Best round all 'round
- Thread starter B1gGr33n
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Jonah71
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You said it all for me.
OP
OP
B1gGr33n
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Some people seem to have misunderstood the original premise. Being available everywhere does not have to mean it's cheap. Affordable within reason, of course, but not cheap.
And I think we can reasonably eliminate 9mm from the discussion, given that it is in fact not a lawful hunting round in some areas, and thus does not fit the premise.
And I think we can reasonably eliminate 9mm from the discussion, given that it is in fact not a lawful hunting round in some areas, and thus does not fit the premise.
mr.trooper
Member
For 90% of shooters, the only two on that list which can honestly be called universal are the 357 and the 10mm.
* 45acp is a great combat round, but its not a good small game round OR a big game round - the factory ammo trajectory is already a rainbow, good luck making head shots on small game with your light loads when guess work is involved. I used to load low power 45acp, and they were very unreliably cycles in many kinds of actions. Factor in the monochrome nature of factory ammo, and this cartridge is basically a one-trick pony.
* 44mag is a great big game round, and a marginal combat round. Light factory ammo is usually still a bit OVER 700ft-lbs, necessitating a high level of handgun proficiency, and makes follow up shots difficult - sure it is a powerhouse IF IT HITS, but for most shooters making that happen will be hard. As a small game round its a joke - even 44 special loads are not really useful, having all the same problems as 45acp.
* 45 colt in its standard loadings, while having a hair more punch than 45acp, is still a marginal big game round which is too powerful for small critters... SOME people try to rectify this by hot-rod'ing the round in a few select revolvers, but that doesn't really fit the bill of "all around" if it can only be so in such contrived circumstances. Low power plinker or cowboy loads are bound to have the same problems as the 45auto, but at least they wont be subject to cycling problems. The Colt round is another great combat cartridge that struggles to do other things well.
* 357 & 10mm are quite similar in their abilities. Both hot and more mild loads are available from the factory for each, and each offer plenty of power with moderate recoil in their standard loadings. Each is a capable big game round in its hotter factory loadings, generating up to 700ftlbs of deer or bear whooping power while retaining respectable followup shot time. Even in their light loads (38s for the 357...) they offer more velocity and a flatter trajectory than the 44 and 45 loads, with less potential to overly damage game thanks to their typical bullet construction.
IMO, the 357 edges out the 10mm thanks to its ability to employ the huge variety of 38 loads available, but either one would make a fine general purpose round. The other rounds on the list, though I love them dearly, need not apply for the title of all 'round round.
* 45acp is a great combat round, but its not a good small game round OR a big game round - the factory ammo trajectory is already a rainbow, good luck making head shots on small game with your light loads when guess work is involved. I used to load low power 45acp, and they were very unreliably cycles in many kinds of actions. Factor in the monochrome nature of factory ammo, and this cartridge is basically a one-trick pony.
* 44mag is a great big game round, and a marginal combat round. Light factory ammo is usually still a bit OVER 700ft-lbs, necessitating a high level of handgun proficiency, and makes follow up shots difficult - sure it is a powerhouse IF IT HITS, but for most shooters making that happen will be hard. As a small game round its a joke - even 44 special loads are not really useful, having all the same problems as 45acp.
* 45 colt in its standard loadings, while having a hair more punch than 45acp, is still a marginal big game round which is too powerful for small critters... SOME people try to rectify this by hot-rod'ing the round in a few select revolvers, but that doesn't really fit the bill of "all around" if it can only be so in such contrived circumstances. Low power plinker or cowboy loads are bound to have the same problems as the 45auto, but at least they wont be subject to cycling problems. The Colt round is another great combat cartridge that struggles to do other things well.
* 357 & 10mm are quite similar in their abilities. Both hot and more mild loads are available from the factory for each, and each offer plenty of power with moderate recoil in their standard loadings. Each is a capable big game round in its hotter factory loadings, generating up to 700ftlbs of deer or bear whooping power while retaining respectable followup shot time. Even in their light loads (38s for the 357...) they offer more velocity and a flatter trajectory than the 44 and 45 loads, with less potential to overly damage game thanks to their typical bullet construction.
IMO, the 357 edges out the 10mm thanks to its ability to employ the huge variety of 38 loads available, but either one would make a fine general purpose round. The other rounds on the list, though I love them dearly, need not apply for the title of all 'round round.
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