How do you actually enjoy a Magnum caliber revolver?

[Thaddeus Beauregard]

I know longer own magnums. And I no longer push my 38 Specials and 45 Colts to +P, even in frames that can handle it. And, all my remaining handguns have steel frames - for their weight.

I'm 67 and I ended my affair with recoil a long time ago.

Lots of truth to this. Paper targets will still get holes punched in them by airguns, so it doesn't take lots of horsepower to kill a target. And in hunting situations where dangerous game isn't involved, shot placement and bullet construction are far more important than how much powder is used to launch said bullet.

 

[Riposte1]

I got rid of all 41s, never liked them because not enough bigger than .357 or smaller than 44mag. Kinda like a 16gauge shotgun. Nothing wrong with them but why bother unless that is your only gun. I have several S&W 357
and 38sp. Even in 27 & 28 I shoot 38sp target loads. I have guns tuned for full power magnum loads in 357 & 44magnum used for hunting.

I said the same thing, until I won a Model 57 at a match. Intended to sell it since I had .44s (which are only .02" larger than .41s) - but it turned out to be so accurate and I killed my first handgun deer with it so I not only kept it I bought three other .41s

The difference between the .41 and the .357 is like night and day (at least on the game I've shot), the difference between the .41 and .44 mag, not so much - but the .45 Colt is better than both of them, in fact so is the .45 Auto-rim (in handloads).

YMMV.

Riposte

 

[Drm50]

I have killed several deer with 45 Colt. I even picked up wrong gun case one time getting a 25-5 tuned for 242gr WCs at 755 fps. 30yarder was a through and through classic. Was bang flop but blind man could have tracked it and it only went a short distance where it hit a tree head on. Snapping some of rack off. Killed one with a 1911 at about same distance. I shoot irons and have shot a lot of deer in several states. I do not shoot at game that is unreasonable distance for the gun
My PB with handgun is around 60yds with 44 magnum Ruger SBH. I have varmit guns that rested will take out varmits to 500yds. I won’t shoot a game animal at such distances. To tell the truth my personal best rifle deer was about 250yds with 308 M70. Slug gun about 125yds the same as my 50 cal. TC Hawkins.
The moral of the story is size doesn’t matter as much as how you use it. I hear all the time guys bad mouthing certain guns and cartridges. If you can’t shoot it doesn’t matter how big it is. Another joke is many well know writers would beat the band for some pistol cartridge to be lightning killer on deer. Then when a carbine comes out in same cartridge it is given a marginal classification. A modern hi- velocity cartridge with optics is fairly easy for anyone to shoot passably when rested. The novice can hit things they never dreamed they were capable of. Actually they are like the cashiers in modern grocery stores. Once the power goes off they can’t make change for a dollar.

 

[Drm50]

I have killed several deer with 45 Colt. I even picked up wrong gun case one time getting a 25-5 tuned for 242gr WCs at 755 fps. 30yarder was a through and through classic. Wasnt bang flop but blind man could have tracked it and it only went a short distance where it hit a tree head on. Snapping some of rack off. Killed one with a 1911 at about same distance. I shoot irons and have shot a lot of deer in several states. I do not shoot at game that is unreasonable distance for the gun
My PB with handgun is around 60yds with 44 magnum Ruger SBH. I have varmit guns that rested will take out varmits to 500yds. I won’t shoot a game animal at such distances. To tell the truth my personal best rifle deer was about 250yds with 308 M70. Slug gun about 125yds the same as my 50 cal. TC Hawkins.
The moral of the story is size doesn’t matter as much as how you use it. I hear all the time guys bad mouthing certain guns and cartridges. If you can’t shoot it doesn’t matter how big it is. Another joke is many well know writers would beat the band for some pistol cartridge to be lightning killer on deer. Then when a carbine comes out in same cartridge it is given a marginal classification. A modern hi- velocity cartridge with optics is fairly easy for anyone to shoot passably when rested. The novice can hit things they never dreamed they were capable of. Actually they are like the cashiers in modern grocery stores. Once the power goes off they can’t make change for a dollar.

 

[magnum0710]

I'm a die hard 357 magnum guy but there are limits to what I consider enjoyable. First and foremost with a magnum the grips absolutely have to fit my hand. I recently sold one of my 357s because it was hard to find grips for it. I also prefer rubber grips but don't mind wood target grips provided they fit my hand, service grips on a 357 are ok but not exactly fun. A heavy (2 lb+) 357 with good rubber grips like the Pachmayr finger groove Grippers is pretty fun to shoot. I'd rather shoot 357 from a full size revolver than 9mm from something like a Shield.

The right grips and the right revolver shooting technique are key, you just have to find what works for you. I had an early model Ruger Security Six, Ruger changed the frame in the early years of those revolvers. The early 150 series guns are downright brutal with 357 especially with the factory stocks, it's very hard to find better grips for the early models. Rubber grips don't exist for them but you can find wood target grips. They're a huge improvement and far from unpleasant but rubber grips are really where it's at.

