I don't know about you guys, but i'm pretty impressed with all the huge handgun caliber cartridges out there and I would like to start seeing some bigger ones. Maybe something like a .550 or .600 magnum. What do you guys think? Do you agree or think i'm crazy and that the .500 S&W magnum is big enough?

I don't know about you guys, but i'm pretty impressed with all the huge handgun caliber cartridges out there and I would like to start seeing some bigger ones. Maybe something like a .550 or .600 magnum. What do you guys think? Do you agree or think i'm crazy and that the .500 S&W magnum is big enough?

Now you can get a handgun in cal. 600nitro express...
You ask about enough? I think it´s all about what you like, and what you think is enough... In a rifle for exemple: cal 30 can you hunt everything with, but you can have 10 rifle spec. for one typ of hunt also.

I don't know about you guys, but i'm pretty impressed with all the huge handgun caliber cartridges out there and I would like to start seeing some bigger ones. Maybe something like a .550 or .600 magnum. What do you guys think? Do you agree or think i'm crazy and that the .500 S&W magnum is big enough?

I think we'll need to find bigger animals before we'll *need* anything bigger than .500 S&W Magnum. :) I mean, alledgedly, someone took an elephant with .454 Casull.
But that doesn't mean people won't *want* something bigger.

Read this post. Mr. Gates has summed up the problem with larger handguns pretty good.

http://www.shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=29190

I, like Mr Gates have hunted since the early 60's with handguns. Mostly with 44 magnums and some hunting with a 41 magnum.

I spent a lot of years as a competition pistol/revolver shooter and several years coaching NRA pistol teams.

So far I've never felt the need for anything heavier than a 44 magnum. Just getting most shooters ability to the point where effective game shots to a hundred yards with one of the big bores is acceptable is a real chore. Most shooters become flinch masters long before they become shooting masters, especially with full bore 44 mags and bigger.

With the newer even higher recoilling Revolvers it's daunting just to think about.

Another problem is just carrying such a hand cannon. Even my 7.5 inch Super Redhawk with a scope or dot sight required a chest pouch holster and was not as comfortable as carrying a rifle.

I'm not saying don't get one and don't shoot one, just be prepared to shoot enough to become competent with one.

Now you can get a handgun in cal. 600nitro express...


Oh heck no!! I seen a video of that hand cannon being fired. That's a rifle cartridge and not a handgun cartridge.

Oh heck no!! I seen a video of that hand cannon being fired. That's a rifle cartridge and not a handgun cartridge.

Thats right, but you can get it in a handgun...
More rifle cal. in handgun ex.

- 308
- 444marlin
- 458wm
and many more.

B.F.R. revolver you can buy in 444marlin, I think it´s 5 shot..
Like someone writ on this forum :
"If you're going to make a hole make it a big one."

B.F.R. revolver you can buy in 444marlin, I think it´s 5 shot..



I only got one idea of what BFR stands for. :D

Biggest, Finest, Revolver:)

I think what Bob has said is correct. Please read the thread mentioned! Most folks, when firing .44 mag full loads tend to Flinch, Bad! As I stated in the other thread, it is about hitting the target. I find a S&W .357 works great for all my needs, including White tail hunting.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j154/jpattersonnh/357.jpg

http://www.lesjones.com/www/images/posts/zeliska600nitrorevolverace.jpg

I read your post near 0500 this morning and pondered on a reply with coffee. I have looked at them in stores and find them to be big and beautiful.

I could afford to buy one if I wanted. I don't want one very bad. I cannot think of a reason to other than "it is big and cool!
It would be fun to get behind one and shoot for ahwile.
Other than that, I can't find a use for them here in Iowa that would not be better served with a rifle or scattergun.

They are cool though!
Cheezywan

Once you get into hardware chambered in calibiers greater than the 44 and 45 their weight and bulk become uncomfortable and hard to manage in the field. I personal don't even care for the 44 and 45's, but can handle and manage them ok if I must. The silly BIG hand guns are harder to carry and use than a rifle, but can't touch the capability of a rifle, so why not just carry a rifle???? :confused:
I refer to these 'big' hand guns as hobby or movie guns, they have no use in the 'real' world. They are fun to 'play' with, thats all!!! ;)

Once you get into hardware chambered in calibiers greater than the 44 and 45 their weight and bulk become uncomfortable and hard to manage in the field. I personal don't even care for the 44 and 45's, but can handle and manage them ok if I must. The silly BIG hand guns are harder to carry and use than a rifle, but can't touch the capability of a rifle, so why not just carry a rifle???? :confused:
I refer to these 'big' hand guns as hobby or movie guns, they have no use in the 'real' world. They are fun to 'play' with, thats all!!! ;)

Hello Jim

First I must say what you can never say what is the maximum cal. in a handgun, it´s up to the owner. But what you say about handgun vs rifle I must saty whats right, why take a handgun to tigerhunt then you can have a safe shoot with a rifle???
And Jim try the S&W500mag, it´s has a real nice recoil, not as much as the 44mag.....

