Revolver Calibers You Need to Know About
In this article we cover a wide variety of revolver cartridges, what they are used for, and why may want to consider them.
Locksmith. Outdoorsman. Author of 3 books on survival & prepping
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So, you’re interested in the world of revolvers but don’t really know where to start?
There are so many calibers out there that it quickly grows overwhelming, does it not?
So today, we are going to take a quick look at the major revolver calibers out there, what they’re good for, and a few revolvers if you are interested in specific calibers.
So, without further ado, let’s jump in!
Revolver Calibers
.22 LR
There are a host of revolvers out there that shoot .22 LR.
If you’re looking for cheap target practice or are just looking for something to take care of small pests, a .22 LR revolver makes for a fantastic, low-recoil option.
Heritage Rough Riders are a popular choice for .22 LR revolvers due to their classic cowboy appeal and their affordability.
.22 WMR
A heavier-duty version of the .22 LR, the .22 WMR is an excellent revolver caliber for those wanting something with more oomph than a .22 LR, but less than .38 Special.
It’s been said that shooting a .22 WMR out of a revolver will give you muzzle velocity similar to shooting a .22 LR out of a rifle.
The .22 WMR also makes for a great small game critter-getter due to its increased muzzle energy and flatter trajectory.
Although the caliber is relatively small for defensive usage, there are still excellent carry revolvers, including the S&W Model 351 PD and Charter Arms Pathfinder Lite.
.32 H&R Magnum
Often forgotten, the .32 H&R Magnum is a great cartridge worthy of consideration.
It produces lower recoil than .38 Special while delivering more energy than .22 LR or .22 WMR. Additionally, due to its smaller diameter, it can typically fit one more round in the cylinder than a .38 Special revolver of the same size.
The .32 H&R Magnum also allows users to chamber the even softer shooting .32 S&W Long and .32 S&W Short cartridges. While all of these calibers are in current production, finding .32 ammo can be difficult.
Check out the excellent medium frame 7-shot Charter Arms Professional if .32 H&R tickles your fancy.
.327 Federal Magnum
The .327 Federal came about in 2007 as a lower recoil magnum alternative for those who didn’t enjoy the kick of the .357 Magnum but still wanted extra power.
Like the .32 H&R mentioned above, guns chambered in .327 Federal usually carry an extra round over their .38/.357 counterparts.
A further benefit to the .327 Federal is that guns chambered for such will also fire the .32 H&R Magnum and .32 Long. This backward compatibility gives this round extra versatility above most of its peers.
Ruger is the true champion of this caliber with their bee-uh-YOOtiful GP100, as well as their SP101 and lightweight LCR.
.357 Magnum
The creation of this chambering back in 1934 kickstarted the “Magnum Era” in the world of revolvers.
It is essentially a slightly lengthened .38 Special case with more powder on the inside.
With a .357 Magnum, you can not only blast off a big ol’ 158-grain soft point bullet that creates considerable damage on target, but you can also utilize .38 Special and .38 Special +P loads if you’re looking for something with less recoil as well.
To me, that makes this the most versatile revolver chambering out there. If I could only choose one chambering for a revolver, this would be it.
There are tons of amazing revolvers chambered in .357 Magnum, but the S&W 686 and Colt Python remain among the most popular choices.
.38 Special
Easily one of the most popular revolver cartridges out there, the .38 Special was initially developed around 1899, and has been in continuous use ever since.
This was the de facto chambering amongst police and the general public for years until it was widely surpassed by the 9mm.
With this cartridge, you’ll face minimal recoil, allowing for plenty of control and quick follow-up shots while still holding onto good stopping power.
Popular options include J-Frame S&Ws, the Taurus Model 85, and the Colt Cobra.
.38 Special +P
These are hotter loads of .38 Special that generally require a revolver capable of handling the extra pressure of these cartridges.
Many older revolvers aren’t capable of utilizing these safely, but many newer models allow for it (check your manual).
A lot of people like to target practice with regular .38 Special loads while reserving +P ammunition for actual self-defense purposes.
.41 Magnum
This cartridge was birthed in 1963 but never really took off.
The .41 Magnum offers shooters a round that recoils less and shoots flatter than the .44 Magnum. Think of it as a niche round that sits neatly between .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum.
You’ll have a hard time finding either this ammo or weapons chambered for such, but should you be interested in this cool caliber, you may want to check out the S&W Model 57.
.44 Special
Released to the American public in 1908 as an improved version of the .44 Russian, this is another bullet that can be difficult to find guns chambered in it.
