic as to accuracy. The CZ-52 is STONE ACCURATE. The ChiCom Tok is about service-accurate, and shoots high at closer ranges.


....and then there is the Mercedes Benz of those...the P08 30 Luger.

Joe

[Freightman]

Took my CCL test with a CZ 52 the instructor came by after the first 10 rounds looked at my little hole and ask "you sure you shot ten rounds"? Love that round but do not have one now, went crazy, right now it would be 45 Colt as I have three two revolvers and a Puma 92.

[Rodfac]

Well...it used to be the .44 Mag. but recently I found one of the Lipsey's Ruger .44 Specials. It shoots so well and is so pleasant to carry that it's now my personal favorite. My load is 6.5 gr of Win 231 or 7.0 gr of Unique with Lyman's 429215 gc sized to .430". Either recipe will generate about 1000 fps depending on barrel length and will shoot into less than 1.5" at 25 yds through any of my .44's. Regards, Rodfac
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii64/Rodfac/Grips/CocaBoloon44Spl2.jpg Here it is with my own cocobolo grips
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii64/Rodfac/Handguns/44Splwithrig.jpg And with the original hard rubber Ruger grips

[big dale]

44 Mag is my all time favorite, especially when using my Old Model SuperBlackhawk that has the barrel cut back to 4 5/8.

For a semi auto it is still my Glock 20 with the Lone Wolf 6 inch barrel.

I still think I will have to get another Old Model 41 mag with the short barrel again.

Big Dale

[Dale53]

Rodfac;
That is a NICE outfit. Man, those grips sure do look GOOD!

Dale53

[JesterGrin_1]

Well...it used to be the .44 Mag. but recently I found one of the Lipsey's Ruger .44 Specials. It shoots so well and is so pleasant to carry that it's now my personal favorite. My load is 6.5 gr of Win 231 or 7.0 gr of Unique with Lyman's 429215 gc sized to .430". Either recipe will generate about 1000 fps depending on barrel length and will shoot into less than 1.5" at 25 yds through any of my .44's. Regards, Rodfac
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii64/Rodfac/Grips/CocaBoloon44Spl2.jpg Here it is with my own cocobolo grips
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii64/Rodfac/Handguns/44Splwithrig.jpg And with the original hard rubber Ruger grips

Great work on those grips you made I have to say. :bigsmyl2:

And at the same Gun Show where I did pick up my Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter stainless Bisley in .44 Mag I really took a hard look at a few of those Lipsey's .44 Specials they are nice and fit the hand well since they have the smaller grip. And were priced right at about $350.oo but darn it everything else I shoot is .44 Mag lol. If they made that exact same size Ruger but also would take .44 Mag I would have jumped on it.

As I have said before I really like the .44 :)

[dk17hmr]

I like my 357 Magnum alot but I carry a 45 acp all the time. That said for its capablities of using 155-400gr bullets the 45 Colt is hard to beat in my opinion for a walkin around gun...once I get enough $$$ stuck in the safe I am going to find myself a Ruger single action or a S&W double action 45LC...probably a 4.5" Ruger to go with the Ruger 454 I have...which isnt exactly a walking around gun with the 1.5x4 scope and 7.5" barrel

[longhorn47]

The one that does not shoot ME====== GOD I LOVE THIS

[cajun shooter]

That's a no brainer 45 Colt, it will even out shine the 44 mag.

[JesterGrin_1]

Cajun Shooter come on now lol.

I really did look into thus stuff a couple of years ago for the .45 Colt round but the case is not designed for anywhere near the pressure that the .44 Mag is. Yes you can load up a .45 Colt in say a Ruger or a Contender or some of the other very strong arms but the info and information for it is harder to find than the .44 Mag.

Do not get me wrong I do like the .45 Colt but for myself I felt the .44 Mag is a more all around cartridge along with components that are easy to come by.

