44 Magnum Recoil

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Pistolnewbie;

I've been shooting the .357 for decades. Everything from mild loads in big frames to hot combat loads in snubbies.

I recently got the yen to own a larger bore handgun & went shopping. Lo & behold, a .475 Linebaugh was shoved under my nose with a deal that could not be passed up. In any case, I've been shooting the Linebaugh on a 6" F/A platform.

I haven't tried any absolute whoop-a$$ loadings yet, but I have been having 388 gr slugs departing the muzzle at around 1250 fps according to my chrono. A little over 1300 ft lbs of muzzle energy the table in the back of the book says.

I don't find this, or the Hornady factory 325 gr .480 Ruger loads to be especially uncomfortable. Not pleasant mind you, but the muzzle doesn't threaten passing aircraft, and I have yet to see the doc about wrist pain. Shoot some 1400+ fps loads out of a small .357 platform & see how you feel about that. I doubt many practical .44 magnum loads will top the felt recoil.

900F
 
Articfox,

Nope Im not Elmer, but I did live in his home town of Salmon, Idaho for 15 years and I know all of his old friends that are still alive and I have hunted most of his haunts in Idaho. Even picked up a few of his artifacts from his old friends.

Kieth would pee down both legs if he had lived long enough to see some of the powerful hand gun cartrdges available today, no?

We would not have the 44 mag. if it wasnt for Elmer.
 
.44 .357

Yeah I agree with the general consensus .44 mag standard load with a full size frame and good barrel should be no problem.
Be careful about "Super Ammo" as it gets kinda complicated with 44 mag
some guns can't take much of it and unless your shooting bears you won't need it get some solid or heavily jacket hollow points.
Back to the recoil there is some nice .44 Special ammo and as was mentioned it has no recoil I can fire it one handed accurately it is a little weaker than 45 acp but there are lots of options.
 
44 mag recoil

I have a 44 mag SW Model 629 with a 6 inch barrel.
Recoil is manageable but enough to make it a not so fun gun to plink with.
My friend used it last year and killed two deer with it. A much more sensible use than plinking.

:) :) :) :)
 
.44 Mag recoil is very manageable in heavier gun

I know this is an old thread but I wanted to add my 2 cents after doing exhaustive internet research on this issue (including reading this thread). I've always shot .40 S&W (I have two Sig Sauers) but wanted to get a large revolver (e.g. 44 Mag) to hunt with. I'm not a wimpy guy but I've always had a concern over handgun recoil. I read the horror stories (broken wrists, hammer in the forehead, no fun to shoot, etc) which increased my concern.

However, I took the chance and bought a S&W 629 Classic with 6 1/2" barrel along with both MagTech and Hornady 240 grain shells. For anyone who is concerned about recoil -- don't be. It's highly manageable and, in fact, my 629 is now my favorite gun to shoot. Yes, it's a cannon, yes it's loud as thunder and yes it kicks but me and my two sons (age 17 and 15) shoot it with great enjoyment and with no discomfort at all. Now, I can't vouch for the recoil from guns with smaller barrels or lighter pistols as I'm sure that will make a difference but I can definitely tell you that the 629 classic with 6.5" barrel is easy and fun to shoot. (Although ending her 6 shots with "holy cow, that's a cannon," my wife shot it comfortably and she's 5' 6" 120lbs).
 
I actually like shooting a 44 magnum in a large frame revolver. It is a hard PUSH which is fine.

Interestingly enough I hate shooting a super light snubby. The SNAP is annoying at best.

The bottom line is that recoil is a very personal thing.
 
I like my Ruger Redhawk
Click to expand...
:D +1

I prefer the .44 Mag in my Redhawk to full load .357's in lighter guns myself. (Model 19's, Security Six's, Colt Troopers, etc) I like 80% to 85% .357 Mag loads when I want to make a .357 stand up and get noticed a bit, but I still shoot full load .44's when I want to make some big noise. I just can't shoot as many as I used to. I bet .357's from a Redhawk would be pretty tame.
 
my first shot through a Ruger SBH came when i was 12 years old, and when i weighed about 80 pounds. it kicked, but not enough to keep me from trying it again.

the only problem i've ever had with a .44 magnum is, with full power loads in a SBH, the trigger guard raps my knuckles.

i do enjoy a 429421 over 7.5 grains BE in a 4" M29. and of course .44 specials are a pleasure.
 
