Man! That wakes you up to the core

[Chrisj CMA]

Just got back from the hunting property.  Went out to shoot mainly the concealed carry guns.  Shot 50 or so .357 mostly double action.  Then 20 or 30 38+P out of the little J frame.  But then I couldn't help myself, I had to plink off half a box of hand cannon rounds. That S&W 500 Magnum is SOOO much fun and definitely an adrenaline boost, it made my day!

[MAD6Gun]

 Glad you got out for some "group" therapy.  Take it easy Jeff.....

[Psychotic Bovine]

awwww, .50 caliber, how cute....



just kidding!

[Chrisj CMA]

awwww, .50 caliber, how cute....



just kidding!

Lol

[Psychotic Bovine]

awwww, .50 caliber, how cute....



just kidding!

Lol

It's .58 caliber.  But, only makes about as much power as a heavy .45 acp.
But I got to give you some crap for saying my .45-70 bfr was a smallbore!

[Chrisj CMA]

awwww, .50 caliber, how cute....



just kidding!

Lol

It's .58 caliber.  But, only makes about as much power as a heavy .45 acp.
But I got to give you some crap for saying my .45-70 bfr was a smallbore!

Ya, sorry...I love telling anyone talking about ANY round that starts with a 4 that its a small caliber round even though I know your .45-70 is an awesome round.

This T-Rex round will sting pretty good too.

[Psychotic Bovine]

I would love to fire a .950 JDJ once.

[MAD6Gun]

 I fired a 500 Smith years ago. Belonged to a guy I shot 22 match with. Damn that thing kicked. Impressive recoil. But I will keep my 44s for now.

[Jess from VA]

I would love to fire a .950 JDJ once.

Holy crap.  (Only off a tripod mount)

[Chrisj CMA]

I would love to fire a .950 JDJ once.

Holy crap.  (Only off a tripod mount)

That ain't no revolver round!

[MarkT]

The 500 Smith is so cool, just wish I had an excuse to carry it once in a while.  LOVE the Galco Kodiak Hunter chest holster!  Took it with me deer hunting with the gang in KS last season - just for fun.  Caused quite a stir in the meat processing barn!  Hafta take it with when I go to the range - always draws a crowd!  Might hafta charge admission to shoot it since ammo is about $2.50 a pop.  Though I got in on that good buy recently at outdoorlimited.com, 50 rounds for about $60.  Thanks Jess.   Sure like to put a good reflex sight on it - but that will compromise the lines, never mind can't fit it into the holster then.

[Jess from VA]

That ain't no revolver round!

Ya think?  


950JDJ is a cut off, necked down 20mm case.  Fires a 3600 grain projectile at 2200 fps.  This yields a muzzle energy of 38,685 ft·lbs.  In a 110 lb (50 kg) rifle, this will develop well over 200 ft·lbs of free recoil energy, if an efficient muzzle brake is not used.

The rifle that shoots it was given a sporting exemption from cannons with BATF.  

The projectile.  This one was a ricochet off a guy's ankle.  He was injured.  (DOH)


I think it's more of a cannon than a rifle, no matter what they call it. (but it's nice it was exempted)

I guess for deer hunting, the idea is to shoot them in the ass, through and through out the front, and then all the gutting work is already done for you.  

Here is your standard 20mm rifle.


I think I'd prefer the 20mm.  Even with the paperwork, ammo would be easier to find.

Back to reality, I just got back from picking up my maybe shot 40 times CZ 455 Varmint heavy bbl in .22, and I couldn't be more pleased.  





It came with this reasonable priced BSA 6-18 X 40 Sweet 22 on it with great mount rail and rings.  And is super clear.    (The squirrels now have no chance at all)





He had also replaced the (only) plastic trigger guard and mag well with metal replacements.  And the whole deal was $475.   

[Psychotic Bovine]

the .950 JDJ makes 38,000 lb ft of energy at the muzzle.  The .50 bmg makes around 15,000 if I recall correctly.  The .460 Weatherby Magnum is around 8,000.  The .500 smith around 3,100 give or take.  .44 mag 1,100 to 1,200.  The extremely deadly 5.56 nato is around 900.
I think the 30mm cannon used in the A-10 and Apache aircraft makes 148,999 lb ft of muzzle energy.
Numbers make my head hurt.

[Chrisj CMA]

the .950 JDJ makes 38,000 lb ft of energy at the muzzle.  The .50 bmg makes around 15,000 if I recall correctly.  The .460 Weatherby Magnum is around 8,000.  The .500 smith around 3,100 give or take.  .44 mag 1,100 to 1,200.  The extremely deadly 5.56 nato is around 900.
I think the 30mm cannon used in the A-10 and Apache aircraft makes 148,999 lb ft of muzzle energy.
Numbers make my head hurt.

Don’t know about all that. All I know is that if I have my grip right the recoil is painless. It also wakes up nerve endings you don’t know you have.

