midland man
Member
anyone have experience hunting deer and hogs with just a handgun in 44mag as I am about the buy a new 44 magnum revolver so what type of revolver,barrel length, range of shots,bullet weight, and did it kill effectively? 
question 44mag revolver for deer and hog hunting
- Thread starter midland man
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WestKentucky
Member
My 6" is a hammer on deer. Hogs should be the same. I shoot 200gr reduced recoil loads too so that my contender is less of a painful thumper, so a moderate load will be good for nearly anything on this continent.
Art Eatman
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I've played with Super Blackhawks and a Redhawk. They work quite well, particularly with some trigger polishing.
If you "hot up" the load with a 300-grain lead with a big meplat, they'll be the Hammer of Thor, per quite a few posters on the hog subject.
A good plinker/practice load is around 6 grains of 231 or equivalent behind a 250-grain lead bullet. More "thump" than .45ACP but no recoil to notice.
If you "hot up" the load with a 300-grain lead with a big meplat, they'll be the Hammer of Thor, per quite a few posters on the hog subject.
A good plinker/practice load is around 6 grains of 231 or equivalent behind a 250-grain lead bullet. More "thump" than .45ACP but no recoil to notice.
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midland man
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thanks guys that sounds good as I am set on buyin that uberti 1873 horseman with 5.5in barrel 44mag I really like this revolver and I think its pretty so I was wondering if and how effective this cartridge would be? but sure love the looks of this revolver
I really like this revolver and I think its pretty so I was wondering if and how effective this cartridge would be? but sure love the looks of this revolver
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midland man
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wv_gunner I looked at ruger's 44mag revolver and I seen a lot of stainless steel in 44mag but not much in the blue as I like blued guns. so they only had one I kinda liked with 5.5in barrel but if they offered a 44mag in vaquero then I would be all over it!
Arkansas Paul
Member
I'm hoping to take my first handgun deer this year as well. I've been trying, but haven't gotten one close enough to be comfortable yet.
I went with a 7.5" Blackhawk in .45 Colt myself.
The 5.5" .44 will do the trick just fine. The barrel length is plenty IMO, as your shots are going to be 50 yds and in with a open sight handgun anyway (or they should be).
I believe the Ruger Bisley is still available in blued if you like those. I'm sure the Uberti you're wanting will be a dandy revolver as well though. If that's what you want, don't get anything else or you'll just wish you had.
I went with a 7.5" Blackhawk in .45 Colt myself.
The 5.5" .44 will do the trick just fine. The barrel length is plenty IMO, as your shots are going to be 50 yds and in with a open sight handgun anyway (or they should be).
I believe the Ruger Bisley is still available in blued if you like those. I'm sure the Uberti you're wanting will be a dandy revolver as well though. If that's what you want, don't get anything else or you'll just wish you had.
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midland man
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well ruger has one I do like http://ruger.com/products/newModelSuperBlackhawkStandard/specSheets/0810.html this one is nice and so I should price this one as well as the uberti horseman then compare the figures!
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midland man
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http://www.uberti.com/1873-horseman-revolver but I also like this one so my question is will these two I have posted work fine for hog and deer hunting,as well as protection against dangerous animals?? thanks guys!
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midland man
Member
and I really like the uberti horseman I think its very nice!!
I think its very nice!!
Arkansas Paul
Member
I agree.
It is a beautiful revolver.
And either one of those will work splendidly.
Keep in mind, the Ruger does have adjustable sights. I think that gives it the edge.
If you're just going on looks, the Uberti looks better. The thing is with it is, where it shoots is where it shoots. You have to play with a load to get it to shoot to POA.
With the Ruger you find a load you like and dial it in.
It is a beautiful revolver.
And either one of those will work splendidly.
Keep in mind, the Ruger does have adjustable sights. I think that gives it the edge.
If you're just going on looks, the Uberti looks better. The thing is with it is, where it shoots is where it shoots. You have to play with a load to get it to shoot to POA.
With the Ruger you find a load you like and dial it in.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
I've taken whitetail with a 7.5" Super Redhawk and with a 5.5" Redhawk, both scoped. That was back before I got into reloading. Deer were taken with Magtech 240 grain SJSPs. They worked quite adequately. Sold the SRH a while ago, and am thinking about pulling the scope off the Redhawk. Open sights would have worked fine at the distances I shot (less than 50 yards).
And yes, either the Ruger or the Uberti will do the job. I just would not take a shot at a distance beyond which you can keep six rounds on a six-inch paper plate.
And yes, either the Ruger or the Uberti will do the job. I just would not take a shot at a distance beyond which you can keep six rounds on a six-inch paper plate.
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midland man
Member
http://ruger.com/products/newModelSuperBlackhawkStandard/specSheets/0810.html well I decided i'll go with this one due to having adjustable sights and its made in usa!
and its made in usa!Kachok
Member
Between me Brian and Robert I think we have 8 or 9 44 mags everything from a snub nose compact carry to a carbine lever action rifle. Don't let the energy number fool you a 240gr+ 44 mag is a deadly tool out to around 100 yards, and some would argue an acceptable performer out to 150 but I only ever use them where close range is the norm. In the swamps the 44 is the best backup you could ask for if hogs get aggressive, reasonable recoil, deep penetration and lots of shock and trauma at close range.
critter
Member
I had a Ruger Redhawk with a 2X scope on it for a long time. Took several deer and hogs with it. Good choice. Mine was not super accurate-not bad, I just thought it should have been better.
Sold it and bought a Ruger blackhawk hunter with the Bisley grip. Fantastic shooter! I like the way it carries and the way it shoots. It, too, has been broken as a 'deer killer'. This gun would be my top choice for a deer getter.
I used 240 gr JHP's in both the .44's and they seemed to work great for me.
I have also taken deer with a S&W model 25 in .45 Colt. It, too, was a fantastic shooter. I used 255 gr hard cast SWC in this one cause that is what it liked.
Handgun hunting is just a barrel of fun. Enjoy!
Sold it and bought a Ruger blackhawk hunter with the Bisley grip. Fantastic shooter! I like the way it carries and the way it shoots. It, too, has been broken as a 'deer killer'. This gun would be my top choice for a deer getter.
I used 240 gr JHP's in both the .44's and they seemed to work great for me.
I have also taken deer with a S&W model 25 in .45 Colt. It, too, was a fantastic shooter. I used 255 gr hard cast SWC in this one cause that is what it liked.
Handgun hunting is just a barrel of fun. Enjoy!
Never took a hog but have taken deer with an OM Super Blackhawk. I've used 200 grain HPs and 240 grain HPs and of the two I favor the 200grn HP for deer. I've killed a couple with the 240grn HP and don't see any advantage with the heavier bullet.
T.R.
Member
My son-in-law hunts deer with a Ruger model Blackhawk in 44MAG. Barrel is about 8 inches or so in length. He shoots Hornady XTP ammo and has no disappointments. XTP stands for extreme terminal performance.
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Kachok
Member
XTPs are good bullets, a friend of mine shot a 130lbs doe with 180gr 40 S&W XTP handload I made for him, broke the onside shoulder and came to a stop just under the hide on the far side. Have not had the chance to use the 240gr 44 on deer yet we still have a hundred or so 240gr Speer to go through.
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