Originally Posted by
Malamute
I think the 357 loads are somewhat softer today, but the older ballistics charts always had 8 3/8" barrels for the test guns also, which will make a difference as well. I recall the discussion in the print media when the ballistics info was downgraded, one of the first things mentioned was the new data was in realistic barrel lengths that most people carried instead of the 8 3/8" data.
Ive mostly practiced with 22 versions of whatever centerfire guns Ive used most, partly economic, and partly the reality of using a single stage press to load all my ammo in the distant past, and early on I was casting my bullets in single or double cavity molds from wheel weights. Ive never really been overly enthusiastic about full power 357 loads, just shot them enough to be sure where they hit in relation to the sights and some hunting with them, but mostly shot 38s in 357 guns. Same with 44s, though i was a bit more gung ho on shooting the 4" 29 with full power loads earlier on.
After getting a torn ligament in my right thumb in the early 90s shooting one of Mr Linebaughs 500 maximums while he chronographed it (440s @ 1550 fps) it took me a couple years to be able to shoot even a 22 right handed, and more years to shoot each step up in centerfire calibers over time. I noticed that shooting any given load in an SA revolver was much easier on the hand than a DA revolver. SAs figure prominently in my geezer gun plan, Id rather give up the DA part than power for general use. 38s in an N frame or even full size K isnt too bad for general shooting but for defensive or field use Id still prefer a bit more horsepower. Using a 22 for the majority of practice isnt a big change for me, actually none of the geezer concept stuff is, but the effects of the bigger stuff are more noticeable now.
9mm use hasnt changed my outlook much, ive owned only a handful over time, 1 plastic one which I havent shot much in maybe 8 or 10 years. It was fun at first being different, and mostly shooting it at 200 and 300 yards, but that wore off. Its in the "probably ought to have one" category for me, i could take it or leave it and it wouldnt change much of anything in my life. Id rather shoot other stuff for the sheer enjoyment of shooting aspect, and with limited ability recently to get out shooting, the plastic gun is way down the list.