The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: 2HOW on July 17, 2008, 03:22:09 PM
-
Is there a better revolver than the .44 mag for carry in the field with a 4 in. barrell . Loaded with factory loads. And what platform would you choose?
-
I think the .44 pretty much does it. I'd go Ruger.
-
Depends...the best woods carry revolver I own is an S&W .44 Special Mountain Gun, which of course S&W never actually made...the gun's a custom from Hamilton Bowen, who built it out of a .357 L-Frame 686, a .357 Mountain Gun skinny barrel rebored to .44 Special, a 696 5-shot .44 Special cylinder and a handful of other parts.
You can do almost as well as a .44 Magnum Mountain Gun if you can find one. It's lighter than the Ruger 4-inch .44 Magnum, but the advantage of the Ruger is that it's a tank. If you want to shoot dinosaur thumper .44 Magnum loads, take the Ruger. If you're going to shoot mostly Specials, take the Smith.
Recently, my Sweetie co-opted the Bowen gun, and I've been carrying a 3-inch 629 .44 Magnum overhauled by Jim Stroh at Alpha Precision in a Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake holster. I load the gun with a cylinder-full of Corbon .44 Special DPX, backed with a speedloader of Buffalo Bore 255-grain Keith load thumpers in case I run into a velociraptor...not real pleasant to shoot, but hey...I think I'm going to get the 3-inch Magnaported, too...
If you're a single action fan, get a Ruger 50th Anniversary .44 Magnum Blackhawk and have Hamilton lop the six-inch barrel down to 4 5/8-inches.
In truth, if I'm hiking and traveling light, I'll go with my Charter Bulldog .44 Special that Magnaport redid for me or a box-stock ancient S&W 296 titanium .44 Special.
Michael B
-
I have a 3 inch 629 that is Magnaported. It's a little stout with full loads, since it seems to kick more straight back. I'll have to replace the Hogues that it came with with something that covers the backstrap.
-
I personally like the a good 357 vs a 44 mag, My chances of running into a black bear are very limited. So I really don't need the extra punch of 44 mag.
Now I have been stocked by cougars more then once... funny never saw one until they closed down the hunting of them.
Current carry is a 627 v comp. Something about having 8 shots I just like.... its right at about 3 lbs empty.
-
I've got a couple of friends that hunt cougar with predator calls. Most of the time when they do call them in they don't see them....it's afterwards when they find the tracks 50-75 feet from them they know the cat came in.
-
I've taken deer at close range with single shots from a .357 and a 45 colt. I prefer the .357 for field carry.
-
Is there a better revolver than the .44 mag for carry in the field with a 4 in. barrell . Loaded with factory loads. And what platform would you choose?
If the recoil of a .44 mag isn't a issue,. the S&W 460 V shoots 3 different rounds without changing a thing. .45LC, 454 casull. and the 460 S&W mag. I think if the "big" one is what you want in the field this is a viable option.
Or the S&W 500 comes in 4" 8),... You know when you want to disable anything,... including dump trucks,...
Heres a quick peek at a nice one,...
http://www.valorcorp.com/products/product.asp?root_id=14&cat_id=226&item=3099945
-
When I go camping with the family or hiking I bring my two SASS handguns. A Remington 1875 clone with a 7 1/2" barrel and a Colt SSA clone with a 5 1/2" barrel, both are chambered in .45LC. With Silvertips I don't think I am giving up much to a .357 mag and in all honesty even though I used to own a .44mag (Colt Anaconda) I never could master fast follow up shots. I am comfortable with both and more importantly compent.
Where I live wild dogs, coyotes and people are about the only threats when you are outside. I would say use what you feel comfortable with. Is a .44Mag better than a .38 special for outdoor work, yes. But if you are like me a .38 you can hit with and are familar with is better than the best johhny cool guy gun out there.
Just my two cents.
-
10mm rules ! ;D
(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z69/Quickload/DCB/th_DCBShootin1.jpg) (http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z69/Quickload/DCB/DCBShootin1.jpg)
-
Is there a better revolver than the .44 mag for carry in the field with a 4 in. barrell . Loaded with factory loads. And what platform would you choose?