 

[686 shooter]

In my younger days I loaded .357 and .44 Magnum loads that some considered hot but I thought were quite reasonable. Mostly those were in Security Sixes and Ruger Blackhawks with an occasional S&W in the mix using some of Elmer Keith’s loads and then moving on to H110 and 296. Late in the evening the fireballs were impressive.
Nowadays .38 Special and .44 Special loads are quite sufficient. I really like my 629 but arthritis and tendinitis don’t. I do keep a box or two of serious velocity ammo in case the neighborhood is attacked by polar bears or aliens.

 

[65-2x2]

I'm a die hard 357 magnum guy but there are limits to what I consider enjoyable. First and foremost with a magnum the grips absolutely have to fit my hand. I recently sold one of my 357s because it was hard to find grips for it. I also prefer rubber grips but don't mind wood target grips provided they fit my hand, service grips on a 357 are ok but not exactly fun. A heavy (2 lb+) 357 with good rubber grips like the Pachmayr finger groove Grippers is pretty fun to shoot. I'd rather shoot 357 from a full size revolver than 9mm from something like a Shield.

The right grips and the right revolver shooting technique are key, you just have to find what works for you. I had an early model Ruger Security Six, Ruger changed the frame in the early years of those revolvers. The early 150 series guns are downright brutal with 357 especially with the factory stocks, it's very hard to find better grips for the early models. Rubber grips don't exist for them but you can find wood target grips. They're a huge improvement and far from unpleasant but rubber grips are really where it's at.

My personal opinion is that the .357 is the perfect balance of stopping power and shootability. Hand cannons are fine for bragging rights, but you usually grow out of that. My problem is that I can not comfortably conceal a revolver, even a two inch revolver, so I carry a 1911.

 

[Mannlicher]

I'll admit to not doing a lot of paper punching with my various magnum and large bore revolvers. I still carry one when afield though. Recoil is a trade off between comfort and comfort, if that makes sense. I don't mind the recoil if the revolver (and load) I have with me will handle the task at hand.

 

[tygar]

I'm a Magnum guy! Got my first 29 in the 60s. First .454 when it came out & .460 & 500 when they came out. Never liked the X frames, too big & clunky. Still have 2 or 3 .454s & a bunch of .44s & shoot them a lot & pretty hot sometimes. Just grew up with recoil & even though the 78yo hands are a little arthritic, still shoot the hot stuff.

 

[roundgunner]

For me the only way to be happy with magnum revolvers is to make custom hand loads and have different weight revolvers. My favorite gun ever is this 3" 44 magnum that I have smoothed and lightened.
I have had more than a few 44s and when younger was amazed at how much power I could squeeze out of them! 14 inches of hard packed Ohio clay with a 2" hole blown through was really cool.
Now my hot loads are the ones pictured, close to full power but not sizzling. In the Redhawk I can easily shoot a box or more, the same load in the 3" I can get hits but 6 is plenty. It is much more plesent to shoot it at 45acp power levels delivered with 4.5 of Titegroup under a 240gr PC SWC.

 

[66fan]

I know longer own magnums. And I no longer push my 38 Specials and 45 Colts to +P, even in frames that can handle it. And, all my remaining handguns have steel frames - for their weight.

I'm 67 and I ended my affair with recoil a long time ago.

Well I read all of these replies and I agree with all of them. Being 76 now and have arthritis in both of my trigger fingers it really is painful to shoot more than 18 rounds of .38+p and .357’s. My edc is my 21/2 inch model 66-2. I carry 125 gr. HP and 110 to 130 gr .38+p loads for personal defense. Just remember to keep all guns in the family if possible. My 6 grandsons will receive my modest gun collection. Thanks forum for all the different posts.

 

[magnum0710]

My personal opinion is that the .357 is the perfect balance of stopping power and shootability. Hand cannons are fine for bragging rights, but you usually grow out of that. My problem is that I can not comfortably conceal a revolver, even a two inch revolver, so I carry a 1911.

I agree, 357 is my favorite and preferred caliber. And I definitely understand, what works for one person might not work for another. If I carry anything bigger than an LCP or Bodyguard at 3 or 4 o'clock it looks like I have a twin growing out of my side. There are a ton of guys who can pocket carry a Glock 42 or even a Shield but I had the 42 and it just didnt work out, it looked like a brick in my pocket. Now with appendix carry I can pretty much conceal anything within reason provided I have a good holster to work with. Only time I've had carrying a revolver is when I tried carrying a 4 inch, wasn't comfortable at all. Sometimes bigger grips will print but that can be mitigated for the most part.

