Big Bore Handguns?

[HK G3]

Hey guys,

Well, I've been bitten by the big-thumper bug.

After firing a friend's .44 Magnum, I've decided that I need to buy a big, overpowered, and practically useless handgun. I personally like autos more than revolvers, and for that reason have seriously been considering a .50AE Magnum Research Desert Eagle, and am currently watching a couple of gunbroker auctions.

My budget is ~$1 grand, so what would you guys recommend? I've looked into and am aware of the .44 Mag, .460 S&W, .480 Ruger, .50AE and .500 S&W. From what I can gather the .500 S&W is the king of the hill, but where would you rate the other rounds? I am starting, and should be accustomed to reloading by the time I purchase my new handgun, so cost isn't a huge issue, though I would still like to be able to shoot a few rounds every couple of weeks without spending more than $1/round or so.

I haven't actually shot all of these calibers (.44 mag is the only one I have actually shot, out of a Ruger Superblackhawk), so any and all advice is appreciated. Thanks!

[C-grunt]

I think the 50 AE and 480 are going to be more difficult to find than the others. I have personally found the 44 mag to be my reality limit. Truthfully the 500 mag wasnt that bad when I fired it, but the blast was crazy. If I were choosing something really big, Id go with the 460 mag. Tat way you can go with the 45 Colt and 454 Casul as well.

I do believe the 500 is more powerful than the 460, but not by a whole lot. Plus the 460, with the lighter high velocity rounds, is a great long range revolver.

[BCRider]

If you're really after the big push to the hand and the big fireball I'd suggest going with a revolver. The cylinder gap provides a nice side sheet of flame that adds to the overall experience.

I've shot a few of the biggies now at my local "rent-a-gun" range and the best show out of the following list was the 5 inch S&W .460 with barrel compensator.

S&W 460 5" compensator
S&W 500AE 8" compensator
500AE Desert Eagle

[BigBlock]

Revolvers are the high king of "big bore thumpers". A revolver is a tool much better suited to the job.

[Redhawk1]

HK G3, while I find you comment "I've decided that I need to buy a big, overpowered, and practically useless handgun." a little off base, I will give you my opinion based on being a handgun shooter for over 30 years and a 27 year handgun hunter.

In the price range you are looking, you can get a Magnum Research BFR in calibers from 45 Colt to the 500 Mag. You will have enough money left over to buy a reloading press as well.

I have big bore handguns and they are, 44 Mag, 45 Win Mag, 45 Colt, 375 JDJ. 375 H&H, 410 GNR, 480 Ruger, 454 Casull, 475 Linebaugh, 460 Mag, 500 Mag and a 510 GNR.

My advice to you is, don't buy too big of a bore handgun, it does no good to have the biggest if you can't shoot it correctly.

I started handgun hunting with a 357 Mag, and worked my way up to the 500 Mag and 510 GNR. A good all around big bore handgun round, in my opinion is the 480 Ruger. More power and a bigger hole than the 44 Mag, at about the same recoil level. Again you can get one for way under $1000 and have a lot of money left over for reloading equipment. The Magnum Research 480/475 Linebaugh is a great choice. You can use both rounds and if you want more power than the 480 Ruger, drop in a 475 Linebaugh and kill anything that walks on the planet.

As for the 460 and 500 Mags, the 500 Mag out performs the 460 Mag by a lot. Bigger holes and a lot more power. Sure the 460 Mag can shoot 45 Colts as well as 454 Casull's, but who buys a 460 Mag to shoot 45 Colts or 454 Casull's. I know I didn't.

My advice to you is, get the 480 Ruger in a Super Redhawk, or seriously look at the Magnum Research BFR in 480/475 Linebaugh. Unless you have your heart set on the 500 Mag. I have both a S&W 500 Mag as well as a BFR in 500 Mag, love them both, but they are a handful. A lot of deer, hogs and black bear have fallen to my 500 Mags.

Hope this helped.

[Hostile Amish]

Get a S&W 460, you can fire .45 LC out of them for practice and other uses. In the 460, a .45 LC feels like a 9mm.

The S&W 460 costs just above 1,000 dollars.

[Travis Bickle]

I'd go for something double-action in .44 Magnum or .454 Casull. That way, it can do double duty as a personal defense gun when loaded with .44 Special or .45 Long Colt. Even if you already have personal defense handguns, it can't hurt to have one more.

[Kind of Blued]

A S&W X-Frame is hard to beat. If you want devastating effects on target, and versatility, I'd go with a .460, allowing you to shoot .454 Casull and .45 Colt as well (verify that for yourself). You'd be capable of everything from ~200gr. bullets @ 1000 fps to the same weight bullet at twice the speed, or a heavier bullet.

For utter ridiculousness, go 500.

Although the big-bore magnum autos are much more likely to give you problems, for the ultimate cool factor I'd recommend a Wildey Automag and the Death Wish box set. :cool:

[Redhawk1]

Any serious big bore handgun shooter know, double action offers nothing over a single action. I own both single action and double action big bore handguns. I can shoot either as quickly as the other. The single action can be re-cocked on the down fall of the recoil, and be ready to shoot when the target is found.

Big bore handguns are not like shooting a 38 special light loaded handgun like Jerry Miculek shoots.

As far as personal defense, sure they will work, but a lighter recoiling handgun is better suited for a defense handgun, and I am talking two legged.

[Redhawk1]

For utter ridiculousness, go 500.

Where do you guys come up this this????????

