Doubts on caliber choice.

Thanis · July 26th, 2009, 05:57 PM

On gun forums you always see arguments over what is the best caliber. I often find it interesting to hear from those who strongly believe in one caliber or another, what they consider to be the weaknesses of their caliber. I've noticed this most often when hunters honestly talk about their cartridge, caliber, round, etc. choices.

For me, with the .357 Sig, while I carry it for penetration, I'm constantly considering the fact that could also be a weakness. Natually the cost of the round, and difficulty related to reloads, are other negatives. Lastly, I'm to a point that I prefer the recoil of a .45 ACP, but stick to .357 Sig, because I like the additional capacity.

shooterX · July 26th, 2009, 06:00 PM

Thanis this is part of the reason I use .40 s&w, I have lately been thinking of buying somehting in .45 ACP as I don't find that much different than shooting .40 or .357 magnum. I don't reload so it really comes down to availablity.

cvhoss · July 26th, 2009, 06:18 PM

All cartridges, and I do mean ALL cartridges, are a compromise in one way, shape or form. The only thing nit-picking our choices gives us is an excuse to buy another gun.

Hoss

Ram Rod · July 26th, 2009, 06:33 PM

One should never doubt themselves or it will start to become habit to the point you're always unsure. That's a rough way to go, and makes it hard to live. Be confident.

tbrenke · July 26th, 2009, 06:34 PM

options, more options, then even more options.

my personal biased opinion.
.45 is nice but I like more rounds.
9mm has the rounds, but I like more size.
.40 is a compramise of both.
My XDSC it is about right, but I have been eyeing the XDm in .40 because of mag capacity.

so in short, here I go again. just going to have to add another to the stable....
I hate it when that happens.

pick what YOU like. I do not care what it is.

retsupt99 · July 26th, 2009, 07:58 PM

I like any caliber that starts with a "4" and ends with a "5"...but you can make any caliber work if the shot placement is good.
Ten .45's in the dirt are not as good as one .22 in the eye.

Torrid · July 26th, 2009, 08:03 PM

My wife has a .380 but I carry a .357 SIG because I can beat her in a bullet race off the line. Whole new meaning to caliber wars!

thylordjj · July 26th, 2009, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retsupt99

I like any caliber that starts with a "4" and ends with a "5"...but you can make any caliber work if the shot placement is good.
Ten .45's in the dirt are not as good as one .22 in the eye.

I vote for the .45 also...The .45 Hydra-shok can open to .76...makes for a BIG hole in the BG

paul45 · July 26th, 2009, 10:05 PM

With a good hit, most calibers will work but also with the best hits most calibers have failures. I like a .45 - even if it does not expand, the hole is still .45. Plus I like shooting the .45 and I am OK with a .45. Any action / Mfg is OK as long as it functions but I prefer a Les Bear or a Wilson ( or a Custom Colt). All of this is personal choice - I still carry a 9mm as a bug along with a .38 or sometimes a .380. Glock .40's are my vehicle guns - nothing hurts them but my main carry is a 1911 or sometimes a G30

bbqgrill · July 26th, 2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shooterX

Thanis this is part of the reason I use .40 s&w, I have lately been thinking of buying somehting in .45 ACP as I don't find that much different than shooting .40 or .357 magnum. I don't reload so it really comes down to availablity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbrenke

options, more options, then even more options.

my personal biased opinion.
.45 is nice but I like more rounds.
9mm has the rounds, but I like more size.
.40 is a compramise of both.
My XDSC it is about right, but I have been eyeing the XDm in .40 because of mag capacity.

+1 the .40S&W is my prefered round it strikes a good balance between magazine capacity, availability of factory ammo, choice of firearm manufacturers, managable recoil plus velocity and bullet weight.

Cheers,

July 26th, 2009, 05:57 PM	#1
Thanis Distinguished Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: MI Posts: 1,704	Doubts on caliber choice. On gun forums you always see arguments over what is the best caliber. I often find it interesting to hear from those who strongly believe in one caliber or another, what they consider to be the weaknesses of their caliber. I've noticed this most often when hunters honestly talk about their cartridge, caliber, round, etc. choices. For me, with the .357 Sig, while I carry it for penetration, I'm constantly considering the fact that could also be a weakness. Natually the cost of the round, and difficulty related to reloads, are other negatives. Lastly, I'm to a point that I prefer the recoil of a .45 ACP, but stick to .357 Sig, because I like the additional capacity. __________________ NRA Member S&W 642 (no-lock) with .38 Spl +P 135 GR Gold GDHP Glock G31 & G33 with .357 Sig 125 GR. SXT Winchester Ranger

July 26th, 2009, 06:18 PM	#3
cvhoss Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,793	All cartridges, and I do mean *ALL* cartridges, are a compromise in one way, shape or form. The only thing nit-picking our choices gives us is an excuse to buy another gun. Hoss __________________ I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I always was Sig 239 SAS 40 S&W / Sig 239 9mm / Kahr PM-9 / Walther PPS .40 / Sig P-245 / Ruger LCP Beretta Tomcat / Walther PPK / BDA 380 / Taurus 85 / Kel-Tec PF-9 / Am. Derringer 357 NRA Life Member My Web Site

July 26th, 2009, 06:33 PM	#4
Ram Rod VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: crawford county, arkansas Posts: 8,828	One should never doubt themselves or it will start to become habit to the point you're always unsure. That's a rough way to go, and makes it hard to live. Be confident. __________________ RamRod-----sans remords live, eat, breathe, sleep Glock

July 26th, 2009, 06:34 PM	#5
tbrenke Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Arlington, WA Posts: 542	options, more options, then even more options. my personal biased opinion. .45 is nice but I like more rounds. 9mm has the rounds, but I like more size. .40 is a compramise of both. My XDSC it is about right, but I have been eyeing the XDm in .40 because of mag capacity. so in short, here I go again. just going to have to add another to the stable.... I hate it when that happens. pick what YOU like. I do not care what it is. __________________ "I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution, which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents." -1792, James Madison There are always too many Democratic, Republican and never enough U.S. congressmen.

July 26th, 2009, 07:58 PM	#6
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 22,825	I like any caliber that starts with a "4" and ends with a "5"...but you can make any caliber work if the shot placement is good. Ten .45's in the dirt are not as good as one .22 in the eye. __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

July 26th, 2009, 06:00 PM	#2
shooterX Distinguished Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,587	Thanis this is part of the reason I use .40 s&w, I have lately been thinking of buying somehting in .45 ACP as I don't find that much different than shooting .40 or .357 magnum. I don't reload so it really comes down to availablity.

July 26th, 2009, 08:03 PM	#7
Torrid Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 287	My wife has a .380 but I carry a .357 SIG because I can beat her in a bullet race off the line. Whole new meaning to caliber wars!

July 26th, 2009, 10:05 PM	#9
paul45 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SML, VA Posts: 393	With a good hit, most calibers will work but also with the best hits most calibers have failures. I like a .45 - even if it does not expand, the hole is still .45. Plus I like shooting the .45 and I am OK with a .45. Any action / Mfg is OK as long as it functions but I prefer a Les Bear or a Wilson ( or a Custom Colt). All of this is personal choice - I still carry a 9mm as a bug along with a .38 or sometimes a .380. Glock .40's are my vehicle guns - nothing hurts them but my main carry is a 1911 or sometimes a G30 __________________ "Being PARANOID is just plain smart thinking when they are really out to get you!"

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