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It’s not always easy to categorize big bore cartridges as being “for” one application but not “for” another. Some cartridges such as the .45 ACP have a major role in pistols for both defense and target use, yet I’ve found that this round also makes for a great close-range varmint number. On the other side of the spectrum, the .450 Marlin was designed for lever action carbines for big game. Today the T/C Encore, which can safely handle high pressure cartridges, is also chambered for the .450, and it is a handful. Then we have other cartridges as the .45 Winchester Magnum, which most would think of as a competition cartridge but which is a great cartridge for game such as whitetail. (Unfortunately it’s slowly slipping into oblivion.)

The following is a summary of some popular – and some not-quite-so-popular – big bore cartridges that are found in revolvers and single shot handguns. All are effective for the jobs they were designed to perform.

(Note: For some bullets, two sizes are listed, an apparent ambiguity which is due to which make of bullet is available for a specific cartridge. This is an example of why it is important to use the loading data developed for a specific make of bullet and follow such guidelines closely. Variations also occur in bullets from the same company, depending on whether they’re lead or jacketed.)