I was reading some original articles about the 357 Magnum when it first came on the scene many, many years ago. The testers of that period were dazzled by the recoil and increased muzzle blast. I wonder what they say about todays big big bores. The 44 Magnum's debut was accompanied by praise and by damnation, some seeing its virtues but many decrying the trend it would set to higher power, higher recoil, higher muzzle blast etc. They couldn't have foreseen the Big Bores of today and I doubt they could even imagine such items as the 500 S&W, the 454 Casull, the Linebaugh series, et al. Have we reached the limit?

I am an avid handgunner, pistols and revolvers. I have a few of the super magnums sitting in the safe, but, they don't get used as much as some of the standard cartridges like the 38 and 44 Specials. Or the 45 Colts or the 44-40s. Or the 45 ACPs. Afterall, one could hardly call shooting 100rds of 454 Casull max loads an enjoyable afternoon.

Pendulums swing from one extreme to another. Shooters are "rediscovering" the advantages of standard rifle cartridges, although, honestly, those standard cartridges were never really abandoned. In like manner, it is probable that our firearms manufacturers may recognize most handgunners have never abandoned their standard handgun cartridges either. In fact, they may begin to reemphasize these older rounds in a range of new handguns. At least, I hope so.

I bought a K-38 awhile back and it has quickly become a favorite to take to the range along with a few hundred rounds of mild cast loads. It brings me back to basics of trigger control and sight picture everytime I shoot with it. So, I bought another basic handgun, a Model 24, 44 Special and I have had a blast with it, too. I suspect my experiences aren't atypical either, that there are many more handgunners shooting the standard stuff day in and day out than those costly Big Bores.

Glamor and image aside, the handguns that are used most often are those chambered in standard basic rounds.

I have spent many an hour trying to figure if I need a more powerful rifle (.30-06) and maybe a more powerful handgun...I am very happy with the calibres that I have now. .22 Colt Woodsman, 9 X 19mm, .38 Specials, .357 magnums and .45 ACP... .22 rifles, .30-30 Winchester (which I enjoy shooting the most) and the .30-06. I might get a .44 magnum, but I doubt it. As you said. I more then likely will get something in the order of .44 or .45 calibre non- magnum...I definately will not get anything bigger then the Browning A-bolt. We'll see when I retire...

Handloader wrote:

I bought a K-38 awhile back and it has quickly become a favorite to take to the range along with a few hundred rounds of mild cast loads. It brings me back to basics of trigger control and sight picture everytime I shoot with it.

Gidday Handloader, I agree 100% with you on the low power loads. I shot pistol for 25 years before giving it away and one thing has stayed in my mind the whole time. A friend said to me, "Every round you shoot in the Centrefire Match will assist you when shooting Service Pistol (PPC) and Sillouette. He was totally correct. The low power cast loads used in the Centrefire Match allowed me to concentrate on trigger control, the sequence of firing a shot and the Rule of Aim (sight picture). I think I got more pleasure and had more fun shooting my old Ruger Mk1 pistol in .22 than I did any of my other pistols.

Cheers, Vince

i love the 45 long colt. it has more power than the 44 but isnt as fast. its getting extremely hard to buy off the shelf ammo for it but it can be found time to time so i started reloading for it.

the older styles like the long colt i have noticed are cheaper than the newer style pistols yet shoot as well or better for the price.

my 45 is a astra made in spain and new at a gun show cost 250 dollars and is a S&W style frame with a 7 inch barrel. it is loud but has no noticeable recoil.

at 50 yards i a nonpistol shooter until recently {military 45 not counting} can hit a half dollar sized targer 5 out of 6 shots.

i believe most of the new big big bore handguns arent made to fill a needed role in hunting or self defense but are designed and sold for the simple reason that gun makers want more profit.

there is not a animal alive on the planet that i would be afraid to face with my 45 long colt.

Spacedone wrote:

i love the 45 long colt. / / / / at 50 yards i a nonpistol shooter until recently {military 45 not counting} can hit a half dollar sized targer 5 out of 6 shots.///////// there is not a animal alive on the planet that i would be afraid to face with my 45 long colt.

