New Shooter to the 44 mag

[racine]

Gents,
I was loaned a S&W 629 by a good friend to take with me to Yellowstone while I fish and pack. I shoot mostly 45acp & 40SW for competition and have been for 10 years+. I ask here as I have not shot a 44mag since my first attempt at a handgun in 1976 when an acquaintance thought it amusing for me to shoot his 8" 44 mag Ruger Blackhawk. It cut the heck out of my thumb twice which ended my shooting interest at that time.
I'm headed to Wally world to get some practice ammo and then will be purchasing a Kydex holster(OWB) for when I'm hiking in Yellowstone. What can I expect from this SW 6" model as far as recoil, follow up shots, rapid fire control and backcountry ammo preference for Grizz??? I'd appreciate your immediate response as I leave in 2 weeks and will use this time frame to practice with this nice revolver.
Thanks in Advance,
Racine

 

[flipajig]

to practice I would use some 44 spc rd and or if you reload load some mag brass to spc valosity. For bear ammo Buffalo Bore loads are not for the faint of heart. they sell loads from a 225grn running about 1350 rpm to a 340grn +P+ running around 1478rpm (per the Cabela's) and I will gerintee they are not for the faint of heart. These are recomended for the Ruger line and not for the Smith. Personly I woud use a good 240 or a 300grn hard cast bullet running around 1200rpm. That is what im shooting in my SBH and im verry pleased with it.

 

[Sam1911]

Take a firm, two-handed grip. Use an aggressive, weight-forward, isosales, fighter stance. Elbows up, arms slightly bent. Strong hand positioned to place the 1st joint of your trigger finger at the center of the trigger. Weak hand wrapped firmly around your strong hand's fingers. Both thumbs FORWARD -- don't wrap your weak thumb over your strong wrist! Weak hand provides about 70% of your grip strength.

Drive the gun, don't let it push you around. It isn't going to hurt you (this time ) and you can control it remarkably well.

If you really just want to practice making the gun work, .44 Spc. is a lot of fun and will be a powder puff in that gun. I'd want to stick to warmer Mag. loads though, to develop the experience of controlling the gun with real defensive ammo in a real defense situation.

There used to be an AWESOME video series on myoutdoortv.com of Jerry Michulek teaching these techniques with various revolvers all the way up to a 4" barreled .500 Mag. Unfortunately, while one still image from that series is still up, the videos are gone.

 

[PinoyInFL]

Now you will be reminded of how Thor feels like. With the 44 mag, it always felt like I had thunder in my hands.

 

[jonboynumba1]

some loads are hotter than others...winchester superX 240gr SJHP's are pretty tame but still great rounds (for deer anyway) look at ammo on midway and you can look at rated fps and energy and read customer feedback. You can also look at the bullet in a given load and extract some input that way looking it up as a reloading component...us reloaders are nit-pickers and like to share details! start with specials and work up to a load you feel good about....it doesn't need to be nuclear hot to work...some loads have 240gr of lead flying 1400+ (on paper anyway...corbons numbers are not going to be realistic through your 6") Hornday 240XTP is a reasonable compromise between heat and controllabillity. The 225gr XTP is a touch milder...oddly their 180gr XTP's feel rock n roll hot to me again...loaded to impress with speed (not really what the .44 is for)

The superX is on the slower side but with a softer mushier bullet....I'd get a box of both and work up in that order after the specials (you'll LOVE that gun in .44 specials!...any .45 guy will!) But once you get used to the gun you'll find you enjoy the magnums a lot to....just not something you'll want to plink with all day. With 1000-1200 FPS 240-250gr cast bullets it's a very pleasant ride! Even in factory fodder there is some serious difference between some loads felt recoil. If you want potent out of the box look at buffalo bore or doubletap hard cast heavier loads....but buy enough to shoot some getting used to the recoil. Generally speaking hard cast heavy keith style bullets in the 240-300gr range are what most people would probably consider "bear quallified" up North.

