Your cartridge list........

L Kilkenny, I certainly didn't mean to diminish the .38--shoot more of that than anything else for reasons stated. The .38 will always be around, and justifiably so.
 
Owned 22lr,22mag,32 hr mag,38 sp ,38 sw, 357 mag,357 max,41mag,44mag.
TODAY 22lr ,38 sp ,357mag .
Now life is simple .
 
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For revolvers I use the following calibers:

.22 LR/.22 Magnum
.38 Special/.357 Magnum
.44 Special/.44 Magnum
 
My revolvers:

.22LR
.38 special
.357 magnum
.44 magnum
.45 ACP

I'd like to add .44 special to this list if I can trade the gun I have listed in the Handguns section.
 
I only shoot 4 rounds Total. (my wife has a few others but these are mine and what I get ammo for)

1. 22lr: Cheep plinker and good for small game.
2. 357 Magnum: good for self defense and able to take up to deer especially with a carbine.
3. 45-70Govt: yes I have it in a revolver and in two rifles. Power wise the hot loads are between a 454 Casul and 460 Magnum. It can shoot bullets from 250 grain to 550 grain.

4. 12ga: yeah I wish I could find one in a revolver :D
 
What I currently own: .38spl, .357mag, .45LC. I used to own a .41mag, got rid of it (even though I loved the caliber) due to the limits on commercially available ammo and reloading components, yet I find myself drawn to it and will likely own another soon.

As for which revolver calibers are "relevant", I'd say all of them. Some of the less used older historic calibers have historical significance. All of the common calibers have their own unique strengths and limitations, and each of us may make different choices when weighing these strengths and weaknesses.

I do want to note a few in particular:

-.22LR. I don't like .22lr in handguns, I've found the pistol I had boring. However, I do want a SA revolver in .22lr, and it is good for cheap practice.

-.22mag. For those who are recoil sensitive, 8 .22mag rounds in a revolver can make a good self defense choice.

-.327mag. It is on my radar as a great J-frame snub chambering. Power levels close to some of the lower level .357mag offerings, and superior to pretty much any .38+P, with lower recoil levels than .357mag. The ability to download to .32H&R Mag for acceptable power levels (comparable to .38spl) with low recoil. The ability to carry one more round in the small snubs than .38spl. I definitely see one in my future.

-38spl and .357mag. Not much to say, there is a reason it is sold as much as it is.

-.45LC. My favorite big bore. It can be a pussycat with cowboy action loads (in a big N-frame it can recoil lighter than a K-frame .38spl), and in a modern revolver you can have some powerful rounds that rival .44mag in power levels.

.45ACP. The .45ACP entered development in 1904, with the design finalized to what we know now around 1908 or 1909. As we all know, the pistol that defined the cartridge was the 1911, which came out in, well, 1911. By 1917 .45ACP was also chambered in revolvers. Thus, for almost the entire history of this cartridge, it has also been a revolver cartridge. While I personally choose the .45LC (and I may buy a .44spl and another .41mag) for my big bore revolver needs, the .45ACP is indeed a classic revolver chambering.
 
When it comes to revolvers I have simplified things over the years. Probably another sign of getting old - LOL.

My most shot revolver these days is one of several L-frames loaded with the old 38/44 high performance version of the 38 Special cartridge - a hand loaded 158g bullet at a chronographed 1150 fps from a 4" barrel.

My next most shot cartridge is the 45 ACP. It fits a 1917, a Model of 1955, a M25-2 custom and a 625.

Finally there's the 44 Special. It does about everything the 45 ACP will do except reload as quickly and smoothly.

Been looking for a 22LR and or 22 WMR revolver for some time. If I ever find either or both that I can afford those rim fires will be added to the list.

Dave
 
Nothing more than .38 Spl at present...

But my revovler wish list...

Well,

.38/44 Heavy Duty
.41 Magnum
.44 Special
.45 Colt
.44-40
 
My revolver cartridge list is pretty short:

22LR
38 Special
44 Special
44 Magnum
45 Colt
45ACP/45 Auto Rim

Unlike others, I didn't include the 357 Magnum. I generally find that the muzzle blast, recoil, and muzzle flash are excessive for what you get. If I need more power I go with the bigger bores that start with a '4'. I do like the 38 Special and find it to be a good general field round for a lot of purposes. Muzzle blast isn't too bad with this lower pressure cartridge.

I own revolvers in other chamberings - 22 Mag, 357 Mag, 41 Mag, 454 Casull, 500 S&W, etc - - - but those above are the ones on my own personal list that I like most.
 
Although I have owned most of those named at one point or another, these days I am down to:

--.22LR
--.357 Mag
--.41 Mag
--.45LC

I recently bought another .38 Spl after several years without one. Not sure why--honestly, since I handload, it is just as easy to download .357 cartridges to .38 Spl levels (and one fewer size of brass to maintain).

Following the same logic, I can (theoretically) load .41 Mag or .45LC loads from mouse-fart to Thermonuclear. I have neither the need nor the youthful exuberance to press the far end of that range.

I have been trying to decide on just one of the ".4"s for the last year or so. For now, I'll hang onto both... but one day it may be just .22LR and .45LC.
 
I'll take one of each please. :D

When it comes down to actually spending money, I'm fairly pragmatic. Guns or calibers I don't have a use or desire for are left behind. My list would be:
  • .22LR - Small, cheap, "quiet", lightweight and enough energy for small game and serious practice. Best uses: small game, pest control, marksmanship practice. Favorite: 4-Inch Stainless J-frame Kit Gun
    M63S_R1291.jpg
  • .327 Federal Magnum - I have a pair of .32 Longs and a .32 H&R. All are enjoyable little guns. The .327 fills a void between .22 and .38/.357 well. The 100 gr pill at 1400 fps delivers more gee-whiz than the .38 special while keeping recoil manageable. Too soon yet to know if it's defensive credentials are up ts snuff but they look good on paper. Between the .32 H&R and .327 FM, you can replace the .38 special with a more economical cartridge. The .32 Long's role is less certain. It's accurate but the low power regulates it to paper-punching and small game. Pick: 4-inch Stainless Ruger SP-101
  • .357 Magnum - Simply still the best all-around revolver cartridge and a must have. Handloading gives you .38 special powers up to bear stomping loads. My pick: S&W Model 19 6-inch pinned barrel
  • .41 Remington Magnum - This may seem odd or controversial and I thought about it a while. The "middle magnum" is potent and boringly accurate. It often penetrates better than the .44 and recoils a tad less. With lower power loads and LSWC it's comfortable to shoot. It's as much as you need in a serious handgun without going overboard. Out in the woods the .41 will do fine against most North American critters. Plus it fills the gap between the .357 and my next choice. The fact that I own five revolvers plus a rifle might have influenced this decision - slightly. Pick: S&W Model 57 6-inch
    M57L_1086M.jpg
  • .460 Smith & Wesson - If the .45 Colt is a good cartridge, why not stuff it full of powder and make it better? Heck, let's make it even longer to get even more juice out of it. A gun using this can chamber the whole range of .45 caliber rounds from the Schofield up to the .454 Casull and .460S&W. This is the reason for the .41 Mag. choice too. There are few critters the .41 won't take down with six shots and if you're around one, the .41 will teach you discipline. However, when you really need a one-handed bazooka, the .460 will do the job. Use the .454 Casull for Moose, Elk and other large animals. Use the .460 against large predators like Grizzly or Polar bear. Pick S&W .460 Magnum 7-inch w/compensator
 
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