.44 magnum shooters?

[Johnn Peterson]

My favorite revolver cartridge for more than 25 years....S&W family includes ``first year production`` 6 1/2, a few 4 inchers, and a few others. No pipe lenght barrels as a 4 inch will hold it's own at longer ranges...

Into ``long range`` hangunning since 2003. Yes a big fan of Keith. My best 29 (a blued 4 inches 29-3, 1990 production) does 2 inches / 100 yds and 4 1/2 at 150yds (could do better...) All of'em are doing cloverleafs at 25yds.

Classic load of Keith cast w/ 22gr 2400....A side note on grips: get some that fits you as they are essential to good shooting....First series ``coke bottle`` S&W has a nice fit for me...

Long live Keith & Dirty Harry !!

I've been doing much the same, starting in 1968, and over the years have had 4 different 4" 29's and 3 different 8 3/8". The most accurate of the bunch is the 4" I made mention of earlier in this thread, a 29-2. Actually, the barrel measures 3 13/16".
In the late 70's my partner & I put the camper on my truck and made a trip to Salmon Idaho and spent the better part of a day visiting Elmer Keith. A very memorable day to say the least.
Quite correct in your statement concerning grips, and really to the point when I got my 500 S&W. With the heaviest loads, even the Hogue grips it came with it didn't cut it. As part of our visit to Salmon Idaho we also stopped in at Herret's Stocks in Twin Falls where I purchased a couple of sets of custom grips. One set was the Jordan Trooper stocks for the S&W model 29 and these I've 'modified' to fit the 500. Still kicks like a mule, but now it's bearable.

 

[Brutus]

Right on stories here, reminds me I must order the Keith authored book;
"Sixguns."
Its easy for us to appreciate the boom and kick of a nice 44!

By the by, I have two 44 revolvers, the previously mentioned Dan Wesson 44 standard blued version with 8 inch barrel, and a 629 Classic DX with a 5 inch pipe. (Winchester M94 Trapper too)
Unlike you lucky fellas I am only a recent owner of 44s (4 years ago handgun and about 10 years ago rifle) but I am trying hard to make up for lost years. Just before I left Cold Lake I did try Silverback's 500 S&W, what a piece!

Nice to know there are like-minded souls here....

 

[SMITH45]

Own and have owned many 29 (4 & 6), a 629(4 & 5) just sold my Bisley Hunter to another member , but just acquired a Redhawk with a 5 and a half barrell. My everyday load, 10 grs unique with 250 Grains SWCL and for the boom 22.5 grains of H110 with a 240Gr XTP, that make my .44 mag shooting. I really enjoy shooting these guns, they are real challenge, for me anyway.

Yves

 

[BC Mike]

I only shoot my 1960 Ruger Super Blackhawk on special occasions (usually if I have a guest who hasn't tried a .44 mag before ) and use factory Remington 180 gr. JSP as I don't reload. I don't mind admitting I wear shooting gloves with it. It's balanced well in recoil but the back of the dragoon trigger guard will nip you if you aren't careful.

 

[Curt]

I have a 1975 Super Blackhawk, cut to 4.5", with the same squared off, hand cutting feature. It throws really good flames with factory 240 grain JHP's. These big ones always get some looks at the line. I have an excess of Win 571, anyone have loads for the .44 mag with this powder?

 

[dan belisle]

Have about a dozen 44s, good guns. - dan

 

[THOR74]

I own a S&W model 29 .44 Magnum with the 8 3/8 inch barrel that I bought from the original owner a decade ago. The gun itself is a 1978 model, and the first owner literally shot no more than 50-75 rounds out of it (he gave me the rest of his original ammo supply from the 70s). It was MINT!!! I got the gun, a Bianchi belt holster, a Bianchi shoulder holster, some ammo and a cleaning kit.

I have taken top shelf care of this gun which is one of my prized possessions, and is still in first rate condition to this day.

This gun is a dream to shoot, especially with the long barrel, and I can achieve amazing accuracy at 75 yards - no BS.

PS - I have found the SW revolver to be of exceptional quality thru and thru (no surprise).

Local dude here recently bought a SW 500 Magnum - the ammo costs for that thing make my .44 Mag look like their running a .22 LR prices - ouch!!