I have reached a conclusion...

[willy]

The biggest thing about recoil is muzzle rise.,,
I got rid of the target grips on all my S&Ws way back.
I use the magna grips on everything from the 22k frame up through the n-frame magnums.
I choke up as high as I can with my grip and the recoil has more of a rearward push instead of the muzzle rise of a gun sitting higher in the hand.
The reason I went to the magna grips was to be able to get back on target faster after the first shot,,,
So before quiting the full power loads altogether,, try a set of magnas.

 

[trigger945]

I can relate. Since I don't reload and don't have the means to (not in the next many years at least), I decided to part with my 29-2 with an 8 3/8 barrel about a year ago. Such a nice gun, but I like shooting many rounds in one session and that gun did not allow me to. It just hurt so much when I shot it (both my hands and my wallet).

I tend to enjoy .38 spl nowadays and a splurge of .357 mag here and there. I have a box of Buffalo Bore .357 mag and a box of Underwood .357 mag that I have not touched yet

 

[gbran]

I have a Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Cassul. It is a real hoss, but I got to tell that I've owned and shot my share of 11-14 ounce J-Frames in .357. It a different kind of recoil, it's vicious and worse than the 454. They're a dream to carry, but I doubt I'll buy another.

 

[steelslaver]

How does that work? Is the 45 Colt round a lot slower than the 44 magnum? I don't see any other way to launch a larger and presumably heavier projectile at the same velocity from a gun of similar size and weight and have a greatly reduced recoil.

Wouldn't it have to use a significantly reduced powder charge - and correspondingly lower velocity? Seems like that's the only way the physics can make sense. And if it is slower - all else being equal - then it isn't producing the same power, is it?

I always thought of the 45 Colt being closer in power to hot 44 specials. But never having owned or shot one I can't say from personal experience...

If you are 100% on the 1/2(V squared x mas) You are right.
There is another theory on the effectiveness of hand gun bullets.That goes M x V x A where A is frontal area.

44 mag frontal area= .429/2=.2145x.2145=.0460x 3.14=.14444 times 240gr=34.6656x1400fps= 48532

45 colt .452/2=.266x,266=.0592x3.14=.18589 times 255gr=47.40 times 1000fps=47000

So with this formula which doesn't weigh heavily on velocity, but gives credence to bullet diameter the 45 colt come in very close.

Would you rather get shot with a bb going 6000fps or a bowling ball going 600fps?

I think reality has a lot of variables that no formula is going to solve for a positive answer. I do highly doubt that anything shot by a 1400fps 240gr 44 mag would do any better being shot with a 1000fps 255 gr 45 colt with the same bullet placements. It might change a bit one way or the other depending on bone and tissue, but not much.

In other words if you don't think a warm loaded 45 colt is going to kill it, don't be thinking a 44 mag is the answer.

I think the only way the 44 mag out shines the 45 colt is in longer ranges because velocity means less drop. Very few are able to really use this advantage.

 

[L Pete]

If you are 100% on the 1/2(V squared x mas) You are right.
There is another theory on the effectiveness of hand gun bullets.That goes M x V x A where A is frontal area.

44 mag frontal area= .429/2=.2145x.2145=.0460x 3.14=.14444 times 240gr=34.6656x1400fps= 48532

45 colt .452/2=.266x,266=.0592x3.14=.18589 times 255gr=47.40 times 1000fps=47000

So with this formula which doesn't weigh heavily on velocity, but gives credence to bullet diameter the 45 colt come in very close.

Would you rather get shot with a bb going 6000fps or a bowling ball going 600fps?

I think reality has a lot of variables that no formula is going to solve for a positive answer. I do highly doubt that anything shot by a 1400fps 240gr 44 mag would do any better being shot with a 1000fps 255 gr 45 colt with the same bullet placements. It might change a bit one way or the other depending on bone and tissue, but not much.

In other words if you don't think a warm loaded 45 colt is going to kill it, don't be thinking a 44 mag is the answer.

