Selecting Calibers

[vtoddball]

I don't want this to turn into a battle of calibers, just hoping to hear some points I hadn't considered before. Being that I have kids and bills and such, I don't have the seven gun safes worth of guns and ammo that many people who post here seem to have. So when I select what I'm going to own I try to limit my calibers to as small a number as possible(number of calibers, not caliber size), but still cover my bases.

For example, I have several 9mm and .45 ACP handguns. At this point I won't purchase a .40 S&W, not because I have anything against the cartridge, but because I already have two handguns chambered for self defense that overlap the .40. I also have a few .38/.357 revolvers because of the versatility of shooting either round from the .357. I have a .22 semi-auto handgun as well which I can justify because I also have .22 rifles.

I don't want to have umpteen types of ammo to keep track of and it means fewer dies/equipment when it comes to reloading. Also, I choose my chamberings on popularity and likely availability because I think of them as tools not collectors items and I want to make sure they are usable for as long as possible. But I do consider flexibility as far as, can a particular chambering fire multiple loads (.38/.357)

My dilemma now is that I see a hole in my handgun collection. I'm missing a large bore revolver cartridge. I'm leaning towards a .44Mag because the S&W Night Guard is a beautiful piece of work. I can also get a Marlin 1894 chambered for the .44 so that fits well with my "fewer is better' philosophy and I can also shoot .44 Special. However, the .454 offers a little more power and the option of the 45LC, but at this time there is only one company making a 454 lever action rifle. (Although I heard on Guntalk this week that Marlin is finally thinking about it!)

I don't plan on hunting with it, maybe carry it as a bear gun, but I'll admit it's mostly because I WANT ONE!

 

[DaleA]

Well, of course it's all personal preference, you should buy what YOU like.
That said, if you get the .44 you'll be able to identify with Dirty Harry and Elmer Keith and own a truly historic caliber handgun but you might always wonder - the way the commercials say "I could'a had a V-8!" - what you missed out on by NOT getting the .454. I've shot the Taurus Raging Bull and with the nice grips, hefty barrel and compensation system it was surprisingly manageable. I think you might get tired of paying for the ammunition before you get tired of the recoil.

http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=236&category=Revolver

I don't like the 'rifle-and-handgun-combination-in-the-same-caliber' idea because I can't get away from the fact that I'd be lugging a rifle around that's shooting a handgun cartridge instead of an 'honest' rifle cartridge but I must say the .454 out of a rifle is not to be sneezed at.

...Say, what about the S&W .500??? Somebody must be chambering a rifle for that...

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=15702&isFirearm=Y

 

[PotatoJudge]

Why not just stick with the 45 LC? It does all a 44 can do and can get up there with moderate 454 loads. Gives you more choices in firearm models at least and fills the role of plinker and bear killer in one.

 

[vtoddball]

...Say, what about the S&W .500??? Somebody must be chambering a rifle for that...

Actually, that's another plus for 454. It means I would have 45LC and 454 ammo lying around if I ever got a 460. (Not that I ever see myself wanting that much gun, but who knows.)

This is more an exercise than anything else as another AR is next on the list with the election coming up. Revolvers while on the anti's list, are closer to the bottom.

 

[scrat]

I agree with potato judge. the 45COlt has a lot of options from small to very large handguns. to all sorts of lever action rifles. In fact you can pick up some fabulous looking lever actions. Only draw back is the cost of ammo. For that caliber its well worth it to learn to reload. I reload for all my guns (except 22lr). However the most cost efficient is the 45colt. a few weeks ago i priced some 45 colt ammo at big 5 sporting goods remington express for 45.99 for 50 bullets. That is completely unreal. When i reload i can reload 50 rounds for about $6.00 that is since i also cast. however if you looking to fill that gap the 45lc is the way to go.

 

[Catherine]

Hello!

I love the 45Colt (Ruger Blackhawk!) and the 44Magnum/44Special calibers.