[KTN]

.32 S&W long, .357 mag, .44 mag, .45 acp and .45 Colt are on my top 5 list, and right now, in that order. Closely followed by the rest.
.32 S&W long is accurate, easy to shoot and cheap to reload, about 36€/1000 :mrgreen:.


Kaj

[StarMetal]

Cajun Shooter come on now lol.

I really did look into thus stuff a couple of years ago for the .45 Colt round but the case is not designed for anywhere near the pressure that the .44 Mag is. Yes you can load up a .45 Colt in say a Ruger or a Contender or some of the other very strong arms but the info and information for it is harder to find than the .44 Mag.

Do not get me wrong I do like the .45 Colt but for myself I felt the .44 Mag is a more all around cartridge along with components that are easy to come by.

Ross Seyfred proved that statement about the 45 case not being designed for the pressure the 44 mag wrong. It is partly true in that the 45 case may not be as thick in the web as the 44 mag, but like Ross found out it's not the brass that limits the load, but the revolver it's chambered in. Simply put fat sloppy cylinders won't let you achieve high pressure safely. Precision tight fit chambers, such as found on say Freedom Arms revolvers (because they deal with high pressure and precision) will let the 45 Colt do just about everything the 454 Casul will. You make that statement, but then go on to say you can do it in a Ruger or Contender. That contradicts what you said about the brass being a pressure limit in the 45 Colt. Yes there are loads out there for high pressure 45 Colts and yes it is as versatile as the 44 mag. It beats the 44 mag, just as does the 454. Now that's not saying a 44 mag isn't any good, it's a great great cartridge.

Joe

[BOOM BOOM]

HI,
I LIKE THE 22,357 & 44.
To give up any would hurt bad.
But if forced to have only 1, I would have to go with the 44 mag. it can do it all.

[Lloyd Smale]

I used to be a 45 colt man through and through but now prefer the 44 mag. The advantage a 45 colt has is it handles a bit heavier bullet at a bit higher level with less pressure but then the less pressure is needed as the cylinder walls are thinner. the 44 mag other then that wins hands down. Ammo and componets are easier to find. In my experience most out of the box 44s are more accurate and that comes from two things. The 44s are not subject to all the wierd chamber sizes and barrel twists some manufactures seem to think work with the 45. Finding a 45 cal bullet under 275 grain that shoots is much harder then finding a 44 bullet in that range. Im sure its part to do with the design of the bullets and part due to the twist. But anyway you look at it most 44s outshoot comparable 45s or they are at least easier to find accurate loads for. I have yet to find a 45 bullet under 275 that will both shoot well at short range and still holds it accuracy out past 200 yards. 357s are noting but loud 38 specials to me. They lack the power need for most big game hunting. The 41s arent a bad deal. There usually accurate but finding compents or loaded ammo is much tougher. You dont have the option of shooting specials and they just dont hit like a 44 or 45. There plenty for most big game hunting but when animals get over 500 lbs i want at least a 300 grain bullet. I just dont see what the 41 offers that the 44 doesnt allready do. Contrary to what most think the recoil between the three of them is so close at simular levels that most handgunners if blindfolded coundnt tell you the difference. Nope guys im not saying your choises are wrong but i will say that the 44mag is the measuring stick for all handgun performance. A guy can buy a out of the box ruger 44 and without anything but a trigger job hunt any animal anywhere in the world from rabbit to elephant. You guys that claim the 45 colt can be loaded to higher performace then a 44 should try some of the loads ive shot out of my redhawk. Its 3.5 inch barrel is capable of shooting 300 grain bullets to just under 454 speeds and the bullets it pushes have a better sectional density which is going to give you more penetration. Sure some will say that that just applys to the redhawk but then all the preformace bragging on the 45 colt is just applicable in a redhawk or large framed blackhawk. Anyway you look at it when you get to those levels no animal is going to be able to tell which it was shot with. Accuracy speeks in my opinion and ive owned a boat load of ruger 44s and 45s and in all but a couple rare exceptions the 44s win that contest hands down.

