44 Mag Revolver Considerations

[TXCOONDOG]

I'm having a blast with my GP100 6" which is my first revolver in 15 years. I bought my wife a 38 Special stubby and we both enjoy and shoot the revolvers more than any other pistols.

Kicking the idea around about buying a 44 mag for hunting hogs. Never shot one that I can remember. I hunt in a lot of dense forest and 80% of the shots are 30yards or less.

Leaning towards something Ruger, but would consider other manafactures, etc.

What length barrel should I consider since I walk 3-8 miles per trip ?

Which WFN bullet mold should I consider ?

How do you carry your large frame revolvers (chest holsters) ?

I'm sure I forgot to ask something so educate me!

[CDRGlock]

I've carried a 7.5" 629 in a Bandolier holster. I prefer 6-8" barrels for velocity. Particularly when in comes to taking care of large animals.

Ideal size/barrel length is something that feels comfortable for you. Do you think that you Can handle recoil for a bear load for a shorter barrel?

The holster is a personal preference.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[TXCOONDOG]

Never shot a heavier recoiling caliber in a short barrel.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I carry a 7 1/2 " Ruger SBH in http://www.pistolpackaging.com/Bandito_Revolver_Holster_p/brh.htm
and i also like a Encore 454 or Contender 44 magnum in this 193933

[Tom W.]

I like the srh with the 310 gr Lee boolits. I have a hip holster with a separate belt.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

.....

[DougGuy]

The SRH is a powerhouse for sure, but for shooting heavy 310 boolits in the 44 magnum caliber, a regular flavored Redhawk would be more than up to the task, and would weigh less, AND cost less! The Redhawk is actually a stronger revolver than a Super Blackhawk and it would be nice to have that DA ability for subsequent shots. You might also want a 5 1/2" barrel for a little quicker handling.

Cheapie Uncle Mikes nylon holster worn front side left hip cross-draw.

Lee C430-310-RF boolit cast in 50/50+2% with Felix lube.

[FlyfishermanMike]

I love my Ruger Redhawk 5.5" Shoots everything and is crazy strong. I tightened it up with some shims and it shoots sweet. I carry mine in Galco DAO on the hip. For a dedicated hunting revolver the 7.5" is nice but the 5.5" will be easier to carry at the expense of some velocity. Just depends on you're wants and needs. I was originally going to get the 4" but holding the two side by side I went with the 5.5", was surprised and haven't regretted it. Everyone has their personal preference in the barrel length vs weight compromise. It's hard to go wrong with 44 Mag, it's so versatile! I like the Lee 200 RF and the 310 RF and a 245-255 Keith style in the middle.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[rondog]

Personally, for dangerous game like hogs and bears I wouldn't want a single-action, too slow to get into play and follow-up shots. For hunting, I'd want a longer barrel for velocity and balance, and the ability to mount a scope or other optic.

JMHO.....

[Mk42gunner]

I've never hunted hogs, so no help there.

I will second DougGuy's recommendation of a 5½" Redhawk, they are an awful large gun for a 4" barrel to balance right. I would also get it in stainless. The ones I had in the late eighties and early nineties were supremely accurate; you couldn't tell the difference on target between the Ruger and the S&W 629 Classic Hunter that my buddy had.

For a holster, find what is comfortable for you. If it is a belt holster; get a fairly wide sturdy belt, even a short Redhawk is a heavy gun at the end of the day.

Robert

[rintinglen]

I like my 7 1/2 inch Redhawk in a Bianchi X-15. I have a scoped SBH Hunter. and an 8 3/8's S&W 29 as well, but the Redhawk gets my vote for hunting as long as shots don't exceed 50 yards.
If you are a stout, manly fellow one of the chest harness rigs may work better for you, but I would recommend that when it comes to barrel length, go long.

[44man]

The two guns from Ruger I like best, the 10-1/2" SRH and the 7-1/2" SBH Hunter. All my hunting revolvers are 7-1/2" and my SBH is 10-1/2" ( old silhouette gun.)
I don't like the trigger set up on the RH and it is harder to get accuracy with the grip.
I use Uncle Mike's shoulder holsters and no gun is in the way.
I like longer so blast is farther from my ears, no other reason and anything around 6" works fine. 5-1/2" should do you too.
You will never need double action hunting. You can shoot as fast cocking the gun. Since a friend talked me out of the SRH, all mine are SA. I shot a buck with the SRH through a hole in the brush and he bolted, I hit him again on the run but the first shot took his heart, I cocked the hammer for it. DA takes years of practice. The SRH has a wonderful trigger.
Some claim to hunt DA but the average guy will never hit anything and I am average. With something over 180 deer kills with revolvers I still use SA.
The SBH Hunter is deadly accurate and easy to put a red dot on but I hate the Bisley model.
The Lee 310 is one of the best boolits as is the LBT 320 WLNGC. I load both with 21.5 gr of 296 with the fed 150 primer. S&W does not like heavy boolits on parts. Don't go over 265 gr if you buy one.
One caution for the Rugers with rings, some red dots will not fit between rings so I use Ultra Dots. Plain 4 minute 30mm and Ruger will swap rings from 1" to 30mm or you can use a Weigand base on the SRH and Hunter.