Some guns chambered specifically for .44 Special are lighter than .44 Magnum weapons, though, and as a result, are more comfortable for all-day wear.
The recoil is also much softer than .44 Magnum while still retaining energy equivalent to that of a .45 ACP. As a result of less pressure, smaller revolvers that normally can’t handle .44 Magnum are able to chamber .44 Special, such as the Ruger GP100 and Charter Arms Bulldog.
.44 Magnum
Created in 1950 by Elmer Keith and popularized by Dirty Harry and the S&W Model 29 decades later, this chambering is a potent hunting and self-defense caliber. Just beware it’s got the kick of a mule.
If you have a revolver chambered for .44 Magnum, you’ll also be able to shoot .44 Special through it as well.
However, if you have the option, it’s typically better to pick up a revolver chambered in .44 Magnum instead as it gives you more flexibility ammunition-wise.
If you aren’t into the Dirty Harry Model 29, the Colt Anaconda and Ruger Super Redhawk are excellent choices as well.
.45 Colt
The .45 Colt was created in 1873 by Remington for the US Army, which had grown tired of dirt-catching, outside-lubricated cartridges.
Pushing a massive 255-grain bullet, it soon found itself throughout the American frontier as it helped to win the West. It’s often referred to (albeit incorrectly) as .45 Long Colt as well.
The Ruger Blackhawk, S&W Model 25, and Taurus Judge all utilize the iconic .45 Colt cartridge.
.454 Casull
This cartridge was created by Dick Casull as a heavier-hitting take on the .45 Colt.
He took the .45 Colt case, lengthened it, and then made it thicker, and had it push a 250-grain bullet that packs a wallop.
It’s got notably more powder behind its bullet than a .45 Colt, and for many, this extra oomph crosses the line between comfortable shooting and not.
However, if you’re into handgun hunting, this is a great cartridge to look for. Personally, I’d much rather just use a rifle at this stage of the game, but for those living in bear territory or backpacking in the deep woods, its power can be appealing.
I recommend checking out the Ruger Super Redhawk or Taurus Raging Bull.
.460 S&W
The .460 S&W is another versatile chambering for those who enjoy hunting the big stuff with nothing more than a ridiculously large revolver.
This round is simply a lengthened and more powerful .454 Casull — an already extremely powerful round. Smith & Wesson claims it is the highest velocity revolver cartridge in the world, with some bullets moving at a blistering 2,400 FPS.
But if the recoil of .460 is too much, any revolver chambered in .460 S&W can also fire .454 Casull and .45 Colt.
Check out the S&W 460 XVR if you’re interested in blasting aliens off the moon with nothing more than your pistol.
.480 Ruger
Ruger created this round to have something with a larger diameter bullet than the .45 caliber offerings, but with lower pressure than rounds like the .454 Casull.
As a result, it’s not as powerful as some of the super magnums listed but still carries energy equivalent to that of very hot .44 Magnum but with a larger bullet. It is more than enough to take down the larger four-legged creatures you’ll find in the woods.
The Ruger Super Redhawk .480 is the most recognized revolver in this chambering.
.500 S&W
Are Decepticons invading your neighborhood? Then look no further! The .500 S&W is just what you need to take out highly armored robotic enemies with your revolver.
Unveiled in 2003, .500 S&W essentially lets you carry a cannon strapped to your leg. You’re looking at a muzzle energy out of a revolver here that’s comparable with a 1oz slug coming out of a 12-gauge shotgun.
We are talking a 300-grain bullet here with roughly 2868 ft-lbs of force.
Sounds like fun? Then check out the Smith and Wesson 500.
Reloading Options for Your Revolver
Capacity and speed of reloading are the two primary reasons that the age of the revolver gradually gave way to the age of the semi-automatic pistol.
However, there are most certainly speedier options for reloading your revolver than dropping a round in the chamber one by one.
For those who still want to carry a revolver but are concerned about reloading, we encourage you to check out our article on How to Reload a Revolver: Speed Loaders, Strips, & Moon Clips.
Final Thoughts
Revolvers have stood the test of time and it’s because of this time that there is a plethora of cartridges out there to choose from.
So, do a little experimentation. Find a chambering you enjoy using and become proficient with it. Get your revolver system (e.g. holster, speed loaders, cleaning kit, etc.) in order and have some fun.
A good revolver is still well worth the money and can be an absolute treat to shoot with as well.
Which of these calibers is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below! Got a caliber picked out already? Then be sure to check out our article on the 8 Best Revolvers of 2023: Self-Defense, Hunting, & Plinking.