I find as I get older the few (2) Magnum revolvers I own do not get much range time. The 22lr caliber has become one of my favorite. As I was younger I tended to look down my nose at the 22lr not considering it a "real" fire arm. All that has changed and as I get older perhaps I am getting wiser. So Now I find for home defense the 45acp (Thunder Ranch with Viridian green dot/flash) resides in my quick access safe. Also for CC the 45acp seems very comforting with its ability to stop any threats I can imagine. The 45 Colts however would serve that need equally well, yet are not quite as easily concealed. The 45 Colt however seems to be my favorite "big gun". As for the magnums I have two. The .327 Federal Magnum is a Mighty Mouse and my favorite for CC, alas it is not very pleasurable to shoot. What ever range time the Model 632 sees is usually with S&W .32 long which is far less "flinch" inducing than the Federal Magnum .327. The S&W.460 resides in my safe due to my love of Smiths and a desire to own oneof every revolver frame type. So that's how I view my collection now, with no real desire for any other Magnums. Though a nice .357 could still tempt me with its ability to shoot .38s. LOL. Anyone else feel this way?

The ruger MK series have top rank in wife & I shooting irons, however 22LR ammo has made them so they are too expensive to shoot.

As for centerfire my 629's loaded with 6.5gr of 231 & 250gr keith home cast go to almost every IDPA match, I must have 4-5 625's they are a hassle with alox shooting matches "yuck" if I want to shoot 45acp guess I favor the Colt & Wilson 1911's (CDP class)

Just because its a magnum don't mandate the use of full bore blast.

My IDPA 629 with 22gr 2400 240JHP sits on my side of headboard & the wife's IDPA Gold Cup 45 sits on her side, hope we never have to use them in the house

The insane cost of 22LR ammo really has put a hurting on the good old days $10 a brick shoot all afternoon fun we once enjoyed while waiting for BBQ wings to get done unfortunately

Our 3 youngest shot in 4H / YHEC rimfire, I remember them & other kids blasting away brick after brick practicing, glad my kids are all grown, can't imagine other parents trying to setup their children in 4H with prices the way they are nowadays

The 22lr has to be everyone's favorite fun to shoot firearm

Had to read your post.

Not sure I've ever seen anyone actually use the word "eschew" before.

:-)

BTW, I like shooting my 31-1 (.32) more than my 686.

Yep,it must be an age thing.Ive added 3 old 22s in the last year and between playing with them and a couple of old 38s,the magnums don't get any range time anymore.

My favorite bumper sticker is "eschew obfuscation."

Kent


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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USAF 1971 - 1978

Shooting seems more "fun" with 22s. Everyone should own a MkIII and a 10/22, or some equivalent. And a K22 or 617.

I'm what some would call old, and I just bought my first magnum. I load a 200gn LRNFP over 9gn of Unique and can shoot it all day. Love my 629.

I like the .357. Its a good all around cartridge. Yet I do tend to shoot .38s in mine more often than not.
I've never really cared for the big bore magnums. I do own a Model 29, but don't shoot it maybe once a year. Just never got into the loudenboomers.
I am however a huge fan of N-frames in .44 Special and .45 Colt. I have several in each caliber. They'll do anything I need and more without all the buck and roar.

In a word no, in fact I seek them out. I truly appreciate the magnum 44's

Even in my youth I never really cared for the recoil of full house .44 Magnums. I had two different 6" Model 29's and sold or traded both. Wish I had kept one as It was enjoyable with .44 Specials and the prices for Nice Model 29's are now out of sight.

I have no problem with 158 grain .357 Magnum in my 13, 19, 65's or 686 and shoot a good bit of it. The guns still get much more .38 Special because now I can handload .38 Special for what .22 LR costs. I also shoot plenty of handloaded .45 ACP.

I have always loved shooting the .22LR, and been willing to purchase some of the more expensive guns. The Model 18, Colt New Frontier Single Action, 1911 Conversion kit, Browning Buckmark Pro Target and others are super accurate and just pure joy to shoot. My younger kids are just starting to shoot and are shooting lots of .22.

