Thank you - i have purchased a 44

[Trent]

I kind of got bit by the revolver bug.

Sold a PS90 rifle last week and I'm sitting on some spare cash, was kind of tossing around the idea of getting a 44 mag. That Ruger SP-101 I bought kind of inspired me. Putting all most shots through one big ragged hole at 7 yards was just too fun. And now whenever I shoot my plastic guns I'm going to be sad at the results.

Having never SHOT a 44 mag, I don't know the first damn thing about what brand or type to get.

I want one that's accurate. I'm a good shot, at target shooting, so inherent accuracy would trump all else. I'd like a gun that'd hit a soda can at 100 yards.

Or Bambi's chest thumper organ.

So, any suggestions on a good, highly accurate 44 mag?

(I roll my own ammo and have lots of experience working up loads, no problems on that end. But you can only get as good as the gun can do with handloads, so I want a good gun.....)

Thanks in advance!

 

[savanahsdad]

Ruger BlackHawk's can't have just one

 

[Sam1911]

Double-action or single-action?

In DAs, some folks really like the Colt Anaconda, but they're expensive and hard to come by.

If accuracy was my absolute top priority, I might look at a Dan Wesson. They've got a cult following with reports of top-end accuracy.

My personal choice is the S&W 629, though whether you'll get coke-can at 100 yds accuracy I'm not sure. Close, and with good handloads, possibly.

The Rugers are built tough, of course, but they aren't for everyone. I personally like the looks of the Redhawk, but I think the SRH is considered a better and more pleasant shooter.

For the SAs, you've mostly got the Ruger Blackhawk and SBH, and then the Freedom Arms guns, which are generally amazing but might give even that P90 budget a bit of heartburn. The real split-the-difference standout is probably the Magnum Research BFR in .44. Folks REALLY like them and MSRP is just over $1,000.

(Of course, if you're going with the BFR you have to resist the temptation to get the .45-70 instead ... or the 20mm! LOL!)

 

[highpower]

Get a S&W Model 29 or one of it's variants I have a Model 29, a 29-2 and a 629-4 Classic DX. All are superbly accurate guns.

629-2 Classic DX

29-2


29

 

[planetmobius]

I also vote for the S&W model 29. I have a couple and you can't go wrong. beautiful lines, lots of refinement and come from 4" to 8 3/8" barrels. If you go single action, get a Ruger Super Blackhawk. You can get those from 3" to 10 1/2".

 

[BlackSky]

Model 29 with 8 3/8" barrel does pretty darn well for me.

 

[BemidjiDweller]

Can't go wrong with a Ruger Blackhawk.

 

[MCMXI]

the Freedom Arms guns, which are generally amazing but might give even that P90 budget a bit of heartburn

That depends on how much he got for his PS90. If you like SA revolvers that are superbly well made and accurate you will LOVE a Freedom Arms revolver in .44 Mag. A friend has one and I couldn't believe how "tight" everything is. The clearances are all minimum at best. I know of another individual who has one chambered in .454 Casull with a 7-1/2" barrel and he's shot sub moa groups at 100 yards off a rest.

I have a 629 with a 4" barrel and it's not a lot of fun to shoot with full power loads. It's accurate for sure but I'd rather shoot .45 Colt through one of my Ruger Blackhawks. The Rugers are Bisley models and they're much nicer to shoot.

 

[beatledog7]

OK, I'll say it -- Redhawk!

 

[S&Wfan]

I owned a nice, early Ruger "3-screw" SuperBlackhawk in .44 magnum (7 1/2" barrel). It was accurate and I hunted deer with it.

Then I traded it in on a S&W Model 29-5 (w/endurance package) with a 6" full underlugged barrel and 4-way adjustable "silhouette" front sight and never looked back.

It buries the SB in trigger pull and accuracy and it has been my primary deer hunting firearm for many years now. I have lots of fond memories with this tack-driving revolver through the years, including dropping three deer in mere seconds on TWO different occasions; taking a rare piebald whitetail buck, and lots of fine deer!

It is accurate too, shooting sub 2" groups at 50 yards and easily hitting gallon milk jugs at 200 yards (just hold 34" high)! LOL

If something happened to this wonderful revolver I'd go out and get another! That's how much it means to me!

BTW, I've removed the front sight for silent, easy draw from the holster. It is topped by a 1st generation Bushnell Holosight that has been on it for many, many years now.




Yes, even wily coyotes fall to the sweet shooting .44 . . . this one dropped in its tracks at 40 yards when it came sneaking by while I was slowly descending a deer stand in 2011. A quiet draw, then a one-handed shot (since I was holding onto the ladder with the other) . . . ah the memories!!!



