Author Topic: what did you shoot before the really big bores (Read 1714 times)

kennisondan · « **on:** November 06, 2007, 04:57:14 PM »

I was just wondering what other folks shot before going to the bigger bores... I had a progression : 22 ruger auto , 357 trooper, 357 Blackhawk, 44 SBH( for years and years ) then a SW 29 and back to the SBH .. along the way long ago : added a 35 remington contender; then got into the 45 colt thing, then the 475Linebaugh in short order; I got into the encores really closely after that .. 308, 358, 460 and am waiting to get on the line with them at this instant... it started over a long time and then took a while to get through the 44, cause there was no real need for the other guns, but I could finally afford them and wanted to own them for a long time... I spent more time with the 44 than all the rest...and cannot give it up; ever..
and one day I will have a 500Linebaugh by Linebaugh before he is done with...

what was your progression
what is your longest relationship with any one of them..
what is the one if any that you will always keep dearest...
what is the ultimate one that you either have or must have.
thanks
dk

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2007, 05:22:23 PM »

I started with a 22 and still shoot them. I had 25,.38 357, 41 Mag, 44 Mags, 45 LC and shot them for a long time, I have taken many deer with a 44 & 41 Mags and 357 Mag. I have shot many T/C contender rounds and many different calibers in an Encore pistol.
I now only shoot my .22 and my 45 Colt, 454 Casull, 460 and 500 Mags.

The guns that are near and dear to me are my 460 and 500 Mags. The gun I have been wanting for a long time was the BFR in 45-70 and I just got that one also.

Mikey · « **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2007, 12:27:57 AM »

I started with 9mms - wartime mil-surps, then went to 38 Supers, 38 Spls, 357s and 45 acps. Then got into 44 magnums and some of the smaller european cartridges.

The relationship isn't over yet.................and the one closest to me most of the time is my old 45. I doubt I will ever turn that one over but if there is a 'must have' then I already have that in my 357. JMTCW. Mikey.

Savage · « **Reply #3 on:** November 07, 2007, 02:40:43 AM »

First handgun round I fired was a 32-20. Couldn't shoot it much due to the cost and availability of ammo. The next was an old H&R solid frame 22 revolver. Shot the crap out of that for about 5ys before obtaining a Hi Standard Sentinel, and later a Double Nine. Also shot my dad's and uncles 1911 A-1s they brought back from the Army, along with a war prize Luger from time to time. Shot those right up until I went in the military. Of course the .45s durring my tours of duty. When I returned stateside I bought a S$W mdl 1917 and a S&W mdl 10 that were my primarys for a few years. Then moved on to the .357 and .44mags, along with too many pistols to count in most calibers. That's kinda where I am now, own handguns in most available calibers up to and including the .45 Colt. Reload for them all, and shoot mostly 9mm/.40/.45acp. Haven't owned any of the really big bores yet----------don't see any in my immediate future.
Savage

moxgrove · « **Reply #4 on:** November 07, 2007, 03:13:04 AM »

I started out with a 22 then 38 super then 44 mag. Now I shoot mostly 45acp, colt 41 mag and 454. I am pinching my pennies for a competitor single sho, caliber to be determined. I guarantee it will not be 458 Lott though.

jimster · « **Reply #5 on:** November 07, 2007, 06:09:53 AM »

First revolver I bought for myself at age 21 was a Ruger single six. After a a few bricks it was Ruger blackhawk 45 Colt, then, blackhawk 41 Mag, 44 Mag, 32 Mag, S&W model 25 45 Colt, then a Contender in 30-30. Then I turned 22....hehe

Bullseye · « **Reply #6 on:** November 08, 2007, 06:54:57 AM »

My first handgun was a Contender in 35 Remington. Guess I started out fairly big. Have since covered the range from 17HM2 to 45 -70 in the Contender and 22, 357, 41 & 44 in revolvers.