[TXCOONDOG]

44man,

What velocities are you reaching with that load ?


I greatly appreciate the feedback all.

[44man]

1316 fps with the LBT and a might faster with the lee. Now my 330 gr will be a tad slower. It takes 21 gr. of 296. Made my own mold. If anyone thinks a .44 is anemic. This is a neck shot.193945 Crazy shot, deer was running and I led him but seen brush as the hammer fell. Deer popped back around and I dropped him. 65 yards. But it was not brush, it was an osage tree. Boolit went through a 10" trunk into the next.
I lost a lot of burger. This will go through a pig like butter but will bust all inside. You have to love a .44.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

44 man what is the AOL of that load with the Lee 310

[keyhole]

This is just a comment on recoil difference between SA and DA. Try and shoot both with equivalent loads before buying. Back in the 70's I shot my M29 S&W a lot with full house loads (max H110 and Lyman 429421 cast bullet). The recoil never bothered me. Now 40 years later I cannot comfortably shoot that same gun with full loads. A few years ago I bought an Old Model Ruger .44 Flattop. For me anyway, it is much more comfortable to shoot since the grip shape allows the gun to rotate in your hand upon recoil instead of driving straight back like on S&W. Maybe the Ruger DA grip shapes are better, but I find that the Ruger SA grip shape makes shooting the .44 with full power loads more comfortable.

[Tom W.]

The way the revolvers recoil is why I prefer the SRH to the BH. I don't shoot the SRH as a double action, I shoot it as a single action. When recovering from the recoil I've already cocked
it if necessary and can be on target in no time. At least that's what works for me.

[Walla2]

A shoulder holster works best for me. Doesn't snag and balances well on the body. Long barrels are better than short, 5 1/2 inches would be the shortest I would go. Mine is an 8 3/8" Smith. Another consideration is weight. The heavier it is the better it mitigates recoil, but you have to haul it around. Easier for me to haul with a shoulder rig. Enjoy the hunting.

[TXCOONDOG]

The SRH is a powerhouse for sure, but for shooting heavy 310 boolits in the 44 magnum caliber, a regular flavored Redhawk would be more than up to the task, and would weigh less, AND cost less! The Redhawk is actually a stronger revolver than a Super Blackhawk and it would be nice to have that DA ability for subsequent shots. You might also want a 5 1/2" barrel for a little quicker handling.

Cheapie Uncle Mikes nylon holster worn front side left hip cross-draw.

Lee C430-310-RF boolit cast in 50/50+2% with Felix lube.



Are you referring to this model ?


http://www.ruger.com/products/redhawk/specSheets/5003.html


I was looking at these:


http://www.ruger.com/products/superRedhawkStandard/specSheets/5519.html


http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelSuperBlackhawkHunter/specSheets/0860.html


Will any of these mostly likely need cylinder work ?

[texasnative46]

TXCOONDOG,

Imo, you could do a lot worse than a "Plain Jane" Model 29 loaded with 6 of most any commonplace set of .44 handloads.
(My choice would be a barrel over 5" & carried in a "shoulder holster", if only because of length/weight.)

best wishes, tex

[DougGuy]

Are you referring to this model ?


http://www.ruger.com/products/redhawk/specSheets/5003.html


I was looking at these:


http://www.ruger.com/products/superRedhawkStandard/specSheets/5519.html


http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelSuperBlackhawkHunter/specSheets/0860.html


Will any of these mostly likely need cylinder work ?



I was referring to the 5 1/2" standard Redhawk, which is the 5004: http://www.ruger.com/products/redhawk/specSheets/5004.html

Last night I looked that same model up on Gunbroker and I am seeing prices in the high $700 to mid $800 range for this revolver, NIB.

Most of the Ruger revolvers are a bit tight for .432" boolits and that's what you really want to size to, but you may be okay sized to .431" in the Redhawk because afaik they make the RH cylinders on different machinery than they make the BH/SBH/NMV cylinders and I think they are a little more consistent and even in throat diameters than the single action models. It really depends on the individual gun because as tooling wears and gets changed out at the factory, this directly affects the size of the cylinder throats. They use multi-chuck cutters that ream more than one throat at a time but they don't necessarily change out these cutters simultaneously, afaik they change out the worst ones as they wear so it's anybody's guess what the throats will measure, and this doesn't matter if it's a new gun or a used gun.

