Has anybody on this forum, done any gamehunting of any type, with a 44 magnum (Handgun), Just wandering what is it's capabilities are,or lack of. Im actually interested in doing some wild hog hunting...and i know some of them wild boars can reach extreme sizes. Really looking for your experiences with Handgun hunting with the 44mag, not looking to be led to some other chambering (460,480,500)etc, i know theres bigger and better, do not want to spend more for another Revolver$$$, i Currently own a S&W 629 6.5'' and im looking for a good scope for it now . Thx in advance for any info.
Largest game with a 44mag.
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GodGuns&Guitars
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Sometime in the '80's I picked up my 629/6" and have never looked back and never been disappointed in it's performance. I can not tell you the number of deer and hogs I've taken with mine, not counting rabbits and a few other vermin. Carried it as my primary weapon when I worked Maritime Law Enforcement in Miami, San Fran, and Alaska. It never failed to perform in that situation either. You can load it down, load it up, plink, or what ever you wish. I've taken white tail out to 120 yards open sites, and a couple of small boats, one car, and a BG. Hope this helps.
LeonCarr
Member
I have taken 1 whitetail deer and 3 hogs with .44 Magnum revolvers. I shoot a 240 grain Hornady XTP with Hodgdon H110, chronographing 1450 fps from a 7.5 inch Ruger Redhawk. All animals were DRT, penetrating to the far shoulder underneath the hide on the hogs (one about 150 pounds and one about 250 pounds) and a baseball size exit hole on the deer. All three were shot inside 50 yards in heavy cover in East Texas. If you will be using your 629 for strictly hogs, I would suggest a hard cast lead SWC or LFN 240 grains or heavier, and depending on the terrain you will be hunting, you might want to leave your 629 as is and use the open sights for faster acquisition of the target in heavy cover. If you don't handload, use your scope money and purchase reloading stuff. It will pay for itself in no time, especially with the price of factory .44 Magnum ammo.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
GodGuns&Guitars
Member
I load a 275 grain gas checked Keith style SWC at 1200fps. It will flat through and through on a hog, and never bat an eye in deer. Marine outboard engines it will put the stops on as well.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
My brother - the hunter in the family - has taken a number of black bear and feral hogs with a .44 Magnum, in this case a Ruger "old model" Super Blackhawk. It will do the job if you can. 
rklessdriver
Member
I have taken numerouse White Tail Deer, Hogs and Black Bear with my Ruger SBH and either the Remington 240gr SJHP or the Hornady 300gr XTP.
Back in the day (well before my time) but I rember reading an old magazine artical about the President of Smith and Wesson revolvers (I think) doing a Polar Bear hunt and he was using the old Norma 240gr SJSP.
The .44Mag will take about any game in North Amercia provided you do your part.
Will
Back in the day (well before my time) but I rember reading an old magazine artical about the President of Smith and Wesson revolvers (I think) doing a Polar Bear hunt and he was using the old Norma 240gr SJSP.
The .44Mag will take about any game in North Amercia provided you do your part.
Will
steveracer
Member
I have shot deer with the .44 Magnum, (and special, my favorite load) and it's almost overkill at the distances I shot them at. (under 100 yards)
I would not hesitate to kill a big deer (read Muley) with the Smith 629. When I finish the fixed-sight model 29, I'll use that one, too.
I would not hesitate to kill a big deer (read Muley) with the Smith 629. When I finish the fixed-sight model 29, I'll use that one, too.
A 44 mag for hogs should work fine. I remember seeing a guy on "Wild Safari" or something like that when I was a kid take an elephant with a 44 magnum revolver. He was "backed up" by another PH with a double rifle.
Not that I'm suggesting trying to take an elephant with one but it was done at least once.
Not that I'm suggesting trying to take an elephant with one but it was done at least once.
jim in Anchorage
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No ,I was there. It was a .333OKH. By the way,my neighbor just shot and killed a black bear in his yard with a .44 claiming SD. Fish and game sounds a little suspicious.
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magnumman44
Member
I have a S&W 629CLDX with 8 3/8" barrel. I have shot feral hogs and deer with it without any problems. I prefer the open sights for faster sight aquisition, but have used a scope also without problems. I prefer the 300gr hard cast swc bullets to put down anything I want to shoot with it. I prefer the 240gr xtp for deer, as it doesn't damage the meat as much as the 300gr does. If you don't reload, I'd learn with this caliber!
