At some point I grew a brain and stopped doing that. That said, the .357 is worse than any of the big bores. I've never had any issues with shooting. The .500 tends to flare up my tendinitis (from desk work, not shooting) with full loads.
I treat my S&W .44's like slightly stronger .44Specials, limited to 250's at 1200fps. So no "heavy" loads out of them. These are my heaviest. Blued .500 and stainless .44 with an oversized, extra long six shot cylinder for 50,000psi loads. Think 355's at 1350fps. .480, .454 and .44 SRH's. The big Dan Wesson .44Mag. Another good platform for launching heavy stuff.
By the time I got my .500 I already had all the experience I wanted with revolvers and unprotected ears. I've never fired the .500 without protection. It theoretically could come to that, as I do occasionally carry the thing in bear country, and I have no doubt that it would add to my hearing loss. As @CraigC points out, though, full power loads in things like the .357 and .327 are noticeably louder than the .500, so I wouldn't expect catastrophic damage from firing one or two of the big cartridges outdoors. As for recoil, my hands and arms don't bother me much, though the cylinder release does tend to bite me. The overall experience with maximum loads, though, leaves me a bit punchy after the first cylinderful, and my performance declines rapidly after that. When I am practicing with full power loads, I tend to start with five rounds, then retreat to a .22 for a while. After I get my nerve back, I shoot some more with the .500, but with much milder loads. At the end of a session, I shoot five more full power loads, then a bit more .22, then am done - usually without any physical damage or discomfort to my hands or arms.
Had the pleasure (?) of shooting a Linebaugh .475 and .500---way too much pleasure (?) for me ! OUCH ! I shot a Smith .44mag for over 30yrs---loved it but my hand did not. I shoot .38spl and .45acp now.
Just added another 'heavy hitter' to the collection. S&W Model 460 8/38" barrel. Here it is together with its slightly larger brother, the 500. Gonna take it to the gun club this weekend.
The grips on that .41 Ruger are amazing. My Rugers are .45 Colt with extra .45ACP cylinder .44mag .41mag .357mag .30Carbine 2 - .22LR, with extra .22WMRF cylinders All have the wood grips, but nothing like those. I am assuming, not factory.
I owned this BFR 45/70 for about 15yrs but sold it off last fall. I took it along deer hunting but never had the opportunity to take anything with it.
Thanks . They’re from Chiggs Grips, I believe they’re French Walnut (?). I know the inserts in the .454 SRH are Walnut Burl. Chiggs also supplied the walnut grips for the .44 Special Blackhawk and the inserts for the GP-100 .44 Spl. Stay safe.
.460 5”, loud loud loud! I carry it in Montana and Yellowstone. Big Bears there.I really should put a reddot or 1x scope on it.
Well here's a couple- 45 Dragoons ( hence the name) Pietta Frontier 45C / 45acp convertible Beauty and the Beast !! Cimarron/Uberti '60 Army with 45C Pietta Kirst conversion. A 3 screw civilian model with silver plated trigger guard. Nuther view . . . Mike
Well the BFR is back and I really like the feel of the shorter barrel, they were able to cut it back to 5”. Before and after pics
Cimarron 45 Colt Old model .357 Python and a Ruger NM BH in 45 Colt Interarms Virginian Dragoon in 44 mag and a SW PC model JRC 500 in .500 SW American Derringer in 45 Colt / .410
I only have one. A 5" S&W 44 mag. I'm loading middle of the road HS-6 loads with a 240 gr plated bullet. I have very large hands and the recoil isn't too bad . I switched the grips to Hogue Tamers that leave the back of the frame exposed and they're actually more comfortable than the original ones that cover the entire frame. I didn't expect that.
As far as the Colt 1848 "Dragoon" that replaced the Walker-it was issued to Dragoon Regiments-armed cavalry or armed horsemen were referred to as Dragoons
