I just want to ascertain that a .44 Mag is an appropriate cartridge for such an undertaking. At a distance of 50-60 yards, that seems like it should have enough knock-down power, right?
I'm looking at a used Ruger Blackhawk with a 6.5" barrel. How easy is it to mount a scope on this gun?
Thanks for any help you collectively provide!
Josh
To answer your first question, yes it is, but to elaborate on it a bit, it won't quite work in terms of knock down like you might think. When using revolvers your more dependent upon making a hole, and big hole, all the way through, and not getting the traumatic shock like you would see with a rifle. This said, it is generally better to use a heavier bullet with a wider flatter frontal area to get more damage and penetration.
As to mounting a scope, this is a personal preference, however I personally having been that route would recommend against it, as it take a LOT of practice to use one from field positions, even to the shorter ranges where standard iron sights will be just as effective. If you DO choose a scope, I highly suggest not going over 2x. This will be more than enough at the ranges to which your looking to hunt with a revolver.
Seeing that you do not load your own, yes there are several factory available loads which will do what you need. The biggest deterrent to them however is the price they want for them. Since most run anywhere from a buck to two bucks a round this might really wain into your time spent behind the trigger with them. If your going to use them to hunt with you need to spend plenty of time with putting them down range through paper first, especially while learning to use the scope.
I have hunted with revolvers for close to 20yrs, and while I do not claim to be anywhere close to an expert, I have done my share of shooting out to 100yds with both scoped and standard sights. I do still miss on occasion, but it is not from a lack of practice, it is from a lack of patients. With practice, a decent shooting load,, with and without a rest, you should easily be able to hit within a 1 inch per ten yard measure, of accuracy with the iron sights, and half of this with a scope. In other words at 10yds you should be able to shoot a 1" group and at 50 a 5" group. If you can do this with the proper ammo, then you can figure on being accurate enough to choose the proper shot on an elk, if and when the time comes.