I have a Ruger RH 4" and a Super RH 7.5". I wear gloves and find the recoil considerable, but not painful. I reload and my loads with the starting powder charge are hotter than Magtech factory ammo.

I just bought a 329NG which I have not fired yet. Again, since I reload, I can control the load, and I have plenty of .44 sp cases.

Honestly, the gun that hurts the most is my J frame .38 sp. That sucker really stings. The .44 is just a great big shove. And it's fun!

YMMV of course.
 
A cylinder of factory .44Mag from a 629 leaves my hand hurting a little. Not bad but enough to know that I would not like a steady diet of them. Meanwhile .357Mag from either my Model 19 or Model 28 is jsut fine with the nod to comfort obviously going to the Mod 28 which is actually total fun to shoot .357 thru. The Model 19 does fine too but the muzzle lift is pretty drastic with magnum rounds compared to the larger N framed 28.

Now if I was to shoot .44 Mag on a regular basis I'd soon be reloading. And in doing so I'd be selecting powder and bullet weight to maximize the flash while transforming the severe crack to the palm into more of an extra strong .38 Spl 'p
 
wow I have a 6.5 inch taurus in 44 mag and its a total pleasure to shoot, much moreso than my cobra 38 special.
 
I guess it is perceived differently by each individual; depends upon the size of the gun, weight of the gun, if the gun is ported, the grip material, and the shape of the grip; there are a few other things to consider...like how a person holds a gun, how tight he/she grips the gun, and whether they allow the recoil to break at the wrist (recoil bends the wrists while the elbows are stiffened) or at the elbow (recoil bends the elbows while the wrists are stiffened)...I'm sorry what was the question again?!? :banghead::D

I have a S&W 629 PowerPort made of stainless steel with a 6 1/2" ported barrel that has a full underlug that has a Hogue Monogrip rubber grip (basically it is big, weighs alot, with a recoil absorbing grip that has finger grooves which promote a good and solid ergonomic grip and the porting helps dissipate perceived recoil and muzzle rise); in other words...as big as a train caboose and weighs a ton :neener:

I try to have a firm hold and allow the recoil break at my elbows which minimizes pain in the wrists and keeps the gun lined up with my forearm for consecutive shots
 
I have a Ruger Super Blackhawlk SS with a 10.5 inch bbl. It is to me no worse than my Dan Wesson 357 with 4 inch bbl. Not too hard to handle, plenty accurate. I use it deer hunting often. I did get a pair of Presentation grips for it and this has improved my accuracy some not to mention the flinch factor. Just start out with 44spl ammo and all will be OK when stepping up to full power loads.
 
As others have mentioned, it's really about power to weight. I've shot .44 mag mostly out of a 7 1/2-inch super blackhawk, and it wasn't painful or anything. Lots of muzzle jump (stay away from those airport flight paths!), but mosty fun, IMHO.

Now, very hot +P+ .38 out of lightweight, or regular .357 out of any j-frames; that is personally beyond what I consider fun.

It's not the size of the fight in your dog, it's how big a dog you have launching the fight!
;)
 
It depends on the gun

I've got three .44 mags, if I count the .44 Contender barrel. My first, a 10-1/2" Super Black Hawk, is the worst but not really very bad. The fleshy part of my palm will be sore the next day if I shoot more than 20 or 30 rounds. Gotta beware the squared off trigger guard too. It'll bite the supporting hand if not placed right.

The Super Redhawk with Pachmayer grips isn't bad at all, but I haven't managed any 5 second double action strings with it...mostly due to muzzle rise. Once it tossed the front sight out of that spring loaded base it's mounted in.

