Big Bores, Basically, I'd like to know what you've chosen, and why
My fascination with big bores began back in the early 1970s, thanks to Guns&Ammo magazine, assisted by Shooting Times, and, of course, The American Rifleman.
These were always around the house, my father was a sportsman, conservationist (before the wackjobs discovered ecology), and was an NRA certified Rifle & Pistol instructor, who gave Hunter Safety courses every fall. Elmer Keith, Skeeter Skelton, Charles Askins, Bill Jordan, and a host of others I knew well, from their writings. I think I might even have learned a thing or two from them...
Dad had several handguns, but no "big bore" other than a Colt Govt model .45ACP. The "cannon" in the house was a S&W Highway Patrolman .357 (6").
Besides reading all about them, I think the thing that really set me on the path of big bores was an ad in the early 70s in G&A, for the new .44 Auto Mag.
The ad was full page, and on cardstock (thick) paper, with a life size picture of the gun, perforated, so you could punch it out and hold it. The ad claimed a 240gr bullet at 1600fps from the 6.5" barrel. And the header said "Strap a Rifle on your Hip!"
Although I was still a few years to young to buy my own handgun, I wanted one. Even found one in a sporting goods store some 40 miles away. Never could convince my Dad to buy it (probably because of the expense, we never had much money). At the time, a S&W M29 cost $283.50 MSRP, and the Auto Mag was over $100 more! I watched that gun sit on the shelf, for years, and watched the price go up, and up. It was still sitting there, with a tag of $695 when I went into the Army. And, naturally, when I got out, it was gone.
1983 was the year I became a true big bore owner. I had gotten a .45acp in 1980, and in 83, I got a Ruger Blackhawk (7.5") .45 convertible. I got it with the idea of shooting the .45acp, and not having to hunt for the brass to reload.
But I made one small mistake. I shot it with .45 Colt ammo, first. WOW! I was hooked! And so it began. I did experiment with the heavy "Ruger only" loads, and then settled on one load, 250gr swc at 1100fps (actually just a hair under).
That same year, I found, and after getting a personal loan (it cost more than the car I was driving at the time), was able to buy a .44 Auto Mag. The .44AMP taught me a lot of things, and since then, I have gone on with other big bores Desert Eagle .44Mag, S&W M29-2, Ruger SUperBlachawk, T/C Contender, Ruger Vaquero, all in .44 Mag.
Also more Rugers (Vaquero, Bisley) in .45 Colt. And the .45 Win Mag, in the Wildey, and LAR GRIZZLY pistols. I deliberately avoided getting any of the larger calibers, as they came on the market. I passed on the .454, .460, .480, and the .50s. There was nothing I do (or CAN do) with a handgun where the higher power of these rounds gave me any benefit over the .44s and .45s that I already had. Also saved the expense of tooling up for the other calibers.
I found magnum power autopistols to be an interesting breed. Very different from magnum revolvers, and a much different feel, even when shooting the same ammo.
Also, by personal choice, I never bothered with the uber heavy for caliber bullets that are so popular with some folks these days. 240/250gr slugs, cast or jacketed always did everything I ever asked them to do, and more besides.
So I don't bother with the 270, 300, or heavier, and get a small smile from the internet experts who recommend them. Not the people who use them for some applications, but the people who recommend them for everything (on the net) and imply that anything less is mouse pharts, that amuses me.
.44Magnum
.44AMP (Auto Mag Pistol)
.45 Colt
.45 Win Mag
These are my big bores in the magnum power class, in autopistols, revolvers, and Contender barrels. I'm also fond of various .357 calibers, but they aren't "big bores" even if they have the .44 size case (.357AMP).
So, I've spent 30+years collecting them, and shooting them (some much more than others), its been more than enough to keep me both busy and satisfied, and I haven't gone on to the new rounds I think of as "monster magnums". If you've got a .454, .460, .50AE, .500S&W or what have you, that's fine, enjoy it. They just aren't for me.
Oh, yes, I almost forgot my other "big bore", the .45-70, in a 14" Contender. That is a handful with some loads, too!