JOE MACK · « **Reply #7 on:** November 09, 2007, 04:54:53 PM »

Still shoot the .22LRs. Have had .357s and a couple .44s way back. Got into the .41Magnum back in the '60s and that's what I shoot 99.99% of the time. Take a .475 or .500Linebaugh revolver for really big things and those with sharp teeth and claws.

JOE

Heavy C · « **Reply #8 on:** November 10, 2007, 09:38:30 AM »

I started out with the 22 (used to compete silhouette shooting) then moved on to the 38, 357, 45 ACP, 44 mag. Now I have a Contender in 7-30 Waters and an Encore in 308. After it's all said and done I love my 45's whether a 1911 or revolver. I've considered adding a couple of others to the collection. Perhaps a 32, 38 Super, and a 454. Those just seem to be some gaps I feel inclined to plug.

canon6 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 10, 2007, 11:56:00 AM »

My first handgun was a Colt 1911, from there I have has almost every caliber you can imagine.I have no inclination for the 460, 454,or 500.I carry a rifle for that kind of power.Doug

corbanzo · « **Reply #10 on:** November 10, 2007, 03:09:41 PM »

The first hangun I ever shot was a .44 magnum. Moved up to the .454 casull later. The first pistol I owned was a .22, but that wasn't until college. The first rifle I shot, and also the first I owned was a .22. But for handguns... started big.. and just kept going bigger. The only reason we used hanguns growing up was for bear protection. We used rifles and shotguns for all of our hunting and plinking.

Old Griz · « **Reply #11 on:** November 13, 2007, 04:56:52 PM »

.22 > .357 > .45 ACP > .44 > .41 > .45 Colt. Don't have or need anything bigger around here.

warrior1 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 23, 2007, 10:24:16 AM »

usually start 357,44special,45 colt 44 mag, armwrestle my mother-in-law to get in the mindset to shoot 454.
some days for exercise i chase brass after shooting my bottomfeeders.

Graybeard · « **Reply #13 on:** November 23, 2007, 11:56:28 AM »

The same thing I own now some rimfires, .38 Specials, .357 Magnums, .44 Magnum and .45 Colt. The super magnums and really huge bores have had no impact on me and I don't see they ever will. In my life they simply don't exist.

slabsides · « **Reply #14 on:** December 13, 2007, 03:49:51 AM »

First gun I ever bought myself, the day I was 18, was a Ruger Standard Auto. After that, owned an heirloom Colt .38 PP;
acquired a Browning HP, a .38 Super Colt, war trophy 9mm's by Walther and Mauser, a slew of
.32 pocket and .38 police surplus guns to play with; and then a bunch of .22's and a .45 National Match when I got into
serious bullseye shooting. Then several bigger guns...Ruger and S&W .44, .45, .357, and T/C .357, 7mm T/CU
and .35 Remington when I took up silhouette. Hunted with the .357, .44 and .35 Rem a bit, and I still
use a couple of carry pistols in 9mm/.38, but most of the target stuff is history. I've never gotten past the .44 Mag:
don't see a need for it. Anything a .44 won't handle, I've got shotguns and rifles for. I handloaded for all
of my handguns (and rifles.) Doubt if I've fired more than a few hundred factory centerfires in the last 40 years.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #15 on:** December 13, 2007, 04:19:57 AM »

In high school I was on the Valley Forge Military Academy Pistol team and Dad surprised me with a Browning Buck mark.
I still own it and shoot it. So 1985 wow! 22 years. I have replaced the rear sights over the years as the originals looked like the ones off of my BB gun. It now wears a red dot and is used for bullseye.
In College I obtained a S&W M29 in 6" and a few years later bought one of the wonder 9's in the form of a Sig P226.
When I was looking for the 9 a counter guy said with the .22 and the 44 you don't need anything else. .22 for small game, targets, and plinking. The .44 for hunting and with specials it is the perfect defense gun.
Since then I have had all kinds of handguns from the tiny to the XL target, competition, action pistol, hunting, and military collectible.
I carried a P230 (.380)when I lived in VA and biked from one side of town to the other. They did not have the compact service caliber guns then as it was the start of the "Shall Carry" movement.
I still have not owned a 1911 though. Oh well it's hard to beat my Sig P220 Sport for target. But the Kimbers look pretty good. Maybe a Royal II for Christmas next year.
Nor Have I owned something bigger then the .45 colt or more powerful than the .44mag
A month a go I purchased a Used Contender in .223 and am looking for a 14" .30-30 barrel and a 10" 44mag at good prices.
I just picked up a P229 in 9mm Monday for the club mixed shoot. It's a combination of Steel, IDPA, three gun, and cowboy action. OK I just wanted something new and it was a good price. Thank you Santa.