[Travis Bickle]

Any serious big bore handgun shooter know, double action offers nothing over a single action.

Double action offers a lot over single action in a personal defense gun. If you want your big bore to double as a personal-defense gun, you'll want double action.

[Redhawk1]

Double action offers a lot over single action in a personal defense gun. If you want your big bore to double as a personal-defense gun, you'll want double action.

And what would that be??

[Travis Bickle]

As far as personal defense, sure they will work, but a lighter recoiling handgun is better suited for a defense handgun, and I am talking two legged.

.44 Special isn't light recoiling? That's news to me.

[Redhawk1]

.44 Special isn't light recoiling? That's news to me.


Well to me it is... I guess it comes down to personal experience with big bore handguns.

[Travis Bickle]

And what would that be??

The ability to not have to take time out from shooting at the assailant(s) to cock the hammer before each shot.

[Redhawk1]

The ability to not have to take time out from shooting at the assailant(s) to cock the hammer before each shot.

You don't shoot a single action gun much do you?

[wyocarp]

Well, I've been bitten by the big-thumper bug.

Well, there is nothing wrong with that, even though many on here will ridicule you for going the way of the big bores.

Of the calibers you mentioned (44 Mag, .460 S&W, .480 Ruger, .50AE and .500 S&W), they are all different and have different capabilities. I have each of them and the .460 and the .480 are the most useless of the bunch in my opinion. Many will tell you that you can shoot the three calibers out of the .460 and while they are correct, what they fail to mention is that you will have a hard time switching between the three calibers and the different loads in the three calibers and still have an accurate shooting pistol. The point of aim won't be even somewhat close when switching. But, shooting .45 long colts out of the .460 is like shooting .44 specials out of a large .44 magnum pistol, it is very tame.

Reloading will be the only way most people will shoot the .500 or the .50 very much. If you cast your own, the .500 can be shot for fractions of the $1 limit you set. Same with the .44 mag. The .50 is most often seen as a show off range pistol, but it has the ability to be accurate and a deadly hunting pistol. When firing one of my .50's for the first time with a friend, he was shocked that I knocked down every metal target going across the stand with the very magazine.

If you will have to buy ammo, the .44 will be much more practical and is very respectable for making nice holes in stuff and hunting.

You didn't mention a purpose other than the range, so, if you can shoot it, the .50 AE will get the most attention and looks there.

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn286/wyocarp/HPIM0349.jpg

[jbkebert]

I read your post that you shot a friends .44 mag and are now thinking of buying a big bore handgun. That is great I love mine but before we make a bunch of recomendations. What is your level of experience with big bore handguns? What is your experience with handguns in general? Are you set on buying a revolver or have you considered a contender/encore frame? Are you wanting to target shoot, hunt or what will be the purpose for the gun?

I personally hunt whitetails with a .44 super redhawk and love it. I picked up a contender chambered in .35 rem a couple weeks ago which will be my hunting handgun after some more range time with it.

I would stay this is my prefrence with a .41 mag or a .44 as the limit is this is your first big bore handgun. I love the Ruger's and would probably recommend a blackhawk frame. I have two redhawks but only fire them DA once in a blue moon.

[Redhawk1]

I have each of them and the .460 and the .480 are the most useless of the bunch in my opinion.

Care to elaborate on the statement.

[Beagle-zebub]

I have big bore handguns and they are, 44 Mag, 45 Win Mag, 45 Colt, 375 JDJ. 375 H&H, 410 GNR, 480 Ruger, 454 Casull, 475 Linebaugh, 460 Mag, 500 Mag and a 510 GNR.

Holy hand grenades, Batman! :D

[Travis Bickle]

You don't shoot a single action gun much do you?

Not anymore, but I used to, until I sold mine because it wasn't very good for personal defense.

[Travis Bickle]

I personally hunt whitetails with a .44 super redhawk and love it.

I like the Redhawks, too. One of them in .44 Magnum will probably be my next purchase.

[Hungry Seagull]

I dont want to sound dumb, but dont buy a big handgun that you cannot hold steady onto a target.

There is nothing wrong with the big handgun bug biting, I dont think there is a shoot person who have eyed the really big guns from time to time.

I think there was a You Tube video of a large man with a extreme loaded hangun that was not meant to be fired, despite his strength, his mass and his intention not to lose that gun, it still smacked him anyway.

I had my bug for a brief time after watching Tackleberry blow away one of the targets with UA weapon on the movie Police Academy as a kid.

[jbkebert]

I had my bug for a brief time after watching Tackleberry blow away one of the targets with UA weapon on the movie Police Academy as a kid.

Alright Redhawk1 and Travis you guys both have valid points. Yes a would say that a DA would be better suited for self defense purpose. That being said I believe this is a poor choice for self defense anyway. You have got to really hate someone to pick up a .44 over a 9mm-.45acp whatever for home protection. If it is the closest thing well maybe but poor choice for primary.
Redhawk1 seems to be more towards the hunting side of the house. And I will agree with him all day long that DA offers no advantage over SA for hunting.

[Travis Bickle]

That being said I believe this is a poor choice for self defense anyway.
.44 Special and .45 Long Colt are not poor choices for personal defense. If anything, the .44 Special may actually be a bit underpowered for that purpose.

[jbkebert]

Alright there big guy.. I guess I should have made myself more clear. Maybe not the caliber being a poor choice in my opinion for self defense. I think that a 9mm or .45 is better suited for thier size, quick handling, and capacity.
In that situation I want to stop a threat not blow a hole through that threat and the next threat behind him. I also don't think that a gun of this size I'm talking 7 1/2" has a place in ccw. I was in Arizona a couple years ago and saw a couple guys carrying these. "Excuse me while I whip this out" (blazing saddles).

