That’s an extraordinary claim there, that .44 magnum is the most versatile cartrige known to man. You must have plenty of facts to back that up. Please share!
Here are some facts that make me doubt your claim is accurate:
1. .22 lr rimfire is the most inexpensive factory cartridge of any, based on internet search and visits to any store that sells ammo. It is widely claimed on the internet that the world record grizzly bear for 1953 was taken with .22 rimfire by Bella Twin. Ammoland.com has an extensive write up. From personal experience, I can testify that .22 LR is far more suitable for shooting squirrels which puts food on the table. From squirrel to grizzly bear, .22 has done it in real life at a significant reduction in cost compared to .44 magnum.
2. Far more people carry .22 rimfire as ammunition for self defense than .44 magnum and .44 special combined, based on my observation over years of thefiringline.com. Popularity is not evidence of scientific fact, but a claim that a position that is widely held around the world is incorrect should have significant evidence to substantiate it.
3. I can find no reference to .44 magnum being selected by any country as a military round. Given the substantial resources allocated to military arms, claiming .44 magnum is superior requires substantial evidence.
4. I am not going to look at the video, as I feel the original post is click bait and will not respond to that.
- .22 lr is a worthy contender for most versatile, as stated above.
- .454 Casul can be loaded just as mild as .44 but can be loaded significantly hotter- thus it’s an example of a cartridge with more range. It has carbine chambered for it just as .44 magnum does. (Mine made me see stars and smell blood for firing full house loads in it due to recoil, but it held together). Bullets fit common sabots for .50 cal muzzle loaders. Casul or Colt are arguably as versatile or more, they are just less popular in availability. .45 Colt has been used in US Military arms in the past.
-.32 cal (.327 Magnum, 32 H&R, 32 Long, etc.) used to be very popular and has a following again after the introduction of .327 Federal Magnum. Henry offers a carbine. From little squirrel to white tail deer, .32 will do it.
-.357 is extremely versatile and we hold that truth to be self evident.
Don’t get me wrong, my .44 Magnum is nicer than yours. When my father gifted me his Bowen customized Blackhawk, I let all my .45 Colt stuff go, and my FA Casull too. It’s covered.
Honestly, having acquired a beautiful factory plain Single Six in .32 H&R... and as I passed 60 I am no longer seeking the handgun hunting challenges for deer hunting.. I prefer that .32. Sometimes they come out of the factory so good they only need minor mods to make em perfect.
As an old man, ain’t nothing more versatile than my .30-06 Mauser action bolt rifle unless it’s my 12 ga. Pump shotgun. (Ithaca model 37.) Both used extensively for military applications.
Let’s go pheasant hunting and see what the .44 man is having for dinner! If you can only have one, hard to beat a 12 ga. Birds to bears, solid choice.
Many people have their favorites. There is enough disagreement in the world for me, I chose to focus on my friends that can hold differing opinions yet still be reasonable and straight forward and don’t try to manipulate me for their own advantage.
