44 mag hunting revolver and why?

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so any how found a used Super Red Hawk 550+tax with rings (no scope) it will be a couple weeks before I can pick it up. I am excited though. It seems like it is in good shape I dont know a huge amount about revolvers so I looked it over as best I could. I also saw two used 629's one stainless with a leupold scope for 899 pre lock that was very nice, the trigger was awesome, the second was a pre lock and pre transfer bar:what: 725. If money was no obstacle I think I may have gone with the 629 with the scope. But it is :) where I hunt its usually 50 yards or much less so I think I will be happy as long as the SRH is in working order.
 
I tell you what, it may not be the most popular, but I've got a Stainless Taurus .44 Raging Bull with a 6 inch barrel that is super accurate. Love the thing. Of course I scoped it and have no reservations taking it into the woods.

This should easily fit within the $500 price range when bought new. Here in NC, you cannot hunt with a barrel length shorter that 6" on a handgun.

Good luck, and I hope you find the right gun for you.
 
Just a couple of things to consider IF you decide to scope your new shootin iron.

Keep the magnification to the bare bones minimum and go for top end quality. Be sure to check it for parallax while at the store if possible, as this will eat your lunch in the field.

I had a Leupold 4x on my Redhawk for a number of years. Our deer aren't that big and I loaded with 180gr bullets. From the bench it was fairly easy for me to shoot groups at 100yds that were small enough to aggravate the shooters next to me shooting rifles. Having it in the woods, as already mentioned above, and putting the + on a deer was hard enough, keeping it still and where I wanted it was another story all together. A solid rest was mandatory, and not always available.

It is easy to check a scope for parallax, you simply set it on something solid where it will hold still on an object, move your head back until you get the full circle, then slowly move your head from side to side and up and down watching the +. If it moves around while held still and moving your head it will do the same while on target. Unless your holding it exactly the same EVERY time your shots will wander. Some of it can be adjusted out, but sometimes not. Most all have it to some degree but are set at usually 100yds where it is at a minimum. However, if your only shooting at 25-50 this can still be an issue to some degree with some brands. A 1x or 2x is plenty for a handgun IMO, especially if only being used for hunting.

The better the quality the better the glass and less issues you will have. If I were to ever mount something atop of another one of my revolvers it would probably be one of the dot or halo types. This said, there is no substitute for a good set of irons and a lot of practice. Once your dialed in unless you drop it on the concrete or use it for a hammer they will usually stay put. Practice will be you main issue, don't simply set in behind a bench. It is good for setting your sights or checking out a new load, but after that concentrate on field positions, kneeling, prone, using a mono pod, or whatever you feel might come up in the areas you will be hunting.

Once you have a handle on an accurate load and are comfortable shooting it, I highly suggest looking into some of the paper life sized archery deer targets. Set out at 50 and 100yds they give a good example of your acquired skill level when there isn't a big center spot to aim at. Trust me when I say it can be a real eye opener for some. Even if you NEVER plan on shooting to 100yds while hunting it is good practice to shoot to further than you might expect to be. If your grouping well at 50-75yds either off hand or rested then something in the 25-35yd range will be easier to hold still on with the added rush of adrenalin.

I have been hunting with my revolvers since back around 85 when I purchased my first Blackhawk in 41 magnum. It hasn't always been easy, but it has definitely has been a challenge.

Good luck with yours and don't rule out the cast lead WFN's, they do an awesome job on game, and you usually more times than not get two holes every time. Can't say the same about all of the jacketed I have used.
 
41 Mag, 1985 is about the time I got my first Model 57 for hunting. Have a blackhawk in that caliber also.

I think a rest is mandatory when handgun hunting. I use a monopod. I tried other types and was disappointed with the flexibility and overall results. Practice with the monopod. Don't assume that it is like shooting off a bench.
 
Here in NC, you cannot hunt with a barrel length shorter that 6" on a handgun.
That may have been true at one time, but currently the only restrictions are on caliber...

Deer and bear may be taken with a handgun during the established gun hunting season provided that the handgun is not less than .24-caliber and only metallic center-fire cartridges fireing single projectiles are used. Armor-piercing projectiles are unlawful. There are no restrictions on barrel length.
 
I was looking for a work horse hunting 44 mag and by all accounts on the internet anyways I think I found it. Now I'm giving thought to trying 44 special through it for hunting after reading a few threads on THR. Anyone have any thoughts?

my first load I was going to try was gold dots 270 gr for white tail, any thoughts on those? I really like the gold dot 380,38+p and 357 so far so might as well stay with it. Another obvious choice was the hornady stuff and another choice was winchester white box 240 that is available at walmart.

so any thoughts would be great!
 
I go with the 240 Hornady XTP before I'd go with the Gold Dot. Also the Speer 270 grain is a Soft Point, and not a hollow point for the .429 caliber.

I have these bullets to load in the .44 Magnum.

200 grain XTP
240 grain XTP
270 grain Speer Soft Point
300 grain Sierra Soft Point
240 grain MO. Cast Bullet LSWC
255 grain BearTooth .34 cal Meplate

Any of those will do fine, but I'd probably shoot the 240 XTP with 2400 or the 240 LSWC with IMR 4227 for deer hunting. Can't wait to try the 200 grain XTP out of the .44 Mag. Which is a stainless 5.5" SBH.
 
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