Two things... #1 is that a bigger bullet really isn't feasible... there are a lot of 45 cal bullets on the market, and then a few less 50 cal bullets, and then a steep drop off in availability...

#2 is that I believe its illegal to have a handgun larger than 50 caliber in the US... early desert eagles were actually .510" I believe (I know they were just slightly larger than .500") and IMI had to change them out to an even .500" diameter bullet to get by the feds and sell them in the US.

It isn't a matter of recoil but of the size and weight. I am 6-0 and 175 and a handgun that is pushing 4 or 5 lbs is no fun to try and carry and get to to shoot. Most of my hunting rifles are 6 to 8 lbs and I can carry them easily and access them easy. :)

Two things... #1 is that a bigger bullet really isn't feasible... there are a lot of 45 cal bullets on the market, and then a few less 50 cal bullets, and then a steep drop off in availability...

#2 is that I believe its illegal to have a handgun larger than 50 caliber in the US... early desert eagles were actually .510" I believe (I know they were just slightly larger than .500") and IMI had to change them out to an even .500" diameter bullet to get by the feds and sell them in the US.

to my knowledge the 50 AE and the 500 smith are 501 dia the 500 Linebaugh and 50 alaskan are 512 dia (cast bullet) as well as the 510 GNR (shorted 500 Linebaugh) Note the size on Beartooth bullets for these guns

I don't know about you guys, but i'm pretty impressed with all the huge handgun caliber cartridges out there and I would like to start seeing some bigger ones. Maybe something like a .550 or .600 magnum. What do you guys think? Do you agree or think i'm crazy and that the .500 S&W magnum is big enough?

I take it you haven't shot anything bigger than a .44 mag... :D

Personally, I'm in favor of keeping the front sight out of my forehead.

Try the new foam front sights, Mike... they're easier to dig out.

Every place I have looked the 50 AE and 500 smith bullets are .500" I can see where cast bullets run a thousandth or two larger, but the original bore diameter of the gun is .500"

to my knowledge the 50 AE and the 500 smith are 501 dia the 500 Linebaugh and 50 alaskan are 512 dia (cast bullet) as well as the 510 GNR (shorted 500 Linebaugh) Note the size on Beartooth bullets for these guns
The 500 Linebaugh's diameter is a nominal .510" (same as the .50 cal rifles like 50 Alaskan, 500 Jeffery, etc...). I shoot .512" cast in mine.

For me I'll stick with .452 Caliber (45LC/454) plenty big enough for me and all I'll ever need in the field!
I don't know of any thing that hasn't been taken with the 454 Casull. If there is it just hasn't been hunted with it yet! :)

I was asking a question about the big bore handguns when the S&W 500 came up about an experienced shooter who after firing his 500 noted one of the loads seemed a have a bit more recoil and left him with soreness in his wrist . He was later found to have 2 broken bones in his wrist.That made me decide to leave my Encore 15" 454 casull barrel in that caliber and not have it rechambered to 460..

Under Federal Law there will not be any domestic handguns larger than 50 caliber unless the manufacturer can prove a viable sporting use for one.

I tell you something, friends.......some of these "Booger Bears Behind Every Briar Bush!".........run from the ridicules to the hilarious!
This stuff is going to keep on about these big handguns until someone gets killed trying to use them on dangerous game!
I have people tell me that Dixie Slugs Xterminator - 730"-730 gr hard cast heat treated slug/bullet @ 1400'/" out of a 12 gauge 20" rifled barrel is not adequate for the Big Booger Bears......and then turn around and say a handgun is!......Give me a break!.......Regards, James

I tell you something, friends.......some of these "Booger Bears Behind Every Briar Bush!".........run from the ridicules to the hilarious!
This stuff is going to keep on about these big handguns until someone gets killed trying to use them on dangerous game!
I have people tell me that Dixie Slugs Xterminator - 730"-730 gr hard cast heat treated slug/bullet @ 1400'/" out of a 12 gauge 20" rifled barrel is not adequate for the Big Booger Bears......and then turn around and say a handgun is!......Give me a break!.......Regards, James