All these choices are good ones. Get what you shot well.. Bears, moutain loins or what ever, if you can't hit it than whats the use? ???
But having that bad boy at your side will make you think, BRING IT ON SUCKA!! 8)
-
I still can't decide which Ruger I want. A .45 ACP/.45 Colt convertable or a .44 Magnum. I'm thinking about trading in my Contender.
-
I would go with a 6"or 4" S&W 29 or 629. Main reason is you can carry loaded speedloaders. Rugers are great but slow on reloading. Due to arthiritis in my hands, don't shoot .44 Mag due to pain but I carry a .357 or .45ACP. Would love a .45LC, one of these days.
-
I would go with a 6"or 4" S&W 29 or 629. Main reason is you can carry loaded speedloaders. Rugers are great but slow on reloading. Due to arthiritis in my hands, don't shoot .44 Mag due to pain but I carry a .357 or .45ACP. Would love a .45LC, one of these days.
The convertable models are only single-action, but they have Redhawks in .44 Magnum and .45 Colt. They make speedloaders for the the.44 Redhawk and the rim size of both is about the same. The Redhawk is probably $150 cheaper than the 629 and I think the frame is stronger since it was originally made for magnum cartridges.
-
I have a 4' Redhawk. Shoots nice and if you run out of ammo you can club whatever is after you death. Also makes one heck of a boat anchor.
-
I had a 629 with 8 3/8" barrel and it was great. Managed to get a 2-3" group at 100 yds with iron sites, once. Could never repeat it. It was ok with shoulder holster but not much fun to carry while hunting, tried that a couple times.
Don't know much about the Redhawk but have always liked what I read about it. I shot a .44Mag Super Blackhawk and that was fun and pretty accurate.
Heck, I would be comfortable with either Ruger or S&W. I am sure the forgein made .44's are good but I prefer to see made in the USA, except for my Sako.
-
Redhawk 45 5.5 inch. w/ Hogue grips
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p78/hazcater/Guns/100_0864.jpg)
Here it is with the original grips.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p78/hazcater/Guns/redhawk0008.jpg)
-
Redhawk 45 5.5 inch. w/ Hogue grips
Nice gun, Haz. A friend got one like that for Christmas one year and we took it down to the pond (after sighting in) to shoot some beavers. He had it in a crossdraw holster. Well, he leaned over to move a limb off the dam and....ooops...splash.
We spent the rest of the afternoon at his mom's kitchen table learning the inner working mechanisms of a Ruger Redhawk.
Oh well, lessons learned?
(No..... I did the same thing 10 years later on my shop floor with a Super Blackhawk...damn!).
-
Nice gun, Haz. A friend got one like that for Christmas one year and we took it down to the pond (after sighting in) to shoot some beavers. He had it in a crossdraw holster. Well, he leaned over to move a limb off the dam and....ooops...splash.
We spent the rest of the afternoon at his mom's kitchen table learning the inner working mechanisms of a Ruger Redhawk.
Oh well, lessons learned?
(No..... I did the same thing 10 years later on my shop floor with a Super Blackhawk...damn!).
I find this sort of thing happens more often as I get older.
-
Nice gun!
-
Hey Haz, what kind of Milk-Duds are you throwing with that anyway? Sent all my nuclear tipped .44 ammo south to defend Atlanta against the Ruskies. Need something new.
Thanks, Mac.
-
250 grain Montana Gold CMJ over 21 grains of H110. Runs about 1200 fps and will light fires at 3 feet ;D
-
+1 on the Ruger. I have a Super Blackhawk Hunter I took bear hunting a few years ago and, needless to say, I fear nothing in the woods when it's on my side. The only mod. I made was to change the factory wood stocks to a nice, cushy set of Hogues. I have ham hands though, so you may not find this necessary. If something should go wrong with your gun, I can also give Ruger's customer service department two thumbs up. I lost a spring while giving her a good scrubbin' and Ruger sent me a new one, free of charge, in about a week. Now that's service, IMO.