dlkiller · « **Reply #16 on:** December 15, 2007, 01:16:29 PM »

I started with a .22, then bought a .44 mag SRH. I haven't gotten any other handgun calibers, but I have 2 .22s and 2 .44s now. I can reload .44 mag cheaper than factory 9mm, so a 9 is just big enough to be too small(not legal for deer). I can also reload my .44 beyond my own recoil tolerance, so it would be silly to get something like a 454 or 480, but still.........I WANT ONE!!

Bill T · « **Reply #17 on:** December 17, 2007, 02:45:33 PM »

My first handgun was in 1971 at age 18 purchased from a friend who shot it once. A as new Colt Detective Special. I still have it. My first Magnum was a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 Magnum in 1973, followed by a Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 Magnum in 1974. I've now graduated to the .500 S&W and the .45-70 in Magnum Research BFR's with dozens in between including the .454 Casull in the Super Redhawk. Magnum handguns are just plain FUN! Bill T.

kennisondan · « **Reply #18 on:** December 17, 2007, 03:00:34 PM »

I love the responses.. any one else going to describe the genesis... the journey... the becoming...

??
More.. please.
dk

Laremm · « **Reply #19 on:** December 18, 2007, 02:47:08 AM »

When I was 19 I bought my first hand gun, a TC Contender in .222, lots of recoil.

I had been shooting a 870 since I was 13, dad got me into trap shooting.

I then bought a Dan Wesson 357, Ruger 22, two 1911's, a 40 then the 50Th anniversary of the 44 came. I read too many articles and bought a Dan Wesson in 44. It is my favorite dust collector. I will buy more barrels for it.

I am thinking about a 41 next.

nockhunter · « **Reply #20 on:** December 21, 2007, 04:42:32 PM »

My first hand gun I bought for myself was a S&W 586, my big bores are Ruger super blackhawk 10", S&W 29 4", and my favorite is a Ruger bisley .45 colt.(yes I said .45 colt not long colt or colt long, because there never was such an animal. There was a shorter .45 but it was for a S&W #3 schofield, it was called the .45 S&W) Sorry I had to get that off of my chest, I get that way when I see ..45LC or. .45CL. I feel better now.

Mike

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #21 on:** December 22, 2007, 05:03:53 AM »

I didn't really progress, I kind of jumped around a bit. My first handgun was a s&w 66, then a colt mustang. I kind of got out of shooting for a while then my next gun was a desert eagle in 44 mag. I discovered I really liked the 44.

A few years later they started a handgun season in Illinois and I thought I was all set until I got the regs in the mail, NO SEMI AUTOS. Man was I ticked but I turned it into a positive as it gave me an excuse to buy my first dan wesson. Then a srh in 44 mag. Then after hunting for a while I got back into target shooting to improve myself while hunting and went backwards to a couple of 22s, mostly to give myself a break from the 44 and still stay at the range.

Then I started to collect guns that I have always wanted and enjoy shooting all different kinds of calibers 22, different 9mms, 45, 30 mauser,38 special, 357, of course the 44 mag. Then I ran into a really good deal on a raging bull in 454 I just couldn't pass up. The previous owner shot it and it was too much for him so he held onto it for a while and sold it. Like brand new, 1 box of shells through it for $400. I like to shoot guns that kick back when you fire them and was not disappointed with the raging bull.

I would like to rent a 500 sometime but don't ever see myself buying one. Way overkill, too much money for me.

