Originally Posted by
Ninjaz7
Great input guys...so the 454 would be the least impact to the hands...and the least powerful weapon to trust against a black bear(yes,they can get mean without a killing shot)would probably be a .44 Mag.
The .454 is very stiff, and to some severe even, but not so that you can't get accustomed to it. For black bear .357 isn't out of the question, but the .44 gives a greater degree of safety, provided you do your part concerning placement. Everything I've heard suggests that the .460 is going to be more manageable, while providing much greater impact. Did you read Patriot's posts above. I really want a .460 but am also pretty happy with my .44 Super Redhawk.
Thank you for the very nice words kaichu dento. Also I completely agree with your response to Ninjaz7. .357 is a fine round for black bear country. Most hunters will say to use 158gr. or heavier though which is in contrast to the new wave of lighter .357 personal protection rounds.
wyager
.50 DE? Never heard of it... .50 AE sounds cool though!
J/K I make that mistake all the time. People on this thread keep calling it that...
".50 DE" is generally acceptable if you intend to denote both the caliber and make in one phrase. Now, I wouldn't say that I was loading my magazines up with ".50 DE" though.
Qtrhorse
For me, my .44Mag is much more punishing to my hand than a .50 DE. Now the .454 was just not for me in a short revolver. It was brutal to my hand. It was not even fun to shoot at all.
It all depends on what firearm you're shooting the .44Mag through. Obviously a S&W 629PD is going to feel ferocious compared to a long barreled Super Blackhawk with Pachmayr grips. Likewise, the .44Mag through and .44mag chambered DE is going to have substantially less recoil than the .50AE. Generally speaking, with factory loads, most people will say that the .50AE through the DE has more perceived and actual recoil than a 6" model 29 S&W. That's been my experience anyhow. Still, if you were shooting a very light .44mag, like the PD, with full loads and wood grips, I can understand your experience.
Bullzeyebill
Shooting comparable power loads to the 44Mag in the 45LC?
I doubt he's refering to comparable power loads Bill, but that's part of the point here. The original standard .45LC is anemic compared to the 44mag. Here's a good rule of thumb when talking about calibers in this context; only consider common factory loadings and pressures in common or original chambers. In other words, you wouldn't really want to try "full horse," semi-custom Buffalo Bore ammo in a 1st gen Colt SAA.
There's always going custom and semi-custom configurations of original calibers and designs but if you walk into a gun shop and purchase off the shelf guns and ammo, that's sort of the context one must consider here.
Windy
Yes, all this changes perspective.. I don't own enough guns "especially pistols" to buy something I really can't use because its too punishing.
I wasn't aware the tragectory was so poor on the DE and the fps ratings were so low. Sounds great for hammering something up close but I'm not fond of blunted bullets for close in but rather like bullets that reach out.
Which would you guys recommend for a flat trajectory that has power but not so much that it get uncomfortable? I know that varies as some guns are smoother and kinder than others yet perform as good or better.
I'm not really looking for a concealed weapon but rather a pistol that could double as a deer rifle "so to speak" as to what it can do.
I don't expect to be making 400 yard shots, but up to 200 with a scope and a nice long barrel may be nice!
Hey Windy :wave:
1)The velocity of the .50AE is not typically considered slow by any means. It's moving at very high velocity for pistol ammo. Also, the trajectory is relatively flat by the same token. Remember, you're comparing a group of thoroughbreds with each other in this selection, not race horses to donkeys. Yes, the 454 and .460 have a bit of an advantage here but in practical application, say a hunting role, the difference is negligible. All of the bullets discussed here are generally going to be "blunt nosed" with the exception of certain specifically designed .460 bullets.
2)A 44mag with 200 grain bullets traveling at about 1500+ is going to shoot flat but probably won't be terribly uncomfortable. Again, I'd have to know what you're using as a standard measurement for comfort to start with though.
3)Again, the .44mag would make a fine deer hunting round but so would the .357mag.
4)Long range pistol gunning is a lot of fun and the smaller calibers like .357 and .44mag are very capable of making pie plate hits at 200 yards in the field if the shooter does their part. The king of long range factory pistol calibers in the .460 S&W but you are talking about the extreme range of the spectrum now. The upper range of most hand cannon velocities rarely exceeds 1800fps while the .460 will do 2200+fps with 200gr bullets and progressive rifling.