.44 mag for deer and pigs

[cajun 48]

Looking at a S&W Model 629 with either a 6" or 8 3/8" barrel. Shots will be limited to under 50 yds from either a tree stand or a ground blind (for deer) and hoofing it for hogs. Which, in your opinion would be better and should it be scoped? TKS aj b

 

[jbkebert]

I currently hunt deer with a .44 mag in a Ruger Super Redhawk. It has a 7 1/2 barrel. I also have a SW 29 with a 8 3/8" barrel. Both guns are great shooters I haven't shot one with a 6" but can't see where it would be a problem with a 50 yard limit. I personally like a little longer barrel length. My deer gun the redhawk is scoped I typically hunt from a tree stand with a shooting rail. My SW and my new Super Redhawk will remain open sights for hog hunting and such. A handgun scope takes some getting used to and I have a hard time shooting one with out some type of a rest. A rock, shooting rail, steady stix just something. If you are stalking hogs I would want a fast handeling sidearm that sights very quickly. So I would IMHO use opens sights rather than scoped for that purpose.

I also would suggest taking a look at the Ruger .44 mag. The reason being the way Ruger scope mounts work. They are already machined into the gun. You can mount a scope and remove it very quickly without moving your factory sights. When i take my scope off and remount it. The sights stay darn near dead on. With the SW and you will have to dismount the scope and the base so it does not impeed your open sights. Just my .02

 

[mbt2001]

I am not a large guy, so I prefer to use a 6" barrel. INside 50 yards you don't need a scope. Scopes make 44's into 100 yard guns. Frankly I prefer to hunt with pistols / revolvers using open sights and tracking / stalking the game to close range.

Either should do well, but since you are going to be "close range" and you mentioned hog I would again second the 6" barrel for the handiness factor. Hogs do 1 of 3 things when shot:

1.) Die
2.) Run into brush
3.) Run at you with a murderous rage

If 2 or 3, a shorter handgun might be more handy. I wouldn't go below 6" for a full time hunting handgun though. As a backup to a rifle yeah, but not for a primary.

 

[AKElroy]

I am a fairly average if not poor shot, and I can ring a 75 yd. gong reliably with my open sight 7 1/2" Blackhawk. I shoot my 6" 686 nearly as well, and I really like the balance and feel of the 6". If Ruger made a 6" Blackhawk, that would have been my choice. Unless you have experience lugging around a 7 1/2" or longer revolver, you may be surprised how often you leave it behind for something easier to tote.

 

[T.R.]

This cow elk was taken at approx 50 feet with my 357 MAG revolver. The animal was shot twice; yet it trotted away as if unharmed. But it was recovered approx 150 yards from the first shot. Both bullets were recovered. First tore through both lungs and was found balled up between hide and rib cage. Second bullet tore across the diaphragm and punched a hole though the liver. The quantitiy of blood inside the body cavity was noteworthy.

The elk's live weight was approx 550 lbs.

Will your 44 MAG kill an animal half this size? YES.

Good hunting to you.
TR

 

[41 Mag]

Either length will work fine for your requirements. The shorter will be more forgiving while toting through the woods, and for fast shooting of hogs as they run by. Pick a decent 240gr load and your set for just about anything you might want to take on with a handgun.