Perspective...

[MarkT]

Stunned at the MASSIVE size of the S&W .500 magnum, thought I'd line up mostly wheelguns out of the safe for perspective. From smallest to biggest (overall size): Freedom Arms .22LR; American Derringer Corp .45LC/.410 shotgun; Smith & Wesson model 60 .357magnum; Charter Arms Bulldog Pug .44special; Colt Python .357magnum; Ruger Super Blackhawk .44magnum, and the World's Most Powerful Production Handgun the Smith & Wesson .500magnum. Makes about 2800ft/lbs muzzle energy compared to the .44magnums 1100.  700 lbs more than my .45-70 Henry RIFLE (which has bruising recoil) and same as a 30-06. Figures depend on load, ymmv with different bullet weights and handloads. Interestingly, felt recoil is reportedly less than that of a S&W model 29 - Dirty Harry's hand cannon. The gun weighs 73oz empty - more than some rifles - which tames the recoil along with the muzzle brake. Go watch youtube videos of watermelon / ballistics gel / cinderblock blasting with the 500mag - this one will TRULY "blow your head CLEAN OFF".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdcS5JCqhbc

The rounds are, .22LR, .45LC, .44spec, .357mag, .44mag, & .500mag.

[Jess from VA]

Of course the firearms are more interesting, but I think comparing the cartridges is also instructive.

That big .50 is something; the hand cannon and the cartridge.  I don't want one; .44 mag is as hot a handgun as I ever want.  Though I have wondered about a single shot Thompson Encore in a rifle cartridge just for fun.

My American Derringer is .44 mag.  OK, I didn't go looking for it, but there it was on one of my buddy's gun show tables.  And the price was right.  And it completed the set of cowboy-esque .44s; Marlin 1894, and three screw-Super Blackhawk with tie down holster, and a derringer for my vest pocket.  

It is not fun to shoot the derringer with 240grFMJ.  If you don't hold it real hard, it will leave your hand when fired.  It's not bad with 180grJHP .44 Spls.  And I have a pile of hand rolled #12 bird shot rounds which are practically recoil free.  I patterned the bird shot rounds, and at about 20 feet, I'll hit you in the face and the shoes in the same shot.  At any distance, it's not a man stopper, but it will make you say oweee. LOL  



I decided sometime back, I would not add any new calibers to my collection.  So I often think backwards these days and look at new firearms that shoot calibers I already have, like a Thompson Encore Pro Hunter in .223.  There will always be more 223/5.56 at my house than any other.  But the dang thing is spendy.



  

[0leman]

I bought a Thompson Contender many years ago.  Have the 30-30, 357 barrels.  Hand load both cartridges.  I do have a rather small (For WY) antelope buck (14") on the list of critters shot with it. 

Found the original hand grips were not conferrable, so went with Pachmayr grips.   

[Fazer]

Christ on a Crutch, that's a big gun!  One of my customers brought the same .500 mag into the shop a year or so ago.  What a monster. 

An for that .44 mag derringer--I believe you when you say it's not fun to shoot.  I have a Ruger LCP .380 that has only seen 50 rounds thru it for the same reason--punishing (maybe to my girlie hands) to shoot.