Hunting with .44mag Revolver

[DROCK]

I am new to handguns and would like to buy a .44mag revolver for hunting deer, possibly bear, and shooting paper. A client of mine has a S&W Stealth Hunter 629 from their Performance Center and says thats the gun I should get. I love the way it looks and hope it feels good in the hand but am not sure its worth the price ($1300 on GunBroker).

I have also heard positive reviews of the Ruger Super Redhawk ($800+ on GB). I don't care for the shiny finish and overall look but I know looks comes second to performance.

Are their any other models should I consider? Opinions/comments appreciated!

 

[janobles14]

i have a 7.5" super redhawk that i take for hunting (or did, now its a glock 20 with 6" barrel). but i wouldnt overlook the taurus trackers. cost less and ive heard good things. of course you will get all of the taurus haters chiming in but i have had good luch with them.

 

[JEB]

i use a ruger super blackhawk and am very happy with it.

 

[Grumulkin]

I wasn't a Taurus hater until I had one.

I have a Ruger Redhawk I like quite well & have taken a deer with it.

 

[tarosean]

Are their any other models should I consider?

Ruger Super Blackhawks can be had for around 4-500.00 (used) they will get the job done.

 

[critter]

Had a Ruger Redhawk that worked quite well. Currently, I have (and have used to good success on both deer and hogs) a Ruger Bisley Blackhawk Hunter model. Mine is particularly accurate and quite comfortable to shoot.

Don't overlook the Rugers!

 

[rj112275]

Yep, just swapped Blackhawk for Redhawk. More than adequate for the deer kinda game.

 

[buck460XVR]

I have a M629 44 Magnum Hunter, the previous model without the red dot. Wonderful gun. Scarey accurate with a trigger second to none. Was $900 new OTD at my LGS two years ago. Took my first deer with it last winter. I would recommend them to anyone interested in a hunting revolver. It is also one heck of a range gun.

 

[tnelson31]

Pistol Weights

I have a S&W 29-2 8 3/8 barrel and have shot the Ruger SBH with a 7.5. Both have iron sights. I found the S&W to feel a lot lighter in the hand.

I shoot 240 grain 'factory' loads. Nothing hot.

 

[DROCK]

Thanks for the responses guys. I looked into the Super BlackHawk and even though I don't care for the style of it compared to the 629, it seems like its built well and for half the price its VERY tempting!! I will definitely keep the shots close-range until I feel comfortable shooting further. I plan on using open sights first and go from there. I'm going to doing some more comparison/research looking into the features of the SBH. The "Bisley" version has got my attention too.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I had a couple of 4" M-29's. I really liked those guns and took some game with them.
They both broke though.. lockwork studs sheared off. I'd go with a Ruger.

 

[AABEN]

I have 4 44mag and do a lot of target shooting and have never had any trouble with them. One is set up for long range shooting it has a 101/2 in barrel it shoot very good.I like the feel of the S&W better then the Ruger.

 

[adelbridge]

I am a huge T/C Contender fan. You can get a 14" barrel with no gap that should easily give you 20% more power over a 6" or 8" revolver in same caliber. Since you are not dealing with a cylinder the overall length for 12" TC is going to be on par with an 8" revolver and weigh a lot less. If you get bored with .44 mag you can put another barrel on it in 5 minutes or even turn it into a rifle. Mounting a scope is a breeze and it stays with the barrels. You can buy them for much less than revolvers as well. If you think you are going to unload 5 or 6 double action shots on a critter you are dreaming and may have your ethics called into question. My thinking is if you are skilled enough to use a handgun to hunt you might as well take it to the one shot one kill level.

 

[murf]

that super redhawk is going to get awful heavy shooting paper. the redhawk, s&w, or super blackhawk are lighter and will fulfill your requirements.

murf

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I hunt with single action blackhawks in .44 mag and .45 colt mostly, occasionly a .357 mag, the challenge can be cockin your hammer back with game very close by. in a box stand OK, in a tripod it can be a challenge and you dont want to sit with your hammer cocked back.

 

[Sniper66]

I would strongly consider the T/C Contender. I have a friend who hunts with one and has killed coyotes and deer, also shoots p-dogs with his .223 barrel. Very accurate shooters and the interchangeable barrels makes them much more versitile than the usual handgun for hunting.

 

[bangbig]

You folks got me itchin' for a TC Contender BAD. Aren't there a couple different "generations"? - sorry for the thread de-rail!

Currently hunt and target shoot with a S&W 629 Classic. Love it. Had an older Superblackhawk 3 screw. Dead accurate. S&W just fit my hand better even with aftermarket grips on the Ruger.

 

[adelbridge]

contenders come in Gen1 and Gen2. The Gen2 is the encore trigger stuck in the contender frame. G2's will take G1 barrel but not vice versa. G2s need G2 specific grips as well. If you can find a used G1 I think it has a far superior trigger to the G2 but the G2 is no slouch.

 

[murf]

texaspatriot308,

stick your left (or off-hand) thumb between the hammer and frame. you can carry the pistol around left handed like that, too. perfectly safe.

murf

 

[Steve in PA]

I'm a handgun hunter and my primary choice is the Ruger Super Redhawk. I've taken several deer with it and none have been spooked by the finish. My SRH wears a scope and is sighted at 100 yards.

I also picked up a Super Blackhawk, but this will not wear a scope and will be carried when my primary weapon will be a rifle. My plan is to use the SBH is a shot presents itself within 50 yards, which would be my personal limit for open sights.

 

[murf]

steve in pa,

can you comment on the weight diff between the sbh and srh? i'm curious how manageable the srh is when walking, stalking or sitting.

murf

 

[murf]

steve in pa,

can you comment on the weight diff between the sbh and srh? i'm curious how manageable the srh is when walking, stalking or sitting.

murf

 

[MrDig]

I have a Taurus Tracker that I bought specifically for Hunting. It in my opinion is too light for the 44 Magnum. It jumps like a Long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. I still plan on hunting with it this season if factors not related to the gun work out.
I have fired the Raging Bulls and the seem to handle the 44 Magnum loads better.
A close friend of mine Hunts withe a Raging Bull and has no problems with function at all. Some of us actually have managed to purchase Taurus Revolvers that work despite the protestations of many on this board.

 

[Zeke/PA]

My "Iron Sighted" Super Blackhawk has NEVER let me down.
From a treestand, shots NEVER over 20 yards, I made several one shot kills on deer.

 

[CountryUgly]

To get your foot in the door I'll toss my hat in with the Blackhawk crowd, they are built like tanks, accurate and won't break the bank. With that said I've know a couple of folks that have had great success with the Taurus Raging Bull. My personal favorite wheel gun though is the S&W. But I have ditched all of the above in favor of a Glock G20 to handle handgun deer hunting.