I don't care how much .22 costs now - I will buy it and they will be shooting it from rifles and handguns under supervision. If we are to keep our freedoms, the next generation of shooters must be taught and that is worth the money to me.

It's a macho and collector thing IMHO. A small frame magnum is just a tool looking for somebody to punish. Too many good 38-special rounds about. I own a few but rarely shoot magnum loads. As far as rim fire and the cost of 22-mag ammo nowadays, you can re-load and shoot just about any center-fire cheaper. Does anybody know why the 22-magnum was ever invented anyway? Years ago, people use to proclaim them as good turkey-hunting loads, but not anymore.

Two very true statements. Give me my .357 and a .22lr carbine with plain sights.

No, I shoot only magnums when it comes to centerfire revolvers. Just two .357s and two .500 Mags. I adjust power levels to suit my desire for that range session.

Number wise, I of course shoot a lot more .22LRs than the big ones. Don

I love all my guns...magnums...etc....and my pre-17...17-2....2 Colt OMM 22s....the 22 revolvers lock up like a vault...beautiful "Iron"

.22 magnums are nifty but in short supply right now. I'm not a big fan of the .357 for my current needs. Everything is .38 Special or weaker and I'm good with that.

I deer hunt with my handguns. The day I quit shooting magnums is the day I stop hunting. The day I stop hunting is the day I stop breathing. Magnum handguns in the right platform are NOT unpleasant to shoot. Just because it says magnum in the name don't mean it needs to be loaded to "Ruger Only" loads. I have .44 mag and .460 mag handguns that are more pleasant to shoot than some of my .38s and a 'ell of a lot more fun than the .22s. But that's me, I ain't everybody.

" I eschew magnums, do you too? "

Nope, just bought a Model 69. I have turned away from the aluminum framed revolvers except for a few J frames, though. I generally run most mag loads through the heavier revolvers. More moderate loads in the lighter versions. Would say .22s are the best thing ever, except for the insane ammo drama. Used to burn up many thousands of 'em a year...Made hitting with everything else easier.

The .38/.357 has always been my favorite and even with my bad hands , the .357 is not unduly painful to shoot. I'll keep buying .357s 'till I run out of money.

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Buckeye Firearms Assn.

The older I get, the less I like heavy recoil in any firearm, rifle or handgun. I'd have to say the .38 Special is my favorite cartridge, followed by the .22 LR. But, the .44 Mag is still one of my favorites. With a light handload, it's like shooting a .38.

I still like to shoot full power loads once in a while, though. And it's comforting having that power when I carry it out in the woods.

I completely agree. I shoot my center fire semi autos and revolvers just to maintain proficiency. I also enjoy shooting my high wall 38-55. The majority of my shooting however is with either my Browning T-bolt or low wall 22lr. and my Ruger 22/45 and Mark III hunter. 22lr is available, most of it just isn't real accurate. It is still hard to find the good match grade stuff.

I rarely shoot my magnums, although I've got quite a few. No issues for me with recoil, I just spend more time with the small stuff.

By far the most common shooting for me is with .22s. Often with a very old High-Standard Olympic pistol (.22 short) or my S&W model 617. It is a ton o' fun, really not too costly, and it's VERY quiet. The quiet is an important factor for "backyard" target practice.

Speaking of backyard target practice aka vermin control...

I also have a Browning Auto-22 rifle chambered in .22 short. Remember those?... they used to be at all the carnival shooting galleries when I grew up. Easy to hold, high round count, and ejects the spent .22 brass down towards your feet. And when you need to pack the Browning away, they takedown into two assemblies.

I suppose the first important thing is to get out there and shoot, regardless of what you've got. My concealed carry gun is a .40 S&W, and I DO practice with that. If I carried a magnum for protection, then more mag range time would be called for.

Best wishes everyone.

