I'm looking for a 44 mag revolver that I can easily carry for bear protection (i.e., not too long of a barrel) but one that I can also hunt deer with at 40-60 yard ranges. The ability to add a scope for times that I am hunting with it would be a plus. Any suggestions? Can a scope be mounted on a Ruger Super Blackhawk with the 5.5" barrel? Thanks.
44 mag bear protection pistol that I can also hunt with?
- Thread starter Mattole
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I don't think that such a gun exists that can fulfill all those roles well. There are some that can do both OK. For protection, you really need a DA sixgun. It can be fired one handed if needed and requires much less dexterity to shoot one handed. For hunting you really need at least a 5.5" barrel. The only choices, imo, would be a 5 to 6 inch 629 or Redhawk. The Redhawk can not only handle hotter loads better, but it has a longer cylinder and can take really hot loads that won't even fit into a 629. The Redhawk would be my choice for a gun that can perform both roles satisfactorily.
Jeff F
Member
I'd go with a Redhawk or a S&W 29 - 629 with a 6 in tube for a hunting side arm. Never really been a single action guy although I have a couple that do get some range time occasionally.
surfinUSA
Member
An 8 3/8 S&W 29/629 will work just fine. Use a shoulder holster. I'm thinking of adding one of the small Burrris red dots to mine.
No disrespect for your gun, but an 8" barrel is hardly something you want to tote around all day for protection. It would also be extremely slow in maneuvering and hard to use for contact shots. I think that if you're going to pack something that big you'd be better off with a small rifle.
CSA 357
Member
What kind of bear? black bear a 44 would be fine, i have a few 4 inch 44 magnum smiths, i like the 4 inch as a woods gun, any longer and its hard for me to carry, and why do so many people try to make a 44 mag into a 454? if you need more than that just get a 454 460 or a 500! the 44 mag will do just fine for any thing in my neck of the woods, good luck!
44and45
Member In Memoriam
The Taurus Raging Bull is gaining wide acceptance as a quality made and accurate revolver in .44 magnum...John Taffin thinks so, so it must be true.
It can also be had in 5 inch barrel length if you have to hide it out.
Seen a six inch barrel RB at my local gun pusher, it had two cylinder release buttons...neat, and well crafted as far as I could tell.
If someone wants to buy my boxed Colt Anaconda in .44 magnum, I'm gonna buy one.
Jim
It can also be had in 5 inch barrel length if you have to hide it out.
Seen a six inch barrel RB at my local gun pusher, it had two cylinder release buttons...neat, and well crafted as far as I could tell.
If someone wants to buy my boxed Colt Anaconda in .44 magnum, I'm gonna buy one.
Jim
You can hunt with anything you can hit with unless you have state regs on barrel length. A long barrel makes it easier to shoot accurately but not more accurate, you will get a bit more velocity though.
A scope can be put on just about anything you want, it doesn't mean you should though. I've seen a scoped two inch J-frame which I found mildly disturbing.
A single action revolver can be very fast in practiced hands but does add another step. This could be a problem in a high stress situation unless you have it built into your subconscious.
I personally have a 4" Redhawk and a 4 5/8" Super Blackhawk for general purpose .44's. For a scoped hunting .44 I have a 9.5" Super Redhawk with a 2x Leupold on it.
Your mentioned 5.5" Super Blackhawk would serve you well as would a 5.5" Redhawk if you prefer a double action. At 7.5" you can get built in scope rings in either flavor as well.
The Smith & Wesson 5" 629 is a wonderful gun if you're not looking at Ruger only loads.
A scope can be put on just about anything you want, it doesn't mean you should though. I've seen a scoped two inch J-frame which I found mildly disturbing.
A single action revolver can be very fast in practiced hands but does add another step. This could be a problem in a high stress situation unless you have it built into your subconscious.
I personally have a 4" Redhawk and a 4 5/8" Super Blackhawk for general purpose .44's. For a scoped hunting .44 I have a 9.5" Super Redhawk with a 2x Leupold on it.
Your mentioned 5.5" Super Blackhawk would serve you well as would a 5.5" Redhawk if you prefer a double action. At 7.5" you can get built in scope rings in either flavor as well.
The Smith & Wesson 5" 629 is a wonderful gun if you're not looking at Ruger only loads.
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Beowolf1911
Member
For what you want I think load is more important then form. I have a super blackhawk with the 5.5 and I love it. I have different loads for different perposes I use a 240 grain plated sierra flat nose for target practice loaded at a moderate level. For deer I use a 300 grain hornady xtp loaded at about 1100 fps. for bear I load the same round with a bit more powder. I sight in on the deer load and the gun hits just a bit high with the target loads and the groupings are a little wider with the bear load but the velocity is a bit higher. All in all it is a great gun for what I use it for but if you want a scope you are prob better off with the redhawk since it is easier to mount.
glockman19
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I have a S&W 629 5" and Marlin 1894SS Combo if/when I'm in bear country
gandog56
Member
I have both!
Marshall
Member
Redhawk
The 5.5" Redhawk would be my choice for what you described. If it is mainly a deer hunting handgun, as opposed to a hiking/bear protection/hunting revolver, I would go with the 7.5" version.