[That'll Do]

357 Magnum for me. The sheer versatility of the cartridge never ceases to amaze me. Be it a powder puff target load, or a full house screamer, the 357 does it all for me.

[Dale53]

Lloyd;
What you say makes perfect sense and seems to mirror my own experience.

Dale53

[JesterGrin_1]

Ross Seyfred proved that statement about the 45 case not being designed for the pressure the 44 mag wrong. It is partly true in that the 45 case may not be as thick in the web as the 44 mag, but like Ross found out it's not the brass that limits the load, but the revolver it's chambered in. Simply put fat sloppy cylinders won't let you achieve high pressure safely. Precision tight fit chambers, such as found on say Freedom Arms revolvers (because they deal with high pressure and precision) will let the 45 Colt do just about everything the 454 Casul will. You make that statement, but then go on to say you can do it in a Ruger or Contender. That contradicts what you said about the brass being a pressure limit in the 45 Colt. Yes there are loads out there for high pressure 45 Colts and yes it is as versatile as the 44 mag. It beats the 44 mag, just as does the 454. Now that's not saying a 44 mag isn't any good, it's a great great cartridge.

Joe

I may have put it a bit simple as my knowledge of firearms and there pressure limits are not up to spec with the designers of ammunition or there components but I mentioned as you did the Ruger and Contender as a well built and strong firearm designed to withstand pressures higher than run of the mill firearms or so I have read. Thus even if the .45 Colt does and or does not in this day and age have a thinner case the firearms mentioned could handle the additional stress put on them to contain the expansion of said case.

And as I have said I like the .44 Mag and I have a few of them but I only have one Ruger which is the Superblackhawk SS Bisley Hunter and I would not subject any of my other Pistols which are S&W with the same rounds I will put in my Ruger.



I used to be a 45 colt man through and through but now prefer the 44 mag. The advantage a 45 colt has is it handles a bit heavier bullet at a bit higher level with less pressure but then the less pressure is needed as the cylinder walls are thinner. the 44 mag other then that wins hands down. Ammo and componets are easier to find. In my experience most out of the box 44s are more accurate and that comes from two things. The 44s are not subject to all the wierd chamber sizes and barrel twists some manufactures seem to think work with the 45. Finding a 45 cal bullet under 275 grain that shoots is much harder then finding a 44 bullet in that range. Im sure its part to do with the design of the bullets and part due to the twist. But anyway you look at it most 44s outshoot comparable 45s or they are at least easier to find accurate loads for. I have yet to find a 45 bullet under 275 that will both shoot well at short range and still holds it accuracy out past 200 yards. 357s are noting but loud 38 specials to me. They lack the power need for most big game hunting. The 41s arent a bad deal. There usually accurate but finding compents or loaded ammo is much tougher. You dont have the option of shooting specials and they just dont hit like a 44 or 45. There plenty for most big game hunting but when animals get over 500 lbs i want at least a 300 grain bullet. I just dont see what the 41 offers that the 44 doesnt allready do. Contrary to what most think the recoil between the three of them is so close at simular levels that most handgunners if blindfolded coundnt tell you the difference. Nope guys im not saying your choises are wrong but i will say that the 44mag is the measuring stick for all handgun performance. A guy can buy a out of the box ruger 44 and without anything but a trigger job hunt any animal anywhere in the world from rabbit to elephant. You guys that claim the 45 colt can be loaded to higher performace then a 44 should try some of the loads ive shot out of my redhawk. Its 3.5 inch barrel is capable of shooting 300 grain bullets to just under 454 speeds and the bullets it pushes have a better sectional density which is going to give you more penetration. Sure some will say that that just applys to the redhawk but then all the preformace bragging on the 45 colt is just applicable in a redhawk or large framed blackhawk. Anyway you look at it when you get to those levels no animal is going to be able to tell which it was shot with. Accuracy speeks in my opinion and ive owned a boat load of ruger 44s and 45s and in all but a couple rare exceptions the 44s win that contest hands down.