Buying a Ruger that needs cylinder throats re-sized for use with cast boolits is not really a bad thing at all, for less than the price of a pair of China made grips, we get to fine tune the throats to an exact measurement for a specific boolit and the results are well worth the small investment, and the improvements will last the lifetime of the gun so not a bad deal at all for a cylinder to be adjusted to very exacting tolerances.

I shudder to think that if Ruger had a custom shop, how much it would add to the cost of a new revolver to be ordered with specific size cylinder throats.

[44man]

44 man what is the AOL of that load with the Lee 310
I crimp in the lower groove. I shot all mine up so I can't measure. Rounds here don't stick around very long.

[Tom W.]

Crimped
in the lower groove they will be too long to fit into a Smith. An aquaintance of mine wanted to try a cylinder full of my loads in his Smith and they were a no-go.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

Crimped
in the lower groove they will be too long to fit into a Smith. An aquaintance of mine wanted to try a cylinder full of my loads in his Smith and they were a no-go.

Was a no go in my SBH too

[DougGuy]

Was a no go in my SBH too


I crimp in the lower groove, mine are 1.700" (including the .060" thick rim) and a SBH cylinder is 1.704" last time I measured one so if they were crimped in the lower groove, the COA should be pretty close to mine, so may I suggest the reason they wouldn't chamber in your SBH is because the boolit was likely interfering with the throat, i.e. .432" boolit being pushed into a .430" or .431" throat, in which case the loads won't fully seat into the chambers.

[44man]

Yeah Doug. Mine fit fine with room to spare. I have my long boolits at 1.725" and they have room. My SBH cylinder is 1.70" but the cylinder is not rebated for the rim. The lee is shorter.

[atr]

I have a new model .44 Blackhawk in stainless steel with a 5" barrel and it is an easy handgun to pack around. It points quickly.
I also have a different model with a 7" barrel, much heavier and harder to get on point.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I crimp in the lower groove, mine are 1.700" (including the .060" thick rim) and a SBH cylinder is 1.704" last time I measured one so if they were crimped in the lower groove, the COA should be pretty close to mine, so may I suggest the reason they wouldn't chamber in your SBH is because the boolit was likely interfering with the throat, i.e. .432" boolit being pushed into a .430" or .431" throat, in which case the loads won't fully seat into the chambers.

thanks I went and dug out the ones that I loaded up OAL was right at 1.700 ish one of these day's i need to send you my cylinder
to work on

[fixit]

my commentary on revolver grip style has to do with an arthritic thumb knuckle! shooting a heavy recoiling double action style grip weapon HURTS! a single action, plow handle style grip, on the other hand, is a pleasure. i have two 44 magnums, a sbh and an interarms virginian dragoon, and there isn't a load that causes a problem for me out of either one of them!

[44man]

Me too, I have a huge knuckle from heavy bows and trigger guards are no fun. I can't escape it on a Bisley.

[knuckleball]

I recommend a Ruger Redhawk 5.5" or Super Redhawk 7.5" :D

[Oklahoma Rebel]

i have always heard that the bisley is the way to go for heavy recoil,do many disagree? and can a bisley SBH be converted to a standard grip? the reason I ask is I am planning on getting on in a few months, and was going to get the bisley.

[44man]

I never found any difference in recoil. It is still there.

[rond]

Living in Texas you need at least 1 single action revolver, I like the Ruger Blackhawk with 4 5/8 barrel. Have you thought of .45 Colt?

[44man]

Crimped
in the lower groove they will be too long to fit into a Smith. An aquaintance of mine wanted to try a cylinder full of my loads in his Smith and they were a no-go.
Boolit is too heavy for a S&W anyway.

[rondog]

My .44 is a Virginian Dragoon. Thing is a freakin' BEAST! It'll handle loads that make me cringe. First saw one in 1980 when they were like, $175 new and wanted one ever since. Finally got a chance to buy one a few years ago and jumped on it.

[44man]

My .44 is a Virginian Dragoon. Thing is a freakin' BEAST! It'll handle loads that make me cringe. First saw one in 1980 when they were like, $175 new and wanted one ever since. Funally got a chance to buy one a few years ago and jumped on it.
That was one heck of a gun. I had one in .375 SM. Strong as all get out but precision was a little lacking. Every gun was not the same and the market from IHMSA shooters fell off.
It really was a good gun and should still be made but management determines what is put out. They always shoot themselves in the foot for an extra dime. DW revolvers went from the best in the world to DEAD too.