Recently ,well a couple of years ago, I bought an encore pistol with a 14" 30-30 barrel on it. That was a lot smoother to shoot than I had expected, so now here's another addiction to feed.

kennisondan · « **Reply #22 on:** December 22, 2007, 08:15:24 AM »

thanks ...
MORE PLEASE..
I find this interesting... lots of information here. Lots of experience.
dk

doghawg · « **Reply #23 on:** December 22, 2007, 02:06:37 PM »

I started with a single six about 40 years ago...then a .22 Ruger MK1 target model that I still have and it's still super accurate after THOUSANDS of rounds. After that it was .357's .41's and .44's in both Ruger's and S&W's with the .41's being favored most. A couple of years ago there was a fling with Magnum Research BFR's and the .475 BFR with what amounts to .480 Ruger loads is one of my all time best shooting guns. Most recently I've "discovered" Freedom Arms and am peddling some other stuff to indulge in this latest passion. I like well made toys and while the BFR's put a smile on my face the FA's have me grinning from ear to ear!

After a couple FA's it's tough to get excited about cobby machining and wobbly cylinders with .008" to .010" gaps and mediocre accuracy. SO....when the "evolution" process is done the safe won't be chucked full of guns but the few in there will be sweeties.

buck460XVR · « **Reply #24 on:** January 12, 2008, 06:32:01 AM »

I started out like many in the late 70's with a Ruger SBH in .44 Mag. I wanted a S&W but at the time the Ruger was $40 less and they had one in stock. Dang thing never fit my hand and beat the crap out of me. Since at that time there wasn't much to do with a handgun but target practice(and that wasn't pleasant for me with that particular gun) I traded it in for a SxS grouse gun. 15 years later or so I bought my 686 S&W. The hammering I took with the .44 was the main reason I went with a .357 and a ported barrel. The Smith fit my hand like a glove, was very accurate and was so pleasant to shoot, that my youngest who was only 6 at the time could shoot full house .357 loads without fear. The 686 has served me well and after close to 4000 rounds it is still tight, accurate and problem free. I also have taken several deer with it, none that have gone past the 40 yard mark after being shot. Last year for Christmas my oldest son gave me a S&W Performance Center .460. What a blast............

blackbear · « **Reply #25 on:** January 16, 2008, 05:26:03 AM »

S&W Model 66, .38 wadcutters then .357 Mag. revolver , 9MM S&W 5906 semi-auto , .44 Mag Ruger, .45 Colt Taurus revolver .44 Mag. S&W. My next will hopefully be a BFR in 45-70.

coop2564 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 19, 2008, 01:52:16 PM »

.22 buckmark Its taken squirrels, coons, hogs heck it would take to long to type them all still have it. Also a FIE .22 mag.

rbergum95 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 20, 2008, 05:58:01 AM »

started off with a 6" s&w 686 .357 with full house magnum 158 gr. HP's when i was 6 (dad thought it was funny, i did not), moved to a jp sauer .357 when i was 12, then a single six .22, and after i turned 21 it went to .44 mags, specials, .41's, more .357s, and now .45 colt blackhawks. occasionally a friend pulls out his .45/70 BFR for me to have some fun with (he is scared to death of it with heavy loads).

Questor · « **Reply #28 on:** January 21, 2008, 07:59:22 AM »

I went from 22LR to 44 magnum in a T/C contender. The goal was for hunting and these two cartridges are the best hunting cartridges overall where distances are 100 yards or less.

.357 shooter · « **Reply #29 on:** January 21, 2008, 07:19:01 PM »

.22lr, 22mag,.25 acp, .380, 9mm, 38, 38 super, .357, 40, .45 auto, .45 long colt, .41mag, .44mag. In auto or revolver.

.22lr,.44, .357, 375 win., 35 rem IN Contender.

I mostly as my user name states go to my .357s But I do have .454 and .480 ruger firearms. For the much bigger critters with large sharp teeth or horns.

Oh, and I stiil own all the above in some configuration.