Thank You Lloyd Smale

[GLynn41]

.41 magnum and .41 GNR- or the 41/445- had .357, 44, 45 Colt and 454 and now for me .41 thankfully I have never had any problem with components and I shoot 99% cast HPs soft points --LWNGC -- and the deer, yotes and ground hogs do not care

[LeMat]

I have a hard time deciding between the 45 Colt and .357 Magnum. I love 'em both, but when it's all said and done, I'd say the 45 Colt comes out on top. Mild to wild with a lot of lead.

http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp240/LeMat_photos/guns%20for%20forums/Redhawk014.jpg



But when I'm shooting .357's, I like to do it with this.....
http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp240/LeMat_photos/guns%20for%20forums/Isaac586011.jpg

[45r]

45 colt and 454 casull.My F/A 454 is very accurate with any load tried in it.

[hobbylink1]

I would say the 9mm first then the .357 The only reason the 357 is number 2 is because the 9mm is easy to clean and I am lazzzzzzzzzy

[bob208]

i would take the .41 mag lite loads and it is a ***** cat loaded up anything hit with it will think it was hit with a .44 mag or a hot .45. only problem is getting ammo. because ot that i have to go with the .38/357 i hold them in the same class as a .30-30 you can go into just about any mom and pop hardware store,or gun shop and get a box of shells.

[ScottJ]

I have to vote .44 Mag. I've shot more of it than any of the others I own (.357, .45 ACP, 9mm and .380) and it was the first I ever reloaded for. And now the first I've ever cast for.

I love .357 mag too but find it less pleasant to shoot than the .44 because the muzzle blast is more of an ear splitting ka-pow rather than the dull boom of the .44. Plus its recoil is more of a chop than the stiff push of the .44.

I'm also starting to really like .45 ACP. Fun to shoot, fun to load but my 1911 stopped working recently and I've not gotten it fixed yet.

I'm also new to 9MM but it isn't as much fun to reload as the above 3.

I've owned a .380 pocket pistol for several years but just recently did some loading for it. Those teeny cases and small powder charges make me feel like I'm assembling a pocket watch.

[Tallinar]

.44 magnum, due to it's versatility. I can use it for light cowboy plinking on up to strong hunting loads. It doesn't hurt that it's also what I am best-equipped to reload. =-D

If I was tooled up to reload it, the same could be said of .45 Colt. However, not all guns designed for .45 Colt can handle the full range of potential that the cartridge is capable of. A learned person could use .45 Colt for any of the same applications one would want to use .44 magnum for though, I would imagine.

[JesterGrin_1]

Hmmmmmmmmmm .44 MAG lol. :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/SHAKERATTLEROLL/IMAG0069.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/SHAKERATTLEROLL/IMAG0073.jpg

[What Cheer]

Revolvers, .44 Special

Semi-automatics, .45ACP

Best regards,

What Cheer

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

.357 Mag!

[smilie=s:

[BrettT/C]

My would be the .475 Linebaugh followed by the 32 H&R. Which is be rechambered to .327 Federal Mag.
Brett

[357Mag]

.357Mag for me.

"N-frames shooting 14.5gr WW296 & SP Mag primers under any Lyman .357 calibre SWC of 158 - 172gr. I don't even shoot ' em w/ gas checks.
This combo certainly makes " major calibre " at those shoots drawing such distintions.

I also like Skeeter's load of 8gr 4756 & SP primer under a nominal 158gr SWC.
I use standard .357Mag brass, though... and not .38s.

4 -5in barrels. I shoot a customized M520 ( fixed sight N-frame ) fitted w/ a 4" full- bull barrel. Same balance as 5" M-27, but easier to carry conceled.

Regards,
357Mag

[lawboy]

There was a time I would have said 357 Magnum and I still think it is great, maybe the best all around. Thing is, I just don't need all around. I don't need a 100-yard medium game cartridge that doubles as a target gun, triples as a plinker, quadruples as a ccw piece and quintuplets as a hd piece. My "overall gun just has to be a casual target gun, an IDPA gun and a carry gun. For me, the caliber is 45ACP. 357 is good, great even, but for what I do, 45ACP is better, particularly when firing indoors. I have fired both indoors, give me the 45 any day!