Your 730 grain hard cast out of a 12 guage would of course be adequate for Bear protection. Many bears have been taken with lesser in the 12 guage.When I lived in Alaska I met and talked to several old timers that had taken many bears with a 12 guage(protecting thier cattle). As far as handguns are concerned I had a large Artic Grizz (7 footer) come in on me when I was cleaning a moose my hunting partner fired first with a 338 and the bear turned and was quartering away, I then fired my 475 Linebaugh and the results were dramatic at the shot all four legs went straight out spread eagle style and that was it.I also had killed the moose with the 475 a 53" bull.In my opion the 475 Linebaugh is certainly adequate for the job.
That hard cast 730 grain slug I believe would be quite spectacular

I am on my 3rd revolver in 500 S&W. The first was an 8 3/8" version, didn't like it because it was barrel heavy. The 2nd was a 4" barreled version, didn't like it because it didn't balance well. The 3rd is a 7.5" version from the Performance Center. I have had it for about 4 months now and haven't even shot it. I also own an 8 3/8" barreled version of the 460 S&W that I have yet to shoot but when I do it will be loaded with MY 45 Colt handloads with a 370 grain cast bullet. I do enjoy rather large caliber handguns and rifles. But I also own the standard run of the mill calibers like the 30-06 and what not. I will probably never take as many head of game with the 460 or the 500 as I have with my 41 Magnum or 45 Colt. No need too as I know from past experience with those 2 exactly what the other 2 will do.

Personally, I have a hard time justifying anything bigger than my Ruger .45 Colts, but I do believe it has more to do with hunting style than anything else. I took up handgun hunting for the same reason as I bowhunt; to get CLOSE to the game. I really don't see how the big boys can really kill any better than my .45's at close range. Where they really shine is when taking long pokes at 150yds. plus, in my opinion.

Jim

I am probably in the minority but I figure if I can't kill the critter with a stout load in my .44 Mag Ruger SBH then I either need to get closer or use a long gun for it-but that's just me. (Note: I don't live in Alaska or hunt where grizzlies are encountered).

Here's a link to Gary Reeder's webpage of gun projects that includes a video of someone shooting a 600 Nitro Encore.

http://www.reedercustomguns.com/information/stupid.htm

Happy shootin' & don't flinch.
C

http://www.reedercustomguns.com/information/stupid.htm


C

ROFLMFAO!!!

I have three 460 Mags, two are 7.5 inch PC models and the new 5 inch S&W 460. I also have two 500 Mags, a 4 inch and 6 inch. I have sold all my 44 Mags and 454 Casull's. I have been shooting the 500 Mag for 3 years now and never suffered any damage to my wrist, and I have well over 5000 rounds down the tube's. I have killed a lot of game with my 44 Mags and 454 Casull's, but I just like the 460 and 500 Mags.

kiddekop, I had my 454 Casull TC Encore barrel rechambered to 460 Mag. It was not bad at all to shoot. It was very accurate and a blast to shoot. I sold it because I just picked up my 5 inch 460 Mag. :D

Its true about the over .50 bore on a handgun. One of the big smiths made up a .577 and he had to register it as a title 2 gun. You can build a .577 rifle, some quirk in the law.

a video of someone shooting a 600 Nitro Encore.

http://www.reedercustomguns.com/information/stupid.htm


C

" A man's got to know his limitations".

Well, there are a lot of good points here. I own a 500 Smith, Desert Eagle in 44mag, I had a 50 AE for a while, and they are all excellent, powerful handguns within an individuals limits. I use the big pistols because of the limitations here in Michigan during gun season for deer. Ive seen what a XTP in 44mag will do to a ferel dog, boar, and tree trunks and it is a potent round. The 50 AE is just crazy in that Desert Eagle. With all thats going on with the thing when you fire it, to have to try and squeeze off a decent shot and keep the barrel out of your forehead is a challenge. Its plenty good on deer, with complete penetration, but there is something to be said of powerful rounds like the 44mag that could possibly not pass through and deposite all of its energy into the animal. The whole shock factor helps there. Then there is the inevitable shot placement. With a well place 22mag shot, you could kill a moose. The right gun in the right hands is capable of much more than we might think. With the 500Smith, its just about long range complete penetration with hard cast bullets. It has more energy at 100 yards than a 44mag out of the barrel. I want to punch holes in the right spot at extended ranges with a handgun, and the more power at these longer ranges facilitates the need for these beasts. Again, shooter+enviroment+capabilities= gun.