Help me pick a .44 revolver!
- Thread starter nwills
- Start date
pageophile
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Edmonchuk, AB
Longer barrel = more velocity
Longer barrel = more weight = less recoil
Shorter barrel = less weight = more recoil
Shorter barrel = less velocity = bigger muzzle flash
What SM said X2
Also, try a 180gr loading over a max load of H110. It's my goto round for flash/awe
You guys who are in it for the "boom" really need to take up silhouette shooting, lol. - dan
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Dan, this is exactly my next plan for the 2012 shooting season.
The 44 DW will see use next year for sure.
Dexter Morgan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Without a doubt; The best deal on a .44 Magnum is the Ruger Super-Blackhawk.
I got one in stainless with a 4 5/8" barrel for $650 from Ellwood Epps. That's $500 cheaper than a S&W 629.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c56/muzzleroar/DSCN1067.jpg
I got one in stainless with a 4 5/8" barrel for $650 from Ellwood Epps. That's $500 cheaper than a S&W 629.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c56/muzzleroar/DSCN1067.jpg
For low cost and good shooting the Ruger SBH is the lowest cost option. And since it's .44Mag it's not like you're going to go through them like .22's so the slower reloading of an SA revolver isn't a big deal.
If you shoot any action events where you can shoot revolver then I'd go for a S&W 29 or 629 or a Ruger Redhawk. Then get some speed loaders suitable for whichever gun.
Of course if you're a fan of the old Dirty Harry movies then the urge will be to wait it out until you get the chance at a 6 inch blued S&W model 29....
It's a good thing you reload. The .44Mag is a reloader's dream. Lots of options for loads. My current favourite is a 200 gn cast bullet behind a pile of 2400 powder. The side and muzzle flash has to be seen to appreciate it! A load that is definetly best shot on dull overcast days, at dusk or at indoor ranges. Otherwise I'm partial to loads of IMR4227 behind 240gn cast lead loads for the low residue I'm seeing so far.
If you shoot any action events where you can shoot revolver then I'd go for a S&W 29 or 629 or a Ruger Redhawk. Then get some speed loaders suitable for whichever gun.
Of course if you're a fan of the old Dirty Harry movies then the urge will be to wait it out until you get the chance at a 6 inch blued S&W model 29....
It's a good thing you reload. The .44Mag is a reloader's dream. Lots of options for loads. My current favourite is a 200 gn cast bullet behind a pile of 2400 powder. The side and muzzle flash has to be seen to appreciate it!
A load that is definetly best shot on dull overcast days, at dusk or at indoor ranges. Otherwise I'm partial to loads of IMR4227 behind 240gn cast lead loads for the low residue I'm seeing so far.
I have a 3 digit serial number DW 44V6/VH8 I bought in late 79/early 80 for that very reason. I also used TC's in 7mm TCU, 7mm Int-R, 30-30, 357 Herrett, and 44 Mag. Good iron guns. Also have a Ruger SBH in 357 Max as well as a DW 40VH8 in the same caliber. As to 44's, in 44 Special I have a 3" Charter Arms Bulldog, a 3" and 6.5" S+W 624's, a 4 3/4" Colt SAA and a 7.5" Colt New Frontier. In 44 Mag I have a 3" S+W 629, a 4" 29, a 4" nickel 29, a 6.5" 29, a 4 5/8" Ruger Super Blackhawk, the aforementioned DW and TC. In the past I've also had a 3" 29, yet two more 4" and 6.5" 29's, a 7.5" Super Blackhawk, and probably some more that I'm probably forgetting. Even played with an original 44 Automag for awhile. The 44 is one of my favorite bore sizes, and I lean slightly more towards the 44 Special over the mag, unless I'm in bear country. All nice guns though. - dan
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
That's one impressive list Dan! I know I'll never compile such a collection as I'm not 12/6.
I'm very satisfied with my present smaller group of sixguns friend. At least I think so right now. I also lean more towards 44 Special in handloads for casual range use & pure fun. But my present desire to bang heavy steel in the near future, demands that I load up some full house magnum handloads friend. Besides that, this DW is the most perfect lead launcher I have for this task.
Cheers!
I'm very satisfied with my present smaller group of sixguns friend. At least I think so right now. I also lean more towards 44 Special in handloads for casual range use & pure fun. But my present desire to bang heavy steel in the near future, demands that I load up some full house magnum handloads friend. Besides that, this DW is the most perfect lead launcher I have for this task.
Cheers!
- Location
- Western BC
There is only one on my radar right now...
I have a number of 44s. The nicest is a 4" M29. great trigger and shoots very small groups with 10 gr of unique under a 240 gr lead bullet. I don't think I have ever fired a full power load in it, and probably won't.
The Ruger SuperBlackhawk is a fun plinker and I have shot it full power. It is strong and and I am not concerned about shooting it loose.
I also have an old original Charter Arms 3" 44Spl. Light frame. A great carry gun, I am sure. Painful to shoot with full power (similar power to 45 ACP) but a delight with light loads. My wife likes it. Small grips fit her hands well.
I suggest a SA Ruger to the OP.
The Ruger SuperBlackhawk is a fun plinker and I have shot it full power. It is strong and and I am not concerned about shooting it loose.
I also have an old original Charter Arms 3" 44Spl. Light frame. A great carry gun, I am sure. Painful to shoot with full power (similar power to 45 ACP) but a delight with light loads. My wife likes it. Small grips fit her hands well.
I suggest a SA Ruger to the OP.
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There is only one on my radar right now...
I like their snubby 454 better, but our retarded laws won't let them into the country. - dan
I have had a Charter Arms Bulldog (3") for a long time. Quality is quite good. Don't know about current models. It is a light fram - not steel. A carry gun. My wife likes shooting it with mild loads.
A 240 gr bullet at 600 fps is accurate and plenty of kick in the hand. Shot this today with 2 hands at 20 yards.
A 240 gr bullet at 600 fps is accurate and plenty of kick in the hand. Shot this today with 2 hands at 20 yards.
Imo, the best .44 Mag for what I want it for (Grizzly defence, which will never happen because I can’t take it into the bush) is the S&W 629 Classic, which has the 5" barrel and full length underlug. It is a "classic" to say the least, and pretty hard to find.
That ^^ loaded with Garrett 310 gr Hammerhead ammo is a skull busting recipe...
That ^^ loaded with Garrett 310 gr Hammerhead ammo is a skull busting recipe...
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
My #1 choice is a 4" S&W model 29.
Also, the choice of 'The Master'
Keep in mind, for me anyway, 95% of the time you're likely going to be shooting whatever your choice is, as a single action. With that in mind and considering price, I'd take a serious look at a new model 4 5/8" SS Ruger Superblackhawk. They look pretty good and that's probably next on my handgun acquisition list.
Also, the choice of 'The Master'
Keep in mind, for me anyway, 95% of the time you're likely going to be shooting whatever your choice is, as a single action. With that in mind and considering price, I'd take a serious look at a new model 4 5/8" SS Ruger Superblackhawk. They look pretty good and that's probably next on my handgun acquisition list.