[jh45gun]

45 colt I shoot a clone but I see no need to hotrod this cartridge anyway a standard load will do most all that I need it for. I suspect even a standard load with good cast bullets would be a good penetrator.

[buck1]

44mag is the king of handgun rounds. Nothing is more versitile.

dido!

[Shooter6br]

My Smith 657 in 41 mag followed by mty Ruger SP101 in 32 Mag.My AMT 45acp gov model is in there also

[housedad]

Heck, I'll ressurect this thread and chimne in.

revolver favorites are the 357/38 followed by the 44 mag.

Semi auto is the 45 acp and the 9mm.

I shoot a lot of 22, but the dang things are so small for my mitts to fumble with. Getting old, I guess.

I reload for the 9X18, 9X19, 45 acp, 380, 38, 357, 44 mag. I love em all.

[autofix4u]

I am glad I am not the only demented person here. I have seen the 30 mauser/ 7.62x25 mentioned a couple of times. this seems to be my favorite as its the one I play with the most. I can load a 60 gr jacketed to 2000fps +or a 125 gr to 1500 fps. I killed a nice sized doe last season with one of the lyman 31133 hp & wc820. From the CZ52 it will shoot a 3.5" group at 100 yrds (with a rest). I can plink all day with the C96 and not chase brass to far. My converted Destroyer carbine is fast becoming my favorite bolt gun.

[Bullshop Junior]

45 Colt in a ruger Black Hawk is mine. I have the convertable 45acp/45 colt. I shoot any thing from 185gn to 350gn and it get the job done. I use the 45 colt the most. Shoot grouse and rabbits with no problom, and if it walks on this earth it will kill it.
45Nut has it right.
BIC/Daniel/BS Jr.

[Bullshop]

Dont listen to that Jr. fella, everybody knows the best boolit revoler is a Ruger single six in 22 ccm.
Blessings
BIC/BS

[44mag1]

44 mag for revolver and 10mm for semi auto.

[Bullshop Junior]

Yeah, these are fun little critters. I have 3, one each Broomhandle--Tokarev--and CZ 52. Ya wanna see the brass get flung? Run those cartridges to the CZ's full potential, and they get some real launch distance to them. They are all small game/varmint machines, although actually connecting on a jackrabbit with the Broomer is a triumph of hope over likelihood. Hell for style, but poetic as to accuracy. The CZ-52 is STONE ACCURATE. The ChiCom Tok is about service-accurate, and shoots high at closer ranges.

You really want to see cases fly??
Shoot sabots out of it. That makes cases fly!! I Never did find a empty doing that. Got kind of expansive
BIC/Daniel/BS Jr.

[BLTsandwedge]

Wow- all these .44s and .45s and .357s. Everyone knows the single most effective handgun round of all time is the 5.75 Velo Dog. That sumbitch will raise a welt the size of a quarter at 10 feet.........

[waco]

45 for the bottom feeders
44 for wheelguns

[Navahojoe]

.45 colt for the revolver, .45 acp for the auto.
regards,
NavahoJoe

[unclebill]

3 way tie
357/44mag/45colt
i likes em all
and i shoot all of em a lot.

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

I've always felt (to paraphrase Elmer Keith) that I could down load my 4" Colt Anaconda to max 357 loads. With the NOE wadcutter mould coming, I can cast the 250gr HP out of pure lead for social work. Or, I can load the upcoming 300+gr bullet to 1250 or so to hunt.

Rich
make mine a .45...

[jeepmor]

10mm for me. Same reasons as all versatile calibers. 125-230 grain bullet weight range offers a lot of different recipe options. S&W1076 is my favorite gun to shoot them from. Although, I'm considering a S&W610 so I don't have to look for my brass.