Seriously though,  the .500 magnum is such a well made revolver. It is as accurate as my 686 .357 and I call that my tack driver.  There just is not a more exciting revolver to shoot IMHO

[MAD6Gun]

The 500 Smith is so cool, just wish I had an excuse to carry it once in a while.  LOVE the Galco Kodiak Hunter chest holster!  Took it with me deer hunting with the gang in KS last season - just for fun.  Caused quite a stir in the meat processing barn!  Hafta take it with when I go to the range - always draws a crowd!  Might hafta charge admission to shoot it since ammo is about $2.50 a pop.  Though I got in on that good buy recently at outdoorlimited.com, 50 rounds for about $60.  Thanks Jess.   Sure like to put a good reflex sight on it - but that will compromise the lines, never mind can't fit it into the holster then.

 Hey Mark. What caliber is the Derringer in your pic?

[MarkT]

I have Derringers in .357mag and 45LC/.410.  Pretty sure this is the latter as the cartridges in the pic include a 45LC.  Both of them are unpleasant to shoot from recoil - use a glove and better have muffs on.

I'm pretty pleased with the value of my latest gun safe resident.  Weatherby Vanguard in 300 win mag, 24" barrel.  That's a VX-3I Leupold in 3.5-10X50.  I fully floated the barrel and added a Timney adjustable trigger set at 3#.  Haven't been to the range yet but I'm expecting it to be a tack-driver.  Weatherby guarantees it to be 1.5 MOA or better - 3 shots with cold barrel - and I expect with the mods it will be under 1 MOA. The barrel and action is made by Howa; improved Mauser 98 based on the Howa 1500 action; this model has the 2 locking lugs raher than the Mark V's 9.  Still has the multiple rings of steel and gas vents in case of blown primers from too-hot reloads.  Has a heavy-duty forged bolt.  The scope alone retails for what I paid for it - lightly used ("20 rnds approx" and it looks it); via armslist.com.  Bought from a Monument LEO; was his father's who passed.  Never thought I'd have a Weatherby - the Vanguard line is a great value, per all the reviews.

The 300 win mag reportedly is 300fps faster and 20% more energy than .30-06, in same wts, comparing same factory brands/bullets.  YMMV.  It was the preferred sniper round of Chris Kyle up to 1,000 yds - when the .338 Lapua magnum took over.  300 win mag is reportedly the most popular magnum big-game cartridge in North America.  Easy to find the cartridge in your small town hardware store.  Will take any game including dangerous on the continent.  Of course, correct load and bullet placement assumed.  I bought 200 rds of Winchester Super-X Power-Point in 180gr to start with.  Of course I will be reloading when I get the dies, esp if I'm not happy with factory rounds.  This rifle is not really suitable for competition - barrel is too light.  Though my gun club does have long-range matches, soon to include 1,000 yd.  My AR-10 is set up for that - though a bolt action might be more optimal.

[MAD6Gun]

 Mark,it looked like a big one. I have a Derringer in 44mag. The recoil to say the least is excessive. I fired it ONE time with a blazer 44 mag round. My hand hurt for three days. Now I load 44 special loads in magnum cases. The load I made up for my 44mag Desert Eagle would probably break your hand if fired from the Derringer....

[Jess from VA]

I also have the .44 Mag American Derringer (from Waco).  Full 240gr JHPs just hurt.  And if you're not holding on tight, the little bastard can depart your hand.

I loaded a bunch of .44mag with less powder and hard cast 180 gr flat nose semiwadcutters (for target shooting big revolvers), and they are much more user friendly in the derringer, but then I just bought a 25 count box of defensive 180gr JHP in .44 special, and they are no (or only mildly) worse than my target .44 mag handloads.  

The few times I carried it in my pocket, I loaded a #12 shotshell handload to fire first (which has almost no recoil to speak of), and a big .44mag 240gr JHP to fire 2d.  It's kind of a lousy carry piece, but it fits in your front jeans pocket just fine.  At like 20 feet the shotshell will hit the perp in the face and his knees at the same time (so no taking that shot if there are any innocents anywhere near your line of fire, or even on that side of the building  lol).

The funny thing is that it's like 3ozs heavier (empty) than my airweight J frame .38 five shooter.


Way better than throwing a rock.  

[MarkT]

I bought them because I thought they would be useful very discrete last-resort carries.  Historical, a nod to maybe Doc Holliday.   But it turns out other small carries are better IMHO.  These are strictly belly guns with little accuracy and only a couple rounds though they make HUGE noise and no doubt deadly if you don't miss.  I can't think of a scenario where I would want one of these rather than other carries.  My J-frames are not much bigger, weigh similar, are much more accurate and have 5 shots.  Or the Walther PPK - 7 shots though .380 is marginal power; also much more accurate and a smaller profile in the pocket.

