How do you actually enjoy a Magnum caliber revolver?

[Cartwright Jones]

I tried 357 Magnum and didn't enjoy it. I also tried 44 Magnum and didn't enjoy it either. I had some fascination with 41 Mag and was seriously thinking about getting a 6" model 57 but luckily I tried out a 6" 629 and realized that I totally didn't enjoy 44 Magnum so I canceled my order of model 57 because I read that recoil for 41 Mag is not much better than 44 Mag. I have read some quoted no difference at all (.410 vs .429) whereas others claim about 15% less recoil which is just not quantifiable mentally.

So my question is how do people enjoy those Magnum revolvers? I know shooting 44 special is way more comfortable in a 44 Magnum revolver (same with 38 out of 357) but it just feels weird to buy a heavy revolver and only shoot the other cartridge. I know if I reload, I can download the load but that also means that shooting factory magnum is just not fun? I mean there are people who seem to enjoy those guns/calibers but how?

I know that even shooting 44 special out of my Bulldog can be hard in my hand (I've replaced factory grip with Pachmayr and Hogue and they help a little) but shooting 10mm out of S&W 610 is actually fun.

I'm torn between getting possibly a 586 L-Comp (supposedly better recoil?) or a 57 but I'm just worried I won't enjoy either? I guess I can "man" it up? Note that I'm a 6' guy but the bulk of the felt recoil is in my right hand so my height or weight doesn't help.

Those who "enjoy" shooting magnum revolvers ENJOY the kick, the blast, the muzzle rise. I've shot magnum .44s since age 15 growing up in the woods of the deep south and the roar and buck of a top magnum load is thrilling. Of course, one also needs to have a proper hold on the gun - none of this post-modern BS where one flops the shooting hand thumb OUTSIDE of the support thumb which is the most idiotic thing I've ever seen and certainly NOT conducive to accurate, controlled shooting of heavy kicking guns whether revolver or auto. One of my most favoritest guns to shot is my S&W M500 4 inch. Certainly it kicks but I LIKE that kick and it bothers me not one iota! I can drive tacks with ANY magnum revolver. Before the internet nobody had a goon squad of millions to parrot what some individual, self-appointed expert pontificated and everyone who lived out in the wild country carried and shot magnum handguns religiously because that is what saves your life when facing something with teeth and claws, and sometimes guns.

 

[rays44]

I've been shooting my 29's and Rugers' and others since the late '70's. We (my dad and I) loaded them with plutonium and enjoyed the ensuring fallout. We hunted black bear, elk, bison, boar and deer very successfully with them. My father is long gone and I no longer hunt, but I still shoot regularly. Difference is now I prefer comfort over brute power. So my Casulls, Contenders, .44's and .45's are down loaded to suit my comfort level. Unique is my best friend and loads now fly along at under 1000fps or so. I can enjoy these fine works of art all day without getting punished. Have to admit, I still load the nuclear stuff from time to time, but 70% of what I shoot are reduced loads. That's how to have your cake and eat it too.

 

[lawandorder]

I love shooting magnum revolvers......as long as the first two numbers of the caliber are 3 & 2.

 

[OldRN]

I too am attempting to become a " big-bore- boy". Here's the result of my first 30 rounds of 240g Federal mag loads at 1200 fps with a 629 with a 2.6 inch barrel and the factory secret service-style skinny grips.

I'll nurse my injury while waiting for fatter boot grips to arrive in the mail. Lol.

Will be shooting specials for a bit while getting used to the recoil and finding out what works for me, and what doesn't. I had to go through the same process when I bought my first Scandium .357 Mag. I was SHOCKED the first time I put mags through it. Holy Moly!

I don't know if I can actually enjoy .44 mag yet. Hot BB specials seem to be the most I can shoot and actually hit anything outside of 15 yards.

View attachment 764647

I have the same 629 and both my son and I have had the same experience with the "hump" of the backstrap making a blister shooting fairly hot loads. After trying several grips, we found the Hogue monogrip (#29000, I think) moves the hand slightly lower and the hump no long bites the web. Will probably change to the 25012 that lacks finger grips. Of course, if shooting for pleasure, I usually reload for mild loads.

 

[65-2x2]

I did not like the .44 mag. either, but the .41 was not nearly as bad to me. .357 is enough round for anything short of bears, and In a bull barreled revolver, they are not an issue at all. That said, I still shoot .38 spl. in the .357 because it is more enjoyable, and I shoot mostly just for fun.

