Wheelgun Wednesday: Out Of 57 Modern Revolver Cartridges, What's Your Favorite?
Welcome to another of TFB’s Wheelgun Wednesday! In this week’s edition, we’ll touch on the 57 modern revolver cartridges that are in current production along with revolvers to shoot them. We always want to hear from our readers, but as the title suggests, we also want to hear what your favorite revolver cartridge is, so please join in on the comment section! Let’s explore the diversity of the 57 modern revolver cartridges.
Wheelgun Wednesday @ TFB:
there are 57 MODERN REVOLVER CARTRIDGES available to shooters right now
Despite calibers that have fallen by the wayside, there are still 57 modern revolver cartridges still in production, as well as a wide host of current production revolvers. The calibers range from .17 to .729ths of an inch in diameter, including a couple of millimeter and gauge designations for good measure. Naturally, such a variety of dimensions means that some calibers are extremely purpose-driven, whereas others retain a do-it-all status. The long list of revolvers ranges from mini Deringer styles to single action, to double action/single action wheelguns.
Take a look at the full list below. I excluded cartridges that didn’t have immediate commercial availability, or had a lack of current production revolvers, so this list could be off by a few cartridges based on very limited runs of guns and/or ammunition. Each cartridge listed will be linked to an available model in that caliber, but may not be the only example. I’ve linked to our TFB Wheelgun Wednesday reviews and news articles when applicable.
LIST OF REVOLVER CALIBERS
.17 HMR
.22 Short
.22 LR
.22 WMR
.30-30 Winchester
.30 Carbine
.300 Blackout
.307 Winchester
.32 S&W
.32 S&W Long / New Police
.32-20 Winchester
.32 H&R Magnum
.327 Federal Magnum
.380 ACP
9mm Luger
.38 Special
.357 Magnum
.357 Maximum
.350 Legend
.360 Buckhammer
.375 Winchester
.38-55 Winchester
.40 S&W
10mm Auto
.38-40 Winchester
.41 Magnum
.44-40 WCF
.44 Russian
.44 Special
.44 Remington Magnum
.444 Marlin
.445 Super Magnum
.450 Marlin
.45-70 Government
.45 ACP
.45 Auto Rim
.45 Super
.45 Long Colt
.45 Schofield
.410 Gauge
.450 Bushmaster
.45-90 Winchester
.454 Casull
.458 Socom
.460 S&W Magnum
.475 Linebaugh
.480 Ruger
.50 GI
.50 Action Express
.50 Beowulf
.500 S&W Magnum
.500 JRH / .500 S&W Short
.500 Linebaugh
.500 Bushwhacker
.500 Wyoming Express
20 Gauge
12 Gauge
Are you impressed by that list of 57 modern revolver cartridges? I am! The amount of caliber options for revolvers is quite extensive, and the amount of energy to be gained from the latter half of the list could rarely be produced from a semi-auto pistol. Even though it’s probably fair to say that the majority of revolvers sold today range from .22 LR and.38 Special to .44 Magnum, the bountiful options seen above and the potential power factor are two big reasons that wheelguns will be made into the next century.
The single most repeated link on the 57 modern revolver cartridges list is to the Magnum Research BRF Custom page. This single-action “Biggest Finest Revolver” has 13 cartridge options for the short cylinder model, and 22 cartridge options for the long cylinder model!
While I’ve enjoyed every single type of cartridge I’ve ever shot out of a revolver to date, my personal preference is the tried and true .357 Magnum for the do-it-all do-it-most versatility. I carried my Ruger SP101 in .357 Mag for just over a decade and rarely felt under dressed. The cost of .357 Magnum has risen steadily since I first bought in though, so it’s nice to be able to sling some .38 Special through my .357 Magnum revolvers for plinking, which is another advantage to buying revolvers chambered for .357. Several of the other cartridges above are compatible with wheelguns chambered for longer cartridges, but make sure you do your homework before trying them in your specific firearm.
What’s your favorite of the 57 modern revolver cartridges? Did you go with a mass-produced revolver to launch that favorite caliber, or did you order a custom model, or have it specially serviced? What type of shooting do you use it most for, or is it suitable for every type? If your chosen caliber has other compatible cartridges that work, which other ones have you tried? If you’re new to revolvers or are thinking of buying your first one, which cartridge would you consider starting out with, and why?
If I missed a cartridge that you know is readily available with currently available revolvers, post it in the comment section and feel free to share the links to them.
Doug has been a firearms enthusiast since age 16 after getting to shoot with a friend. Since then he's taken many others out to the range for their first time. He is a husband, father, grandfather, police officer, outdoorsman, artist and a student of history. Doug has been a TFB reader from the start and is happy to be a contributor of content. Doug can be reached at battleshipgrey61 AT gmail.com, or battleshipgrey61 on Instagram.
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.357 magnum for most usable overall. Favorites after that are .45 Colt and .44magnum. As long as you own a good DA .357 mag, a good DA .44 mag, a good SA .45 Colt and a good DA or SA .22lr/.22wmr you are prepared for anything.
My revolvers go from .22 Short to .410 / .45 Colt, but the ones that make the trip to the range the most are .22 LR and 9mm ones.
I’m still hoping to score a .380 ACP revolver.