[huntbigbucs]

I got the wheels really turning for a new piece right now since the gun funds will be adequate in a few weeks. Still a toss up between the AR or a .44 mag revolver.

On the .44, what barrel length do yall have? Between the Ruger and Taurus its a toss up between 5.5 / 6 inches or 7.5 / 8 inches. I guess the major difference is recoil, but am more curious about performance differences

Will have a red-dot on it. Will use it for hog and maybe deer hunting at close range.

 

[10pointman]

I like the longer barrels on a .44.I ain't crazy about recoil.
Just my :twocents:.Heavier is easier to hold steady too,in my opinion.

 

[HANDGUNNER]

I have had several 44 Mags........7 1/2 and 10 1/2 inch barrels......both Ruger Super Blackhawks& both were accurate, but the 10 1/2 incher was close to a tack driver.....I put many a whitetail and hog in the freezer with it...I had it topped out with a 1.5X4 scope..........wish I'd never gotten rid of it!!!!!!

It's personal choice, but as the Late Elmer Keith said about the 44 & recoil.............

That's what they make Two hands for son!!!!!:smack::biggrin:

 

[UCNE]

I have a 357 mag for the same reason 7" has plenty of punch but load good for 50 yds .........

 

[Mr. Chitlin]

I have both 5.5" and 7.5" and personally don't care for anything longer than the 7.5". Be sure to handle one to see if you like it or not. The longer barrels seem muzzle heavy to me, but that's a personal thing.

 

[bullet-slinger]

Huntbigbucs.

I would say it depends on your primary purpose for having the 44 mag. If it is hunting deer and hogs at close range like you said a 4 in. barrel with factory sights and up will work fine for 25 yards or closer, if your willing to practice shooting off hand at the same distances. If your planning on shooting longer distances at deer and hogs I would go with a 7 ½ in barrel with some kind of scope, and plan on using some form of rest. Also practice a bunch before going hunting.

I’ve killed deer slightly past 80 yards in Ohio with a 7 ½ in barreled 44 mag and a 2x scope from a rested position in a tree stand. No problem. I also shot hundreds of rounds prior to and during hunting season out to 100 yards practicing. If your not willing to spend lots of time practicing with a handgun, stick with a rifle.

I prefer to carry as light a handgun as I can that will still get the job done. I have never liked the 10 in or longer barreled handguns because they feel awkward, heavy and front end heavy to me. In Ohio there was no rifle hunting for deer. Only shotgun, muzzleloader, and handgun. I preferred handguns. Now that I live in Arkansas I hunt with a rifle, but still carry a handgun. One is a Freedom arms 357 mag and the other is a Ruger super Blackhawk. One has a 4 ½ in barrel and the other has a 4 5/8 in barrel with factory sights. I would feel completely comfortable shooting deer at 25 yards with either at 25 yards or closer.

 

[Mr. Chitlin]

I also shot hundreds of rounds prior to and during hunting season out to 100 yards practicing. If your not willing to spend lots of time practicing with a handgun, stick with a rifle.

Very wise words!!

 

[ozarkthunder]

Colt Anaconda, 8" barrel, shoots more accurate than me, seems muzzle heavy, though. Recoil and .44 mag go together. (Thats one reason i got it!)

 

[huntbigbucs]

I am thinking that 50 yards to be the max in the woods. Of course, stretching it out at the range is a requirement after lots of practice. My main concern is the muzzle weight as Mr. C said. Anything over 8 inches is out of the question. Should have a rest in most of my stands, but thats if everything goes right when the animal walks out, which seems to never happen for me :smack:

I don't bow hunt, and killing deer with a rifle is fun, but i think close up with a pistol will bring a new challenge. Plus bringing home the bacon will be more fun:

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l102/huntbigbucs/11th Set of Pics/MDGC0093.jpg

 

[HANDGUNNER]

Very wise words!!

AMEN!!!!!!!

That's one reason, I am leaning back toward rifle hunting, after hunting with a Handgun for over 25 years...........Practice is something that my hands cannot take, with the large caliber handguns/cannons that I have....after 3 surgeries on one hand, and one on the other....my grip strength is not as good as it was, and My hands can't take the punishment

 

[flintknapper]

I've carried an 8 3/8" S&W Mod. 629 in a shoulder holster, and it's not too bad once you get it adjusted to ride right. Now I'm not that big, and the bottom of the holster stuck out under my jacket, but that didn't bother me much. As far as shooting, the long heavy barrel and sight radius helps me a lot, the weight makes it easier on the shooter.

