Favorite Revolver Cartridge
- Thread starter WisBorn
- Start date
Zendude
Member
32 H&R mag. It was the cartridge that got me into reloading.
flyingtiger85
Member
38 special!Easy to reload and the most fun to shoot.
Space Ghost
Member
.357 magnum for me.
I only have 2 revolvers, and they are a matched pair.
Ladies & gentlemen... I give you the S&W 686.
I only have 2 revolvers, and they are a matched pair.
Ladies & gentlemen... I give you the S&W 686.
Charlie98
Member
I had a 4" 686 for some years, bought it as a retired police pistol (Westerville, OH PD) for a pittance. It was an excellent pistol, and the L-frame became one of my favorite platforms. You are correct... the value of a handgun isn't how pretty it looks up on the shelf, but in how it performs for what it was made to do.
JTQ
Member
These best/favorite revolver cartridge threads always make me think of Mike "Duke" Venturino's American Handgunner article, where he pick's the .45 Auto as "the best revolver cartridge".
https://americanhandgunner.com/handguns/the-best-ever-revolver-cartridge/
I like the 1911, but I think I really like that stubby little .45 Auto round even more than the 1911.
https://americanhandgunner.com/handguns/the-best-ever-revolver-cartridge/
I like the 1911, but I think I really like that stubby little .45 Auto round even more than the 1911.
BobWright
Member
My pick hands down is the .44 Magnum. First reason is that it comes, or rather came, in that superbly finished Super Blackhawk, exquisitely gripped with the Dragoon grip frame and 7 1/2" barrel. Its still available, ofcourse, but not quite the same as when introduced.
And the .44 Magnum cartrodge is just so versatile. I've used the Sierra 180 gr. JHC bullet pushed to just over 1700 f.p.s. for some longer range varmint shooting, heavier 240 gr ~ 265 gr. bullets around 1400 f.p.s. and shot a few 320 gr. cast. One of my pet loads was 25.0 grs. DuPont IMR-4227 with the 245 gr. Lyman #429421 SWC. I've shot, plinking, the rams at 200 meters, and even plunked floatin logs in the river at estimated 500~600 yards. (Estimation only~ wild guess as to range) And bullet selection is almost infinite. Powders such as #2400, Winchester #296, H110, H4227 And Winchester 572 and 244 arr work well. Accuracy is alway right on. And being able to use the more timid .44 Special in these guns is also of great convenience. And, my Super Blackhawk with its barrel shortened to 5" makes a very handy six-shooter, actually a five shooter, for general walking around use.
While some claim velocities nearing 2,000 f.p.s. with certain loading data, my chronograph only showed just over 1700 f.p.s. using their data. Maybe they used a solid bsrreled Contender, while I used a revolver.
I once had an 8 3/8" full lug barreled S&W Model 29 that was the next thing to a .30-30 out to about 150 yards or so.
I reckon my penchant for the .44 Magnum came from my reading of Elmer Keith's experiences with the old .44 Specials of his day. I tried to duplicate that with a custom Colt New Service, but just as I was getting into that, along came the new .44 Magnum.
The .44 Magnum is not as new now as it once was, but neither am I. Yep, like the .44 Magnum.
Bob Wright
Addendum: Well, the cartridge is of no value without the gun, here is my .44 Battery, two on bottom roght are .44 Specials, but.....
And, Smiths:
And, a vry long barreled Smith, before shortening:
And the .44 Magnum cartrodge is just so versatile. I've used the Sierra 180 gr. JHC bullet pushed to just over 1700 f.p.s. for some longer range varmint shooting, heavier 240 gr ~ 265 gr. bullets around 1400 f.p.s. and shot a few 320 gr. cast. One of my pet loads was 25.0 grs. DuPont IMR-4227 with the 245 gr. Lyman #429421 SWC. I've shot, plinking, the rams at 200 meters, and even plunked floatin logs in the river at estimated 500~600 yards. (Estimation only~ wild guess as to range) And bullet selection is almost infinite. Powders such as #2400, Winchester #296, H110, H4227 And Winchester 572 and 244 arr work well. Accuracy is alway right on. And being able to use the more timid .44 Special in these guns is also of great convenience. And, my Super Blackhawk with its barrel shortened to 5" makes a very handy six-shooter, actually a five shooter, for general walking around use.