 

[Bud man]

I tried 357 Magnum and didn't enjoy it. I also tried 44 Magnum and didn't enjoy it either. I had some fascination with 41 Mag and was seriously thinking about getting a 6" model 57 but luckily I tried out a 6" 629 and realized that I totally didn't enjoy 44 Magnum so I canceled my order of model 57 because I read that recoil for 41 Mag is not much better than 44 Mag. I have read some quoted no difference at all (.410 vs .429) whereas others claim about 15% less recoil which is just not quantifiable mentally.

So my question is how do people enjoy those Magnum revolvers? I know shooting 44 special is way more comfortable in a 44 Magnum revolver (same with 38 out of 357) but it just feels weird to buy a heavy revolver and only shoot the other cartridge. I know if I reload, I can download the load but that also means that shooting factory magnum is just not fun? I mean there are people who seem to enjoy those guns/calibers but how?

I know that even shooting 44 special out of my Bulldog can be hard in my hand (I've replaced factory grip with Pachmayr and Hogue and they help a little) but shooting 10mm out of S&W 610 is actually fun.

I'm torn between getting possibly a 586 L-Comp (supposedly better recoil?) or a 57 but I'm just worried I won't enjoy either? I guess I can "man" it up? Note that I'm a 6' guy but the bulk of the felt recoil is in my right hand so my height or weight doesn't help.

I would downsize to 9 mm if it bothers you that bad.

 

[Bud man]

Ive had three smith 44 mags. I have them for hunting hogs. They're effective

 

[HamBoneZ]

Weight, bore length, grip, muzzle device. All to be considered.

In 357/38 I have a 6" chiappa rhino, shoots like a soft 9 because of bore placement.
44mag desert eagle 6", can shoot all day, has ported barrel, 1400 fps rounds work best.
460 xvr s&w 8", custom two hand grip distributes recoil through both hands, currently making 250gr full power loads. Looks funny but easy to shoot. All other calibers i can shoot from it you can barely feel.

 

[AveragEd]

I admit to not reading through al the posts already on this thread so if my suggestion was offered previously, please excuse me.

I enjoy shooting my magnum revolvers but I don't shoot magnum ammunition in them. I handload 158-grain cast lead semi-wadcutters in the .357s and 240-grain bullets of the same type in my .44s. Load them sensibly and you will enjoy those handguns too.

Ed

 

[Phenix]

I tried 357 Magnum and didn't enjoy it. I also tried 44 Magnum and didn't enjoy it either. I had some fascination with 41 Mag and was seriously thinking about getting a 6" model 57 but luckily I tried out a 6" 629 and realized that I totally didn't enjoy 44 Magnum so I canceled my order of model 57 because I read that recoil for 41 Mag is not much better than 44 Mag. I have read some quoted no difference at all (.410 vs .429) whereas others claim about 15% less recoil which is just not quantifiable mentally.

So my question is how do people enjoy those Magnum revolvers? I know shooting 44 special is way more comfortable in a 44 Magnum revolver (same with 38 out of 357) but it just feels weird to buy a heavy revolver and only shoot the other cartridge. I know if I reload, I can download the load but that also means that shooting factory magnum is just not fun? I mean there are people who seem to enjoy those guns/calibers but how?

I know that even shooting 44 special out of my Bulldog can be hard in my hand (I've replaced factory grip with Pachmayr and Hogue and they help a little) but shooting 10mm out of S&W 610 is actually fun.

I'm torn between getting possibly a 586 L-Comp (supposedly better recoil?) or a 57 but I'm just worried I won't enjoy either? I guess I can "man" it up? Note that I'm a 6' guy but the bulk of the felt recoil is in my right hand so my height or weight doesn't help.

I have and have had several magnum revolvers over many years, and gave up full-powered loads long ago.
In my case, not fun, not needed.
If I feel the need for more power I go for an increase in bullet diameter at moderate velocity instead of the concussive fireball loads.
There are no mammals I am ever going to encounter, even some weighing several hundred pounds, that can't be stopped or killed with reasonable hits from either a .38, .44 Special, or .45 ACP. In a handgun.