Howdy Spacedone

I only wish I could shoot mine as well as you shoot yours, but, I do manage to win a trophy once in awhile.

FWIW I have taken two medium size black bear with my 45 Colt, a Ruger, 4 5/8" barrel, 300gr hard cast. Both were one shot kills. I got a nice mulie and several coyotes with 250gr XTPs, same handgun. All kills were under 40 paces.

While I respect the interest some have in handgun hunting and the specialized equipment that seems to go with that endeavor, I prefer the basic handgun for ease of carry and close encounters. Elmer Keith aside, I prefer longarms to handguns if that option is available.

But, for the pure pleasure and discipline of shooting at the range, handguns always present a challenge and a learning experience. They are good teachers of sight picture, trigger control, etc. And, every once in awhile someone will give me some instruction or techniques that refine the process.

Formal training has been a boon for me and I have taken several courses at Gunsite and locally. I am amazed at some of the talent and experience that is available from others only for the asking. The shooting fraternity is more a brotherhood than many realize, something that is underscored when you meet a Rob Latham, for example, and he takes a little of his time to help you enjoy the sport even more.

Always fun

In my opinion, the typical 357 mag is a lot nastier to shoot than my Smith 629
44 Mag. The 357 recoil seems much sharper and the muzzle blast much
worse. Of course the 357 revolver is much lighter. I have no experience with anything bigger than the 44 mag and don't care to.

I probably shoot 500 rounds of 45 ACP for every round of any of other handgun caliber I shoot.

Good points, folks. My preference has always been for standard calibers in traditional or classic arms. I bought my last new gun over a decade ago. The used gun racks are loaded with good quality guns in need of a new home. I try to help out. I shoot more .38 Special, 9mm and .45 ACP than anything else. Have a .44 magnum and shoot it sometimes. Same with rifle calibers, I prefer the .270..280. 30-06 and 8mm. Never felt undergunned even with shotguns of 2 3/4" chambers. All the best...
Gil

After owning and selling quite a few pistol/revolvers the ones i'm sticking to now is a 10mm, 44mag, and maybe another 480Ruger, 475 Linebaugh, or a Reeder in a 410 and above caliber flavor. Plus of course a handfull more of 357's :-D.

The best part about is.....with all of these calibers i can enjoy a full afternoon of shooting. Especially with the Reeder 510 (which i might add is a very controllable sweet shooter) the design work of the revolver and the cartridge is very thought out! The average person can shoot it without the harsh and punishing effects as some of the other calibers out there as most Reeder revolvers perform.

Yah; The question seems to be just how much BETTER are the new whiz-bang cartridges/rifles/recoil pads/handguns/cammie underwear are than the older ones? Really, how much do camo undies shrink your group? Too tight, and they might interfere with concentration, tho. What is the reason for the Caldwell Lead Sled? To keep the Super Whiz-Bang Heffalump Stomper Magnum, from stomping YOU!

I was watching a hunting show the other day, and a guy anchored a BIIIIG Croc with 2 shots from a 375 H&H. It looked to me as if the shots were behind the head, and not through the brain pan. The croc then wiggled into the water, and the the hunter said "You need something with more power!" A 458 Win Mag. Another old classic. Hmmmmm. Journalism has reached the hunting program video producers.

Would the world end if some gun scribe would just come out and admit that the "old technology" is fully equal to whatever task you might wish to undertake on this planet? Or maybe you shoot best with what kicks you least? Radical thinking! (Maybe one of our legislators could introduce a bill: "Truth in Gun Journalism.")

The whole argument is based upon the fact that gun writers have to say SOMETHING, and if the bullet doesn't fly back and knock off his hat, the weapon is, by dang, a certified Tyrannosaur slayer. (NEW & IMPROVED!) The manufacturer and the Adveritising Manager are happy, and the scrivener's next paycheck is secure, barring major faux pas.

I think the old guys were not fitted out with all the techy gadgets, but they did know their weapons and were RIFLEMEN and Pistoleros, for the most part. That means they knew how to shoot!

That would solve a lot of the problems with needing "more power".