The Contender seems pretty easy, but it would. I've shot mostly hot .35 Rem. loads in my Contenders and the .44 seems like a plinker in comparison.

One day at the range when I was shooting the Redhawk, a guy suggested I try his new Taurus Raging Bull in .454 Casull. I didn't want any part of it, but he insisted so I did. What a joy to shoot that was. The blast and muzzle flash was something else (it was ported); but, in comparison to the fireworks, the recoil seemed barely noticeable. I thoroughly enjoyed shooting that gun.

So, you'll never know what they're like until you shoot them. Don't let the hype scare you away.
Bob
 
In the last few days, I've become interested in .44 (spl and mag), mainly from reading this hunting thread.

I've never shot one, so was curious about recoil compared to .357 mag with which I'm quite comfortable (formerly 686 4"; currently mod 65 3"; if I ever find a 3" 686 when I have money, I'll buy it).

But I didn't want to OT that hunting thread about recoil, so I searched and this came up. (Search is my friend.)

I'm glad to see that this thread, started in 2007, has been revived, and that mods are allowing it to continue (that doesn't always happen, but in this case it seems justified since recoil doesn't change that much over the years unless new loads are introduced).

I'm beginning to make some changes to my gun toolkit now, and a .44 may wind up fitting into it. (Two months ago, I'd have said no.) Won't happen quickly. Purchase would be at least months off, but that gives me lots of time for research, which I enjoy a lot - being one of those academic types. :scrutiny:

I like .357/.38spl for general carry, especially in urban areas (including at home), but I'm thinking of possibly adding .44 to the mix for camp/backpacking gun. It would make a nice handgun companion when I'm carrying my .22 for small game (Marlin 39A, soon to be cut down to carbine length for easier packing).

It'd be either (perhaps eventually both?) a Ruger Blackhawk (I've recently become interested in SA for the first time) or SW 629.

I haven't finished reading this entire thread yet. I'll get back to that asap (may not be this week; vacation coming).

But one thing I've learned so far is, longer is better. In general, I like shorter revolvers. For general carry, even a 4" feels too long for me. Yes, I understand sight radius, etc. But I like the faster handling of a snub barrel.

However, in this case, and since I may actually hunt with a .44, I'm finally opening to a longer barrel. It seems at least a 6" would be appropriate.

I'll keep reading, and may post some questions another time.

Nem
 
Hello Everyone, Recoil is a state of Mind. Here why. I do this first shoot out of the 44 mag, I am all tense, tight grip on the pistol and arms locked. I have to stop, relax grip and arms so that my whole body is used to reduce the recoil on the wrists and shoulders. In my mind I imagine myself loose. I found the recoil is not bad as i thought and the next shoot easier and so on........and so on.........


Yes recoil is heavier than 357 mag but the more relaxed your body is the easier it is to control recoil shock.
 
Good recommendation, Alex. That makes not only sense to me, but common sense.

Kind of an aikido approach to dealing with recoil.

It'd be good, I think, to discuss this idea some more. That is, what shooting techniques
do .44 owners recommend to ... reduce levels of felt recoil and improve control of the gun?
 
Just like a shotgun or rifle, it all comes down to gun fit. Between myself and other family members I've shot a lot of full snort 44 magnum loads in super blackhawks, redhawks, bisley blackhawks and super redhawks, as well as lever rifles.

Far and away the SRH is the easiest on the shooter, and to me the standard non-bisley super blackhawk is the worst in the felt recoil dept.

Felt recoil in order of least to most with guns wearing factory stocks:

1. Super redhawk
2. Bisley blackhawk
2. Redhawk
4. Super blackhawk

Can't speak to Colts or Smiths with any authority though, very little experience with them.
 
Hello Everyone, Recoil is a state of Mind. Here why. I do this first shoot out of the 44 mag, I am all tense, tight grip on the pistol and arms locked. I have to stop, relax grip and arms so that my whole body is used to reduce the recoil on the wrists and shoulders. In my mind I imagine myself loose. I found the recoil is not bad as i thought and the next shoot easier and so on........and so on.........
Click to expand...