 

[rug357]

I think some (many be many?) people don't like the noise of magnum rounds. My wife like shooting her 9mm and 38 special but never liked 357 magnum. Couple years ago when she wanted to deer hunt with a handgun I suggested she use the Ruger Blackhawk in 357 magnum. This revolver is all steel heavy so even with my heavy hunting ammo the recoil is mild and the grip shape helps too as it allows the revolver slides over her hand. She still didn't like it so finally I had her wear ear plugs and ear muff over that. That made her much more comfortable to shoot that revolver and load.
Try it...wear tight fitting ear plugs and good quality ear muff over it.

 

[Greyman50]

Have 10 .357 Mag revolvers, most S&W and have reloaded for about 50 years. Developed a load for a no longer available Speer half jacketed bullet that dropped white tails on the spot. Shoot factory loads in larger pistols once and a while but my 1976 19-3 only gets 38 Spl wadcutters as its been my match pistol. Due to hand, wrist and arm surgeries 41, 44 Mag and larger are a no go these days, don't miss them. Pac grips are the way to go for Mag loads.

 

[Thaddeus Beauregard]

Everyone has different recoil thresholds for comfort. I don't enjoy lots of heavy recoil in a single range session either, so in any .44 mag, I will mostly shoot .44 special for extended range shooting. When hunting, I will use the horsepower loads, as I generally don't notice the recoil because I'm focused on the critter and won't fire that many shots. I've found that an N-frame .357 (M27, 627) or my L frame 586 6" w/ full lug both have enough heft that with a wider hand-filling grip, even full house .357 mag isn't too unpleasant to shoot, especially with padded shooting gloves.

 

[DonD]

I enjoy shooting my two S&W 500 Mags. I enjoy being able to deal with them and watch the fuss they make at the backstop.

A typical range day means a couple cylinder fulls of heavy but not max loads and 20-25 rds of fun, light loads using Trail Boss powder.

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

They are a lot of fun if you stick to midrange loads.

 

[Thaddeus Beauregard]

I enjoy shooting my two S&W 500 Mags. I enjoy being able to deal with them and watch the fuss they make at the backstop.

A typical range day means a couple cylinder fulls of heavy but not max loads and 20-25 rds of fun, light loads using Trail Boss powder.

I have a Big Horn Armory M89 lever action in .500 mag. Even in a fairly heavy rifle with a decent recoil pad, that thing thumps you pretty good! I've never shot a .500 in a handgun, but judging by my experience with the rifle, and having a .454 Casull handgun that's at the upper limits of my pain threshold, I bet that .500 gets a little "sporting!"

 

[crotchetyoldman]

In my youth I shot model 19, 27, and 57 Smiths as well as Blackhawks in 357, 41 and 44 (and stupidly hot 45). I shot full power factory or reloads because that was the point. As I have grown older I've lost my taste for it. If you want to develop a taste for it reloading to gradually build the power, or starting with 38 or 44 Special ammo, is your best bet. Also, in my experience the Blackhawks are less abusive than the Smiths. Or just decide you don't want to do it, and don't: that's a perfectly valid choice.

 

[Squib_Load]

Enduring heavy recoil is unnecessary. Learn how to handload for whatever cartridge you use. Recreational shooting is much more pleasant without recoil.

Slow, heavy-for-caliber, non-hollow point bullets will cut holes in paper and knock down steel just fine. They also penetrate deeply into deer and are effective against bad guys.

I handload for my CCWs: 38 Spl and 45 Colt.

 

[kelljor]

I have had a few 357s also. I mostly shoot wadcutters; sometimes a 38+p, rarely magnums. I currently have a Model 66-8 and a 3" 60, rarely shoot maggies in them either. They're mainly for when I go camping and there might be big furry critters that might consider me lunch I have the option of stoking with hot stuff. Mags are not all that bad in the 66; if I stay around 140 grains, but in the 60.....whew! I can handle maybe a cylinder full but it ain't all that fun. But in the boonies I am not shooting boxes and boxes of ammo so it's not an issue. I know what the mags feel like recoil-wise, and that's what counts.

 

[VinnieL59]

Unfortunately, for those who don't reload, sometimes standard "near-max" velocity stuff might be all that is availavle at your LGS, or department store. I haven't seen a box of .38 Special lead wadcutters in a store in decades. I agree with all the comments that I factor-down to "Only shoot what is comfortable for practice, paper or plinking." However, I would not ever carry reloads for CCW-self protection purposes.