[knuckleball]

i have always heard that the bisley is the way to go for heavy recoil,do many disagree? and can a bisley SBH be converted to a standard grip? the reason I ask is I am planning on getting on in a few months, and was going to get the bisley.

The Bisley grip will fit your hand more like a DA revolver grip does but without the nub at the top used during fast double-action so the hand doesn't slip up into the hammer bite area.

If converting a grip, fitting and finishing will be required whether it's SS or Blued along with the added dollars. Just buy what you want the first time and live with it, being adaptable from gun to gun is an important skill to learn too. :D

[Bill*B]

I like the .44. You don't have to shoot it with heavy loads all the time. Purchase a Accurate Mold which casts a wadcutter of 185 grains or so, and load it over 6.0 grains of almost any fast burning shotgun powder - say, 700-X. Your revolver is transformed into a .41 Colt clone. Loads of target shooting and plinking fun!

[shoot-n-lead]

My .44 is a Virginian Dragoon. Thing is a freakin' BEAST! It'll handle loads that make me cringe. First saw one in 1980 when they were like, $175 new and wanted one ever since. Funally got a chance to buy one a few years ago and jumped on it.

I have a Virginian Dragoon...cylinder has not locked up in years...just been in the safe...it was not the "BEAST" that yours is. Can't seem to find the parts to fix it, either...wish I had my money back.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

You can't go wrong with either S&W or Ruger.

"What length barrel should I consider since I walk 3-8 miles per trip ? "

I would go with a 4" 29 for carry and a 7.5" SRH for shooting at the range.

[6pt-sika]

You can't go wrong with either S&W or Ruger.

"What length barrel should I consider since I walk 3-8 miles per trip ? "

I would go with a 4" 29 for carry and a 7.5" SRH for shooting at the range.
I agree however I want a 4" 629 and my blued 7 1/2 Redhawk ��

[44man]

I have a Virginian Dragoon...cylinder has not locked up in years...just been in the safe...it was not the "BEAST" that yours is. Can't seem to find the parts to fix it, either...wish I had my money back.
Basic Colt design. Most likely a flat spring.

[44man]

I can not find a schematic for the gun and found one finally but wanted a $5 charge. Not to be to help anyone. The action is just Colt. Trigger, bolt spring.

[9.3X62AL]

I agree however I want a 4" 629 and my blued 7 1/2 Redhawk ��

Hard to fault this combo for an all-around array. I am looking to trade a 5.5" Redhawk for something else, and replace the RH with a Bisley Blackhawk x 7.5". The Redhawk has served well for 18 years, but having a S&W Mtn Gun x 4" kind of duplicates the shorter-tubed RH a bit. A friend lacking funds (but having guns) REALLY WANTS the RH, and he is a good guy. So, off it will go. I already have BisHawks x 7.5" in 357 Mag and 45 Colt--and love them--so the 44 seems like a good replacement that gives me more barrel length for hunting and recreation.

Just some random observations from a long-time 44 Magnum devotee........the 7.5" RH has less subjective recoil effect for me than does the 5.5" variant. You buy a RH/BH/SBH to use Thor's Hammer-type loads, so I would take every advantage that I could. Blue-steel vs. stainless? Ain't no thang where I live, which is desert-like. The year I spent living 4 blocks from the surf in San Diego County raised havoc with a lot of my steel tools, though. Pick your metal and finish based on your residence and recreational climate. Blue steel is beautiful, no 2 ways about it--but salt air to gun metal is like Father Time for athletes--utterly undefeated.

Load selections for the S&W rollerpistols.......Ol' Elmer Keith had a real good thought many years ago when discussing load strength for the 44 caliber revolvers using his Lyman #429421 bullet--"1200 FPS is all you need". Taking that thought a bit further, he stated that he limited his use of even those loads to about 500 rounds/year. Since most folks looking on here are handloaders, we have the ability to tailor our loadings to a more restrained level. I find about 90% of my 44 Magnum shooting gets done with #429421 run between 950 and 1100 FPS--8.5 grains and 10.5 grains of Unique, respectively. easily managed in the relatively light-framed M-29 x 4", and positively docile in the RH. EVERYBODY with a Ruger wants to try out the Mastodon Flattener load strengths, sooner or later--enjoy them/endure them, but "come home" to gentler recoil for all-day shooting pleasure.

[44man]

I don't, I shoot the .44 as is. the .357 as is and any caliber as is. The .44 mag is not a .44 special. The .475 is not a .480 either. You buy a big magnum and want a .38. Just why did you buy a big gun? Every post is for lighter loads with guns you fear. You buy a .500 S&W and want no recoil. Sorry save the money.
Just why do you want a .44 mag at 800 fps?