I tend to be far more INTO the 45Colt aka long colt caliber so I and/or 'we' sold our Model 29-2 and Model 29-3 Smith and Wesson revolvers. I and/or we did not have anything else in 44 caliber at the time - we still do not own anything else in 44caliber.

I tend to be MORE into 45Colt and 22LR at this point even though I like/own a 357Magnum too. I sold one of my 357Magnums. (I like Glocks in 9MM too.)

Most (95%) of the firearms that I shoot now are in 22LR and in 45Colt.

I did have some 'combo' firearms too. Pistol centerfire calibers in S/A and in D/A revolvers and in lever action rifles. Winchester and Marlin lever action pistol caliber rifles. They are VERY nice too.

I still have some revolver/rifle combinations in 22LR but not in centerfire pistol calibers at this time.

My centerfire rifle is now in a Marlin 30-30. My husband has many other calibers!

If you want to keep it Simple as in Less is More... go to a combo with something that you already own. If not... get the 45Colt or the 44Magnum! Grin.

I would go to the 45Colt FIRST and secondly the 44Magnum. Personally I would not want anything different although my husband still owns several guns in 45Colt and in 454 Casull. He 'reloads' and buys ammunition too. He still tends to reload 45COLT for his loads since he loves that caliber! He loves 45ACP and 357Magnum too. He even loves 22LR and 22WMR for certain things.

Ask yourself if you need a rifle in another caliber other than in the pistol caliber of 45Colt or 44Magnum. Need one for the country that you hike/camp in or if you decide to hunt or for any other reason?

Best wishes and let us know about your decision.

Catherine

 

[will919]

In my humble opinion you should just get a few in each caliber

 

[Robert]

If you want to go big bore get you a 45-70 wheel gun. The Marlin 1895 series will shoot the same 45-70 rounds as the wheel gun. There problem solved.

 

[mnrivrat]

Let me see - you want to limit your calibers ? You have a number of different handguns, and already in at least 4 shooting calibers .

My point - just relax and buy whatever you want for a particular gun and caliber and not to worry. Life's too short to set limits on this stuff .

 

[MMCSRET]

I've had a large # of different calibers, some I won't have again, such as 40S&W, great cartridge, great guns. But, not pleasant to shoot in compacts and in full size I'd rather have 45 ACP. Do not own a belted Magnum but do have calibers from 22 to 45 in bolt,lever and s/s rifles.

 

[vtoddball]

In my humble opinion you should just get a few in each caliber

I knew it wouldn't be long before that suggestion was made.

Theoretically I have no problem with that philosophy. Unfortunately, money is quite the limiting factor to the application of theory.

I think I'll probably end up going with the .44 because there are so many choices in the style of revolvers I prefer. Even though there isn't always a "rational" reason for it, I think that looks are just as important as function. If you don't like the look of your gun, you're never really going to be completely happy with it.

In fact, for the last few weeks, I've been trying to determine exactly which combination of features appeal to me in a .308 AR. Building it in your head is half the fun.

 

[Duke Junior]

I vote for the .44.The range in ammo runs from about 200 grains all the way up to the Garrett Hammerhead 310-330's which will stop any animal on the North American continent and most in Africa besides.
You also have the .44 Special option for plinking,not to mention this is a fine self defense round.I have the Smith 629CL with a 6 1/2 barrel.A bit much for concealed carry,but for OC with a cross draw shoulder rig from Bianchi its very cool in the field.
Recoil could be an problem(issue?) in a shorter barrel specially with the heavier loads.But all in all I think its the best way to go.Plus the lever gun option,Marlin or other, as you mentioned.I have the sadly now defunct, Winchester Trapper in .44, 9+1 and its a very fine field gun.
And Elmer and Harry would approve.

 

[Snapping Twig]

.44 is more available in ammunition selection. .44 spl is comprable to .45lc in almost every respect.

That said, there's nothing wrong with .45lc, I like it and it's a proven caliber.

I say you should have one of each.