Roger aka Mr. Wonderful

I like the potential that Magnum revolvers offer, and having several in .357 and .44 doesn't require me to exclusively shoot Magnum rounds.

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I'm with the banned ...

I have a Super Blackhawk, .44 Magnum, through which I only fire midrange hand loads, approximating the .44 Special. That makes it a fun gun to shoot for informal plinking, even on silhouette targets. On occasion I'll fire full house loads though the noise maker. I also don't bother firing .357 Mag. through my Model 65 as this gun is not my primary SD gun.

I don't hunt with the big .44 but if I did, I would certainly stay in practice with hunting loads or their equivalent.

I think of magnums sorta like a high horsepower car , it's nice to be able to mash the pedal once in awhile.

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

This is why .38 Special and .44 Special should get more attention from gun makers. Since they don't require a heavy frame, firing that caliber in a magnum gun is not the whole answer. I don't shoot anything but ammo in magnum cases in my magnums. Some of the smaller 357 guns get loads a step above 38 special +p.

There should be development of the .41 Special too. It exists but only as a $1200 + customized gun using trimmed magnum brass. That caliber can use medium 357 frames like the GP100 or SW L frame. The advantage with the .41 over the .44 is that existing medium weight, .357 cylinders can be reamed and will hold 6 rounds rather than 5.

I have:
Ten N-frames - only one magnum.
Two K-frames - one magnum
Two L-frames - no magnums
Two I/J-frames - no magnums

So, yes, I guess I do.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

Lately I find I enjoy shooting the .38spl for my revolvers more than any other round. So much so I've been trolling the stores/classifieds much more than I used to looking for them. The .45acp is still my number one favorite and I enjoy the .22lr as well. The magnum rounds are collecting more dust now.

I es"chew" gum!!

I have never eschewed. Never.

Had a 17. I was living in a city with limited chances to go shooting, so I loaned it to a neighbor of my parents. The gun got stolen. Won't make that mistake again.

.22s I have are a Mk.III, a 4" Taurus (used and cheap) and a Savage Mk.II.

Gashundit!!

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

arthritis = .22 for handguns

Remember to always avoid and eschew pompous prolixity.

And loquaciousness.

Nice collection. Are those camel bones on the Kimber? Also, I want that .45 pro shop revo - if they start producing them w/o the lock I'm getting one. Might just get one with the dang lock anyway

I'm getting old and am already busted up (seriously bad back injury and arthritis in both shoulders and hands).

Despite owning and carrying a number of Magnums (357, 41 & 44) in my younger years, I never got all that much joy out of them and eventually traded most of them off. I still have a few 357s but only shoot 38/44 hand loads through them.

My favorite handgun cartridge is the 45 ACP. Moon clips are the fastest speed loaders available. If I absolutely had to have a different caliber that started with a "4" that would be the 44 Special.

YMMV,
Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Sorry, maybe you’re recoil sensitive but no matter how “good” a .38 Spl load may be, it’s no where near as effective as full snort .357. My Ruger SP101 runs 1320fps with a 158gr Buffalo Bore JHP, 611 ft lbs. Well more than double a .38 Spl and that does make a difference in terminal performance.

I can also get followup shots out in good time and I don’t pretend to be a snubbie master. Don

To this old man, the .357 Magnum is the end all be all of handgun rounds. If the caliber does not start with a 3 I have little or no interest in it. I will admit I now shoot a lot more 38 special +P rounds than .357 Magnum rounds. Yet from time to time it's nice to hear the crack of a magnum round and see a sheet of flame 2' long coming out of the barrel.

Es aquit chewing magnums sometime ago . . . was a ruinin mi teeth!

R

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Rachel
Grande Torina

Not that there's anything wrong with it.

Maybe I should have said not since I was a teenager.

I too eschew magnums, with the exception of my dearly beloved .32 H&R magnum revolvers.

I do have a Super Blackhawk .44 Mag, but haven't shot it in many, many years (favor my Blackhawk .44 Special revolvers). I might just sell the Super Blackhawk.