[Chrisj CMA]

Ok finally got time on the computer.  These are the guns we took out yesterday  The J frames are the ones one needs to keep current on.  Couldn't (barely) hit the target with the first 5 rounds.  Then I got the feel back and was dead on from there on out.  Got to do it!  What was really cool was this was the first time shooting with the extendable stock on the 642.  I really like it 

[Jess from VA]

I bought them because I thought they would be useful very discrete last-resort carries.  Historical, a nod to maybe Doc Holliday.

Mine was a simple impulse buy at a gun show.  And one of those deals where you just bought a minty hand tuned Redhawk .44 with custom mounted 2X Leupold on it for decent money, and then you look down at his table and say..... OK, now how much more for the same caliber Derringer?.  And he gives you a steal of a price.  And you walk away all smiles and tingles.  

I love gun shows.  The key is to only leave the house with the cash you are hoping not to exceed parting with (sort of like a fun governor).    

[Jess from VA]

Ok finally got time on the computer.  These are the guns we took out yesterday  The J frames are the ones one needs to keep current on.  Couldn't barely hit the target with the first 5 rounds.  Then I got the feel back and was dead on from there on out.  Got to do it!

Hey Jeff, I'm having trouble distinguishing the two 4" full lugged revolvers in the picture. One is a newer key lock on top and an older one on the bottom. Both L frame 686 .357s?

 

[Chrisj CMA]

Ok finally got time on the computer.  These are the guns we took out yesterday  The J frames are the ones one needs to keep current on.  Couldn't barely hit the target with the first 5 rounds.  Then I got the feel back and was dead on from there on out.  Got to do it!

Hey Jeff, I'm having trouble distinguishing the two 4" full lugged revolvers in the picture. One is a newer key lock on top and an older one on the bottom. Both L frame 686 .357s?

 

Jess I figured someone would ask.  The top (of those two) is my S&W 686, yes with the dreaded lock.  The one under is my wifes ROSSI .357 which as best as I can tell is a direct copy of an early Smith 686

[Psychotic Bovine]

I bought them because I thought they would be useful very discrete last-resort carries.  Historical, a nod to maybe Doc Holliday.

Mine was a simple impulse buy at a gun show.  And one of those deals where you just bought a minty hand tuned Redhawk .44 with custom mounted 2X Leupold on it for decent money, and then you look down at his table and say..... OK, now how much more for the same caliber Derringer?.  And he gives you a steal of a price.  And you walk away all smiles and tingles.  

I love gun shows.  The key is to only leave the house with the cash you are hoping not to exceed parting with (sort of like a fun governor).    

My ultra discrete carry (when you want to carry, but nothing in the safe is small enough) is my NAA mini revolver in .22 lr.  I mainly bought it because it's simply a little jewel.  The funny thing is, priced per ounce, it's the most expensive firearm I own.

[Jess from VA]

Jess I figured someone would ask.  The top (of those two) is my S&W 686, yes with the dreaded lock.  The one under is my wifes ROSSI .357 which as best as I can tell is a direct copy of an early Smith 686

Ok, it had me really stumped.  Thanks.

Yes I have a couple key lock Smiths I wish didn't have them (both, newer models I wanted that were never made without them in the past).  I thought about buying the little plug/delete parts you can buy (and remove the lock inside), but never went to the trouble.  They shoot fine, but when I think about them, I always worry that some day they might not shoot at all.  It has happened, but not often.

https://www.originalprecision.com/

https://www.tkcustom.com/products/s-w-lock-system-replacement-plug

[MAD6Gun]

I also have the .44 Mag American Derringer (from Waco).  Full 240gr JHPs just hurt.  And if you're not holding on tight, the little bastard can depart your hand.

I loaded a bunch of .44mag with less powder and hard cast 180 gr flat nose semiwadcutters (for target shooting big revolvers), and they are much more user friendly in the derringer, but then I just bought a 25 count box of defensive 180gr JHP in .44 special, and they are no (or only mildly) worse than my target .44 mag handloads.  

The few times I carried it in my pocket, I loaded a #12 shotshell handload to fire first (which has almost no recoil to speak of), and a big .44mag 240gr JHP to fire 2d.  It's kind of a lousy carry piece, but it fits in your front jeans pocket just fine.  At like 20 feet the shotshell will hit the perp in the face and his knees at the same time (so no taking that shot if there are any innocents anywhere near your line of fire, or even on that side of the building  lol).

The funny thing is that it's like 3ozs heavier (empty) than my airweight J frame .38 five shooter.


Way better than throwing a rock.  

 Yep mine looks like that too. Also made in Waco. Like Mark said not very accurate. I think you would be hard pressed to hit someone in a elevator if you were standing in it with them,lol... It is the only gun I have that my dad has informed he will never shoot.

[Jess from VA]

Oh I could hit with it in an elevator, probably even 15-25 feet if taking care (though the trigger is terrible), but much beyond that, you mostly scare people with the noise (and destroy your own ears).  I did a little practicing with it years ago when I got it, it grouped right up around 4 feet.   

I know one thing, if someone pointed it at me, I'd stop being bad.  There's always the chance they might hit me with it.