[Frank]

They're all great. Now let's see some targets and shooting. :Fire:

[bbs70]

I like making big holes in things when I shoot.
45 Colt
40 S&W in autoloading Glock

[TCLouis]

I started way back when with "Tong Tool" and Bullseye, 429215 and a flat top 6 1/2 ".

Me and that pistola went everywhere together.

Can just reach out aqn plink at distance with a good 44 Mag.

I have NEVER had any of my 357s perform as well with my boolits.

Hate it cause there is less lead and powder in the 357.

[GLL]

Frank:

Here is the target you requested.

I find it hard to resist a hot .38Special in a S&W .38/44 Outdoorsman.

Jerry

http://www.fototime.com/E1E36C1B29079CE/standard.jpg

[S.R.Custom]

That's a nice... group... there. ;)

[rugerman1]

Where's the target? http://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/71.gif

[Marine Sgt 2111]

What target?...well back to the real world....my para LDA in .45 acp, 155's, 185's, 200's, 225's or flying rain barrels (255gr SWC's) for just about every farm duty and defense duty, .44 mag w/250gr Keith SWC for hunting deer in an old model SBH that I got when I was sixteen. In .44 spl, S&W 6" barrelled model 24 and again 250 SWC though at one time she used to pop out 180gr WC's. My beloved Python that I have shot since the early eighties (including matches with HBWC's), or my S&W model 58, .41 mag fixed sighted crusher.

It's hard to pick one, I've used the .44 mag with shotshells to kill a coon in a crawl space under a friends house, the Python to win matches with and the .44 to take deer with and the Para to pop a masked bandit in the chicken house. When I was 16 and first got the pistol bug, I used to buy colts. I still have the series 70 GCNM that I saved up for that cost $200.00 and (carried on duty the first time in the Marine Corps) and the colt new frontier .22 with the magnum cylinder. It's hard to pick just one.....

[Frank]

Nice shooting. But she needs something bigger. How about 480 Ruger? [smilie=l:

[Big Dave]

I guess I just like ones that didn't catch on. 41 Mag for number 1 and 10 mm Mag for an Auto, not real fond of Autos, I reload and the emptys are a bear to find in the lawn.

[BOOM BOOM]

HI,
I would probably list the 45LC as another one I would hate to give up if I could afford to buy one.

[Whitworth]

Hunting? .475 Linebaugh is hard to beat -- 420 grain bullets at 1,350 fps......

In a semi-auto for defense? .45 acp and the 10mm

[Who's this Guy ?]

I'm going with the 9mm luger. Plenty of different guns out there. Some cheap and reasonable 'ala $99. HI-Points etc.Cases can be scrounged easy from the range for those cheapskate reloaders like me. Case capacity is small so powder goes along way. Accurate and fun enough where your hand doesn't get tired from the recoil. Just big enough caliber and energy wise for a handgun that you can feel comfortable with as long as your not going into Grizzly country.

[Catshooter]

Beautiful revolver and woman Gerry. I know who's sixgun that is, who's the woman? Your daughter? Looks like some iron in those eyes, with a touch of mischeif maybe? :)

I never did get those samples you didn't send me. You don't love me anymore, do ya?

:)


Cat

[stubshaft]

Hnting - 454 casull

Defense - 45ACP

[bearcove]

454 so far but I'm tempted by a 475.

[Whitworth]

454 so far but I'm tempted by a 475.


Give in to the temptation! You won't be disappointed!

[countryrebel]

44 mag is my favorite.

[750k2]

44 so far but have a new 45LC that am waiting on moulds to try out and hope
it'll be my new goto gun.

[Frank]

Whitworth said
Give in to the temptation! You won't be disappointed!
That is a fine cartridge, .475 Linebaugh. And you are certainly one fine hunter and shooter. I saw what you did offhand at that oxygen tank at 100yds! [smilie=l: That and the water jug test. Those were sensational! Look foward to when you and 44man have your next .475 party. :Fire:

[357mags]

Hands down the most versatile of all handgun cartridges. When handloaded, powerful enough for any creature in North America, two or four legged.