[TXCOONDOG]

I don't, I shoot the .44 as is. the .357 as is and any caliber as is. The .44 mag is not a .44 special. The .475 is not a .480 either. You buy a big magnum and want a .38. Just why did you buy a big gun? Every post is for lighter loads with guns you fear. You buy a .500 S&W and want no recoil. Sorry save the money.
Just why do you want a .44 mag at 800 fps?

This has always been my view too and why I started reloading.....for accuracy and full power loads as intended.

[jmort]

"Every post is for lighter loads with guns you fear."
"Just why do you want a .44 mag at 800 fps?"

Do you really think it is a fear issue?
Why do you care what other people decide to do?
As usual, the doctrinaire.

[white eagle]

My next 44 magnum handgun will be a S&W model 29 (blued version) with
a 4"barrel easy to carry and will handle anything that a pistol needs to handle
at present I have a Ruger bisley flat top in 44 special with a 4 5/8" barrel it
hits what I aim at out to 5o yds and beyond but 5o is my personal limit with a handgun

[GL49]

I've got a SRH with a 9" barrel, scoped with a 2X Leupold, super-accurate, but heavy. This would not be my first choice for hog hunting, and not with a scope. It seems not to care what weight boolit it shoots, I prefer the Lee 310gr. Trigger? Pretty good.

I also have a SBH, it prefers a 240gr boolit, it's comfortable and easy to shoot when it's wearing an aftermarket set of Pachmayer grips, but both it and I are embarrassed by the way it looks, that's why it wears the factory wood grips. Trigger? You get used to it. Accuracy? OK
I prefer a Bisley grip to the grip frame on my SBH.

I've got two model 29's, the one with the 6" barrel really likes a 180gr. boolit, the 4" barrel on my Mountain Gun is my favorite. Triggers on both are great, the mountain gun trigger is....well....couldn't get it better. For some reason, it prefers a 240gr load, loaded just shy of the book maximum with AA#9. I removed the factory wood grips and replaced them with Hogue grips, it has the best trigger of all my S&W's. If I had to choose to keep only one, it would be this one. I don't find the 4" barrel much harder to control on a second shot than a longer barrel.
Now, if I had to choose one as you are doing, I would choose my 6" barrel model 29 which also has Hogue grips, accuracy is excellent, a bit better than the 4", (maybe me), trigger is great, and 180gr.s should be enough. If I didn't want to go this light on the boolit, I'd give up probably about 1/2" at 25 yards in accuracy.
Shoulder holster is the way to go, my hips get tired of packing a holster there.
I prefer a RF boolit with a wide meplat, they shoot well out of my relvolvers and just look cool.

As referenced in a previous post, everyone with a Ruger wants to try out the Mastadon Flattener loads. They're great for what they are, but not as enjoyable for most of the people you shoot with, so I've backed off also when just out shooting for fun. Hot and heavy for hunting and when I'm by myself, less when just out shooting with friends. Usually someone want to shoot my 44's or 45's, I'll start them with the lighter loads, then ask if they want to try the real deal. Then we'll all back up and shoot the lighter loads.

All that being said, I may also choose a 5 1/2" Redhawk, only because I don't have one and would have to get one.

[Lloyd Smale]

My hands down most used hunting revolver is a 4 5/8s stainless Blackhawk 44 mag. To me its the perfect gun for pig hunting where your doing a lot more walking then shooting. Next choice would be a 4 inch N frame.

[44man]

"Every post is for lighter loads with guns you fear."
"Just why do you want a .44 mag at 800 fps?"

Do you really think it is a fear issue?
Why do you care what other people decide to do?
As usual, the doctrinaire.
Just because I guess. As calibers go up, guns get heavier and most will not shoot slow, when you start to stuff 300+, 400+ and near 500 gr boolits in them they must stabilize. The use of a big gun is to hunt and to be able to make them work you need to shoot as if you are hunting.
I see it with friends all the time, buy a crew served 500 S&W that should have wheels on it and shoot once, then hand me the gun. it is plain silly. The amazing thing is one fella does not hunt but he has to have the biggest and baddest guns. He might take 2 shots before he quits. My boolit shoots best but he wants to load with Unique. It just does not work.
Another reason for a .44 mag is to shoot far, not that I hunt over 100 yards or so but because the gun can hit to 500 meters for fun. My boolit has been to under 1" at 100 many times but if I shoot less then it was made for, I get shotgun patterns at 50. As bad as 2-1/2 feet.
I ask again, why? Just get a .44 special.
Another friend shoots his new 30-06 with such and such powder because he get more shots per pound. I ask why, it costs a dime a shot and the primer is the most expensive thing, yet 5 more shots from a can makes him feel good.
I related many times about a guy at the range, asked to put a target out, we stopped shooting. He put a huge target at 10 yards, took a SBH out of his trunk and could not hit the paper, factory loads. I asked if I could shoot it and clicked the sight to hit gallon jugs at 200 every shot from Creedmore with my loads. He packed it in without a word so I still ask WHY?
Is it fear? Darn right it is. I seen more .44's for sale in gun stores with most of the first box of ammo included.
I care because the guns will not shoot the way you want. The .44 does not like less then 240 gr but some just hold the gun down to let the boolit fall to the ground, great groups.