[MCgunner]

I see little use in my area for more than my .45 Colt Blackhawk.

BTW, I find no handgun boring, let alone a big bore. :D

[wyocarp]

Care to elaborate on the statement.

Redhawk1, it's just my opinion. They are viable calibers, it's not that they don't work or something. For the .460, it seems that the big selling point for most people on here is that it can shoot the three calibers. I guess that doesn't mean anything to me. It does shoot the .45 Long Colt fairly well, but if I want to shoot that caliber, why not just shoot a gun that is dedicated to that purpose and therefore the sights will be correct for the shooting that you are doing. I'm not sure what advantage there is to shooting the .454 over the .460. If he doesn't reload, they will both be costly.

The .480 to me is like having a $2 bill. Someone thought it up to sell more ammo and guns, but it doesn't accomplish much of anything new.

Both of these guns are probably better suited to the longer distance shooting handgun hunter. Something it didn't sound like the OP was doing. A, WOW that was fun, gun for the range where most people don't shoot much further than 25 feet is not an application I see as very practical for the .460 or .480.

[Travis Bickle]

self defense. I think that a 9mm or .45 is better suited for thier size, quick handling, and capacity.
In that situation I want to stop a threat not blow a hole through that threat and the next threat behind him.

Look at the ballistics numbers for .44 special, .45 Long Colt and .45 ACP. .45 Long Colt is no more likely than .45 ACP to "blow a hole through a threat and the next threat behind him" and .44 Special is even less likely.

[wyocarp]

I want to stop a threat not blow a hole through that threat and the next threat behind him.

Why not? I would want a hole in both threats.

[jbkebert]

Great I learned something today. How foolish I have been this whole time carrying something as small and underpower as a 9mm or .45. From now on my Sig stays at home and I'll carry my contender in .35 rem. That is surely underpowered to. I'll order that 45/70 barrel for it and a ankle holster.

[Hungry Seagull]

Now chin up and stay strong.

Anyone inside the house or on the street is not going to care what size caliber gun as long you have it availible or deployed.

I have been familiar with several people who have tried to get me into big bore handgunning, but the pockets are only so big ya know?

[Redhawk1]

Redhawk1 seems to be more towards the hunting side of the house. And I will agree with him all day long that DA offers no advantage over SA for hunting.

You are right, when big bore handguns are brought up, the main purpose for them are for handgun hunting.

I own a bunch a personal defense handguns, 380, 9 mm, 40 S&W 45 ACP.

Using any gun in self defense is OK. But if you are prepared, choosing a big bore handgun is not the smartest choice.

Would I use a big bore handgun to defend myself, I sure would, but given the choice, I would much rather have a handgun the will not penetrate the walls in my house, and go into someone else's house.

There are two kinds of handgun in my opinion, personal defense and hunting. And one should pick the proper one for the job. None of my hunting handguns double duty as my personal defense guns.

[Redhawk1]

.44 Special and .45 Long Colt are not poor choices for personal defense. If anything, the .44 Special may actually be a bit underpowered for that purpose.

Wow I would hate to see what you think of my 380..

[Redhawk1]

The .480 to me is like having a $2 bill. Someone thought it up to sell more ammo and guns, but it doesn't accomplish much of anything new.

I am glad that is just your opinion. The 480 Ruger is a better round than most give it credit for.

Guys that handgun hunt, know the true potential of the 480 Ruger. Better than the 44 Mag and 454 Casull, that is from my experience.

As for the 460 Mag, I was not impressed by the 45 Colt or 454 Casull being another reason to own one. The 460 Mag loaded with heavy bullets is a killing machine, I never bought into the 200 gr. bullet going 2300 fps. I like the idea of big bullets 370 and 395 gr. hard cast bullets. Skip the long range shooting with it. I would pick a Encore in a rifle cartridge if I want to do some long range handgun shooting.

[jbkebert]

Alright guys enough arguing with each other. Man this site needs spell check. I am not as dumb as I type. Oh well I think we need to get back to the OP and help this guy out. I do want to hear from him what his plans are with the gun. It is awful hard to recommend something with little knowledge as to what it is for. I just can't bring myself to recommend a .460 or .500 to someone for there first big bore handgun. Think about your first big bore gun and go from there. Don't just shout out what you would like to have for yourself or what looks cool in gun store. I am still thinking .41 for starters but well see what he has to say.

[Travis Bickle]

Everyone, please get this straight. No one is recommending a big bore handgun for personal defense unless it is loaded with .44 Special or .45 Long Colt. RTFT. :banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

[Duke of Doubt]

"This apartment protected by .44 Magnum."

Nothing wrong in the least with loading your 29 with .44 Magnum HP or WC.

[jbkebert]

You have got to really hate someone to pick up a .44 over a 9mm-.45acp whatever for home protection. If it is the closest thing well maybe but poor choice for primary.
Okay I just reread post #7:uhoh: You posted as a secondary not a primary. Look we can argue all day long as to whose personal prefrence is right and whose is wrong. It all boils down to personal preference nothing more. Yes if someone is in my home late at night and my redhawk is the closest thing to the front of the safe your darn right that is what I am grabbing.

[Redhawk1]

Travis Bickle, I think you need to evaluate the effectiveness of the 45 Colt. People are killing Moose and big game with this cartridge.