While some claim velocities nearing 2,000 f.p.s. with certain loading data, my chronograph only showed just over 1700 f.p.s. using their data. Maybe they used a solid bsrreled Contender, while I used a revolver.
I once had an 8 3/8" full lug barreled S&W Model 29 that was the next thing to a .30-30 out to about 150 yards or so.
I reckon my penchant for the .44 Magnum came from my reading of Elmer Keith's experiences with the old .44 Specials of his day. I tried to duplicate that with a custom Colt New Service, but just as I was getting into that, along came the new .44 Magnum.
The .44 Magnum is not as new now as it once was, but neither am I. Yep, like the .44 Magnum.
Bob Wright
Addendum: Well, the cartridge is of no value without the gun, here is my .44 Battery, two on bottom roght are .44 Specials, but.....
And, Smiths:
And, a vry long barreled Smith, before shortening:
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Sgt_Mike1
Member
I went with the .38 Special, After much and I mean a LOT of thought, the 41 Mag, 44 Special, and 45Colt (although sadly I don't have anything in that chambering any more) was my top contenders. But in the end I'll echo some others the .38 Special's ability to be loaded from really mild to a +P and honestly a joy to shoot won out in the end.
I don't own very many Revolvers:
Model 10-3 /-4 /-5 /-7
Model 12-1
Model 13 no dash
Model 15-1 /-3 /-4 /-5
Model 19-1 /-4
Model 36 no dash /-4 /-5 /-6
Model 65-1 / -3
model 66 no dash /-1
Model 24-1
Model 29 no dash
Model 40 no dash
Model 57 no dash
Model 581 no dash
Model 657 (Lew Horton special 3" barrel)
Model 686 no dash /-3
Model 1905 (three of these, all fair condition shooter grades)
Colt Agent
Colt Diamondback
Colt Positive Police
now Semi autos probably twice as many I think
I don't own very many Revolvers:
Model 10-3 /-4 /-5 /-7
Model 12-1
Model 13 no dash
Model 15-1 /-3 /-4 /-5
Model 19-1 /-4
Model 36 no dash /-4 /-5 /-6
Model 65-1 / -3
model 66 no dash /-1
Model 24-1
Model 29 no dash
Model 40 no dash
Model 57 no dash
Model 581 no dash
Model 657 (Lew Horton special 3" barrel)
Model 686 no dash /-3
Model 1905 (three of these, all fair condition shooter grades)
Colt Agent
Colt Diamondback
Colt Positive Police
now Semi autos probably twice as many I think
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Riomouse911
Member
.38 Special is my favorite revolver cartridge. My first center fire revolver was a late 1980’s vintage 6” Taurus 66 and the first shots I fired were .38 LSWC loads that I bought with it.
I have carried a .38 as a duty backup and as an EDC and never felt undergunned.I have easily shot tens of thousands of .38 reloads, firing 50-60 different brands and styles of bullets, using at least 7 different powders, through about 35 different .38 or .357 revolvers from 1 7/8” to 8 3/8” (and two rifles), and I have yet to be truly disappointed by any of my results.
Stay safe.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I really like them all to one degree or another. For pure volume, I would have to say .22LR but I also feel the need to answer these sorts of questions with the stipulation, "other than the .22LR". In that spirit, I have an undying urge to carry the torch for the .44 S&W Special. I drank the Taffin/Keith/Skeeter at an early age and shot a lot of them out of my .44Mag's. My first dedicated .44 Special sixgun was actually a custom, inspired by Taffin's "Lil Rugers" article of over 30yrs ago.