[TXCOONDOG]

I greatly appreciate the feedback all.

At this point, my best bet would be to shoot as many styles, etc as I can (rental, etc) to see what works best for me. For all I know, it may be more than I can handle consistently!

[44man]

I greatly appreciate the feedback all.

At this point, my best bet would be to shoot as many styles, etc as I can (rental, etc) to see what works best for me. For all I know, it may be more than I can handle consistently!
You are smart. But the .44 is a real pleasant gun. It comes down to your hands only. You might love the Bisley or hate it. It all depends on what you can make the gun do. Never go by feel, just groups. Start at 50 yards.

[tdoyka]

I don't, I shoot the .44 as is. the .357 as is and any caliber as is. The .44 mag is not a .44 special. The .475 is not a .480 either. You buy a big magnum and want a .38. Just why did you buy a big gun? Every post is for lighter loads with guns you fear. You buy a .500 S&W and want no recoil. Sorry save the money.
Just why do you want a .44 mag at 800 fps?

i luv to shoot 44 special and 44 magnums from my ruger sbh(4 5/8" barrel). i used(ruger srh, 7.5" barrel) to be able to go with a max load of win296 under a 200gr or 240gr hornady xtp which goes approx 1 1/4 - 2" at 100 yards(bench, 5 shots). i could shoot it with a shovel handle, tree limb... and it would go 2 1/2 - 3 1/2" at 100 yards(5 shots). one doe had the misfortune of being at 125 yards+/-. one shot, thru both lungs, was the end of her. 2 - 3 other deer where about 20-30 yards away and they fell quickly.

i've become one handed due to a stroke. i went a few years without srh. then one day, i decided to shoot my srh to see if i could do it(max load of win296, 240gr xtp). i decided that shooting max loads was not for me. i traded the srh and i got the sbh. my range has been cut down to 25 yards but i hope to do 50 yards. then i will be ascetic. i find that the sbh really likes unique. i have done 220gr wc, 250gr mihek hp and 280gr wfn with unique, magnum(the special are 220gr and 250gr). titegroup also does the 220gr and 250gr, both special and magnum. i hope to do 280gr with 2400 in my 44 mag.

yeah, i guess that i should have gone to 44 special, but i like the 44 mag because of its versatility. and one day i'll be gone, and one of my sons can either keep it or get rid of it. i won't mind;).

[Rainier]

I don't know anything about hunting hogs - with that said I have mad love for my Ruger RedHawk. It has the 4.2" barrel and with a 12lb Wolff spring the double action trigger is second to none - and I mean none. (full disclosure the single action could be better) With the Lee 310gr mold (casts 315gr with my lead and PC) and an obscene amount of 4227 I get 1270fps over my chronograph plus great accuracy at 25 yards. Like I said I don't know anything about hog hunting but I have a hard time picturing the critter that is going to survive a well placed shot at 30 yards with a 310gr boolit traveling 1200+fps. Just my 0.02 cents - and my 2 cents and a 5 dollar bill will get you a cup of Starbucks coffee :-)

[Sasquatch-1]

Here is a link for the Interarms Virginian schematic from the Numrich company. There are not many parts available.

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufacturers/Interarms-33312/Revolvers-36617/Virginian-38255.htm



I can not find a schematic for the gun and found one finally but wanted a $5 charge. Not to be to help anyone. The action is just Colt. Trigger, bolt spring.

[Sasquatch-1]

It's a shame your not in the Eastern Panhandle of WV. I have both Rugers and Smiths in .44 and would gladly invite you to the range to try them and see which you like better. The New Model Super Blackhawk with a 7.5" barrel was my first. If I ad to go back to just one, this is probably the one I would keep.


Just a word to add to your confusion, The 9.5" SRH is a bit much to be hauling around. Though with a 2X scope it is extremely accurate out 100 yards. The 7.5" Standard Redhawk is a bit more manageable. It is heavier then the S&W's but that makes the recovery for the second shot a little quicker. I have mine mounted with a Sightmark reflex sight and is very accurate in competent hands.


I greatly appreciate the feedback all.

At this point, my best bet would be to shoot as many styles, etc as I can (rental, etc) to see what works best for me. For all I know, it may be more than I can handle consistently!