Now ask me about the 4" mod. 29.... I shoot it for kicks and giggles, but it takes a toll! I've had large manly men shoot it twice and hand it back to me, that's all they wanted. 6" and longer tubes are much better for shooting purposes. My favorite may be the Ruger Redhawk, just due to the weight.

 

[bett_lou]

I've got a Smith & Wesson 44 mag with a 6 1/2 inch barrell. I can hit with it like a dream. Love it!

 

[soarkrebel]

I have a S&W model 57 with a 8 3/8 BBL .......for those that don't know it's a 41 magnum.
I bought it to hunt with and have yet to kill with it. I killed a doe with one of my S&W 686's and have been hooked to it since for handgunning.

Some say the 357mag is to light and I beg to differ. With a 158 grain bullet it works very nicely.

I have a 4" and a 6" 686 and love them both!!

But if I was going to get a 44 I would look at a older S&W 629 classic or a Ruger Super Redhawk with a 7.5 BBL.

Personally if I was going to spend the money ........I would buy the 454 casull:thumb:


Practice is the key with any handgun and practice with the load your going to hunt with. so for the non handloader it could get real expensive!!

 

[HANDGUNNER]

I have a S&W model 57 with a 8 3/8 BBL .......for those that don't know it's a 41 magnum.
I bought it to hunt with and have yet to kill with it. I killed a doe with one of my S&W 686's and have been hooked to it since for handgunning.

Some say the 357mag is to light and I beg to differ. With a 158 grain bullet it works very nicely.

I have a 4" and a 6" 686 and love them both!!

But if I was going to get a 44 I would look at a older S&W 629 classic or a Ruger Super Redhawk with a 7.5 BBL.

Personally if I was going to spend the money ........I would buy the 454 casull:thumb:


Practice is the key with any handgun and practice with the load your going to hunt with. so for the non handloader it could get real expensive!!

Got 2-41Mags............both Blackhawks, a 4 5/8 & a 6 1/2....both are fun to shoot and have killed many a deer with both...with the right handloads, it can out preform a 44!!!!! would love to find a Mod 57:up:

 

[soarkrebel]

Got 2-41Mags............both Blackhawks, a 4 5/8 & a 6 1/2....both are fun to shoot and have killed many a deer with both...with the right handloads, it can out preform a 44!!!!! would love to find a Mod 57:up:

No Trouble it's not for sale!!:biggrin:

Model 57's are getting hard to find .........good luck:up:

 

[huntbigbucs]

I know Ruger's have a good reputation, as do S&W. What about the Taurus? I have owned a Taurus semi, and had no complaints about it. Quite a bit of price difference between the 3

 

[flintknapper]

Dad and I sold a few Taurus revolvers in .357 and everybody involved was happy. The major differences I see are price (obviously) and perhaps longevity. We KNOW Smiths and Rugers will hold up (especially the Rugers) but Taurus hasn't been around nearly as long.

My feeling is that if you don't plan to shoot all that much, you could be very happy with the Taurus. I just like Rugers better. :twocents:

 

[Hobbshunter]

I've got the 8 3/8" S&W, blued with wood grips.
I really like it, and I can shoot it much more accurately than most pistols. I've found that I can shoot the .44 as comfortable as anything as long as I grip right and dont try to over-muscle the recoil. If you dont grip mine right, the trigger guard will kill your knuckles.

 

[bett_lou]

I know Ruger's have a good reputation, as do S&W. What about the Taurus? I have owned a Taurus semi, and had no complaints about it. Quite a bit of price difference between the 3

I agree with Flintknapper. I've got a Taurus. Not the kind your looking at, just a 38 special I keep close for my own protection. So far, so good. When I bought it the friend of mine at the gun store told me the same thing Flintknapper said. They haven't been around as long as all the other gun companies but no complaints so far.

 

[JH SWAIN JR]

I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk with a 7.5" barrel and a Smith 629 with a 6" barrel. I like the Ruger, but I love the 629. Hold them both and get witch ever feels better. I would keep the barrel at least 6". As for Taurus I own a 22 revolver, and it works great. The trigger pull and overall "smoothness" compared to S&W is simply no comparison by anyone's standard. If you can't spring for the S&W, a Taurus will work just fine, but it's worth the extra for S&W IMO.