Do you understand what penetration is?

You also need to read what the original poster wanted the gun for.... So take a chill pill big guy...

jbkebert, I am not arguing, I see this more of a discussion and hope someone learns something. A lot is to be learned from discussion if someone opens up there minds.

[Redhawk1]

Food for thought, actual experience thumps opinions. :)

[Travis Bickle]

Travis Bickle, I think you need to evaluate the effectiveness of the 45 Colt. People are killing Moose and big game with this cartridge.

Do you understand what penetration is?
Penetration is a function of velocity and energy, which is about the same for the .45 ACP and .45 Long Colt.


You also need to read what the original poster wanted the gun for
Yes I know. However, a DA big bore will double as a personal defense weapon if it is loaded with .45 Long Colt or .44 Special and it certainly can't hurt to have an extra personal defense gun around. How many times do I have to repeat this?

[Brian Williams]

Penetration is a function of velocity and energy, which is about the same for the .45 ACP and .45 Long Colt.You have not looked at some of the good hunting loads for the 45 Colt. A 255gr LSWC out of a 45 Colt can be loaded much hotter and will do much more than a 230gr out of a 45 ACP or with less pressure than a 43mag will need for the same energy.
That does not even look at the 300gr LRNFP you can get.


To the OP, since you want to include SD, start with a good 44 spec or 45 Colt and get reloading. If you want to progress from there good luck and have fun.

My Big bore of choice would be a Ruger SuperBlackhawk Hunter in 45 Colt with the standard grip not a Bisley.

[JImbothefiveth]

According to Marshal and Sanow, .45 colt with a 225 grain lhp at 900 FPS has a stopping percentage of 78%. A .45 ACP with a 230 grain JHP reaches 94%. Some 9mm hollowpoints range from 81% to 91%.

[jbkebert]

Yes I know. However, a DA big bore will double as a personal defense weapon if it is loaded with .45 Long Colt or .44 Special and it certainly can't hurt to have an extra personal defense gun around. How many times do I have to repeat this?

Alright my friend yes we understand that as a dual role gun point taken over and done. Quit trying to defend yourself like we are attacking you or that the 45 LC is the holy grail of SD rounds. I don't know if you hunt or not with your handguns. I do and several others as well. That is all we are saying that as a primary role in SD there are better choices. For a dual role gun I have no problems with what you are saying. Now relax man, we are here to learn from each other not to attack each other or get pissed off at the computer. Redhawk1 I expect you to drop it too now lets all shake hands and keep this civil.:cool:

[atlanticfire]

Ok, first. I don't remember anything in the OP about using a big bore handgun for SD. So not sure why all the elaboration about that.:confused: He ask as simple question about where should he start in his venture into big handguns. To address the question and add to the opinions of the list I would be against the DE. It may just be my experience (keep flaming to your self) the trigger on the one I got to fire was sloppy as crap. Now that maybe just a once case scenario. I would highly recommend a revolver for any of the big caliber stuff. If you enjoyed shooting your friends .44M, maybe you should start there (I Did). Once I was comfortable with I evaluated the larger and decided to go to the 500 after testing a few out. If you hand load you can also tailor the loads to you liking. I like’m full of life.:evil: There are plenty or calibers to choose from in-between though. Like RedHawk has said all of them have there uses and effectiveness, and should never be regarded and a “just because caliber”.

[JImbothefiveth]

Double action offers a lot over single action and what would that be
Don't DA revolvers have a lighter SA trigger?

[atlanticfire]

Don't DA revolvers have a lighter SA trigger?
That’s not always the case. When it comes to the big stuff I would stick to me single action BFRs all day long. Follow up shots are going to be about the same once you recover from the recoil depending on caliber. So DA has no real advantage.

[HK G3]

Wow, it looks like I have quite a bit of reading to do!

Anyway, I suppose I probably should have chosen to phrase my question differently, as I do realize that these large handguns can, and have been used for sporting purposes very successfully, as well as personal defense from Grizzlies and other large wildlife that we just don't have in AZ. From my perspective, however, if I am hunting deer, I will be using my rifle. So my sole intent behind this purchase would be to just have a big handgun that is purely for fun.

Someone said that the .50AE would get me the most attention at the range, well, I don't really want to buy the most attention grabbing gun possible, I'd rather have the most fun handgun. It sounds like .460 is the most reasonable after reading this thread, since you can fire lighter loads with it, and build up a recoil tolerance with the .454 Casull if necessary prior to moving all the way up to full power .460 Mag loads. I agree with those saying that high-power is useless if you can't aim it, so it seems like that option would be the most sensible.

I also have to admit that the .460 S&W PC looks like a very fine weapon.

I would definitely NOT be using whatever I buy for self defense, unless I ultimately did buy a .460 S&W, in which case, it'd have some .45LC rounds left in for SD. I have a .45 for that purpose, and I feel that the .45+p rounds are more than adequate for stopping an attacker.

Again, I basically want something to shoot at watermelons or large water jugs, and have it annihilate the target and cause much laughter and exclamations of, "Holy Poo!" on the part of the observers and shooter. IE, I just want something to take to the range and have some good old fashioned fun with :)

[Travis Bickle]

You have not looked at some of the good hunting loads for the 45 Colt. A 255gr LSWC out of a 45 Colt can be loaded much hotter and will do much more than a 230gr out of a 45 ACP or with less pressure than a 43mag will need for the same energy.
That does not even look at the 300gr LRNFP you can get.