[That'll Do]

My favorite cartridge is hands down 357 Magnum. I absolutely love the versatility the round provides. From mellow target rounds to full-house boomers, the 357 does it with ease.

My runner up is 9mm Luger. It too provides flexibility in loading, albeit not nearly as the 357 Mag or other wheelgun rounds.

I'm sure that as my collection of handguns grows (which it will, I'm hopelessly addicted) my favorite cartridge will change.

[Lead Fred]

30-30 is mine. I cant hit anything with a handgun, So I use my Win94 for anything most will use a handgun for.

[Whitworth]

Whitworth said
That is a fine cartridge, .475 Linebaugh. And you are certainly one fine hunter and shooter. I saw what you did offhand at that oxygen tank at 100yds! [smilie=l: That and the water jug test. Those were sensational! Look foward to when you and 44man have your next .475 party. :Fire:


Thank you sir for your kind words! My .500 Linebaugh is almost done and ready for some testing, so stand by!

[Frank]

Whitworth said
My .500 Linebaugh is almost done and ready for some testing, so stand by!

You guys ARE the ones who inspire others in this sport. Look forward to more of your good reporting. :-)

[Whitworth]

Whitworth said

You guys ARE the ones who inspire others in this sport. Look forward to more of your good reporting. :-)


Thank you again sir!

[El Oso]

.44spl is like a good bourbon, it warms your inards like nothing else can.
.45 Colt with a big dose of holy black takes you back in time.
7.62 Tokarov in my CZ52 is FAST and accurate.
Hell have they made any interesting new cartridges in the last 3/4 century?
El Oso A.F. & A.M.[smilie=6:

[Uncle R.]

Having no .454 I'd have to say .44 magnum - as long as you're a reloader and caster. I can make my .44s do pretty much anything I need from light target loads with the legendary "flying oil drum" <GRIN> up to some pretty serious monster-stomping power. Easy to load for too - at any power level good accuracy can be had with minimal load development.

[Whitworth]

.44spl is like a good bourbon, it warms your inards like nothing else can.
.45 Colt with a big dose of holy black takes you back in time.
7.62 Tokarov in my CZ52 is FAST and accurate.
Hell have they made any interesting new cartridges in the last 3/4 century?
El Oso A.F. & A.M.[smilie=6:

Yes, the .475 and .500 Linebaughs.......for stopping really big critters before they can eat you!:lol:

[sniper]

Of course, you do mean immediately following the .22 Long Rifle, don't you? :mrgreen:

357 Maggie all the way! [smilie=w: Not a temperamental bone in its body, and will go from Mild to Moose in one cylinder full, If you are of such a mind!

My granddaughter wants to be an FBI Agent (this week:-?),so I will start her out with some .38 Spl. type plinkers to see how she does, then go from there.

Altogether a very accommodating round.

[NickSS]

I said above that the 45 colt was my favorite hand gun cartridge and it is. However, after reading all these posts I should amplify my statement. I load and shoot 22RF, 32ACP, 380ACP, 7.62X25 Russian, 32 S&W, 38S&W, 38 spl, 9X19 Luger, 357 Mag, 44 Mag, 45 Schofield, 45 Colt and 45ACP in handguns. My most shot and most carried gun is a 45 colt Uberti clone. I love it and use it a lot. Next is the 9mm luger in several different hand guns. This is followed by the 38 spl/357mag. These are very versatile cartridges and when I am not carrying my 45 Colt I cary a 357 Mag revolver. The 45ACP is a long time favorite but it has slipped some due to the fact that I am no longer shooting it is competition and although I have three 1911s I no longer think that the world revolves around them. There are more reliable and user friendly semi-autos around. I do not handgun hunt so have little use for high powered magnum pistols. After all why carry a pistol and be at a disadvantage as to range and power when you can carry a rifle? And for those who disagree that is your right.

[Crash_Corrigan]

How about a Ruger Old Model Black Hawk in 38/357/9 MM convertible with the 4 5/8 bbl. It gets it all done.