Dogbite
Member
The 44 magnum has in the past taken every species of big game, including Cape Buffalo and Elephant, with the right hard cast loads, excellent shooting ability and a bunch of guts behind the trigger...
GodGuns&Guitars
Member
Marine outboard engines it will put the stops on as well.
Happened one evening off the Florida Keys. Go Fast boat running from us and also shooting at us. I returned fire hit the engines. It was actually a VERY lucky shot as I was shooting at the guy that was shooting at us. He ducked behind the engines and I shot. Shut them down right there. They gave up, we secured the contraband and them.
Happened one evening off the Florida Keys. Go Fast boat running from us and also shooting at us. I returned fire hit the engines. It was actually a VERY lucky shot as I was shooting at the guy that was shooting at us. He ducked behind the engines and I shot. Shut them down right there. They gave up, we secured the contraband and them.
AStone
Member
I'm not interested in shooting boats, elephants and satellites.
But as a .357mag owner, I have recently become interested in
potentially upgrading the revolver component of the toolkit.
.44mag has some attraction for me.
I've bookmarked the SW 629 page.
Reading ...
But as a .357mag owner, I have recently become interested in
potentially upgrading the revolver component of the toolkit.
.44mag has some attraction for me.
I've bookmarked the SW 629 page.
Reading ...
peacemaker45
Member
But satellites are so much fun! You just have to remember to lead them. A lot. Orbital velocities make the birds at the skeet range look like they're sitting still.
Seriously though, I'd second the motion to skip the scope, and get a reloading press. You may not save much money, but you'll be able to shoot a whole lot more for the same money. That sort of thing really lets you learn a gun.
~~~Mat
ljnowell
Member
Do a search on elmer keith. He claimed to have taked elk and other large game at incredible distances.
Tamlin
Member
Regarding the link to the S&W 629 page: Doesn't it seem outrageous that a 4" 629 is listed at over $1k? A Thousand Bucks for a revolver??? Believe me, S&W has paid their R&D guys many times over for the cost of development. S&W can produce the 4" 629 for a couple hundred bucks, tops. I paid $499 for a used 629-1. Yeah, you pay for brand name, but I do appreciate Ruger; they produce quality guns at generally reasonable prices. Bought a slightly-used gp100 for a mere $350. A brand new 629 shouldn't be more than $600.
JImbothefiveth
Member
That's the MSRP. Most guns sell for less.
My dad hunted Brown bear with a Taurus Tracker ( I think) .44Mag using some sort of BB hardcast rounds-- he also took a 30-06--don't know if it would have been enough, but I suppose so-- he came back empty handed, but to be fair, he only hunted one day, and probably drank and bs-ed with his cousin the rest of the time...
AStone
Member
This continues to be an interesting and informative thread. Thanks to all.
It's making me think seriously about adding a .44 to my tool kit (which I think may complement some other subtle but significant changes underway already).
However, I've never shot a .44, spl or mag. (I'm a .357m guy.)
So, I researched the question rather than bringing it up here. (Seems OT.)
Found this thread, which had only recently been revived. It's thriving, now, is also interesting and informative, and increasing my interest even more.
It's making me think seriously about adding a .44 to my tool kit (which I think may complement some other subtle but significant changes underway already).
However, I've never shot a .44, spl or mag. (I'm a .357m guy.)
So, I researched the question rather than bringing it up here. (Seems OT.)
Found this thread, which had only recently been revived. It's thriving, now, is also interesting and informative, and increasing my interest even more.
LeonCarr
Member
Pesky Outboard Motors...I'll show them who's boss .
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
.Just my .02,
LeonCarr
dairycreek
Member
I have a Ruger Redhawk with a 5.5 inch barrel which is not scoped. With it I have taken several deer, a couple of elk, and one large black bear. For the deer and the bear I was using 240 grain factory ammo. For the elk I use Garrett's Hammerhead +P 310 hardcast bullets. Both elk went down with one shot.
flipajig
Member
when i was 12 or 13 and was working on a ranch in Montana the ranch hand carried a SBH every where he went and let me tell you he could shoot.. That sparked my intrest in the 44Mag I now have 3 of them (SBH , super 14 contender and a M94 winchester) This is the reason that i got into reloding. I wouldnt heasatate to go after any North American game from mice to griz with the right load..
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