Author Topic: Cartridge selection and projecting male virility (Read 943 times)

Questor · « **on:** May 24, 2005, 11:41:02 AM »

How does cartridge selection work if your goal is to maximize your image as a virile male? We all know that the .22 doesn't count in this area, nor do airguns. What do the criteria need to be now? Performance doesn't count at all in this discussion. Only image and perception matters.

This is only partly facetious. The standards have changed over the years. It used to be that 45LC was the cartridge, then 44 magnum. Now it seems to be guns with lots of firepower but without any particular caliber. 480 Ruger, other 475s, and 454 Casull seem to have missed the boat and are only seen as esoterica and not macho except by certain enthusiasts.

Is the picture of the studly shooter a rangy urban cowboy carrying a wonder 9 and a 45-90 Sharps?

The 45ACP still has some magnetism. How does it compare on the stud-o-meter with the 45GAP?

Was James Bond's switch from the .25ACP Beretta to the PPK made because of pressure from the movie people?

Do the guns available for a cartridge determine the animal magnetism of the cartridge?

It looks like revolvers have become passe and autos are now the choice of the erudite profiler.

Feel free to elaborate as you will on this topic.

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** May 24, 2005, 12:03:34 PM »

Not fer me. The .44 Mag and the old .45 Colt are all I need for a hunting handgun. For deer size game the 7-08 is my choice. I feel no need to prove anything to anyone and see no reason at all why I should have my bum shoulder bruised by bigger rounds that do no better job. Been using the 7-08 since shortly after Remington started making it. Am on my third gun in the chambering and taking all of them together used by me, our oldest son Bob and my wife Faye not one single critter fired on has been missed or needed a second shot. I need no more than it.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #2 on:** May 24, 2005, 12:52:00 PM »

I'm much the same way.......I carry a 2" stubby 38 special, and at this time have nothing larger than a .270 win in a bolt action.......I'll use the .35 Remington or the 45.70 when hunting the thick stuff........

I got caught up in the latest whiz bangers while in my youth......then I re-discovered the classics........no need to take the punishment of the whiz bangs unless it's necessary...........but I've never seen a griz around here.....

There is hope however.......now that the state has re-stocked some elk.....yea, it's a slim chance that I'll ever get to hunt them, but maybe I'll get a .35 Whelen just in case! Wait, thick brush and steep mountains......sounds perfect for the 45.70 doesn't it?

ricciardelli · « **Reply #3 on:** May 24, 2005, 01:58:54 PM »

Gee, I don't think it has anythign at all to do with a "virile male". I have one lady friend who loves shooting my Ruger SBH in .44 Magnum, and another who thinks shooting hardball in a 1911A1 is the gnat's ass.

I don't think either would like to be called a "virile male".

Personally, I used a Ruger BH in .357 for my handgun hunting until Ruger brought out the SBH in .44 Magnum. It had nothing at all to do with "virility", but rather it extended my handgun hunting range by an additional 25 yards.

As for all the sooper calibers that have been unleashed on us in the past couple of years...I don't need them and I don't want them.

Bond switched from the .25ACP to the .380 because Ian Flemming knew absolutley nothing about ballistics.

Movies have switched from wheelguns to semi-autos because all of a sudden producers and directors realized that the public was able to count to 6, and getting 150 rounds out of a six-shooter started getting a little troublesome.

With a semi-auto, the average movie going slob doesn't know one from the other, so the movie people can get away with 50 rounds from a Beretta 92 and it will go un-noticed.

Recently I had the pleasure of watching one flick where the Beretta fired from an open slide...75 times...

In real life I carry both wheelgun and semi-auto. Wheelguns in .38 Special and .357 Magnum, semi-autos in 9mm and .45ACP. It all depends on the time of the year.

For hunting, I now only carry the SBH in .44 Magnum, anything the .357 can do at 75 yards, the .44 can do a little better and a little farther.

Oh, and none of my handguns have flashlights attached, or laser sights, or bipods, or muzzle breaks, or detachable stocks, or any of that crap seen in movies and on TV. And I don't have to carry them in a holster that reached from my middle thigh to my ankle...

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2005, 05:52:12 PM »

I never have bought into the hype / i carry a 5 shot .38 spl. my fav. rifle is my savage 30/30 bolt gun and i still hunt birds - bunnys with a side by side 20 ga. i guess i will never fit the mold

ricciardelli · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2005, 07:10:11 PM »

Quote from: stimpylu32

I never have bought into the hype / i carry a 5 shot .38 spl.

And your signature?