For casual plinking and lost cost shooting the 9 MM gets the nod. For more accuracy I go to .38 Wadcutters over 4.7 gr of bullseye. For serious social engagements the 357 gets the nod. Three great calibers in one gun. Easy to carry, handy as all get out and dead nuts reliable and accurate.

An old friend of mine had one that he had bought back in the late 60s for less than one hundred bucks and he never fired it nor even turned the cylinder. It was perfect and I bought it off him and paid him $500 for it. I know it was too much but he needed the money and I could afford it at the time.

It is my favorite handgun and I love shooting 9's and .38's in it. Slow to load but such a joy to shoot and handle. With over 6,000 rounds through it now and many hours of dry firing the trigger is just about perfect now and it does not have the manufacturers upgrading to transfer bar safety etc and it will never get it.

It still looks as good as the day I got it except for some deposits on the front of the cylinder which I cannot get off but the bluing is still excellent and there are not any worn spots nor scratches anywhere on the gun except for a few nicks on the stocks.

The only gun which really trips my trigger would be one of those Lipsey's Specials in .44 Ruger. That gun I really covet some. Too bad I do not have the funds just now.

[frankenfab]

.500 Linebaugh

[69daytona]

I loved my Bren Ten but had an offer I could not refuse so its gone, Glad to hear they are remaking them and for a third of the price I sold mine for.
Until then Im happy with any of my 25 pistol and revolvers.

[maddog2020]

ruger 41 mag all the way, running a close second savage 516 in 308 win

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii21/b00mer_2008/ruger44.jpg


http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii21/b00mer_2008/red308.jpg

[felix]

Don't like any of them any more. Have a few more 357s than anything. But I really enjoy the pistol rifles, though. ... felix

[6pt-sika]

Did the 357's , the 41's , the 44's , the 460's , the 480's , the variouse 32's and a few of the hand rifles .

After many dollars and much turmoil I've pretty much settled on my grandfathers old Colt Single Action 22LR with the 9 1/2" barrel he bought new in 1962 .

And last but not least a pair of 44 MAG's . One being a nice old 6 1/2" Ruger Blackhawk of 1957 vintage and the other a S&W 629 4" I've had for about 10 years now .

[excavman]

I've been loading and shooting 44's since 1969, didn't know they made anything else.

Larry

[excavman]

I did a quick tally of the posted choices for the last eight months on this thread. AND!!! The results are -------- 44 mag/spl caliber first, followed closely by 45lc/auto and 357/38 came in third. There were a few hand howitzers mentioned ( .475, .480, .500 ).

Larry

[Combat Diver]

41 Magnum for me on a Smith N frame.

[19112TAP]

I really like the .32 H&R Mag with my second being the .44 Special.

[401]

.401 Powermag or .41 mag , Depends on which day it is as to which I like better...
followed by .44mag , after that I can't say I have ever found a pistol cartridge I didn't like.

[maddog2020]

41 mag in ruger super black hawk :)

[healey55]

I load for and shoot a variety of calibers now and over the years.

44 mag is simply the most versatile and the most power in a reasonable sized package.

I like the 38 special more than the .357 as it is pleasant and accurate.

44 mag brass is tough. Anyone who says 45 colt is comparable has not sized both cases or shot the same cases with full power loads dozens of times. The 44 mag is one of the toughest cases to size in a carbide die.. 300 at a sitting will give you a blister for sure.

As some have said.. it is pretty easy to come up with an accurate 44 mag gun and load. The big slugs are easy to cast and wheel weights work just fine. I have settled on loads at around 1100-1200 fps in the 240-300 grain range.

My Dan Wesson 44 mag is the most accurate handgun I have ever owned with my K22 and model 10 38 coming in a close second and my Kimber 45 third.

I like the Kimber but it is not versatile and it throws brass away.

[WallyM3]

.41 Magnum (and Special).

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb92/Wally_100/DSC_7688.jpg