best .44 mag sa

[6-gunfun]

im buying myself a handgun for a graduation present i want a .44 mag because i want to hunt white tail with it and also hike and camp with it. with what me and my family go threw it deffinatly has to be rugged thats why i was thinking single action but a good double action never hurts either i dont mind the weight of carrying a bigger gun like a .44 but im still confused on what to buy i like the rugers but im just not sure because im not a fan of their open sights any other suggestions? my price range is about $650 a little over a lot under somewher around their

 

[Lucky Derby]

Not a lot of choices for a .44 mag in SA. Blackhawk/Vaquero probably the most common.

Freedom Arms chambers the Model 83 in .44 mag.

The now out of production Virginia Dragoon or the JP Sauer & Sohn.

I can't think of any others at the moment.

Most SA are Colts or Colt copies and as such are NOT strong enough for the pressures generated by the .44 Mag cartirdge.

 

[Hammerdown77]

If you like Rugers and want a good hunting platform that you can scope, I'd suggest the Super Blackhawk Hunter models. They come with integral scope mount locations on the barrel rib, and also come with Ruger rings. Removable/swappable front sight. Mine is the Bisley grip version, but they also come in the standard plowhandle grip style. This is a fairly heavy gun, so if you are going to tote it around all day in a holster it may not be ideal, but since you are talking about putting a scope on it I'm guessing weight isn't too critical.

 

[thunder173]

I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk in 4 5/8 inch. It is my most carried woods gun here in northern Michigan. Have never had any issue with it. It's built like a tank,..and does what I want it to do. A bit short for hunting,..but I wouldn't hesitate to take a shot at a deer at 50-75 yards or closer with it. I'd think any Ruger in .44 Mag would be a good choice.

 

[CraigC]

What's the issue with Ruger's sights? This could be something easily corrected.

 

[MovedWest]

Ruger. I own several Super Blackhawks - 3 screws and new models. I think the 3 screws are some of the best guns ever built. They're total tanks.

If you plan to shoot it regularly, you might also want to consider reloading. The 44 magnum and reloading almost go hand in hand.

-MW

 

[Magnumite]

I started 44 Magnum with my NM Super Blackhawk with 7.5" barrel. I also have a 5.5" Redhawk. I like both. I use the Super for hunting using open sights out to 100 yards (yes, I practice at that distance) and Redhawk for all other 44 Magnum shooting, also with open sights.
I had a Weaver clamp on mount on the Super, it would shoot into an inch at 75 yards...no kidding...with its favorite load. That load also would do about 1380-1400 fps (chrono'd) with no pressure indicators out of that gun.
The Redhawk is pertetual company on virtually all range sessions even if I don't always shoot it. I have used it to win bowling pin shoots, hunter's pistol sihlouette matches and is my fun gun. The only reason I don't use it to hunt deer is because of Maryland's six inch minimum barrel length law for hunting deer.
I don't use a scope simply because I prefer iron sight handguns. I have no idea how may rounds are through each gun. Thousands through the Super and many thousands through the Redhawk. You will do well with either gun. Both are winners in my experience.
You can find decent Supers on Gunbroker and around occasionally for $350-450. Of couse, inflation isn't helping things any. You can't lose with a good Super Blackhawk. Nor the Redhawk. Just keep using the stock spring in the Redhawk.

 

[flipajig]

SBH ive got a new modle it shoots better than I do.

 

[Hanzerik]

I'd say go with a Ruger of some sort. Here is a pic of my 4 5/8" barreled .44Mag gun I picked up last month. I did have an issue with the rear sight blade breaking when I tried to adjust the sights for the first time (after 15 rounds fired); it snapped in half after two clicks. But Ruger made it right by sending me a new rear blade. I guess this is a very rare problem because I searched and searched, but only found one other occurrence of it happening.

 

[rhoggman]

The Super Blackhawk Bisley Hunter is the best you can get before moving into the "expensive" new production guns like those made by freedom arms.

Smiths are nice, but they can't continually handle the high pressure loads that Rugers can.

 

[lunker]

Here's another vote for the Ruger Super Blackhawk. The Bisley style grips I had on mine really helped when I brewed up some stout handloads.

 

[Chas.]

I have several Rugers so I'm a big fan. But if you want to go up a notch in price and (arguably) quality, get a Magnum Research BFR in .44 Mag. I have one in .45-70 and I love it. Just another SA option.

 

[GJW1911]

I will voice another vote for the Rugers, I own a 44 SBH 7.5" barrel with an action job and porting (great hunting gun), and a 44mag Vaquero 5.5"(packin pistol).
Both are more accurate than I am as well as robust.
The only advice is, keep the screws tight!

 

[madcratebuilder]

Ruger SBH, add a white outline rear blade.

 

[dmazur]

Ruger SBH, with Hamilton Bowen rear sight.

Much stronger than the factory sight. While adjustable, it will definitely hold a setting.

White outline or target black square notch style, or an "express" v-notch style.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The best affordable .44 Mag. SA is the Ruger Super Blackhawk. If I were to buy a new one I would look closely at a Bisley. The "old model," while elegant and beautiful to look at, is (for me) unpleasant to actually shoot.

 

[Armored farmer]

I vote ruger blackhawk/superblackhawk.
I have lots of D/A's but I return to my Balckhawks for serious work everytime.

I wish I had consulted Craig C to help turn one into my ccw.

 

[DWFan]

You can get a .44 Mag EAA Bounty Hunter and have Bob Munden put one of his Option 1 action jobs on it and a set of Hogue stocks and not spend $650.