:-D

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 27, 2005, 08:16:17 PM »

steve said i never bought into the hype never said i could count

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #7 on:** May 27, 2005, 09:19:20 PM »

Hey, REAL men shoot forty caliber revolvers and that's ALL there is to it! :wink:

ricciardelli · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2005, 04:29:32 AM »

Please clue me in...

Other than .38-40, what other 40 caliber revolver cartridges are there?

beemanbeme · « **Reply #9 on:** May 28, 2005, 05:59:39 AM »

I can't tell if you guys are "tongue in cheek" or serious. In Memphis, a lady cop told me that you could walk along the firing line and the fellow with the biggest gun would have the smallest tool. I don't know how much research she had done but she seemed pretty adament.
I do sometimes wonder about the guys that buy the small cannons and then have to add all sorts of brakes and compensators and such in order to not be afraid of them.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2005, 07:19:14 AM »

I never considered a cartridge or firearm to exude the image of a virile male. Now glassy eyes and a big smile on a woman's face is different. :-D

jh45gun · « **Reply #11 on:** May 28, 2005, 05:20:43 PM »

Have'nt you guys learned yet, It is not the size of the gun, but what you do with it that counts!!!! :grin:

And yes I am talking about guns here but if the shoe fits other subjects well!

:roll: :roll: :roll: :shock: :shock:

victorcharlie · « **Reply #12 on:** May 29, 2005, 05:56:24 AM »

Very well put JH45 gun..........

JBMauser · « **Reply #13 on:** May 30, 2005, 10:38:18 AM »

Well I think your initial premise is to be polite.... wrong. I also think that the magnums and big bore popularity has more to to with (in hunting anyway) with killing game when the shot in the foot or hoof. There are not as many riflemen or marksmen as their are hunters and shooters. The gun mag/rags are the next to hype the big guns. More deer are taken with 30/30 than any other cartridge. Why does someone in North America need a Win. 300 mag? Ans = Marketing. Gun companies have to sell guns and ammo to stay in business and as a Martha says "That's a good thing" Lastly, firing a mega boomer is just fun. Nothing wrong with good clean fun is there?? So I would say your virility premise is wrong, I have yet to see one guy pull up to the range in a Corvette. JB

Questor · « **Reply #14 on:** May 31, 2005, 09:12:43 AM »

Let me rephrase the question: If the movie Dirty Harry were being made today, what cartridges would the lead character use?

It's got to be something that the general public can consider cool and interesting.

Wlscott · « **Reply #15 on:** May 31, 2005, 09:42:43 AM »

Quote from: Questor

Let me rephrase the question: If the movie Dirty Harry were being made today, what cartridges would the lead character use?

It's got to be something that the general public can consider cool and interesting.

It would be easy to say the 500 Smith & Wesson in answer to this question. But I don't think it would be the choice of Dirty Harry today. Not with the facination of all things "tactical". I think ol' Harry would be carrying an H&K USP Tactical in .45ACP.

JBMauser · « **Reply #16 on:** May 31, 2005, 11:26:46 AM »

The desert eagle looks intimadating enough and if I recall it is made in a monster load but I admit I don't recall what. I think it would qualify as a movie worthy replacement for a 2005 dirty harry remake. JB

victorcharlie · « **Reply #17 on:** May 31, 2005, 12:08:54 PM »

James Bond would stick with the .32 or .380 in a Walther PPK...........

I toated around a 1911 45 acp back in my younger years when I went a lot of placed I didn't need to go...........and did things I wouldn't want my mother to know about.........been forgiven for that!

I haven't been honky tonking in several years. Don't go Jukin any more..... Don't know anyone going to the herb curb either...........not looking for loose women.......Hopefully not hunting near a Moonshine still, marijuana patch....or Meth lab.......So, that really just leaves being in the wrong place at the wrong time that I have to think about.......

Now, ain't no doubt, the .45 makes big holes.......just rides my pants down to much........not comfortable to carry.......

Titanium .38 special with 158 grain lead semi wad cutters in a +P fits much nicer in my pocket.........god help me should I ever need to test it.

I've made it this far without shooting anyone yet.........very lucky in the Army.......

I've pulled my pistol twice in my life....one time, pulled the .45 at a 7-11, a fellow tried to rob me, and jerked my car door open in the parking lot as I was about to get out......I put that .45 about 6 inches from his nose so fast he didn't have time to think.........wow he hollered......I've got the wrong car!.......Yea, I think you do was my response......He turned and walked away......You should have seen the look in his eyes......I bet he had to change his shorts shortly after......