BOTTOM LINE . . . I highly recommend a S&W Model 29 (blued) or 629 (stainless). Their triggers are superb, and their accuracy is too. Strong, yet one overbuilt (heavy) for long, comfortable carry and control.

 

[drwindmill]

I have a Colt Anaconda and several 29, 629's. As far as lockup and quality I would take the 629 over the Colt any day of the week. Colts are safe queens and the Smith is battle ready

 

[targetshooter22]

As you can see, options abound. Personally, I'm a bit of Ruger whore when it comes to sixguns, so Redhawk or Blackhawk would be my pick (I own a Vaquero in that caliber). But no matter which way you go (Ruger, SW, or Colt), it's a fantastic caliber with many, many fun options and uses. Enjoy!

 

[Bio-Chem]

I'll put my vote in on the Ruger Redhawk. Have one with a nice 2X scope on it. Not sure as if im good enough to hit a coke can at 100 Yards with it, but it'll take game out to that distance in my opinion if done correctly. accurate, fun, and has a wow factor at the range

 

[Trent]

Well, I pocketed $2200 on that PS90 sale.

$300 of it has been spent on reloading stuff (mostly BOOLITS for my 7mm & 357, dies, etc), leaving me $1900.

That has to stretch out for the gun, possibly a 2-6x pistol scope (if the gun accepts one, would be a big plus since my eyes are giving me problems lately), a supply of ammo & brass, and reloading dies.

Oh, and I'm drawn to stainless finishes like a moth to a bug lamp.

The 629 above looks real nice, the grip angle looks similar to my SP101.

I don't mind DA, although I'd probably be shooting SA more than DA. I'm still not used to DA shooting and my shots tend to hit low (I've been practicing but still can't get a clean break, no matter how frigging steady I hold my hands and focus ONLY on moving my finger).

 

[22-rimfire]

If I were buying my first 44 magnum revolver and I preferred stainless, I would probably try to find a S&W 6-6.5" M629. But if I intended to shoot really potent loads, I would get a Ruger Blackhawk. If you want the best, go with a Freedom Arms revolver.

My most accurate 41 mag is a 8 3/8" S&W M57. My caliber steps go 357 mag > 41 mag > 480 Ruger/475 Linebaugh.

Double Action vs Single Action... just personal preference and how you normally shoot. Honestly, I mostly shoot DA revolvers single action anyway most of the time, but I like the convenience of loading and unloading a DA revolver. But in a larger caliber, I find no speed issues with a SA revolver as I am not plinking with the beast anyway. If you are practicing for self defense... then shoot DA or shoot some in DA. You need to know your capabilities. But for hunting, you don't need DA for deer hunting. But you might prefer it for a bear defense gun.

 

[Trent]

Holy crap.

I found this image on Wikipedia.



Talk about a fire breathing monster.

Why haven't I bought one of these before now?!

 

[CraigC]

You have a lot of options and a lot of homework to do. It's gonna take some trial and error to find the one that best suits you. I've got more .44Mag's than any other centerfire chambering and more .44's than any other bore size. All my experimenting led me to the following conclusions. Redhawks are uncomfortable. Super Redhawks are the most tolerable DA. S&W's are tolerable with proper grips up to 1200fps. The Super Blackhawk just doesn't work for me. The Ruger Blackhawk with the XR3 (Colt SAA/Navy) pattern also works up to 1200fps. The Ruger XR3-RED does not work for me. What I have found to be the most comfortable is the Ruger Bisley with a set of properly fitting, properly shaped custom grips. Which is probably why I have four of them.






Accuracy shouldn't be a problem with any of them. I have S&W's and Rugers that will do 2" at 50yds. A Freedom Arms will halve that but you will pay dearly for it.

 

[klcmschlesinger]

Super Redhawk

I've got the Super Redhawk. Some say they are ugly, but I don't think so. Also, if you shoot and miss, it is big enough to beat to death whatever you missed.

 

[22-rimfire]

Why haven't I bought one of these before now?!

A man's got to know his limitations.

I think the Ruger Super Redhawk is a good choice in 7.5" with proper grips. They are ugly revolvers but the work well. I have one in 480 Ruger. I also found the Redhawk a little uncomfortable to shoot, but I don't have a lot of experience with them.

I really like the M-29's or their stainless cousins, but I agree with Craig that they get a bit uncomfortable in the more powerful loadings. If you buy one, experiment with grips. They sure are purty!

