How do you actually enjoy a Magnum caliber revolver?

[long colt frazier]

I had a Ruger in .454 Casull that I couldn't shoot without thick leather gloves.I hated it;-)

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Not living near griz country, my general outlook on magnum revolvers is to shoot mostly specials or warm special handloads but have the capability of magnums when wanted/needed. It’s nice to have the option of magnum power. Where I live a 240gr 44 or 250gr 45 at 850-900fps will do just about everything I need and never wear out a revolver. This goes for big bore calibers for sure but oftentimes my shooting with 32 and 38 cal follows the same practice. My “warm” loads are usually in the 1,000-1,100fps range which is quite comfortable in the smaller cal guns.

 

[Photog]

My first big bore handgun was a Ruger Blackhawk in .41 magnum. I was 16. Before that the largest handgun I had shot was a 1911 .45. Recoil was stiff, but just kept shooting, trying different holds and eventually recoil did not even seem noticeable. I then bought a M29-2, 6.5" when I was 18. Very different recoil "feel". First loads fired were Winchester factory 240 gr. SP. An eye opener to say the least. With the first 50 rounds now turned into brass, I reloaded on the lighter side and just did a lot of shooting, upping the velocity as I went. Within about 6 months, shooting a hundred or so of "full house" loads didn't bother me a bit. Now that I am considerably older, I mostly shoot full house loads in my Redhawk as it handles recoil much better than my Smith's. My M29's are mostly shot using loads in the 1100 fps with 250 gr. cast bullets. I do run full house loads through them every once in awhile just to keep my abilities up. My advice is to just practice, practice, practice. Start with load that you like and then work up from there .

 

[bananaman]

38 Specials, and .44 Special heavy data loaded in a Magnum case. Does the job for me! The main thing that when I need POWER, I can have magnum loads. Bob

 

[M1A4ME]

Sorry, something reminded me that I replaced that terrible grooved trigger on my 4" M29. I put a smooth trigger in it not long after buying it.

That grooved trigger would eat the skin off my trigger finger. Zero issues after installing the smooth trigger. One of the small things that helped me enjoy it more.

 

[GnarlsR2]

"How do you actually enjoy a Magnum caliber revolver?"

Watch other people shoot it.

 

[DHernandez]

Your answer is 45 Colt… thank you, mic drop…

 

[LostintheOzone]

Magnum revolvers aren't for everyone. I have several 357 model 19's but don't load those for magnum velocities anymore. More like 38 spl velocities. Now that I think about it all of my revolver/pistol shooting is now below 1000 fps. except 9mm. That one doesn't seem to be a problem because it's semi-auto.

 

[pistolpete10]

I did enjoy shooting magnums. Now for the last couple years my hands hurt, even shooting 9MM. It's hell to get old. My fingers are numb and my thumb joints are worn out. Can't take INSAIDS due to stomach ulcers. .22LR is about my limit for comfort. Still shoot a few rounds of centerfire. I haven't shou a .44 mag for a couple years. I plan to take the .44 next trip to the range.

 

[Jakerin]

I like shooting my 8” Anaconda except for realizing every shot costs a dollar…. These help considerably.

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

Having magnum caliber revolvers is sorta like having a sports car. Just 'cause it'll go 200 mph doesn't mean you need to drive 200 mph. Drive it slower, enjoy the trip, and take comfort in the fact that if you find you really NEED to go faster, you have the ability.

 

[Jmp50]

I'd rate reloading #1 since ammo can be tailored to a gun you already own.
My favorite loads are in-between a 38 and 357, pleasant to shoot but still have some balls behind them. The same applies to the larger bores.

 

[Shibadog]

You enjoy a Magnum revolver by making your own ammunition----tailored to YOUR likes.

I, for instance, have fired exactly ONE round of factory .44 Magnum ammunition---40-50 some odd years ago. It was right then and there I vowed to come up with something civilized----and ACCURATE!! That turned out to be 18.5 grains of 2400 behind a 205 grain SWC with a gas check. I was later told that was a hot load for a .44 Special, but nowhere near a Magnum. I didn't care---it was civilized; and 4" 6 round groups at 100 yards says it's accurate.

There are those in the "Mine's bigger than yours" crowd who profess to enjoy the thunder and lightning guns. I understand that because I'm the same with cars--- and each and every one of us has the right to be a little bit nutty!

Ralph Tremaine

This. I load “warm/hot” .44 Special loads in .44 Mag brass. Still pretty peek, but a LOT more fun to shoot. Basically it’ll handle pretty much anything in the eastern half of the country. Going where big bears live? Yeah, Mag loads. For general use/ plinking? Much more shootable “lite” loads.

 

[balin]

The only mag calipers gun i have that i don't care to shoot is my 340pd. My 329pd while not real enjoyable really doesn't bother me. I tend to practice more with some lighter mag loads. Everything doesn't have to be hot as hell. I just pick the load that serves the purpose of what i want.

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

I have wood grip on all of my magnum revolvers, I'll pay for the recoil, I want to feel it too

 

[Inkgardener]

It is really just shooting a lot.

So shooting a lot of 38 Special was an easy upgrade to 357 Magnum and then up to 44 Magnum. If you just shoot a box of Magnums every time you go out to the range you will master the Magnums.

This is my advice as well.

maxxer2, the first time you drove a car on the road with other drivers around you was probably a little uncomfortable. And now you probably don't think twice about it.

Also, it's in your head. Shoot the 357/44 magnum like it's a .22 lr. Everything is really the same.

Reloading helps a lot. Factory loads don't necessarily utilize the friendliest powders for recoil, and you can reduce load it.

Oh and you need the M-57 AND a .357! Before long, you'll have them all anyway.

 

[GypsmJim]

At the range I wear safety glasses, ear plugs and all the equipment required. But when I'm on my deer stand being very quiet and listening for the deer, when he finally comes in sight and I pull the trigger I can neither hear the report nor feel the recoil.

 

[jcs266]

Get an N frame .357, like my Highway Patrolman. Put the big target grips on it. That ought to do it. If you still can't handle magnum loads stick to .38 Special. Or, as others have suggested, stick to .22's.

My 6" Highway Patrolman is easily managed with the classic magnum Rem 158gr JHP factory loading. It's a BIG gun and with full power loads is no problem at all.

Magnums are for defense against dangerous animals when in the wild. If that's sometimes your requirement, sight it in with that heavy load, practice with it best you can with however many loads you can fire in a session. Over time you do get sort of accustomed to it.

By far mostly I shoot lower powered loads in my magnums. But if I'm outdoors and want a powerful sidearm then it's up to the task and ready to go.

 

[SmithSwede]

I agree with the original poster. There really isn’t anything to enjoy about recoil, at least from my perspective. But if somebody enjoys it, good for them. I don’t like squash either, but some do.

I don’t see anything positive whatsoever about recoil. Imagine if there was a little 2 ounce science fiction gizmo you could wear on your wrist that would eliminate all recoil. I can’t imagine why a serious shooter would not wear the gizmo.

We mostly put up with recoil because there is no avoiding the laws of physics.

 

[SSGRock]

Magnum Revolvers

I reload for my magnum revolvers. I load mild cartridges that are fun to shoot.