It's gonna take you at least 100+ rounds to get comfy with a .44 mag if it's your first...probably over a few days at the range....so you are looking at some specials some lighter mags some moderate mags and a heavier load or two....that's gonna be a good 5 boxes and well over $100....which is a lot for a gun you don't own....but don't worry....1) you'll love carrying that smith WAY more than a slug gun 2) you'd have a much better chance of getting it to bear (pun intended) unexpectedly. and 3) within 3-6 months of getting back you'll find you own a .44 magnum of your own...having worked up to it and become comfortable and apreciative of what it offers a shooter willing to spend some time with it.

That's how these things work...I sold my .44 a few years back to pay for my hunting club one year things where tight....this year I bought a blued Ruger SBH....I fully expect a DA .44 to materialize in my collection by spring....handguns reproduce that way!

Enjoy your trip and be safe!

 

[buck460XVR]

Racine.......I owned a Ruger Blackhawk in .44 mag back in the early seventies. It beat me up everytime I shot it. Traded it in on a SxS shottie and never looked back. It turned me off to magnum shooting for almost two decades. Finally decided to buy a S&W .357 and realized how much fun I was missin'. Since then I have acquired a X-Frame and a 629. Neither beats me up like the old Blackhawk did. Shooting the 629 with standard factory ammo is not at all pleasant. I own a PC model with a 7 5/8'' barrel and my oldest son has a classic with a 6'' barrel. Both are fun and pleasant to shoot.

 

[bluetopper]

I'll just say, the 44 Magnum and reloading are a match like no other. The most versatile cartridge for reloading and the most pleasurable, period.

From powder puff loads to full house magnums and a wide array of weights and styles of cheap bullets.

 

[CraigC]

Don't strongarm it, the .44 will win every time. You want a firm but relaxed grip and keep your arms bent. It's gonna roll up, let it. Fighting it will only tire you more quickly and in long shooting sessions, your joints will pay for it. You just can't shoot heavy sixguns like a 9mm automatic.

 

[oldfool]

"aggressive, weight-forward, isosales, fighter stance."

wow, Sam, great post !
(and I thunk you were pretty much just an autoloader guy, dunno why)
yeah, I think the balanced, but "leaning into the gun" is one of the most oft overlooked by "newbies", analogous to how lots of good scattergun guys lean into their stance
true, the basics apply to all handguns, but the big magnums do add unmistakable "emphasis"

for OP
get some snap caps with that ammo, load one snap in each cylinder group, so as to be random sequence during fire... if you don't know why, you will know why probably within 1st dozen rounds fired
(mental focus, block out everything except focus on front sight when aiming)

 

[Lovesbeer99]

Racine - I don't have much experiance with the 44, but I've got to tell you that if I have a bear up on my in Yellowstone, I would not be concerned with recoil or cutting my hands.

I'd practice with some light loads to get the feel of the trigger, then with full power loads to get a feel and dial her in.

Then I'd practice drawing from the holster and getting a shot off on a target at various distances. Practice the draw and dry fire a lot.

Good luck and have some fun out there.

 

[Sam1911]

(and I thunk you were pretty much just an autoloader guy, dunno why)

Well...I do shoot primarily autos, most of the time. I did spend over a year exclusively shooting my 629 as my competition gun, though. I've got maybe 12,000 rds through it in practice and matches. Not a lot, but enough to develop a few opinions.

yeah, I think the balanced, but "leaning into the gun" is one of the most oft overlooked by "newbies", analogous to how lots of good scattergun guys lean into their stance true, the basics apply to all handguns, but the big magnums do add unmistakable "emphasis"

Exactly my point. I see so many shooters leaning BACK and then they say the gun is hard to control and kicks too much.

This is how I teach everyone I shoot with:

My daughter, at 7, with the 629 and some .44 Spcs. She can't reach to make a DA pull, but using SA, she can control that gun.

get some snap caps with that ammo, load one snap in each cylinder group, so as to be random sequence during fire... if you don't know why, you will know why probably within 1st dozen rounds fired

Also very good advice!