The 5.5" Redhawk would be my choice for what you described. If it is mainly a deer hunting handgun, as opposed to a hiking/bear protection/hunting revolver, I would go with the 7.5" version.
CoRoMo
Member
You're on the right path, get the Ruger Super Blackhawk!!
I absolutely love my Blackhawk, and can't wait to pop a deer with it.
I absolutely love my Blackhawk, and can't wait to pop a deer with it.
bhk
Member
I use a SW 629 Mountain Gun with a four-inch barrel. It carries well and has worked fine for a couple of close whitetails. It is pre-drilled for a scope mount - simply remove the rear sight and screw on the mount. Maybe a three minute job. With a scope on, who cares how long a barrel is. Barrel length has zero effect on accuracy (out of scoped gun) and a 75 yard whitetail won't be able to tell if you were shooting a 4, 6, or 8 inch barrel. Without the scope, it is a hikers dream.
Cosmoline
Member
Barrel length isn't the only consideration. I'd rank balance as more important for speed. Also comfort. For example I'm quite a bit faster with a 5.5" Bisley Vaq than with a SRH Alaskan. Single actions can be extremely fast, and shoot better from a one handed stance, but require more practice to get good with. Whatever you're most comfortable and quickest with, within reason, is the best backup bear gun. Even a .357 loaded with 180 or 200 grain hardcasts will work in a pinch. I wouldn't want to rely on a short gun exclusively in any serious bear country, though. They're for backup.
Steve H
Member
How about a 6" Anaconda?
A 6" S&W M629 stainless or M29 blued would work fine.
My 6" M29-5 is stoked with the hard-thumpin' Federal "Castcore" 300gn. hard cast, flat nose bullet that will blow a big hole through just about anything and I've taken scores of deer with this particular combo through the years.
It is topped with a Bushnell 1st generation "Holosight" red dot sight that has incredible speed (I've TWICE dropped three deer in the wild in scant seconds while hunting and taken several deer with heart shots that were running broadside . . . the furthest at 65 yds. in a clear cut. Umm . . . yes . . . it would do the same to a big bear that was charging you, just swing, put the dot on the spot and touch off a round.
My holster is a humble Uncle Mikes made for a 6" large frame revolver and I've cut the front top strap area come to accomodate the Holosight. As you can see by the photo, the security is provided over the Holosight with the original snap strap . . . and I've NEVER, ever had a problem with the gun staying in the holster, including going up and down countless trees and using climbers.
It also is comfortable to carry on the hip for long days in the woods!
Here's the wheelgun on a Piebald whitetail hyde that I harvested a couple of years ago with this rig, along with the mighty 300gn. Federal Castcore. That round would thump a bear real, real good! Grips are in Hogue's "Camolamo."
T.
My 6" M29-5 is stoked with the hard-thumpin' Federal "Castcore" 300gn. hard cast, flat nose bullet that will blow a big hole through just about anything and I've taken scores of deer with this particular combo through the years.
It is topped with a Bushnell 1st generation "Holosight" red dot sight that has incredible speed (I've TWICE dropped three deer in the wild in scant seconds while hunting and taken several deer with heart shots that were running broadside . . . the furthest at 65 yds. in a clear cut. Umm . . . yes . . . it would do the same to a big bear that was charging you, just swing, put the dot on the spot and touch off a round.
My holster is a humble Uncle Mikes made for a 6" large frame revolver and I've cut the front top strap area come to accomodate the Holosight. As you can see by the photo, the security is provided over the Holosight with the original snap strap . . . and I've NEVER, ever had a problem with the gun staying in the holster, including going up and down countless trees and using climbers.
It also is comfortable to carry on the hip for long days in the woods!
Here's the wheelgun on a Piebald whitetail hyde that I harvested a couple of years ago with this rig, along with the mighty 300gn. Federal Castcore. That round would thump a bear real, real good! Grips are in Hogue's "Camolamo."
T.
ReadyontheRight
Member
Ruger Redhawk.
The first time I came face to face with an adult brown bear at 20 yards
the mdl 29 I had in my hand immediately seemed worthless. When you see that same 1,000+ pound bear run at top speed you know for a fact no handgun is going to stop that frieght train from having you for lunch if that is what he wants.
I discarded the notion of a handgun that can really work against a brownie and started either carrying a semi auto 12 ga shotgun with slugs or a semi auto short barrel 30/06.
Never had to use either but I sure felt better than when I was lugging that mdl 29.
Old Alaska story is the .22 is really the best, when that bear starts after you just shoot yourself in the head. Or you could follow this advise, always hunt with someone who runs slower than you.
the mdl 29 I had in my hand immediately seemed worthless. When you see that same 1,000+ pound bear run at top speed you know for a fact no handgun is going to stop that frieght train from having you for lunch if that is what he wants.
I discarded the notion of a handgun that can really work against a brownie and started either carrying a semi auto 12 ga shotgun with slugs or a semi auto short barrel 30/06.
Never had to use either but I sure felt better than when I was lugging that mdl 29.
Old Alaska story is the .22 is really the best, when that bear starts after you just shoot yourself in the head. Or you could follow this advise, always hunt with someone who runs slower than you.
Cosmoline
Member
My BV is fast becoming an all-time favorite trail packing gun. They were marketed towards CAS, but I think they're far better as rough and tumble field pieces.
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