Those are not typical .45 LC rounds which I would recommend for personal defense.

I would definitely NOT be using whatever I buy for self defense

I realize this, but it definitely can't hurt to have an extra personal defense sidearm around, and for only a little extra, you can get a DA that will do everything a SA will do, plus will serve passably for personal defense. Just something to think about, that's all.

[Travis Bickle]

Alright my friend yes we understand that as a dual role gun point taken over and done. Quit trying to defend yourself like we are attacking you or that the 45 LC is the holy grail of SD rounds. I don't know if you hunt or not with your handguns. I do and several others as well. That is all we are saying that as a primary role in SD there are better choices.

I never claimed .45 LC was the best for personal defense, merely that it would serve passably.

According to Marshal and Sanow, .45 colt with a 225 grain lhp at 900 FPS has a stopping percentage of 78%. A .45 ACP with a 230 grain JHP reaches 94%. Some 9mm hollowpoints range from 81% to 91%.

This is one of the reasons I suspect Marshal and Sanow's data. If there are .45 loads that will reliably take moose, I'm certain that there are .45 LC loads that will serve well for personal defense.

[Redhawk1]

jbkebert , I don't need you to tell me to drop anything, I am a grown man, and don't need the likes of you acting like a school teacher.

I am giving advice form many years of actual experience. I have shot tens of thousands of big bore rounds in my 30 years of handgun shooting.

I know the in's and outs of just about every handgun cartridge out there. I have used them in actual hunting situations as well as penetration test. I have set up many handgun hunters with the perfect fit for them.

Travis Bickle, you left out a key component in your formula for penetration, "Bullet Construction"
Sorry the 45 ACP does not and is not on par with the 45 Colt.

Penetration is a function of velocity and energy, which is about the same for the .45 ACP and .45 Long Colt.

[Travis Bickle]

Travis Bickle, you left out a key component in your formula for penetration, "Bullet Construction"

Yes, I know. what I meant was that all other things being equal, penetration depends on energy and velocity. I am well aware of bullet construction and its effects.

Sorry the 45 ACP does not and is not on par with the 45 Colt.

Yes, I'm sure no one makes .45 LC bullets constructed for personal defense. :rolleyes:

[Redhawk1]

Travis Bickle, no one said the 45 Colt would not work for personal defense. There are just better choices in my opinion for defense guns. Also the case capacity for powder in the 45 Colt is much more than the 45 ACP. Therefor you can get bigger and heavier bullets in the 45 Colts, and push them faster and get far more penetration over the fat little 45 ACP.

Hard to compare 45 ACP factory loads with 230 gr. bullets to most 45 Colt factory loads using 255 gr. bullets.

But hell use what you want, I could care less. I know what works for me.

Have a nice day... :)

[LoneCoon]

I know there a .600NE revolver out there somewhere...

[atlanticfire]

Here we go again with this. . .. :rolleyes:

[alde]

I have a friend with a 500 mag single action revolver. It's just not fun to shoot more than a couple of rounds out of. I will stick to my 44's thank you. The 3" S&W 629 with a healthy dose of H110 turns enough heads as it is. It is also my upper limit on what I enjoy shooting. I do carry this revolver for SD now and then but load it with 200 grain Gold Dot specials. Easy to shoot and get follow up shots and plenty of power for SD IMHO.

[BCRider]

..... Again, I basically want something to shoot at watermelons or large water jugs, and have it annihilate the target and cause much laughter and exclamations of, "Holy Poo!" on the part of the observers and shooter. IE, I just want something to take to the range and have some good old fashioned fun with :D


That was the impression I got from your first post. But it seems like too many read into your more light hearted manner of posting far too much.

The only economically smart way to own one of these big hand cannons is to reload your own. On that aspect the revolver again makes far more sense. A semi-auto needs the energy of the round to be within a fairly narrow range to allow it to operate the recocking cycle successfully and without damaging the gun.

On the other hand a revolver will happily accept a much wider range of loads from stuff that barely dribbles out the end to something up near the safe pressure operating cieling. So with a revolver you can load up any combo from mild to wild. From what I understand about it you've also got some options to use relatively slower burning powders so the pressure builds over a little more time. This should do two things. First is the hit to the hand is spread out a little to more so it's not so much a smack as a really short hard push. And as a side bonus the slower burning powders will still be flaming when the bullet leaves the muzzle and you'll get that lovely big fireball effect on duller days that adds to the WOW factor.

[atlanticfire]

As alde has stated the .44 mag is a fun round to shoot. I shoot it very often and enjoy everything from light loads up to the H110 full loads. And as I previously stated I though it would be a good place for the OP to start. As the 44 is quite adequate at busting melons and jugs with prejudice and if he doesn’t reload can buy factory ammo that’s not nearly expensive as some of the other calibers. I have a S&W 629 with the 8+ barrel, and would recommend that or the bite heavier Rugers’ both in single and double. If you decide that 44. is not enough Ruger also makes a 454 cali. Or you could move into the BFRs. It’s mainly person preference and I just happen to think the BFR is built better then the big smithys.

[cjranucci]

Saw a couple of Desert Eagle 50 AEs at the gun show this weekend in Denton, TX. I think that with a good trade or a lot of haggling, this would be the way to go.

[jbkebert]

Heck I thought the debate over 9mm-40 cal-or 45 got heated.:D

[jbkebert]

I am giving advice form many years of actual experience. I have shot tens of thousands of big bore rounds in my 30 years of handgun shooting.