And a S&W M627 .357 Mag, but it only sees .38 Short Colt ammo since I bought it (for ICORE, USPSA, and steel matches).

I too eschew my M24 gets much more use than my M29 and my OD much more than my 27. It's not about the shock and awe for me -- and I save powder too.

However 44 mag. (in a rifle) is now my "go-to" cartridge for whitetail.

Re: OP. You have a very nice collection of pistols. Your opinion of the .22 LR is shared by a multitude of fellow shooters, including myself. Magnums are useful for hunting, long range shooting, etc. However in reality, the vast majority of shooters do not have occasion to stop charging paper targets. Their paper targets hang quietly. And they shoot them w/ .22's, .38's and .357's, and 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. A few will routinely shoot the magnum calibers. But most will shoot those revolvers w/ lighter loads or else relegate those handguns to the back of the cabinet, just like folks who buy .460 Weatherby Magnums, and never shoot them.

The last few handguns I bought were a 625-2, RIA 1911-A1, 15-3, 66-2, SA GI 1911-A1, 19-4, 686-1. When I go to the range I routinely shoot my 18-3. Centerfire calibers are routinely fired w/ handloads... normally the 686-1. Once I finally get my progressive press set up, the rotation will assuredly be .22LR, .38 Special and .45 ACP... and .44 Special. If I should at some time feel a need for a magnum handgun, I'll just load .357 Magnum... or load some Elmer Keith .44 Special's.

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<><

I like to shoot magnums more than I expected too. What I don't like and eschew is magnum loads in underweight, short-barreled guns. Then I reload something appropriate at the low end of the scale. I always use full sized cases.

I have 357, 41, and 44 magnums but eschew the 454 Casull. The 357s are 4" with the exception of a 3+ ", for which I shoot custom loads. The 41 is 8 3/8 with a scope, and the 44 is 5". One of each is a Smith. The big 657, .41 mag is 1987, pre-lock, first run.

Magnums don't all need to be hammer of thor loads. And if you haven't shot a M27 or M28 with a .357 then you haven't lived. I know I had no idea what I was missing. And that large frame soaks up recoil.

38 wadcutters are great to shoot, but it's also fun to go thru a few flash and bang loads from time to time. Especially at an indoor range. That's why I have good hearing protection.

Also depends on the gun you're using. I'd much rather shoot full power magnum loads thru my 686 than 380 out of a Ruger LCP.

No they're mastodon.

It's spring here in California. Lots of flowers and grass pollen coming out.

I'm eschewing frequently these days.

Large heavy guns and long barrels make magnums fun to shoot.

My favorite Magnums to shoot are these:

M28-2



M657-3

A .44 magnum is not my friend these days, and my .357 is worse...but I have some anyway. Also have 2 .22 magnum revolvers, one an NAA mini and one an all steel 9 shot High Standard Sentinel snubbie that saw use as a local police officer's back up gun. I have not been shooting anything lately due to the weather, but it's improving, and I plan to visit the range in another month or so when the mud dries a bit.

I went on a gun buying binge over the last several years, and really enjoyed it, but I think I will start selling some of them off shortly once I find a good way a guy without a FFL can do that.

A couple of Rugers in .44 magnum, both unfired...and a .357 fired quite a bit...





The Redhawk Hunter is pretty old, but unfired. The Security Six. 357 is one of a pair, both finally wearing in after about 30 years...

I have a few keepers, and none are magnums, except maybe that little NAA and my Smith 65-2, which is a gem...but that's for later this summer.

I even have a Rossi .357 lever rifle that is still unfired...That will probably stay, too...

Sorry to drift so far off-I'm more comfortable with Specials than Magnums, and I expect that's the way it will stay.

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Liberals made the USA

At present, I own only two revolvers and both are chambered in magnum calibers. One is a Model 58 .41 Magnum and the other is a Model 29-4 3" .44 Magnum.

With Pachmayr grips and sensible loads, they are both quite pleasant to shoot.

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)