 

[bsms]

I shoot my 44 Mag one handed and let it move in my hand. Works good for about a dozen rounds, then it is time to switch hands. But for grizzlies, I'd prefer something with at least an 18 inch barrel...

 

[joed]

I love the .44 and enjoy shooting them. Due to the fact that I reload I don't shoot any really intense loads, at least not at paper. I try to keep velocity down to about 1050 fps which helps. None of my guns have seen a full power .44 load as long as I've owned them. All of my shooting is with 250 gr LSWC cast bullets.

But if I were going near grizzlies I'd probably want a 240 to 250 gr hard bullet for penetration. This is where the 250 gr LSWC will shine behind a heavy load.

 

[bluetopper]

bsms, I shoot one-handed too. I was taught if a gun was meant to be shot with two hands it would have two handles on it.

 

[Eb1]

I am new to the .44 as well. Have shot close to two hundred rounds. I am just now getting use to the revolver. 5.5" Super Blackhawk. I like it, but I will not put .44 SPL in my gun. I do not like to scrub the cylinders.
I started loading magnum brass with Trail Boss and a LSWC of 240 grains. The powder charge is 7.0 grains. It is basically a hotter .44 Special, but doesn't dirty up the cylinder because I am using magnum brass.

I also load pretty hot rounds with 2400 and the same bullet, but my favorite so far is the 270 grain Speer GD Flat Nose at around 1000 fps. I like that load. i am waiting on some 250 grain Beartooth bullets with a huge meplate to arrive very soon. I am going to try 2400 with it also. It is a gas checked lead boolit. I sure hope it goes well.

i can say that the .44 has to be the most fun you can have along side a .22 LR. Enjoy. It is fun, fun.

 

[BCRider]

Look up the Jerry Miculek (sp?) videos for revolver shooting. In them he talks and shows you how to lower your grip slightly to allow the gun to rotate and lift more as a way to ease the kick from the more powerful magnum rounds. And I can say from trying it that it works.

I've shot a few different types of factory .44Mag from a 5 or 6 inch 629. I don't normally like to shoot more than a cylinder or two worth of some of them as I find it too hard on my wrist even with the lower grip. But it's not something I'd give a second thought to if a bear was coming at me.

Oh, and you definetly want to adopt a grip that keeps your skin well away from the cylinder release. It may not LOOK sharp but trust me......

 

[Eb1]

I find the SA grip to be a little more forgiving than the DA. Although I feel the SA more in my forearm than in my wrist.

 

[MovedWest]

The Ruger and the Smith are two different experiences. Personally, I prefer the Ruger and have more experience with it as a result.

That being said, the 44 magnum recoil seems to happen before you even realize it. When you realize it's happened, it's already over. Don't psyche yourself up for it or you won't hit anything. Think of it as ripping a band-aid off. This is just what to keep in mind until you get used to it.

A slightly forward-weighted stance is good to keep your balance, otherwise you might take half a step back to keep your balance after the blast.

Don't place the butt of the revolver in your supporting hand's palm or you might end up with a blood blister (been there).

Someone mentioned 100 rounds is good to get accustomed to the feel, but don't expect to do all that your first time out. Try 20-40 rounds your first time depending on how it hits you. Space those 100 rounds out over a few range sessions or you might have some sore palms in the morning - and a flinch that might never go away. Work up to it.

I've found that if I fire weaker calibers before jumping into the magnum, the kick of the magnum seems to be more significant. The kick really is relative, so it might behoove you to fire the magnum first when you go to the range.

And lastly, expect to get looks at the range. The 44 magnum has a deep bass boom when it goes off. Bass rattles your guts and travels. Everyone on the range will know you're there and they're gonna look your way.

For generally available ammo that would be good for furry woodland creatures, Hornady is fairly easy to find and very accurate. The 240gr XTP's are a solid standard and are loaded a bit on the hot side. They've got some snap to 'em. The 300gr XTP's are slower and energy transfer is different. At close range they can be pretty deadly on big things and have less snap/recoil.

If you want to get accustomed to the 44 magnum, I would avoid 44 special rounds. They're great and I fire them regularly, but they feel *nothing* like a magnum round.

