Which Revolver for Hunting?

[christcorp]

In many state, Including Wyoming where I live, you are not allowed to hunt with any handgun smaller than a 41 caliber, and it has to meet certain velocities and foot pounds out of the barrel. That basically makes it the big three. 41 mag, 44 mag, 45 long colt (Ruger Hot Load). Of course there are the 460 and up, but for the average gun owner, it's the 3 listed.

Granted, the Rocky mt states have animals a whole lot larger than say a texas Whitetail deer. A 357 wouldn't even come close to many of these animals. Wyoming, like many states, decides to play it safe. Of course, there are about 100 different type of varmints and predators that you can kill with anything you want. So, a 357 is OK for some of these. But for legal hunting, Ruger black hawk 45lc load, or the 41 and 44 mag. Later... Mike....

 

[RevolvingCylinder]

I'm split between the .44 Remington Magnum and the .45 Colt.

Hunting up to bear would mean above a .357 Magnum. People have successfully used the .357 Magnum to defend themselves from black bear but if I were hunting them, I'd want a little more power.

 

[Fumbler]

Back on track. What's your impressions of the .480 out of the SRH 22-rimfire? Is recoil that much easier than a 454?

You didn't ask me, but since I have a 480 I'll reply.
In factory loads the 454 approaches twice the recoil energy of the 480.
To me it feels like the 454 is a fast and very hard slap whereas the 480 feels like a slow and hard push.

It's maybe like comparing a hot 357 to a factory loaded 45ACP (in equivalent weight revolvers).

Muzzle blast is less in the 480 and most people can appreciate that when practicing at the range. You ears should thank you when you light one off in the woods too.
Hot handloads in the 480 will close the gap in recoil, but it will still be quite a bit less.

 

[cottonmouth]

My choice........

Let's face it, these are all good choices, but if I was worried about stopping a bear I would take the proper back-up weapon, like a 12 gague with 3 inch magnum ounce and 1/4 slugs or a good big bore lever gun? My pistol would be my SRH in .454 with the scope removed and the heaviest cast bullets I could find, just my choice.

J.B.

 

[20nickels]

Gunzrfun, I guess I should have read a little better. The original post was "Up to a bear".
I read "Hunting Bear" what caliber to use? I would shoot deer all day long with my .357 levergun.
I'll go back to my coloring books now.

 

[countryrebel]

44mag
I had a 454 and could not hit the broad side of a barn with it.I switched back to the 44mag and can hit anything I shoot at,Most of the time.

 

[Tomcat47]

I choose the .41 Magnum. I love my Taurus Tracker and my old S&W mod 57 41 magnum. The .41 Magnum has also been proven to out penetrate a .44 on such game as bear, dear, and especially boar.

I know that will stir up some digruntled .44fans however the penetration is greater for the .41 magnum. And I know the .44 has more energy (marginal) but more, however penetration is important on such game as mentioned.

 

[Shawn Michael]

One for the .500

IF YOU RELOAD, why not go with the .500? I bought it because it covers all the bases.

Want a really soft shooter with 1100lbs of energy? .500 featherweights are great. Stronger than any .44mag but soft to shoot in the big X frame and you can load anything inbetween, up to 3000lb of energy at the muzzle, and up to a 720 grain bullet...that is great versitility. The heavy grain loads are very similar ballistically to 12 gauge slugs. I have a 6.5 inch barrel. As has been pointed out here, the .500 tends to get more a lot out of "shorter" barrels than the 454 or 460 with the ultra high velocity.

The more you work with it, the easier it is to handle and the better it feels. Just a great gun. No need to shoot heavy mags all the time, .50 "specials" are great. The houge monogrips and great, add some padded gloves, it is very shootable and a one stop shop for all handgunning needs if you reload or have some $ to burn. The PC comp hunter is a fine gun. The only other revolver I feel I need it is a 357, everything else can be covered with properly loaded .500.

 

[22-rimfire]

What's your impressions of the .480 out of the SRH 22-rimfire? Is recoil that much easier than a 454?

Not trying to avoid your question, but I don't have a good answer. I don't shoot the 454 Casull in any of my handguns. So, I can't compare them.

 

[tonyman_375]

.45 COLT. Hard cast 335g. WLNGC, 1200fps. Blackhawk.

 

[Shawn Michael]

Wow

I see they have some really HEAVY .44 mags available at BB and double tap...1600lbs of energy...wow...