So far, for me, I'd say .45 ACP. It might partly be the pistols, but I shoot every pistol I have chambered for that better than any "similar" pistol in any other caliber.

I know this is a pistol forum but I had the chance to try out the Brennakee Magnum shotgun load this past weekend..
Wow is all I can say.

https://youtu.be/aRHmDaDnwDU

.357 Sig is a hoot to shoot!

.40 S&W. I know... I know...

I find that .40 is one of the easiest pistol calibers for me to reload. I like the guns I own in .40 better than the guns I own in other calibers. I like the way the 180gr bullet sounds when it hits my steel gong at 400'.

Most importantly, I have had to rely on .40 in a life and death situation and it worked. You become attached to something that has worked for you like that. Real trust, not just gel block trust or "on paper" trust.

I'm not saying others wont work, or even that .40 will work every time.


Oh and one final reason... pistols in .40 are being GIVEN away now with the 9mm craze. I saw a G22 G4 with night sights for $269 the other day. I piced up a P229R for $329.... you cant beat the deals on .40s right now.

.44 mag for me. It is the one I've done the most playing around with at the reloading bench over the years, and the most satisfying to get right at the range.

Works great as a warm up too. A few blasts of .44 and then everything else is child's play.

This was back in the day, 25 yards offhand with a 4" S&W 629. The squares are 1":

Hands down, .357 SIG!

It has a substantial authority in its report. Flat shooting and hard hitting.

Why 38 Super of course!
It shoots flat. With the right load & bullet it is on par with lower 357 mag velocity & power. It is easy to load. Reloading isn't much more expensive than 9mm, factory ammo isn't high priced either & it can use most any bullet from .355-.357 making it quite versatile.

10mm - what's not to like?

For me personally.357 SIG is a great example of a fun round. For me personally I wouldn’t use it as a real defensive round (not because of some perceived lack of capability but it’s flash and bang). For pure fun though .357SIG is a blast both literally and figuratively and shoots flat.

Another vote for .45 ACP from me. Why? 1911!

I have to give a shout-out to .357 SIG, as well. I carried some P229s in the caliber over time - what a fun round!

.22 for sure. Low noise no recoil no brass to pick up no reloading bench time, low cost

38 supper comp a little smaller rim than the 38 supper so it does not have the stacking problems of the 38 supper. Easy to reload as has been said 9mm capacity and 357 ballistics. What's not to like! I just wish Sig would make something to shoot it in their classic line

quote:

Originally posted by rat2306:
.357 Magnum. Incredibly versatile, makes loud boom and spectacular light show from a 2.5" S&W Model 19.

.357 magnum for me as well out of my 6" model 19. Perhaps it's partially the gun too, but the report, the flash, and the hearty push that just tells you it's powerful, but not something you can't shoot 50 rounds of in a row like .500. Then I'd probably have to go with 9mm 2nd because it's comfortable to shoot 300 rounds in a range session and then .45 acp…….both out of a 1911 government would be my preference.

Not a pistol round, but my short range session with a bull bbl 22-250 was a blast.

The one caliber I've always enjoyed is the 44 Special.
Either factory mousefart loads or handloads, the 44 Spl is the one I take pleasure in shooting.
Here's a Ruger 44spl Flattop Bisley with giraffe bone grips, a #5 style basepin, and 255grn Keith hardcast at 1050fps.

 
10mm, same terminal ballistics as a .357 magnum, less recoil, bigger hole. And better terminal ballistics than the .45ACP, even than .45+P (comparing 180gr Underwood loads with Speer Gold Dot bullets). The 10mm is a joy to shoot in SIG's P220-10mm, where the all steel gun really dampens the recoil.

10mm is quickly passing up 357 Mag to be my favorite. It powerful enough for a hunting sidearm and cheap enough to shoot to be able to shoot regularly. 10mm ballistics dominate the other popular semi auto rounds.

I still shoot more 9mm than anything else though due to the cost factor. It’s not my favorite round, but its the one I shoot the most.


+

45 acp. Just plain love it. 22 is next. I have to self limit on range trips because I always shoot every single round I bring. 38/357 last but certainly not least. I have many classic target pistols that are humbling to test one's fundamentals with.

Full power 10mm. It’s fast and powerful.

Sixty-eight caliber, plastic.

Because, Phillip José Farmer.