Would we say that:
The .40 S&W is to a 10mm as the
.38 Spec is to a .357 Mag as the
.41 Colt is to a .41 mag as the
.44 Spec is to a .44 Mag as the
.45 ACP is to a .45 Colt, ect, ect.
The left hand group are defense rounds, the right are hunters.
No. For whatever reason, the .40 at least equals the 10mm as far as one-shot-stops. Probably because you reach a point that about any normal handgun is just not going to get any better than. The .38 in factory loadings, is far inferior to the best .357 Mag. loadings. The 41 Mag. is at the top of the heap as far as manstoppers. The 41 Colt is not in the running. The .44 Spec. is decent but not as good as the best loads in the final three calibers. Hunting is an entirely different proposition. I think normally, you can throw the .38 and the 41 Colt out as big game rounds. I see no need for the .45 Auto in the big game fields either, though with the right loads it is certainly capable. The .40 is up in the air.
