The most number of killed beings in this country were shot with a 44.40 (pistol & rifle) combination.
That means a .40 cal. using 44 gr.of black powder. 960 fps. or slower.. Kind'a tha opposite numerical designation used for rifle cartridges.
So.... 200 gr. was the most common bullet weight.
Thats when folks shot a lot more running & breathing game, and two legged varmints... the bullets were largely hand cast soft lead. No hollowpoints.
¡ Self acclaimed ballisticians and closet scientists... should look at what worked ! When you are sticking with a good combo, you have to draw into the equation... those riflemen & pistoleros hit their mark.
They shot, & practiced.. good shooting , for their survival... not paying omage to fads & manufacturers.
I can load a .41 mag. down a bit , if I care to.... like a 44.40. I LIKE IT IN MAGNUM FORM. ★★★ It still gets the job done.
I voted .357 for all the reasons stated already.
It's versitile. Loads from target .38 wadcutters, to full bore magnums, easy to load for,
can take game as large whitetails, will put down 2 legged varmints, is accurate, ammo widely
available, and probably enough gun for the average handgunner.
Ken Waters in his book Pet Loads says it's the most versitile handgun round.
Well if your refering to most popular as it applies to sales it would be 38 Spl followed very closly by the 357 Mag. and then there's the 22LR that out sells everything else combined.
Me personally, I just don't see the need for a .38 special when I can fire that cartridge out of my .357 Mag. I guess if you're looking for the lightest weight carry gun, though I would STILL use a .357 Mag snubbie for that.
I have to say that my all-time favorite caliber for it's versatility in reloading, target shooting, and home defense is the .357 mag, as well as its ability to handle .38 specials. :smt023
The most number of killed beings in this country were shot with a 44.40 (pistol & rifle) combination.
That means a .40 cal. using 44 gr.of black powder. 960 fps. or slower.. Kind'a tha opposite numerical designation used for rifle cartridges.
So.... 200 gr. was the most common bullet weight.
Beg to differ with you, the .44-40 IS a .44 caliber (nominal) originally known as the .44 W.C.F. Original bores were .427" but most now go .429 so .44 Special/Magnum bullets can be used. The .44-40 took the same powder charge as the original 40 gr. blackpowder charge as the .45 Colt. Some old cartridge boxes identify as the .44-40-200.
Don't know how the tales got started about the powder charge preceeding the caliber, but the .45 Colt, .44-40, and .38-40 all originally had the 40 gr. powder charge in the black powder days.
I shoot the S&W 629 with 6" barrel, 44 mag. taken deer at 40 to 70 yards with open sites carry it for 15 years hunting, last year I shot my
deer with a 40 s&w Glock at 45 yards with open sites one round. Both get the job done for me.
I feel if we had the Internet at the time the 41mag was being first offered the popularity of the 41mag would be different.
I think the 41mag is becoming more popular even today. It's more accurate, a flatter shooter, has more penetration over the 44mag. I like them both. But the s&w m58 is growing on me.
I had to vote "other" because I did not see a 38spl choice. I like it mostly because that's what my fav revolver shoots. The 5 shot Mod 36 S&W with a 3" barrel. A pair of those with pink grips in a cross draw or drop holster even better.
I am ole school and still have a 357 magnum, and just buying my first Semi-Automatic. Unfortunately technology has antiquated revolvers. The 357 magnum revolver was king at one time in Law Enforcement. Today is a relic. I use mine as Home Defense and a side arm when hunting to finish off a kill if needed.
Depends on the location , in Bear country .44 mag , non bear locales .357 mag. I have other chamberings of course but those two are the most versatile.
bought 2 rugers--gp 100 6" and gp100match champion--both shoot .357 mag and .38 special-- whichever is available and cheapest. My wife is great with these revolvers. I need t work on that!
I shoot a lot of .45 acp as my favorite with the .480 ruger and .45 colt not far behind
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