Line45 ranks five revolver calibers, ending with the .500 S&W Magnum

Line45 runs through five of the most powerful revolver cartridges, from the familiar .357 Magnum up to the .500 S&W Magnum. The useful part is less how hard each one hits than what each one is actually practical for.

Key points

• .357 Magnum: Introduced in 1935 by Smith & Wesson and Winchester, firing 110- to 180-grain bullets. It can also shoot .38 Special for training, which the video calls unique on this list.
• .44 Magnum: Developed in the 1950s by Elmer Keith, with 180- to 300-grain bullets. The video uses it for deer, elk, and black bear and says it balances power with control.
• .480 Ruger: Introduced in 2003 by Ruger and Hornady for wilderness defense and hunting, with less recoil than the .454 Casull or .500 S&W.
• .454 Casull: Created by Dick Casull and Jack Fulmer, at 1,600 to 1,900 fps. The video sees little daily use for it beyond large game and predators, and says it takes an experienced shooter.
• .500 S&W Magnum: Introduced in 2003 with Cor-Bon, firing 275- to 700-grain bullets at over 2,600 ft-lb. It's built for the largest game, and the video calls it overkill for self-defense.

Quick take

For most shooters, the top of this list is a novelty, and the .357 and .44 remain the usable choices. Treat the video's ballistic figures as ballpark and check manufacturer data before relying on them.

Watch the full video: Line45