The Accurate Reloading Forums
Favorite Handgun Caliber
14 April 2006, 17:18
R. WalterFavorite Handgun Caliber
I've most often used a 6 inch model 57 (41Mag).
30 April 2006, 19:23
woodsracerThe 7mm BR in my 1990 XP-100 (see sig.)!

At 200 yards it has the energy of a .44 Mag at the muzzle.

"They who would give up an essential Liberty for Temporary Security, deserves neither Liberty or Security." ---Benjamin Franklin
"SIC SEMPER TYRANNUS"
30 April 2006, 19:24
woodsracerquote:
Originally posted by ncooper:
I have to go along with BFRshooter.....
.....I switched from the .444 Marlin to the
35 Whelan Ackley Improved. Not one rimrock deer taken out of 4 was shot at less than 200 yards.
Now there is a COOL IDEA!!!

"They who would give up an essential Liberty for Temporary Security, deserves neither Liberty or Security." ---Benjamin Franklin
"SIC SEMPER TYRANNUS"
30 April 2006, 19:43
David CraigFor Whitetail deer, Freedom Arms 555 .50 AE with factory Speer 300 JHP. 2x Leupold scope. It is very hard on them at ranges inside 100yds.
In Illinois you are limited to straight wall cases.
Used to use Colt Python .357 with factory Rem 180 JHP when they first started allowing handguns. Only problem was even with a good hit you couldn't tell, the deer would just take off running.
01 May 2006, 05:47
700 nitrotc encore pistol with a 375 jdj barrel shooting 270 grain bullets.
05 May 2006, 22:16
GanyanaModel 58 in .41 mag has dug me out of a couple of tight corners and I have taken an elephant and buff with it. Good gun, good round.
06 May 2006, 00:34
recoilpad.440 Corbon in a Desert Eagle.

"Big ears doesn't make you a good listener, but big feet will tell on you." - Mr. Bill Clinton
For deer and pigs either my .45 Colt Blackhawk with a 325gr Dry Creek hardcast Keith or .44 Mag Redhawk with 305gr Dry Creek hardcast Keith.
For plinking and targets .38 Special in my Python.
For carry .38 Special +P in my Detective Special.
I have killed one buck with a .357, and one buck with a 45-70, and several with my
.44 Mag.
I would have to say the .44
08 May 2006, 06:33
PumpkinheaverMy favorite is the .41 mag.
Walk softly and carry a big bore!
20 May 2006, 15:11
sputster44 Magnum
sputster
22 May 2006, 23:48
crawfishOne of these
or one of these
All .41S BTY
Love Those .41s'
25 May 2006, 01:55
panzerguyFor human beings, I like .40 S&W. The 9mm flies okay, but doesn't hit hard. The .45 doesn't fly very well, but will put 'em down if you hit 'em. For critters, I have no experience outside the .357 and .44 mags. And I don't like either for that.
25 May 2006, 02:19
nordrsetaquote:
Originally posted by panzerguy:
For human beings, I like .40 S&W. The 9mm flies okay, but doesn't hit hard. The .45 doesn't fly very well, but will put 'em down if you hit 'em. For critters, I have no experience outside the .357 and .44 mags. And I don't like either for that.
Wow, you are some sort of rare and unfortunate fellow to have had gunfights with three different pistol cartridges. In what way and on what game have the 357 and 44 magnums let you down?
26 May 2006, 11:26
NashcatEither my Encore pistol in 270 Win, or my Savage Striker in 7mm-08, for deer. My Striker in 223 for smaller game.
Nashcat
26 May 2006, 11:40
SwiftShot44 Mag in a 7.5 inch Super Black Hawk.
.41 mag its good for what ails ya....
Unless we are talking more than 10" of barrel then I would be hard pressed to chose any one of my T/Cs over another
**********************
The Marines have a few good men, US Navy Corpsman.
I am a PROUD member of PETA (People who Eat Tasty Aminals)
SRH in .44 mag, only because I don't have .45 colt/454 Casual, .460, .480 or a .500 S&W yet
Click To EnlargeHere are two that are on my list of must haves:
Click To Enlarge
"JB"
07 June 2006, 18:50
KillaBWas a S&W 686 Plus in .357 magnum. But have a new favorite: Dad had a S&W Triple Lock with a four digit serial number. I like the 44 Special with 250 Keiths.
08 June 2006, 05:36
Woodrow SA Ruger Bisley Hunter in 410GNR with 265 gr. hardcast @1550 fps for shorter range and a custom Encore in 378GNR with 260 gr. Accubonds@2350 fps for the bigger stuff at longer ranges. I have plenty more handguns but they are my favorites.
11 June 2006, 05:43
JacobiteThe only handgun I have ever killed a deer with was a TC contender in 45/70. I sold it because the Contender was not user friendly to me with any caliber. I had 7TCU/.223 and 45/70. My new sidearm is a Taurus Tracker in .41 mag. I have not killed a deer with it yet as I mostly set up for long shots with my rifles and just carry the pistol for if one sneaks up on me. Someday I will try to hunt only with the pistol though.
Don Nelson
Sw. PA.
25 June 2006, 21:51
RafsobFor short range deer hunting, my .44 Mag:
But if I gould only have one handgun to cover any game in the world, I would go with my Contender in .375 JDJ!!!
I have only used a 44mag. It was very do able.
I would like to try the 45 Super, but I have to find a spot where it is legal.
CISSP, CISA, CRISC looking for a IT Security/Audit Manager spot
26 June 2006, 02:16
Sixgun SymphonyLyman Great Plains Pistol - .54 caliber, percussion.
Ruger Bisley Vaquero .45 Colt
28 June 2006, 09:15
popenmannI'll second C.A. Plater's motion for the 357 magnum. Mine is a 2 5/8" Ruger. Reliable and easy to carry.
03 July 2006, 04:29
Jon H.Hi, all. I'm new here but got to add my 2cents......41 Mag. RBH, mmmmm.
Jon H
if it doesn't fit, get a bigger hammer
08 July 2006, 04:59
Squirrel Hunter14" Contender in 35 Rem.
Don't shoot 'till ya see the whites
of there eyes.
Custom 14' Contender in 30-30 Ackley
Come to the Dark Side, we have cookies!
18 July 2006, 16:35
ManCannonI don't know about hunting anything with it yet, but my favorite handgun is now my 500S&W!! There's no more fun anyone can have with 56oz of stainless steel