I know the in's and outs of just about every handgun cartridge out there. I have used them in actual hunting situations as well as penetration test. I have set up many handgun hunters with the perfect fit for them.

Great so can you make a recomendation to me. I ordered a new encore pistol action off gun broker. Should I go with the 7mm-08 or .308 or would you recommend something else?

[atlanticfire]

Duh .45 :neener:
As to your encore, did you state in your other post that you also had several 308 rilfes? If this was the case I'd stick with the .308. But lets see what Redhawk has to say

[eye5600]

As someone who only knows what he reads on the internet (and no one is ever wrong on the internet!), I get confused. On the one hand, here we have a discussion about using a big bore handgun for home defense, but elsewhere I've read that a mere .357 Magnum fired in a darkened house will stun with noise and concussion and blind with muzzle flash to the point that a second shot is a rarity. And in yet another place, that a .357 Magnum fired in a car as a probability of causing long term hearing loss.

Now I understand that all powder is not the same, and that bigger is not always fiercer, etc, but... I still suffer from a cognitive dissonance, you know what I mean.

[Duke of Doubt]

eye5600: "I've read that a mere .357 Magnum fired in a darkened house will stun with noise and concussion and blind with muzzle flash to the point that a second shot is a rarity. And in yet another place, that a .357 Magnum fired in a car as a probability of causing long term hearing loss."

Now imagine how that muzzle flash looks to the guy in FRONT of it.

I've shot indoors, and do not believe I suffered any permanent hearing damage. It could happen, but first things first.

[atlanticfire]

There are many things to consider when choosing a home defense gun. But when it comes down to it, you'll use whatever you can get to first, even if its not really the ideal weapon. But yes, I would rather not be blind and deaf if I could help it. But It might keep you alive.

[Redhawk1]

Great so can you make a recomendation to me. I ordered a new encore pistol action off gun broker. Should I go with the 7mm-08 or .308 or would you recommend something else?

I would have to know what your intended game would be, also I would have to know the experience you have. No use telling you what I use, as I hunt all kinds of different game and with different handguns. I have a lot of experience with the Encore and a bunch of rounds.

[Redhawk1]

I've shot indoors, and do not believe I suffered any permanent hearing damage. It could happen, but first things first.

I hope you use hearing protection.

[jbkebert]

Redhawk1 I have been shooting pistols for 15 years or so. I hunt mainly whitetail deer and occasional mule deer here in kansas with a handgun. My experience with handguns as far as big bore. I own 3 .44 mags and i hunt with one of them. A ruger super redhawk with a 4x burris scope. I have taken three whitetails with this setup in the last two years. Furthest shot distance 63 yards with range finder. Shot was taken using a pair of steady stix. I have also owned a 41 mag blackhawk and a 45LC also in blackhawk

I have tried my hand at mule deer with a handgun. I took along a rifle because of the area I was hunting was western kansas. Western Kansas and North East Kansas look nothing alike. The mule deer have vast wide open spaces can be a trick. Hense my thoughts of pursing a encore pistol. I recently purchased a used Contender in .35 rem. have only shot 1/2 box or so through it so far. Open sigts using steady stix once again best group so far was 4 shots into 4" at 50 yards open sights. I am still learning to shoot this gun and I do not feel that I am hunting accurate yet.

Now back to the Encore I have a encore rifle the pro-hunter with 5 barrels one of them is a .308 win and I have a Savage 12bvss also in .308 and am currently handloading for this caliber. The 7mm-08 has been recommended to me by a personal friend that uses it in a pistol and rifle. I have fired his lone eagle and all though I found it very accurate I want to stick to encore configuration. Alright long story short. I want a handgun capable of taking mule deer sized game at 100-125 yards. Balistics wise I dont see any dramatic changes between the two calibers. Which ever I decide on a plan on using a bushell elite 3200 scope 2-6x32 power. Also my friend does not reload and has offered me a couple hundred rounds of once fired brass. So I am down to needing bullets, and dies and a recipie to add another caliber to my safe. Lastly I would like to stick with a short action cartridge. Also would you recommend t/c grips or the pachmeyr decelator grips and forend

[WoofersInc]

For the origional poster. You mentioned that you were looking at the Desert Eagle in 50AE. One consideration for you is that with an extra barrel you can shoot 44 mag also. The 50 has a rebated rim which is the same as the 44 mag rim size. Barrel changes on the Desert Eagle are about a 5 second affair.
I have a Super Redhawk in 480 Ruger, A Raging Bull in 454 Casull, A Raging Bull in 44 Mag, And the Desert Eagle in 50AE with the 44 Mag barrel. You mentioned fun factor and for me the Eagle tops the list out of those guns.

[buck460XVR]

I'd rather have the most fun handgun. It sounds like .460 is the most reasonable after reading this thread, since you can fire lighter loads with it, and build up a recoil tolerance with the .454 Casull if necessary prior to moving all the way up to full power .460 Mag loads. I agree with those saying that high-power is useless if you can't aim it, so it seems like that option would be the most sensible.

I also have to admit that the .460 S&W PC looks like a very fine weapon.

I really enjoy my PC .460. In the last two years it has been my primary weapon for deer. Occasionally I'll take my PC 629 when I'm hunting with others, but generally it's the X-Frame. Originally, I figured I shoot it like my deer rifle(20-30 rounds a year @ most) but have found it to be so much fun to shoot that it goes to the range with me every time I go and depending on who's with me, will get 40 to 100 rounds run thru it. I've yet to have anyone shoot it and not walk away with a big azz grin on their face. It is however, not for the faint of heart or someone without prior revolver experience. Anything within a foot in plane with the cylinder gap is fair game to being damaged every time the trigger is pulled on a magnum load. Ear protection is not optional, even one shot without is painful. I even use electronic muffs while hunting.....