[TXCOONDOG]

It's a shame your not in the Eastern Panhandle of WV. I have both Rugers and Smiths in .44 and would gladly invite you to the range to try them and see which you like better. The New Model Super Blackhawk with a 7.5" barrel was my first. If I ad to go back to just one, this is probably the one I would keep.


Just a word to add to your confusion, The 9.5" SRH is a bit much to be hauling around. Though with a 2X scope it is extremely accurate out 100 yards. The 7.5" Standard Redhawk is a bit more manageable. It is heavier then the S&W's but that makes the recovery for the second shot a little quicker. I have mine mounted with a Sightmark reflex sight and is very accurate in competent hands.

It is too bad. No confusion as I asked for opinions and experiences. Lots of good information and I'm grateful to the members.

[9.3X62AL]

"Every post is for lighter loads with guns you fear."
"Just why do you want a .44 mag at 800 fps?"

Do you really think it is a fear issue?
Why do you care what other people decide to do?
As usual, the doctrinaire.

"Doctrinaire" was not the term that first occurred to me, but to save the moderators a bit of work I'll agree with that assessment. If 44 Man feels that "fear" is the operative element in my load choices, I respectfully invite him to gauge same first-hand at his convenience.

[44man]

Fear is real. Going to KICK. It is why I teach backwards, heavy first until they see it does not hurt, then smaller guns. Give a guy a .357 with .38 loads and then go full .357. What will he do?

[Sur-shot]

I carry a 6.5 inch barrel Blackhawk OM 44 in a shoulder holster with 240gr Lyman SWCs when hog hunting with a handgun here in the palmetto swamps of fL. There is no second shot with a 44 because of recoil and the hog is usually about 30 feet away when you first see it, it can reach about 30mph in two steps. You best have your one shot groove on.
Ed

[JBinMN]

Fear is real. Going to KICK. It is why I teach backwards, heavy first until they see it does not hurt, then smaller guns. Give a guy a .357 with .38 loads and then go full .357. What will he do?

My wife thought our SRH(7.5bbl) was more fun to shoot than her brand new LCR .357 snubbie. My DIL felt the same way & had more fun with the .44 mag than the other weapons she fired. (.22,.410ga small all the way up to 12ga/30-06.Pistols & longguns both). I do not know of any who fear the weapon as you say they do. Even my grandboys look forward to shooting..

I must run with more courageous ladies & children than you do... Can't imagine "men" being fearful. You must not be referring to "men". ( < you can consider that purple like sarcasm, but really, I was just picking on the ones who might be afraid to fire a .44, as I think it is silly. You can tell them I said so, too.
LOL
:)

[6pt-sika]

Hard to fault this combo for an all-around array. I am looking to trade a 5.5" Redhawk for something else, and replace the RH with a Bisley Blackhawk x 7.5". The Redhawk has served well for 18 years, but having a S&W Mtn Gun x 4" kind of duplicates the shorter-tubed RH a bit. A friend lacking funds (but having guns) REALLY WANTS the RH, and he is a good guy. So, off it will go. I already have BisHawks x 7.5" in 357 Mag and 45 Colt--and love them--so the 44 seems like a good replacement that gives me more barrel length for hunting and recreation.

Just some random observations from a long-time 44 Magnum devotee........the 7.5" RH has less subjective recoil effect for me than does the 5.5" variant. You buy a RH/BH/SBH to use Thor's Hammer-type loads, so I would take every advantage that I could. Blue-steel vs. stainless? Ain't no thang where I live, which is desert-like. The year I spent living 4 blocks from the surf in San Diego County raised havoc with a lot of my steel tools, though. Pick your metal and finish based on your residence and recreational climate. Blue steel is beautiful, no 2 ways about it--but salt air to gun metal is like Father Time for athletes--utterly undefeated.

Load selections for the S&W rollerpistols.......Ol' Elmer Keith had a real good thought many years ago when discussing load strength for the 44 caliber revolvers using his Lyman #429421 bullet--"1200 FPS is all you need". Taking that thought a bit further, he stated that he limited his use of even those loads to about 500 rounds/year. Since most folks looking on here are handloaders, we have the ability to tailor our loadings to a more restrained level. I find about 90% of my 44 Magnum shooting gets done with #429421 run between 950 and 1100 FPS--8.5 grains and 10.5 grains of Unique, respectively. easily managed in the relatively light-framed M-29 x 4", and positively docile in the RH. EVERYBODY with a Ruger wants to try out the Mastodon Flattener load strengths, sooner or later--enjoy them/endure them, but "come home" to gentler recoil for all-day shooting pleasure.
I failed to mention my blued 7 1/2" Redhawk has a Leupold 2x in factory Ruger rings . So that's more for deer/black bear/targets .