Swoop
-
I like 5" barrels, I have a model 29 classic hunter that is just stellar with 300 grain bullets, and mediocre with anything else, but because it has a scope does not count,, my 4" gun is an old model 57, .41 magnum, and with any lead bullet is a tack driver, jacketed bullets are ok but not killer, I have ordered but not shot yet, some 270 grain bullets with a big meplat, that I think will be the hoss, but as with my .44 mag, the rear sight may not have enough downward adjustment, unless I replace the front sight.
-
I like 5" barrels, I have a model 29 classic hunter that is just stellar with 300 grain bullets, and mediocre with anything else, but because it has a scope does not count,, my 4" gun is an old model 57, .41 magnum, and with any lead bullet is a tack driver, jacketed bullets are ok but not killer, I have ordered but not shot yet, some 270 grain bullets with a big meplat, that I think will be the hoss, but as with my .44 mag, the rear sight may not have enough downward adjustment, unless I replace the front sight.
Years ago I had a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Mag with a 10" barrel. An old guy at the range gave me some 44 special ammo that I believe were 248 gr RNL. Those things were so slow getting out of that long barrel that with the sights cranked down I still had to aim at the bottom of the paper on the target (2' x 2' NRA Bullseye) to hit the very top of the paper. A 2' spread between POA and POI..... ;D
-
Thanks for all the great input. I really dont like the blacks or reds. I lean towards the 29 series and maybe a little off brand in DA . I really like the Ruger in .357 but the .44 isnt my bag.
-
I have a 4' Redhawk. Shoots nice and if you run out of ammo you can club whatever is after you death. Also makes one heck of a boat anchor.
Yep, A bit heavy to tote all day, but boosts the old confidence a little (and not as filling as a 12-pack) ;D
-
What ever happened to the Smith & Wesson Model 357PD ? Nice in between .41 mag. in a lite packing handgun.
-
S&W has discontinued all .41 Magnum revolvers. :(
-
i have shoot a 41 mag for years it great because i much easier tio control and place multipule shoot. Smith &wesson make iton the same frame as there 44 mag it a great round it is a little hard to find ammo but most good gun shops can orderit for you.
-
S&W used to make a 4" L frame in 44 spl. if you can find one...I have never even seen one let alone one for sale!
Richard
-
I think the 44 on an L frame was a 386 or 396 Mountain Lite. Alominum frame titanium or steel 5 shot cylinder. I want one but can't fing one. I normaly carry my 629 mountain Revolver in a Simply Rugged pancake IWB 44 special silvertips and Hornady Leverevolution mags in the woods.
-
I've carried both a 4" S&W 19-3 (.357 mag) and a 4" S&W 629 (.44 mag) with no problems. The 19-3 is a bit lighter and smaller making it a little easier to carry than the 629. I will say there is something comforting about packing a 44mag. ;)
-
Before you ask. The Ruger is for black bear and deer. 300 grain bullets with H110 powder... The weight helps! The Raging Bull is well placed for home defense should I not get to the 12 guage. Still has 300 grain bullets, but H4895 powder to slow it down to .45 ACP speeds and not blow my ear drums out if I ever had to fire it in the house!
The versatility of .44 mag is amazing when you hand load!
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/P1000865.jpg?t=1237040140)
-
Depends on what your comfortable with and where you live. If the biggest predator you have to worry about is a mountain lion then a .357 is good enough....44 would be over kill. I myself have only one revolver. An 8-shot .357 Taurus 608 w/a 4in. barrel,matte stainless and it suits me just find.
-
I carry a Gp100 .357 mag when im out in the woods, and i sometimes carry my G20 10mm. I used to carry my grandpa's old S&W 21 in 44 special, but i gave it to my dad because it meant a whole lot to him.
-
.357 is what I carry. She has not done me wrong.
-
Again, it depends on the environment in which you're carrying. Where I live (East Texas), the three feral species to be concerned about are dogs, hogs, and people. A good 9mm or .357Mag works well for all three in a SD situation. Bigger animals require bigger loads. Remember, hunting requires a one-shot terminal stop.....SD is shooting the threat until it stops being a threat (if it dies, that's its own choice).
-
Seeker Two,
Not sure where ya live but around here a 9mm will just barely handle the average hogs and I would not want to use it against any of the bigger (225 plus) ones. Not saying it wouldn't work but ya better have a double stack in it. ;)