The Hornady factory 200 grain SSTs are a hoot for the target range and may be fine for varmints, but I recommend you look for something heavier when shooting deer. But @ about a buck a pop on sale are a lot cheaper than anything else factory loaded. Cost to shoot compared to the .500 S&W was for me, a deciding factor in choosing the .460 over the .500. Now that I reload, cost is very similar to reloading .45 Colt. I use a 300 grain XTP-Mag for hunting. and 240 or 250 grainers for plinking.

[chuckusaret]

Be a man, buy a Pfeifer-Zeliska .600 Nitro Express Magnum.

[atlanticfire]

I know there a .600NE revolver out there somewhere...

Be a man, buy a Pfeifer-Zeliska .600 Nitro Express Magnum.Useful:uhoh:

[grimjaw]

Why limit yourself to autoloaders and revolvers?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/3086489730_c389fbea07_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grimjaw/3086489730/)

I had a Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 Magnum and I couldn't stay interested in it enough to keep it. I bought the .54 caliber Kentucky pistol on a whim and I am HOOKED. Makes enough fire and noise to please me without the sometimes excessive recoil of centerfire big bore pistols. 230gr round ball will still do a number on things like watermelon, even at black powder pistol velocities. I can get very acceptable groups with it and it's not hard to clean or maintain it. Without trying hard, I can fire it for about $0.25/shot, maybe less if I cast my own ammunition.

Tons of fun, less money (and regulation hassle) to get one. Don't knock it until you've tried it!

jm

[22-rimfire]

For fun shooting, I shoot a 41 magnum revolver or a 357 mag revolver. If I am practicing for handgun hunting, I shoot my biggest bore which is a SRH in 480 Ruger. I honestly don't enjoy shooting it beyond a cylinder full. but practice I must or I need to leave it home and take a 41 mag or rifle deer hunting.

The 50AE in a Desert Eagle would be one of the last guns I'd choose to own. The gun is just too large for my hands. Even two handed, it is not comfortable to hold.

Nothing wrong with the 460 or 500 mags. I just choose the 480 ruger and it is sufficient for any game animal in the lower 48. My other choice would be a 475 Linebaugh in which I could shoot my 480 Rugers in primarily. But frankly, I generally shoot the caliber the gun was designed for for the most part.

I don't use any of these calibers for self defense other than a 357 mag. The guns are just too big and unnecessarily powerful for self defense.

[BDOG]

Watch this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9AJzv8gb2A

[wyocarp]

Food for thought, actual experience thumps opinions.

Redhawk1, I agree. That is why I never comment on any thread where I don't have experience with the gun or caliber in question and get irritated with people who clearly don't do this.

I too do a lot of handgun hunting. Someone mentioned that we should stop recommending these big bore handguns to the OP until we know what he intends to do with it. We didn't suggest any of these. The OP is wanting a large bore and it sounded to me like he just liked the idea of it. Which is fine. Just because I hunt with .500's doesn't mean the next guy can't take his to the range only on sunny days to shoot five rounds a few times a year.

[LightningMan]

Yes by all means buy a 600 NE
http://www.pfeifer-waffen.at/cms/html/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=32
LM

[HK G3]

Something tells me that .600 NE is outside my price range :p

[Redhawk1]

jbkebert , either one of the two would be very good. I just sold my 308 Winchester pistol barrel. I went to the range and shot it at 200 yards off the bench. I got 2 to 2 1/2 inch groups with 150 gr. bullets. I had a Bushnell 2X6X32 scope on it as well.

I like the 7mm08 as well. I have not had it in a pistol barrel, but I had it in a Encore rifle barrel. A few Whitetail feel to it in West Virginia.

[Redhawk1]

Quote:
Food for thought, actual experience thumps opinions.

Redhawk1, I agree. That is why I never comment on any thread where I don't have experience with the gun or caliber in question and get irritated with people who clearly don't do this.

I too do a lot of handgun hunting. Someone mentioned that we should stop recommending these big bore handguns to the OP until we know what he intends to do with it. We didn't suggest any of these. The OP is wanting a large bore and it sounded to me like he just liked the idea of it. Which is fine. Just because I hunt with .500's doesn't mean the next guy can't take his to the range only on sunny days to shoot five rounds a few times a year.

I agree 100% :)

[Travis Bickle]

Who Said Revolvers Were Slow
Watch this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9AJzv8gb2A

How many people do you think could be as quick as that with a SA revolver without years of practice?

[HK G3]

This video is still completely unbelievable to me, no matter how many times I've seen it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLnmvseCseI

[jbkebert]

either one of the two would be very good. I just sold my 308 Winchester pistol barrel. I went to the range and shot it at 200 yards off the bench. I got 2 to 2 1/2 inch groups with 150 gr. bullets. I had a Bushnell 2X6X32 scope on it as well.
Wow that is pretty slick shooting. I am going to go with the group on this and go with .308. It was suggested also to just use the contender in .35 rem. I think the contender will remain open sights and be used around home here. I haven't taken a shot at a deer over 75 yards in three or four years here. I am also having a hard time finding ammo for it at least in this area. I ordered the one box I have. Same with the 7mm-08 the only ammo I have found in every store I have checked has been Remmington express 140gr core loks. I would like a little more variety to experiment with before I get setup to reload.
Thank you for your advice and I will put in a range report after I get the barrel and practice with it a little.

