I steadily shot 44 Magnum for alot of years, at least 30, from light gallery to firebreathing loads many of us seem to love to shoot.
The three revolvers I still have in that caliber are a 5.5" Redhawk, a 7.5" SBHK and a Smith 629 DX 6.5", all bought new.
All three are very, very accurate.
The two Rugers have had rounds as heavy as 240 grain @1500 fps average muzzle velocity in the Super (about 1425 in the
RHK). I limit the power in all three now to what is 1275-1300 fps in the RHK (1375 in the Super). The Super I have the same
ugly Pachmyers I bought soon after I got my first knuckle wrap in 1980. They have been the single most effective grips I have
used in the dozen or so that I have tried. Those grips allow almost a DA revolver grip. The RHK grips are Uncle Mike's with the
back strap modified.
I agree the 44 Magnum is the upper end of practical power. I've shot a 6" 475 Linbaugh Ruger for and afternoon and centerfire
TC Contenders. From my experience shooting the 44 Mag in shorter than 4", my preference is at least a 5" barrel, robs the
ballistics and makes the guns unpleasant to shoot. My preferred barrel lengths are 5" to 6.5". Good balance of handling,
ballistics, sight radius and portability. The Super I own is my first 44 Mag and my second handgun. It performs exceptionally
well so I leave as is. It IS my deer woods gun where permitted.