[9.3X62AL]

I have yet to mount glassware on any handguns that I own. I do look at the Ruger BisHawk Hunter x 44 Magnum with wistful glances, though. And S/A rollers can come in to CA without much fuss & bother. We'll see--I am pretty well-set on on a 44 Mag BisHawk.

[white eagle]

Okay now you guys went and did it
I just bought a 4"S&W Model 29 off GB
my wife even likes it
now I have to sell my flat top 44 special but oh well
thats the way it goes round here can only shoot 1 at a time

[9.3X62AL]

I do like mine, sir.

[6pt-sika]

Okay now you guys went and did it
I just bought a 4"S&W Model 29 off GB
my wife even likes it
now I have to sell my flat top 44 special but oh well
thats the way it goes round here can only shoot 1 at a time
I had a 4" 629 before and really want to replace it . And most likely will before the end of the year !

[Sasquatch-1]

The pistol I own that I hate shooting the most is not one of the 44 I own but the meek little Ruger LCP in 380. The gun hurts me more then any other gun I have ever shot. Also, I am not some little wimpy looking nerdy type of guy. I am 6'2.5" and weigh in at over 350 lbs.

If you ever wonder if you are afraid of your gun, have someone else load it for you leaving a couple of empty cylinders. If you don't flinch on the empty cylinders you are not afraid of it.




My wife thought our SRH(7.5bbl) was more fun to shoot than her brand new LCR .357 snubbie. My DIL felt the same way & had more fun with the .44 mag than the other weapons she fired. (.22,.410ga small all the way up to 12ga/30-06.Pistols & longguns both). I do not know of any who fear the weapon as you say they do. Even my grandboys look forward to shooting..

I must run with more courageous ladies & children than you do... Can't imagine "men" being fearful. You must not be referring to "men". ( < you can consider that purple like sarcasm, but really, I was just picking on the ones who might be afraid to fire a .44, as I think it is silly. You can tell them I said so, too.
LOL
:)

[JBinMN]

The pistol I own that I hate shooting the most is not one of the 44 I own but the meek little Ruger LCP in 380. The gun hurts me more then any other gun I have ever shot. Also, I am not some little wimpy looking nerdy type of guy. I am 6'2.5" and weigh in at over 350 lbs.

If you ever wonder if you are afraid of your gun, have someone else load it for you leaving a couple of empty cylinders. If you don't flinch on the empty cylinders you are not afraid of it.

What made ya think "I" was afraid of shooting any firearm? I love shooting all kinds of them, never been afraid to shoot a working firearm in my life. I have refused to fire one that was in disrepair,(< bolt would not stay on locked position) but I would not call that "afraid", I would call that pretty doggone smart.

Could you maybe explain your words underlined above? Perhaps I am misunderstanding them.

[Sasquatch-1]

That was meant, more or less, as a general statement for everyone. It just slipped in well under your post.

I am the type that will try any firearm once as long as it appears to be in good condition. Anybody have a .577 Nitro express I can try? :veryconfu

The under lined portion is just what it says. If you don't know where the empty is you cannot anticipate it and the flinch will show up. If you don't flinch on the empty you have absolutely no fear of the gun or recoil. I still anticipate recoil and fear it or my target groups would be much better.

Also, I should have said chambers not cylinders.


What made ya think "I" was afraid of shooting any firearm? I love shooting all kinds of them, never been afraid to shoot a working firearm in my life. I have refused to fire one that was in disrepair,(< bolt would not stay on locked position) but I would not call that "afraid", I would call that pretty doggone smart.

Could you maybe explain your words underlined above? Perhaps I am misunderstanding them.

[JBinMN]

Thanks for your clarification.
:)
Your post following mine, with mine quoted below your comments, was why i thought you were directing your post to me.
:drinks:

[RoadBike]

For purposes of hunting, I would go with a Ruger Redhawk or Super Redhawk. The cylinders on these are a touch longer than those on the Smith M-29, and I believe they are a touch longer than those on the Ruger single actions.

Perchance you want to load some of the heavier, longer cast boolits for 44 Magnum, the Redhawk and Super Redhawks will accommodate them, but the others will not. I loaded some SSK 320gr cast with Win 296 using the lower crimp groove. The end of the boolit protruded from the M-29 such that the cylinder could not be closed, but they fit just fine in the SRH. It's been a few years back, but I killed my last deer with that load with the 7.5" SRH (+4X Leupold) rested at 105 yards. One shot, one kill.

Prior to the hunt, I practiced grip, trigger release etc. with 240gr LSWC and 9gr Unique. Then I zeroed and practiced a little with the big loads. I didn't clean it until after the hunt. Seems like my SRH likes a few fouling shots down the barrel before it stabilizes.