Fuel Fire Desire
Well-Known Member
A 4” 686+ would be a great compromise between size, sight radius, and capacity. My first revolver was a 66-1. Fantastic shooter. With softball loads it has very little recoil. The 686+ being heavier would have even less.
As I became more advanced, and got into reloading, .45 colt became my personal favorite. Such a vastly versatile cartridge in the right gun. From near recoiless 200gr at 600fps cowboy loads, to “tier II” loads that mimic .357 energy, to full house “tier III” loads that are the equivalent to .44 magnum at 240gr at 1400fps......and if you have the revolver for it .454 casull. Which is the magnumized .45 colt at 240gr at 1900fps. From a recoiless paper puncher to grizzly bear medicine, with the ability to shoot at carbine distances (up to 200-250 yards).
I started with the little .357 model 66-1, and graduated to the versatile monster that is the Ruger Toklat.
The Smith & Wesson is forged, and more finished than the stronger cast Ruger GP100. Both in the same price point. The Taurus Tracker/ model 66 is a budget alternative, but without the fit and finish of the previous two. I picked up a 7 shot 4” Taurus Model 66 (a 686+ rip off) for about $300 used. Great shooter for a budget gun, but who’s action isn’t nearly as smooth or refined as the Smith or Ruger.
As I became more advanced, and got into reloading, .45 colt became my personal favorite. Such a vastly versatile cartridge in the right gun. From near recoiless 200gr at 600fps cowboy loads, to “tier II” loads that mimic .357 energy, to full house “tier III” loads that are the equivalent to .44 magnum at 240gr at 1400fps......and if you have the revolver for it .454 casull. Which is the magnumized .45 colt at 240gr at 1900fps. From a recoiless paper puncher to grizzly bear medicine, with the ability to shoot at carbine distances (up to 200-250 yards).
I started with the little .357 model 66-1, and graduated to the versatile monster that is the Ruger Toklat.
The Smith & Wesson is forged, and more finished than the stronger cast Ruger GP100. Both in the same price point. The Taurus Tracker/ model 66 is a budget alternative, but without the fit and finish of the previous two. I picked up a 7 shot 4” Taurus Model 66 (a 686+ rip off) for about $300 used. Great shooter for a budget gun, but who’s action isn’t nearly as smooth or refined as the Smith or Ruger.
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