Now I have two of these .357's sent off to become .44Spl's.
The S&W 24-3 wasn't far behind it. Fitted with Culina walnut.
Then eventually a nice 2nd Model Hand Ejector with Keith Brown grips.
USFA Pre-war with Nutmeg ivory.
Cimarron SAA's with TruIvory.
Factory Ruger Bisley .44Spl with Rowen ivory.
Ruger GP's.
S&W single action replicas.
These .44Colt sixguns chamber .44Specials.
Now I have two of these .357's sent off to become .44Spl's.
The S&W 24-3 wasn't far behind it. Fitted with Culina walnut.
Then eventually a nice 2nd Model Hand Ejector with Keith Brown grips.
USFA Pre-war with Nutmeg ivory.
Cimarron SAA's with TruIvory.
Factory Ruger Bisley .44Spl with Rowen ivory.
Ruger GP's.
S&W single action replicas.
These .44Colt sixguns chamber .44Specials.
I’m a little concerned how many other THR people have wrong opinions. Sparky and I are the only ones who know the best round is OBVIOUSLY the venerable 10mm!
It has the best numerological characteristics. I also prefer things that have the letter M.
It works with light plinking loads and heavier “kill a bear” ones too. Without any hyperbole, 10mm is the best option.
PistoleroWadcutterGANG
Member
Not that it is inherently more this or less that. It just appealed to me for the out of mainstream. Then after decades of shooting and reloading it. I saw the subtle benefits over others. 41 Mag ages like a long haired, blue jean wearing, barefoot beach goddess. Never get enough.
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adcoch1
Member
While 44 mag may be my favorite, the 10mm to 41 mag are probably the sweet spot range for a revolver...I’m a little concerned how many other THR people have wrong opinions. Sparky and I are the only ones who know the best round is OBVIOUSLY the venerable 10mm!
It has the best numerological characteristics. I also prefer things that have the letter M.
It works with light plinking loads and heavier “kill a bear” ones too. Without any hyperbole, 10mm is the best option.
PistoleroWadcutterGANG
Member
LOL, fantastic. Makes me wanna wax a yarn. "Run for it! Jeb put up the smoke screen with the 45Colt". Ride for the breaks before law man grows a spine.
BobWright
Member
WHOA! Craig, what you have to say is so far overshadowed by your beauts of fine revolvers and your fine photography that I often miss what it is you have said!
Bob Wright
NeroM
Member
WOW!
Now you really need an M25....
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Thank you! My words are much less important anyway.
Sgt_Mike1
Member
@NeroM
Yeah Thanks Guys between this thread my replying and @PWGUNNY thread on his new to him S&W 625 The search has begun ... Model 25's 625's and M1917 in a .45 (ACP or Colt) is now in order.
Used to be in the Model 25-2 one COULD obtain a new Model 25 with both a 45 ACP and 45 Colt cylinder. The catalog number was different as the price point than just a 25-2 with single cylinder. Now finding one of the -2's with the extra cylinder is hard as they more often than not became separated
Yeah Thanks Guys between this thread my replying and @PWGUNNY thread on his new to him S&W 625 The search has begun ... Model 25's 625's and M1917 in a .45 (ACP or Colt) is now in order.
Used to be in the Model 25-2 one COULD obtain a new Model 25 with both a 45 ACP and 45 Colt cylinder. The catalog number was different as the price point than just a 25-2 with single cylinder. Now finding one of the -2's with the extra cylinder is hard as they more often than not became separated
Vern Humphrey
Member
Mine worked very well in Viet Nam -- I used 148-grain hollow based wadcutters loaded backwards over all the Unique I dared. It leaded ferociously and basically disintegrated on impact -- but broke one guy's spine.
BobWright
Member
Craig,Thank you! My words are much less important anyway.
Based on your experience, your words carry much weight.
Bob Wright