I'm finally learning to shoot a rife, after years of shooting pistol -- including some real hand cannons. The first time I took the .30-06 to the range, I only fired 4 or 5 shots (factory 180 grain hunting loads) and put it away. My shoulder hurt. The next time, I shot 20 rounds of the same ammo without much trouble. I know my shoulder didn't toughen up, and both times I was wearing a T-shirt. So it must have just been a mental thing.
 
Ben, thanks for that.

Funny thing, I'm on the Ruger site right now looking at Super Blackhawks.
I'll check out the Super Redhawk next.

Interesting. Wonder what makes the difference in felt recoil?

Also, do the Rugers eat .44 spl in addition to mag? (Assuming yes, but they don't list spl in specs, where as SW does for 629.)
__________

Added by edit: OK, I'm on the Ruger Super Redhawk page. I'm confused.

Their target gray stainless is listed as .454C, while regular stainless is listed as .44 mag. But at the bottom of this page, they note that, "Target Gray® Super Redhawk model, feature a unique corrosion-resistant, low-glare finish."

That's available in .44 mag?

Will somebody remind me of the relationship between .454C and .44 mag?
(I think I knew once when I was briefly considering a .454C.)

Also, this is the first time I've grasped that SRH is DA.
(Yes, I've led a shelter life; just starting to look seriously at Rugers.)

And finally, I now see the huge difference in grips between the SRH and SBH.
That's gotta account for that felt recoil difference that Ben mentioned.
 
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I do not shoot .44 Magnums anymore, having decided on a .454 Casull as my hunting revolver. That being said I have some experience with both rounds in three platforms: SA revolver, DA revolver, and single-shot handgun.

For the heavy rounds, I like to shoot the SA revolvers as they roll in the hand. DA revolvers tend to provide me with too much wrist torque and my practice sessions are limited. The single-shot handgun is the worst for torque for me, and I got tired of smacking my knuckles under recoil.

While the SA grip frame works for me, I do need to be careful to not let the gun slip too much or I get smacked by the hammer. There are more than a few SA grip variations. My favorites are the Ruger Super Blackhawk with the round trigger guard and the Freedom Arms frame.

Something else that the big calibers allow you to do is to load the ammo down. My .454 hunting load is a 300-grain hard cast at no more than 1200 fps. Lots of my hunting loads drive the 300-grain bullet at 1000 fps as that is more than sufficient for the small deer. No need to load to the maximum. The gun and I both last longer. If I had not bought a .454, I would buy the FA .475. More bullet means less velocity.
 
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In my long-barrel Super Blackhawk with the Dragoon grips, recoil is simply amusing. It doesn't hurt or wear me out. Holding the gun out in front of me for a long time eventually takes its toll on my steady hands, because small muscles get fatigued. It's got a 10 1/2" barrel, so there's a lot of weight with a lot of leverage out there.

150T.jpg


My 4" Mountain Gun (lightened 629 with a tapered barrel) can be fatiguing at the range, after enough rounds. It doesn't really hurt any more than high-end .357s in a 4" 686; it's just fatiguing after a while, meaning that my accuracy starts to degrade somewhat after enough rounds through it, not that I can't shoot it any more. It's that wrist torque farscott talks about.

163653_thumb.jpg


OTOH it's easier to keep the 4" DA from stringing vertically than the 10 1/2" single action, which does roll up in the hand. I have to grip it very consistently so that each shot rolls up in the same way.

I tend to shoot full-house 240 grain loads in .44. I have plenty of similar .38/.357 guns for practice; if I'm shooting .44, I'm shooting the real thing.
 
357mag = snappy kick
44mag = thunderous and heavy push

You probably will need both hands, but if you can handle a 357mag you should have no problem with a 44mag is a heavy framed revolver like a Ruger Super Blackhawk. Once you fire it you'll may be a bit embarrassed that you were once timid. I find the recoil of a 44mag to be much more desirable than that of a 357mag.

-MW
 
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