Dry firing will help you get used to the trigger pull of your particular revolver. Smith's have a really nice trigger.

Don't get discouraged if it beats you up the first time out. You will get accustomed to it if you keep at it.

Good luck and straight shootin'.

-MW

 

[22-rimfire]

Good practical advice for shooting the 44 magnum. It will kick; but just decide that you will conquer it! I shot a fair amount of 357 mag out of a 6" Colt Python years ago and really got disqusted with the recoil. I just could never see the point of shooting much more expensive ammo and putting up with the recoil as compared to a 38spl or 22LR. (A 357 mag is no 44 mag.) I'm mostly a 22 shooter. Years later, I got a Smith M57 (41 mag) and I was determined to shoot it well. I shot and actually loved the gun and could shoot it as well as my 22's. The good part is I could hit soda cans at 100 yds well enough to take it deer hunting. The 41 is just a tad less powered than the 44 mag. Practice and you will do fine. I envy your going to Yellowstone NP, but I don't envy lugging around the 6" 629 on my belt. You might look around for a good heavy leather belt that will better support the weight of the gun. There isn't enough time to get one from one of the custom belt makers.

 

[Sam1911]

Look up the Jerry Miculek (sp?) videos for revolver shooting. In them he talks and shows you how to lower your grip slightly to allow the gun to rotate and lift more as a way to ease the kick from the more powerful magnum rounds. And I can say from trying it that it works.

That's the same video series I was describing. Can you find a link to it still? MyOutdoorTV seems to have taken it down.

I don't envy lugging around the 6" 629 on my belt. You might look around for a good heavy leather belt that will better support the weight of the gun. There isn't enough time to get one from one of the custom belt makers.

I carry my 4" 629 concealed regularly and don't notice the weight. A good belt is certainly a key factor there, though. I've had very good success with the Wilderness Tactical Instructor belts (that's the one with the stiffener insert) but I think the "5-Stitch" version would work about as well. Those should be in stock with no wait.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

I have the JM CD if anyone wants to pony up a few bucks for it. Cheap.
I got it as a gift a few years ago and quite honestly I didn't think it was that great. Jerry's a great shooter, but the video is lacking.

Still it has some useful information and I'd part with it.

 

[Boxhead]

Lots of good advise above. For a factory load to use on the trail I would get the Federal CastCore 300 gr load that is loaded with one of the finest 44 Mag bullets around, the Cast Performance Bullet Company 300 gr WFNGC.

 

[racine]

Great tips

Hey guys, I certainly appreciate your many tips on handling this stout cartridge. I'll try to relax on the grip a bit instead of strong arming it. I like the piece about avoiding 44 spc to avoid having to clean the cylinders-something that irritated me when shooting 38 in 357 mag. I'm hoping to never have to use this in the park and to spend most of my time pursuing trout and great scenery. I have to admit that seeing 3 grizz in one day 2 years ago opened my eyes. Then having a buddy actually use his 44 to disuade a mom grizz and 2 cubs in Anchorage 3 years ago remains in my memory when I was hiking up there. Thanks for the help and I might even buy this 44 if I like it.
Racine

 

[Coyote3855]

If I were going into grizzly country, I would rather have bear spray than a handgun I was marginally familiar with. Heresy for this board, but there it is.

 

[Karl Hungus]

First off I don't see why so many make a big deal out of the .44 mag. Yes it is harsher than a .38, yes it is harsher than a .357, but it's not that bad. Granted, I've never shot a S&W so maybe they are way worse than Ruger, Taurus or Dan Wesson but I doubt it. On a typical day of shooting my .44 mag I go through about 50 rounds from everything from standing one-handed to Creedmore position and suffer no ill effects. This is with 240gr bullets at about 1350 fps. As others have said, one trick is to not try to strong-arm it.

Second, I think taking an unfamiliar magnum handgun to Yellowstone to ward off grizzlies in two weeks is a bad idea. Holding heated conversations with friends or even yourself would be a far better method for keeping grizzlies away in the backcountry.