The other time leaving a honky tonk after a fight with a drunk......pulled the AMT .380 backup out of my ankle holster after seeing him and 8 or 10 of his friends waiting on me in the parking lot with base ball bats at closing time.....I was the last one to leave, hoping they would leave first and waiting for innocents to get out of the way.............dropped to one knee, pulled up my pants leg very slow and deliberate...........I didn't have to point it.....just palmed it so they all had a clear look at it and knew I had it......they went other way fast....so did I........lucky me.....and lucky them..........Guess they knew I'd use it......Lesson learned....never bring a ball bat to a gun fight.........thank god those days are behind me now........but it took awhile to change......... The real lesson learned was find a good women and a good church......stay out of undesirable situations......make the right choices and go to bed early.........As my dad used to tell me......ain't nothing out but hard ankles after dark!

Dirty Harry? Probably a 500 S&W would be my guess.......

MickinColo · « **Reply #18 on:** May 31, 2005, 01:10:05 PM »

Interesting story victorcharlie,

Thanks for sharing it. In my bad days I was told by a wise old woman that if I want to fly with the crows, Ill get shot at. She was right.

If Hollywood was doing Dirty Harry type movies today? The 500 SW, and the 458 Lott would be the choices.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #19 on:** May 31, 2005, 03:17:51 PM »

Quote from: JBMauser

I have yet to see one guy pull up to the range in a Corvette. JB

Try the trap or sporting clays range.

Slamfire · « **Reply #20 on:** May 31, 2005, 09:59:54 PM »

If Jimmy Bond had any sense he'd throw that hunk of German iron away and git him an 8 oz. Kel-Tec.

I've been a 6.5 mm fan since the early 60s, my first bein' a Model 94 Swede. Since then I've played with almost all of 'em that didn't have a belt. Then notable exception bein' the 6.5x58 Portuguese.

Geno · « **Reply #21 on:** June 01, 2005, 03:56:56 AM »

I love when threads like these get going. Everyone apologizing and explaining away. WHY?? who cares what you own and enjoy shooting. The only thing that stops us from having and shooting everything we want is time and money. Enjoy it all as much as you can. The rest can wonder about my virility all they want, I am as secure in that department as anyone alive. :-)

Questor · « **Reply #22 on:** June 01, 2005, 04:01:32 AM »

Maybe we need an uncool antiheroic movie guy that shows up for danger riding a cruiser type bicycle, wearing plaid high water pants, and carrying his grandpa's hog slaughtering gun chambered in 7mm Nambu.

glock29 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 01, 2005, 09:06:34 AM »

The larger the bore, the greater the damage in most cases.
Also, if your aim is SLIGHTLY off, the larger caliber may compensate for the error, where a PIP-SKWEEK round would NOT !

I say go Magnum/Super-Magnum/Big-Bore, or GO HOME !
If your shoulder can't take it, GET A RECOIL PAD AND A MUZZLE BRAKE !
Pip-skweek rifle cartridges with less than 3000 ft/lb of energy are good for doing two things; shooting varmints and paper targets, period.

I hunt Whitetail DEER with a nice big-bore that I Guarantee WILL drop the animal with ANY shot presentation....a CZ550 safari in 458 Lott !
Too much gun ? THERE IS NO SUCH THING !

victorcharlie · « **Reply #24 on:** June 01, 2005, 12:14:10 PM »

The one time you can have to much gun is if you can't carry it because it's to big to hide........when the political correctness of the situation dictates concealment, then smaller is better.....than not carrying at all.......

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #25 on:** June 01, 2005, 10:37:53 PM »

I shoot big bores because i can! I truely believe that anyone that puts his mind to it can master them. Ive had my girlfriend shooting my .500 line and .475 and she didnt even cry. I dont shoot them because it impresses anyone. 99% of my shooting is done alone. I do agree that for most hunting a 44 or 45 is all you need. But after taking buffalo with the .500 i dont believe id go after one with a .44 or .45. There tuff to put down and the more power the better. Bottom line is they could proably be killed with a .22 but i believe that game animals deserve the respect of using a gun that is properly matched to putting them down humanely. If you cant handle the recoil or the price of admittion thats fine. But if you think i shoot big bores to impress you or anyone else your wrong. Anyone that knows me knows that the last thing i worry about is impressing anyone!

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #26 on:** June 02, 2005, 12:47:17 AM »

Quote from: Questor

How does cartridge selection work if your goal is to maximize your image as a virile male?

I find that calibres that start with .5 generally place me head and sholders above the meer fourty calibre masses, at least until someone expects me to shoot the thing! :roll: