are we traditional? is it cheating?

[corbanzo]

Looking around at some of the new custom handgun cartridges, I started to notice a trend - necks.  Is it right to neck down a revolver cartridge?  Or does that turn it into a rifle cartridge?  I'm fairly traditional when it comes to my revolvers, and I like straight cases.  Guys like Gary Reeder are getting some impressive velocities out of revolvers with their cartridges..  but for some reason it just doesn't feel quite right to have curve in my revolver.

I've always felt that the one thing which set handguns and handgunners apart were straight walled cases, especially in regard to revolvers.  There are some older cartridges like the 9mm for semi autos with diminishing walls, but not for wheelguns. 

I'm saying that if you want velocity in a necked case, go for a rifle, impress me that way, with HUGE velocity. 

Otherwise give me a big open mouth on a cartridge, so we can stick a huge chunk of lead in there, and send 'er down range as fast as the mass of powder right behind it.

[Cottonwood]

  The first cartridge I ever found like that for a handgun was the wildcat .357/44 mag.  The cartridge was necked down to fit the .358 dia bullet, then a nylon sleave placed over the necked case.  The first firearm used in this testing was a S&W Model 28 with a Mod 29 cylinder.

[Coppertop]

Cobanzo,

I think you are pretty much right on, but this goes back to a bit bigger question. Why do we make all the calibers that are avaiiable? We have a large choice of calibers and there are still new ones coming out and some people are working wildcats. It just becomes a matter of choice and of what you are looking for.  just like the age old debate between .270 and the 30-06. Then there is the "new toy" excitement to go with it.  Just my thoughts.

[jpsmith1]

Bottleneck cartridges, heck, even a belted magnum now from freedom arms.  What difference does it make?  It's about having the skill to place the bullet correctly using a handgun. 

From a traditional perspective, I have more of a problem with scopes and hand-cannon type of pistols than with the new innovations in cartridges.

Personally, I agree with you that a revolver cartridge should be a straight walled, big mouth cartridge launching a heavy bullet at a moderate velocity.  Others do not.  I like the a .45 Colt and other prefer a .44 Mag.  Redheads or Blondes?  Republican of Democrat?  We can argue about it forever and it makes for interesting debate, but the bottom line is having the skill to use the firearm more than the type of case that contains the powder.

Just my thoughts.

[Prof. Fuller Bullspit]

Remember the .44-40 and the .38-40, both bottlenecked. While both were originally rifle rounds, both were quite popular handgun chamberings in their day.

Personally, aside from those two, I also don't have much use for a handgun round with a neck.

[Castaway]

Don't forget the 30 Luger and slightly older .30 Borchardt, both of which were bottle necked

[Questor]

There have been a number of bottleneck wildcats based on 38 special and 357 magnum cases. The objective was to send a lighter bullet at a higher velocity. I can't think of any of these that have survived.

[S.B.]

The Montanan , the 29s cylinder is straight bore for a .429 bullet? How would it shoot a .358 bullet with any accuracy? Or did you mean that a model 28 cylinder and barrel were used on a model 29 frame?

[armory414]

The Contender has been around for nearly 40 years, and bottleneck cartridges have been chambered in that gun almost since it's start.  While I know it is an unconventional/untraditional gun, it is well established.  What about the cartridges that have come and gone, like the .22 Jet?

What about all the new straight wall pistol cartridges--.500 S&W, .480 Ruger, etc.  If it boosts interests in hunting and shooting, and if it gives me other options and even improves performance, I'm for it.

Besides, what's up with all these brass cartridge breech loading guns being used these days?  If you want traditional try a flintlock front stuffer.

It's all a matter of reference.