I think the only way the 44 mag out shines the 45 colt is in longer ranges because velocity means less drop. Very few are able to really use this advantage.

I was just gonna' say ....think energy, not velocity.

Thanks for the explanation.......

 

[Beachblaster]

I firmly believe that all handgun owners should have at least one completely ridiculous handgun. For me that is my 460. I also own a 629-1 and a 57-1 and all three have a 8-3/8'' barrel. As for recoil, the 629 is the most painful to shoot, with the 57 not far behind. I try to get my hand as high as I can on the grip, but the muzzle flip is still stout on both. I don't reload but am going to try it one day. The 460 has a compensated barrel end and that makes the recoil more of a shove back into your hand. I wrap my wrist with an Ace bandage and can get through 50 rounds before I call it good. Ammunition type is a big factor in the amount of recoil a 460 will produce.
Of course I shoot mostly .45LC in the 460 and .44 Special in the 629 so I can keep enjoying them. I have not found a light duty factory load for the 547 but the research goes on. As for the top boomer S&W 500, I tried 5 rounds through one and decided that yes, a man has got to know his limitations.

 

[glenwolde]

Trail Boss is a hoot with lead bullets and big revolver cases. I load 6.0gr in the .41 Magnum.

I load maybe one box of full power loads a year and those mostly get shot by other people in my gun. I'm over it.

 

[dave1918a2]

I'm 70 now and still enjoy full house magnums. I have .357, 41, 44, 45 colt, and 475 Linebaugh. Unless they belch fire and recoil there is not much fun. I have shot both the 460 and 500 S&W, but the guns are so heavy the recoil is not there. I load 19.6/296/220lswc in the 41, 20.5/2400/240lswc in the 44, 26/H110/260 jhp in the 45 colt(Ruger Blackhawk). The Linebaugh weighs in at 48 ounces empty. It propels a 430 LBT @1330 FPS out of a 5.5 inch barrel. I can put all 5 into a 4 inch group @ 100 yards(rested) and It can be carried on the hip all day, unlike a 460 or 500. Of course I love My k22 and Mod 61 Winchester just as much. Love to hand the 475 to the macho guys. First round goes downrange, second round goes in the sand 35 feet downrange, I believe that is known as the Jerk Zone. Merry Christmas and happy shooting.

 

[A10]

I used to be a magnum happy fool........not so much any more.

 

[pawngal]

I'm enjoying shooting "mild" .41 Magnum that's traveling 900 to 1150 fps.
It's my carry load unless I'm in bear country.

I found a factory load that is rated 1000fps, very enjoyable to shoot in my Mod 57.

 

[BC38]

If you are 100% on the 1/2(V squared x mas) You are right.
There is another theory on the effectiveness of hand gun bullets.That goes M x V x A where A is frontal area.

44 mag frontal area= .429/2=.2145x.2145=.0460x 3.14=.14444 times 240gr=34.6656x1400fps= 48532

45 colt .452/2=.266x,266=.0592x3.14=.18589 times 255gr=47.40 times 1000fps=47000

So with this formula which doesn't weigh heavily on velocity, but gives credence to bullet diameter the 45 colt come in very close.

Would you rather get shot with a bb going 6000fps or a bowling ball going 600fps?

I think reality has a lot of variables that no formula is going to solve for a positive answer. I do highly doubt that anything shot by a 1400fps 240gr 44 mag would do any better being shot with a 1000fps 255 gr 45 colt with the same bullet placements. It might change a bit one way or the other depending on bone and tissue, but not much.

In other words if you don't think a warm loaded 45 colt is going to kill it, don't be thinking a 44 mag is the answer.

I think the only way the 44 mag out shines the 45 colt is in longer ranges because velocity means less drop. Very few are able to really use this advantage.

Thanks for the detailed explanation. So to summarize:

What you are essentially saying is that the 45 does has less recoil due to less powder and lower velocity (which equals less power). But the larger diameter projectile makes it more effective - and that makes up for what you lose in power.

I terms of the power question was thinking more of big game (deer, elk, moose) and bigger four legged predators. That was where I was questioning the statement that "a 45 colt round will do anything a 44 magnum will".

