Posted on 07/02/2010 12:46:39 PM PDT by Errant
That’s a .44 Magnum.
I would show you my matching set of 4” and 6” nickel plated S&W .357’s but they were lost in a boating accident a few years ago.
I owned a 454 Redhawk in Alaska and loved shooting 45 colts with it but 454 rounds while making you feel a lot more safer in the bush, took a lot of fun out of shooting after the first cylinder full. ;)
It was right about that same time period I walked into an Ace Hardware in a small town in southwest Michigan. I needed some nails or screws, I don’t remember, but under the front counter was a selection of handguns, including a gorgeous Belgium Browning hi-power. I don’t remember what else I bought that day but the hi-power went home with me. What a Country!
Thought Dirty Harry did a .44 Magnum but a .357 (Colt Trooper) has been my home defense gun of choice for over 30 years. Both my sons (and son in law) prefer it as well.
I need to go to the gun show with you. I never find the good deals.
Yep, old Elmer was great. He did have a habit of wanting every caliber to be huge, he considered the 06 to be a “pest gun”, good for coyotes but not much else. However, his knowledge of handguns and his work in bringing fine calibers like the .44 magnum were invaluable. It is too bad some people just couldn’t live forever. I too remember his fine book, “Hell, I was there!” and I miss reading his articles. Sad day when he passed.
I’ve been thinking of it. I also have a 3 inch barreled .45 long colt and trade off carrying it instead of the .44 sometimes. If I did buy a lever gun it would be in the .44 mag. caliber(which would allow me to fire the .44 special)instead of the .45 colt because of the accuracy difference.
Of the four, which is your favorite?
I have about 5 each 451/2 bullet molds and like the fact that my cast bullets can be used for loading 45 ACP, 45 Colt and 454 so you could do the same if you get into reloading.
45 Long Colt rounds are about $2 each if you can find them. I can make the bullet and reload one for about 10 Cents for powder and primer. I like to use 185 gr. Nosler JHP bullets as well and these run about 12 cents each.
I also make up a few rounds using CCI shot shell capsules with #6 shot for snakes and etc.
For defense, I load my 44 Magnum with .44 Special: 260 grain bullet at 950 fps. Shoot the magnum ammo for fun, but a 44 special is plenty good against humans.
Nothing against the 357, but I like a bullet that expanded at the factory instead of trusting it to do so once it enters the body.
Count your blessings, I have a S/W, have to wear ear plugs with it. Good to hear from you/
In moon clips for bowling pin matches I assume?
Ruger doesnt make them in that configuration currently, but there are lots of them out there on the used gun market. Funny thing is, the redhawk is so strong, you can shoot 45 colt handloads in it that would seriously kill a Colt single action army.
Those four are my favorites out of my collection. Of those, it is a tossup between the 1911 Colt and the S&W 686.
Thanks for the tips on reloading. I knew the .38 was similar to the .357 round but that a .380 is as well was news to me since I always thought of it as a low penetration round.
Freepmail me and we’ll talk about the details. I am at the shore on vacation.
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