Big-Bore Revolvers

This book really helped me to understand an appreciate the world of large caliber revolver handguns. My interest is not in hunting (an activity confined to the grocery store for me), but rather in home-defense. I realize that puts me in a small minority of people who would buy and read this book... a book targeted primarily at hunters. I do own a number of semi-automatic handguns for home-defense, but only one revolver - a .357 magnum - and I've had my concealed carry permit for 15 years... but I have recently begun to re-think the idea that having a large number of rounds available in the magazine is a key factor in choosing a handgun for home-defense.The Glock .40 semi-auto has always been my favorite, and the choice of most law enforcement members, with an impressive 15 + 1 round capacity. But realistically I've been thinking: "Which is more important when the bad guy is breaking down the front door... to have the ability to fire 15 times with a .40 to .45 caliber SHORT bullet designed for semi-auto loading? ... OR... to have the ability to fire only 6 times... but with WIDE AND LONG Magnum-style bullets designed for large-bore revolvers that will deliver 3 to 4 times to stopping power?"The odds of me needing more than 1 to 3 shots in a home-defense situation are, statistically, very slim... so why not make those shots count? Of course, it is not necessary to step-up to one of those ridiculously large .50 caliber hand-cannons that are used to hunt buffalo and elephant. Such rounds inflict such a severe recoil upon the shooter that quickly re-acquiring the target for a second shot (only needed if the first shot was not well-placed) would be challenging... and the level of noise generated would require using hearing protection... which might not be a realistically assured prerequisite for the shooter in a home-defense scenario.Instead, I am talking about stepping up to one of the more reasonably-sized large-bore revolvers, such as the classic .44 Magnum, or the slightly more powerful and newer (but much less widely available in terms of both gun and ammo) .48 Ruger. Such revolvers are more realistic choices for home-defense, and can be more realistically expect to stop an intruder with ONE well-placed shot... while a .40 semi-auto might require two to three or more shots to have the same stopping-power effect.One thing I gained a better understanding of from reading this book, is that the diameter of the bullet (the caliber) is NOT always the key factor in a bullet's stopping power. For example, the slightly smaller-diameter .46 S & W is FAR more powerful than the slightly larger-diameter .48 Ruger... because the .46 is a much longer cartridge with far more powder behind it, accelerating it to far greater velocity that the slightly fatter .48 Ruger. This principle is also why the long .454 Casull is such a very powerful and hard-hitting round. The caliber / diameter at "only" .454 is scarcely larger than that of a .45 ACP semi-auto bullet... but it moves at more than THREE TIMES the velocity of the .45 ACP... and the bullet has great length (greater overall mass). In fact the .454 Cassul is arguably a more powerful round that the larger-diameter .48 Ruger for these same reasons.After reading this book, I have decided that the huge and long .50, and the huge & long .475 Linebaugh, and really even the long and powerful .454 Cassul are just too much gun for me (too much recoil, too much noise) for a home-defense scenario. The more entry-level members of the "Big Bore Club"... the classic .44 Magnum, or at the most the not-so-long (same length as a .44 magnum cartridge) but fatter .48 Ruger ... are the only two choices I would consider for home defense. Their more reasonable levels of recoil and noise would better enable me to line it up quickly for a second shot, should that prove to be necessary.Besides, if a huge 1,200-pound hungry black bear can manage to get in the elevator and make its way up to my seventh-floor condo, and break down my door to eat me... I think I would die of shock that he accomplished this impressive feat before I could fire the first round. I'm more concerned with 200 pound predators, than with 1,200 pound predators. A .44 magnum should be sufficient to take them out with just a shot ... or two.

If you are at all interested in big bore revolvers, this is THE book for you. The author does an excellent job of covering the calibers and the guns themselves. There are chapters on "off the rack" guns as well as custom guns. I particularly liked his treatment of the various cartridges, starting with the .357 (the first "magnum" cartridge) all the way up to the .500 Alaskan. Included in this discussion are shooting impressions that give you an idea as to the amount and character of the recoil. His descriptions are spot-on regarding the calibers I have personally shot. There are some minor editing problems (such as the caption under the picture of the Colt Anaconda), but these are few and minor and not unexpected with a first edition. There are in-depth discussions on bullet types and penetration, and chapters of hunting stories and stories of self-defense situations with big bore handguns vs. dangerous four-legged critters. The one area I would like to see expanded is the chapter on holsters. Other than that, it is a superbly written and superbly illustrated reference work on the subject.

This book covers revolvers like no other book I have ever read. Moreover, it covers ammunition related to revolvers in a comprehensive way that few books (even books specific to reloading) can boast. Add to all this the entertaining and informative stories of real world hunting (and self defense against animal) situations and you have what can only be referred to as a modern masterpiece.I've been shooting revolvers and reloading for years. That said, I learned more from this book than I ever imagined. I guess you don't know - what you don't know - until someone comes along and explains it to you.I honestly can't say enough good things about "Big-Bore Revolvers". If you're a Hand-loader that likes to shoot revolvers - this book is a MUST READ.

Excellent book on the subject akin to John Taffin’s writings on big bores but with specific focus on their use as hunting tools. Great addition to a library on guns and gun lore bested only by Max Prasac’s latest text Book of Hunting Revolvers.

I am not able to train as hard as I need to to always operate a semi at peak efficiency. I also find that carrying the semi in anything other than the specific holster /rig can lead to problems. I also find the occasional problem with ammunition presents more of problem with the semiautomatic. This makes a revolver and specifically a short (relative to use) barreled one my pistol of choice. This book gave me new information and reinforced what I learned when I carried on the job as a DFWO.

As a big bore handgun shooter I really enjoyed this book. It may have bitten off a little more than it could chew by trying to touch on almost every modern production and wildcat caliber. This lead to a tendency to sometimes feel more like a list, without much color to make it more interesting. The author's experience and enthusiasm definitely shone through and the book was overall a good read.My enjoyment was definitely colored by my experiences- it was like paging through a muscle car calender and having owned four of the months. I would reccomend this book for a big bore shooter and owner, not as much for an average reader.

i paid a fortune for this terrible book , overyped , and full of boring crap and unnecessary adverts , not a patch on the gun digest smith wess etc , i wouldnt waste your money

I'm only half way through but if you like learning about calibers, the history of them, the guns that shoot them: this book is FANTASTIC! Lots of great glossy illustrations too.

Love everything about that book!Pictures are great! Revolvers are great!

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