If the 44 mag has a lighter bullet, then certainly the advantage from higher velocity is less. I was talking more about an apples to apples comparison of the same weight bullet. Though I can see where the "bigger hole is better" line of reasoning comes in. As long as there is enough power for sufficient penetration.

That is where the power factor would be more important, or so it would seem to me. If I had a big carnivore coming after me I'd want both the most lethal bullet AND the most muzzle energy possible to ensure it penetrated sufficiently.

 

[Beachblaster]

I found a factory load that is rated 1000fps, very enjoyable to shoot in my Mod 57.

Would you care to share the name of that ammunition?

 

[Tom_R]

Last time I had this baby out, I had a box of 50 rounds of American Eagle 44Magnum Factory Loads.



I said to myself, I'll put 50 through the 629, and then I'll shoot some other guns.

I put 25 rounds through it, and said, enough with this.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Don't forget to adjust your body position

I agree that as we get older, we tend to shy away from big-time recoil. However, one thing that everyone seems to have missed on this thread is proper body positioning for shooting heavy loads: foot position and balance, leaning slightly into the target, strong hands and firm wrists, and flexible elbows to absorb most of the recoil and keep it from pushing into your shoulders, neck, and back. No one shoots a .44 magnum one-handed like our old buddy Detective Callahan, so hang on tight with both hands, as high on the back of the stocks as you can manage, and blast away! OK, I confess that I mostly shoot .44 Spl these days because it's more comfortable and fun, but the body mechanics should be the same for any large caliber handgun.

 

[kozmic]

My neighbor is going on 73 and routinely shoots his hand load .44 and .41 mags. He also enjoys big bore lever guns and his 500 beowulf. When I go with him I sheepishly bow out just as he's warming up!

I don't call myself recoil sensitive, just recoil sensible!

 

[Revolver-time]

How about a picture of the 4" 29!

 

[StrawHat]

Like you, I found the recoil of the 44 Magnum more than I cared for. It was then I discovered the joy of "N" frames in 45 caliber. I really like them when they are chambered for the 45 ACP.

Kevin

 

[Art Doc]

Not sure foot position and stance would help with the stinging pain in my hand.

The 4" version? Here's how I got it...

It dates from around 1976 and I got it 3 years ago in new condition. Original owner never shot it and I bought it from his daughter after he passed. There's a lesson there, somewhere. Here it is out of the box...

 

[Jeffrey A. Cooper]

Be old fashion, shoot one hand.

I agree that as we get older, we tend to shy away from big-time recoil. However, one thing that everyone seems to have missed on this thread is proper body positioning for shooting heavy loads: foot position and balance, leaning slightly into the target, strong hands and firm wrists, and flexible elbows to absorb most of the recoil and keep it from pushing into your shoulders, neck, and back. No one shoots a .44 magnum one-handed like our old buddy Detective Callahan, so hang on tight with both hands, as high on the back of the stocks as you can manage, and blast away! OK, I confess that I mostly shoot .44 Spl these days because it's more comfortable and fun, but the body mechanics should be the same for any large caliber handgun.

We are long past Mr.Wilson wisely proving his two-handed hold improved accuracy, it is an accepted fact. That said I lost my weak arm in a bike wreck when I was young and learned to shoot one hand. Two handed hold will drive the recoil through your wrists, elbows, directly to both shoulders. One hand hold allows the elbow to bend, absorbing the recoil. Just watch a fat man fire that magnum from behind because the body will display the force reaction. If you can get him to use the proper one hand hold, (which is not directly in front nor directly to your strong side, it is between these two), then you will see that all the Jello in him does not shake anywhere near as dramatically.

 

[sunnyd]

I feel your pain. I don't enjoy shooting my 629 much anymore as it hurts my wrist after a few rounds. When in the mountains though, I like to carry a big bore, so I went over to the dark side. I got a 10 mm Glock model 20. Easy to carry, pleasant/ fun to shoot, high capacity, lots of firepower