 

[Max123]

I just shoot 44 special in both of them

 

[Riposte1]

I bought a BFI in .500 Linebaugh last year. It was sort of an impule buy. Turned out to be a really nice wheelgun but the learning curve on .500 Linebaugh was a bit steeper than I had anticipated and components are harder to come by - I should have researched it more and bought a .500 JRH.

For a while I cold not find any empty cases so I bought a box of Buffalo Bore 525 gr. loads - I wasn't expecting to shoot more than 400 gr. bullets but I had to make some brass - for my 74.5 year old, occasionally arthritic hands that is "too much fun" - it goes about 1200 fps out of my 6" barrel and it is as much as I can stand and don't like it!

I have a friend who was my MD until he retired - he will shoot anything and does - he is closing in on 80 and he insisted on shooting the big load - even after warning him he tried it and cut his gun hand with the hammer spur but he insists he enjoyed it!

I finally found a supplier with about 100 rounds of new Starline brass and ordered that and I got some 350 and 400 gr. bullets and loaded them over Trail-boss to about 800 fps - that is a lot more my speed!.

Later last year I bought a Lipseys Ruber Bisley in .44 Spl. - I will likely get more use out of that than either my .500 or my Bisley in .480 Ruger (I do like that gun a LOT!).

Just Ramblin'

Riposte

 

[SVT-THUNDER]

Looks like plenty of good answers and advice have already been posted. But I’ve always been a buy and try guy. I’m a big boy so I love mag revolvers. That’s why I own them…just because I enjoy shooting things and blowing things apart. They serve no practical purpose for me. Just entertainment. What one man loves others may hate.

I had bought a S&W 460 mag last year. It’s the 8 3/8” barrel model and I went through 100 rounds in two days of different ammo. It doesn’t bother me at all. The recoil actually pushes back into my shoulders with the muzzle staying pretty flat when I’ve filmed myself shooting it in in slow motion. Now if I absentmindedly throw a hot load in there and don’t get my grip firm and pull the trigger to the break before firing, yeah, it will jump like crazy. But nothing painful. Lesson learned after 2 occasions.

I’ve shot various 44 mags that hurt my hands where the 460 doesn’t. I think grip, frame/length and overall weight make a huge difference as others have said on any mag revolver. Just my .02 Just find what you love and enjoy shooting.

 

[Repeater]

Simple...20 rounds of Special, Five rounds of Magnum (but only when there's an audience)

 

[biku324]

Weight also matters ... I notice more recoil from my 4" Security Six than from my 4" 686 with 158 grain factory loads or my standard 16.5 grains of Lil Gun with 158 grain JHP/JSP. My standard used to be 13.0- 13.5 grains of 2400 with the same bullets, but Lil Gun is now my go-to.

 

[K Frame Keith]

I enjoyed mastering full power .357 and .44 Magnum handguns years ago. I found practice and custom grips were essential, at least for me. Usually I fire specials in my magnums these days. My Model 29 four inch still wears Jordan Trooper stocks.

 

[Rock185]

Reference .357 vs. .41 Magnum; not enough difference, etc. I shot and reloaded my share of both for years. While there is considerable muzzle blast with both, to me, the energy, bullet mass and recoil of .41 Magnum is significantly more than .357 Magnum. In fact the recoil of the .41 is enough more than .357, that in my decrepitude I don't shoot .41 anymore. I never shot any critters with .41 Magnum, but I suspect results with the .41 Magnum might be more satisfying than with .357 Magnum with some of those bigger critters...YMMV

 

[Riposte1]

Reference .357 vs. .41 Magnum; not enough difference, etc. I shot and reloaded my share of both for years. While there is considerable muzzle blast with both, to me, the energy, bullet mass and recoil of .41 Magnum is significantly more than .357 Magnum. In fact the recoil of the .41 is enough more than .357, that in my decrepitude I don't shoot .41 anymore. I never shot any critters with .41 Magnum, but I suspect results with the .41 Magnum might be more satisfying than with .357 Magnum with some of those bigger critters...YMMV

I agree, I've shot quite a few fair sized critters (Deer and feral hogs) - I cannot tell the difference between the .41 mag, .44 Mag, the .45 Colt and the .45 Auto-rim (handloads) or even the .44 Spl. (also handloads) - but I sure can tell the difference with the same shot placement with the .357.

That said I've not shot anything that bleeds with a 180 gr. + .357 or .38 other than small vermin. Both .38 and .357 work on those. So far I've shot seven smallish deer with .357 125 gr. to 145 gr. in handguns from 4" to 8" - I haven't dropped one yet with one shot. Well not quite true, I did drop a yearling fawn that I did see when I put a 140 Barnes X bullet through a doe and hit it in the head - but it didn't kill it and I had to shoot both of the deer again!

Then again, one can never shoot enough game to come to any scientific conclusions - too many variables.

Just Ramblin'

Riposte

PS - I should have added, the .357 in a rifle is a whole nuther critter so long as you keep the bullets from fragmenting!