"The atomic bomb made the prospect of future war unendurable. It has led us up those last few steps to the mountain pass; and beyond there is a different country." - J. Robert Oppenheimer
24 August 2006, 08:26
sbsmith41 Mag-
Cartridge of Truth, Right and the American Way.......
24 August 2006, 09:37
scr83jpS&W Mod 19 357 6",Ruger Blackhawk 4/5 in barrel in 41 mag and 45lc/45acp convertible,Encore 15" in 454 casull and 30-06,Sig Sauer P220 45acp firing CorBon 165gr JHP +P 1250fps.
24 August 2006, 12:49
kenoneillDeer: .44 Mag.
Hogs: .500 WE or .50AE
Big stuff: .475 Linebaugh
Prefer FA Mdl. 83 in all
25 August 2006, 05:02
Rick_Squote:
Originally posted by Ganyana:
Model 58 in .41 mag has dug me out of a couple of tight corners and I have taken an elephant and buff with it. Good gun, good round.
Say What!!??
I like the .41s too and like my Mountain Gun. But elephant & buffalo?
Story please....
15 December 2006, 06:21
376steyrquote:
Originally posted by bfrshooter:
That is an impossible question to answer. I have .44mag, .45 Colt, .475 BFR, 45-70 BFR and a Ruger Old Army C&B. They all do the same job on deer. I have killed a pile of deer with each and really can't tell a difference.
What load in the Ruger Old Army C&B? I've tried round ball with FFg black powder for maximum velocities but never got around to hunting with mine.
15 December 2006, 07:24
Snowwolfe44 mag, unscoped. Shot about a dozen deer with this round. All blacktails except one mulie. Cant remember any of them moving more than a few feet after being hit.
My biggest fear is when I die my wife will sell my guns for what I told her they cost.
15 December 2006, 08:44
billinthewild.45 Colt! This one is my favorite.
"When you play, play hard; when you work, don't play at all."
Theodore Roosevelt
15 December 2006, 21:42
paul montgomerywithout question the .41 mag is my brush gun of choice.
"If winning isn't important...Why keep score?"
15 December 2006, 23:59
TBEAR99my favorite is 44mag ruger redhawk
DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR
16 December 2006, 01:33
jcunclejoeI will have to vote for the 41 mag. It is the only handgun cartridge to ever make me any money. I started swaging and selling 41 cal, .410 diameter, 250gr jacketed flat nose soft points. I have now sold enough to pay for the equipment, so I would have to say the 41 is my choice, it also helps that I took a nice doe this year with my bullets in my 41 Redhawk.
Joe
17 December 2006, 05:44
Ammohouse45 LC
unless its my 7-30 Waters
...those are my favorites right now

*we band of 45-70ers*
USAF AMMO Retired!