[MCgunner]

Look at the ballistics numbers for .44 special, .45 Long Colt and .45 ACP. .45 Long Colt is no more likely than .45 ACP to "blow a hole through a threat and the next threat behind him" and .44 Special is even less likely.

My .45 Colt can toss a 300 grain JHP XTP out of a 4 5/8" barrel at 1120 fps. That's over 800 ft lbs right there with one HELL of a lot of momentum. Can your .45 Auto do that? That same load out of a 7" barrel is pushin' over 1200 fps and packing over a thousand ft lbs.

There are .45 Colts and then there are .45 Colts.

For self defense/CCW I'm perfectly happy with .38 special or 9x19, myself.

[Travis Bickle]

My .45 Colt can toss a 300 grain JHP XTP out of a 4 5/8" barrel at 1120 fps.

Yes, your Colt can toss a 300 grain bullet out of a 4 5/8" barrel at 1120 fps, loaded with the right rounds. However, most .45 LC rounds are around 1,000 feet per second and 500 ft·lb, which is the same neighborhood the .45 ACP lives in. And those would be the rounds any sane person would choose for personal defense.

[Redhawk1]

jbkebert, look forward to your range report.

[rundm]

if you do get the 500, you should seriously look into hand loading. I shoot alot of 44mag and the price is rediculous in the store for factory. when you start to handload the price is great. you can get buy on about 20 cents a round which is way better than the store. The 500 is much much more than that, but I bet that sucker is a blast to shoot. I have been toying with the idea of one of the 8in s&w 500's for a little while. Me and a couple of guys at work have been stopping by to look at them lately. Have not gotten it yet because it is one of the only things in my safe that I really can not find a use for except for fun. RG

[BCRider]

Have not gotten it yet because it is one of the only things in my safe that I really can not find a use for except for fun. RG

And just what is wrong with having a gun that is fun to shoot and makes you and all around you laugh?

Sometimes I think we take ourselves and our activities a bit too seriously. This thread and all the sidelines, hurt feelings and other tidbits is a perfect example.

Yeah, the big bore hand cannons can be used for hunting or woods defense as a last resort against the big stuff. But other than that they really don't serve much of a purpose. Just how many ft-lbs do we need to "kill" a paper or cardboard target, a bowling pin, a steel silhouette or a water melon?

But to do it with STYLE and FUN is the thing. And if it brings out a few hoots and hollers and some uncontroled giggling from the shooter then hasn't it served it's purpose?

[usmc1371]

OP. I had a blackhawk 44 for years and my best friend had a 44 redhawk that we hank loaded for and shot a lot.. Lots of fun and you can get loads that are lite and fun or get some bufflo bore rounds and make your wrist go numb after a few rounds. The same can be said for 45 lc, cowboy action loads are nice and soft but you can once again get rounds that will take the fun right out of shooting in just a few rounds and make melons into jello. I fired a 50 ae a few times and it was cool but is to big for my hands and that kind of took the fun out of it.

Wyocarp I wish I lived close to you and your sweet arsenal of big bore badassness. :)

[jbkebert]

Order placed for Barrel and grips. Will have to wait a little while for scope and rings, and base. It does come with adjustable sights so I'll let you know how it shoots upon receipt. Ended up going with 15" fluted barrel in .308 win and the pachmyer grips:cool:

[HK G3]

And just what is wrong with having a gun that is fun to shoot and makes you and all around you laugh?

Sometimes I think we take ourselves and our activities a bit too seriously. This thread and all the sidelines, hurt feelings and other tidbits is a perfect example.

Yeah, the big bore hand cannons can be used for hunting or woods defense as a last resort against the big stuff. But other than that they really don't serve much of a purpose. Just how many ft-lbs do we need to "kill" a paper or cardboard target, a bowling pin, a steel silhouette or a water melon?

But to do it with STYLE and FUN is the thing. And if it brings out a few hoots and hollers and some uncontroled giggling from the shooter then hasn't it served it's purpose?

This is pretty much exactly what I was getting at when I started this thread! :) Right now, I'm pretty heavily leaning towards the .460, but still am considering the Desert Eagle and the 500.

[alde]

Right after 9/11 there was a guy at the range with a 4" S&W .500. He had a box of 50 rounds of heavy loads and life size Osama Bin Laden targets. He was letting anybody that wanted to take a shot at the bad guy. Now that was fun.

[Revolver Ocelot]

I would say a 460xvr, if you can't find one under 1000 dollars however I would suggest a ruger super red hawk in 454.

[Seancass]

*Posting so i remember to come back and read this whole thread!

I'm in a similar "big want" stage as the OP. I'm thinking Ruger .44 SBH, but am slowly leaning to the bisley. Of course the Bisley costs more and i don't know if the internals are any better. I might even scrounge up the change to have it properly tuned. I'm looking for something pretty accurate and i don't care too much how it looks as long as it shoots well.

[ndh87]

As i understand it you can shoot 45 colt loads out of a .454 casul. I recently picked up an S&W 629 5inch in .44 mag. I absolutely love it.

[WoofersInc]

Right after 9/11 there was a guy at the range with a 4" S&W .500. He had a box of 50 rounds of heavy loads and life size Osama Bin Laden targets. He was letting anybody that wanted to take a shot at the bad guy. Now that was fun.

Didn't the 500 come out in late 2003? Not quite right after 9/11.