 

[CraigC]

I agree. I had a Redhawk 20yrs ago and couldn't find a way to make it comfortable to shoot. The factory wood grips were the best I tried, Hogue's and Pachmayr's were horrendous. Traded it for a .38-44HD and then traded that for the Mundenized 629MG above, don't miss it one bit.

You cannot buy a better, bigger hammer than a .480 SRH without spending a lot more money. They won't win any beauty contests but where else can you buy a sixgun that slings a 425gr at 1200fps and is capable of taking any critter on planet earth for the princely sum of $550?



PS, the Burris 2-7x is way too much glass for any revolver. This one is in place because I already had it and it needed a home. Were I buying a scope for a dedicated hunting revolver, it would be a Burris or Leupold fixed 2x. It's plenty but not too much.

 

[Desertrat357]

I vote for a Redhawk. Ive got a 4" version that is my carry gun out in the sticks. I see some guys saying that this handgun is uncomfortable to shoot, however, I havent found that to be the case. I mostly shoot 250gr keith style handloads through it. with velocities ranging from a very pleasant 900 fps which is my main plinking load up to 1200 fps for critters like coyotes, rock chucks etc. But Ive also shot Buffalo Bore's 305 gr. HC lead load at 1300+ fps.

 

[BCRider]

If you've got limited time with revolvers and if you have never shot a SA style you may want to hunt around and find a way to try a couple of both DA and SA revolvers. The grip style of each is quite different and it's worth finding out which fits you directly before you leap into a new gun.

For example I found that the style of hold used on DA S&W's and Rugers just fell naturally into my hand and I shot them great right from my first time. On the other hand it took me a bit of time to figure out how to best hold the "plowshare" style SA revolvers. I'm fine with either now but it took me a while with the SA.

If you find that you come to terms and shoot the SA style well right off the bat then for the price you can't beat the Ruger in either Super Blackhawk or Bisley Hunter configurations. If you have big hands you'll want to get some fatter grip scales as the stock ones let the gun move far too much in your grip and that leads to the well documented "dragoon trigger guard bite" on the back of your middle finger. But some scales with a fatter size around the upper "neck" eliminates this issue very nicely.

On the other hand if you find that the DA style grip hold fits you more naturally then either a S&W or Ruger would be a nice way to go. There's no doubt that the heavier weight of the Super Redhawk will tame the recoil of full power loads. I'm a HUGE S&W fan but full power .44Mags from a 29 or 629 is about my limit and my hand is done after two cylinders worth. But if you are like me then reducing the peak pressure by about 10 to 15% is enough to make the loads very tolerable.

At the moment I've got two Rugers. A 7.5 SBH and a bobbed barrel 5 inch SRH. Either is fine but it took replacing the scales on both to get there. The SBH is wearing my own custom wood scales that fattened up the neck area as mentioned and the SRH uses a set of Hogue rubber monogrips. Both are pleasent enough to shoot with full power loads for more than two cylinders but I generally stop at 3 or 4. Mostly I shoot the toned down midrange loads and I'm fine for 50 at a time with those. Great fun actually.

 

[22-rimfire]

2x Leupold is a great hunting revolver choice. Scopes on handguns take some getting used to. You really have no idea how unsteady you are with a handgun until you mount a scope. Quite a revelation actually.

If hunting is a serious reason for the revolver, I would probably go with the Ruger SRH. They also come with mounts and rings.

... taking any critter on planet earth for the princely sum of $550?

Yeah, that used to be the price. The price has gone up a bit since then however. I am not recommending you go to the 480 Ruger/475 Linebaugh, but you also have the moderately priced BFR choice in that caliber.

 

[farm23]

I have Ruger, Freedom Arms, and S&W. I hunt with all and the best is the Freedom Arms but expensive. For hunting I shoot SA bu if you want a DA I would go with S&W and not look back. I have been shooting a long time but beyond 50 yards I shoot SA. If you want to have scope any of the above should be ok. For me the Ruger Bisley and Freedom Arms handle recoil the best.

After all said and done I would go with the Ruger Bisley

 

[codefour]

.44 Mag versatility

IMHO, the .44 Mag is the most versatile handgun caliber. If I could only have one handgun, it would be a .44 Mag. From 300+ grain fire breathers to mild .44 Special loads, it covers a wide range from plinking to big game hunting.

Hand loading your own drastically increases is versatility.

As per weapon to purchase, as of late, I have become a huge Ruger fan. I have had bad luck with my last two S&W revolver purchases. I personally shoot Redhawks. Strong as an anvil and accurate as can be. I can hit Pepsi cans at 100 yards with 7.5 inch Redhawk.