VERY long post, sorry.

I have a bunch of questions but will start with a few. First I am wanting an easy to carry 44 mag to hunt with. My current 44 mag is a Ruger Bisley Hunter with a 7 ½" barrel. Great gun. Shoots outstanding when I do my part. My eyes are too old to be using fixed sights in low light conditions and I had to add a scope or red dot.

I have tried it with a pistol scope and a red dot scope. Both worked good and have their place. But the gun is big and either scope makes it that much bigger. With the Elite 3200 pistol scope my RSB Hunter weighs 4 lbs and 7 ounces (71 ounces). With a full load, that is about what my ULA hunting rifle weighs!

As a result the 44 gets left at home when I carry my rifle. Of course that is when I see a deer, hog or whatever I am hunting at 80 or 100 yards. When I leave the rifle and carry my 44, everything I see is at 300 or 400 yards. Yes, I know they (deer and/or hogs) have a spotter watching me when I leave the camp.

So I think I need a small 4" or 5" 44 mag light enough to carry with my long guns. In all my searching in stores and on the web, I have not found a “small” 44 mag. Included was a Ruger Redhawk 4" I purchased. Another great gun, but not light and really not small. I sold it the same day I received it.

Now I have purchased a Burris FastFire and will purchase the Ruger base for it to fit the built-in base on my Hunter. Better, but that leaves the barrel at 7 ½”. I think the Ruger Hunter model alone weighs 52 ounces. The FastFire weighs 2 ounces and the mount may be another 2. Now my gun will weigh 56 ounces. If I have 2" cut off, the max I think, I might be back at 52 ounces. Still too big and too heavy for me to take on every hunt. I don’t think cutting the barrel off is the solution. The scoped Ruger is a good 100 to 125 yard gun in my hands. With a good rest, that is. So I will use it on handgun only hunts.

But now I have another problem! If I don’t put the FastFire on my Hunter, I need to buy a revolver to put it on. Wonder if a good smith could mill a Weaver style on the top strap of a plain RSB Bisley. Anyone know of one who could or would? I would guess that rig with the FF would weigh 45 ounces anyway. Too much. If the gun weighed around two pounds it would get carried every time.

That points to the Taurus Tracker (34 oz), Taurus Raging Bull UltraLite (28 oz) or the S&W 329PD (26 oz). Of the three, I think the Tracker is the smallest even though it is the heaviest. I am leaning toward it anyway. Anyone know of a Weaver style base for one of these three? Ok, how about a smith that can or will build or mill a base for one of these three?

I have ask Burris and they don’t. Will call Taurus in the morning. After you read this, let me know where my logic is off. And please give my your thoughts on a small and or light 44 mag. Also tell me about holsters and other rigs. I am thinking a cross draw will work best for me. Besides my rifle I carry a backpack most of the time when I hunt.

Model 629 Light Hunter Revolver. Mine is very light and easy to carry.

As far as a holster, Reed Gun Leather will make you a custom cross draw for you. 336-696-9047 reedgrdner@aol.com

http://www.reedgunleather.com/

http://www.smith-wesson.com/we...rn=15714&isFirearm=Y

Great looking gun. But at 52 ounces it is as heavy as my SBH Hunter. I am sure they shoot very well but I am looking for a smaller, lighter 44 mag.

Do you have any experence with the S&W Mountain Gun, the S&W 329PD, the Taurus Tracker or the Taurus UltraLite in 44 mag. Those are the size and weight guns I am wanting info on.

Thanks for your time.

Richard

All I can tell you from shooting the 329PD is, I would only use it if I had to, the recoil is worse than any 500 Mag round I have shot.

I agree with Redhawk on the recoil of the Scandium S&W 44.

I carry a S&W 44 Mag 4" when in the field. Usually a 629 Mountain Gun.

I use a De Santis Dual Angle hunter holster, worn cross draw.

I find it to be a good choice considering size, weight, recoil, accuracy, and power.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
I carry a S&W 44 Mag 4" when in the field. Usually a 629 Mountain Gun.

I find it to be a good choice considering size, weight, recoil, accuracy, and power.

I'll cast another vote for the S&W Mtn Gun. It's compact and light enough to all but forget I'm wearing it.

Haven't used electronic sights (or scopes) on anything smaller than a Contender but they're certainly becoming very compact, more rugged, and increasingly affordable so I may have to try them as my eyes become more decrepit. As for mounting the Fastfire, Burris makes a Picatinny base for it which means you can attach it to a S&W using any of the many Weaver-compliant rails made for them. Warne makes one that allows you keep your irons as backups http://www.opticsplanet.net/wa...n-x-frame-41674.html Weigand makes a simple rail http://www.jackweigand.com/swhpmnt.html Then all you need is a holster that accomodates your sight and its new base.

I agree that you don't want anything so light that it traumatizes you every time you pull the trigger. The Mountain gun is a nice piece and with a 4-inch barrel, easy to pack and carry with enough weight to aid recoil. JMHO.

ive shot 329s alot. there a handfull with full power loads but for hunt you can run a 250 at a 1000 and there not bad at that level. If i had to recomend one gun for your though id look at a 4 5/8s super blackhawk. Ive got a ton of custom guns but thats what rides on my hip more then anything

quote:

Originally posted by Redhawk1:
All I can tell you from shooting the 329PD is, I would only use it if I had to, the recoil is worse than any 500 Mag round I have shot.

REALLY! That's good news, I have about a box of factory loads through mine and was afraid the 460 and 500 were much worse. The Airlite 360PD (12oz) with .357 mag loads is MUCH more painful than the 329PD (IMHO)

quote:

Originally posted by Collins:

quote:

Originally posted by Redhawk1:
All I can tell you from shooting the 329PD is, I would only use it if I had to, the recoil is worse than any 500 Mag round I have shot.

REALLY! That's good news, I have about a box of factory loads through mine and was afraid the 460 and 500 were much worse. The Airlite 360PD (12oz) with .357 mag loads is MUCH more painful than the 329PD (IMHO)

I know what you mean about the 360PD (12oz) with .357 mag , I had one and two of my buddies have them, not fun at all to shoot.

Buy my 4 inch 500 Mag is a lot more fun to shoot.

Freedom Arms mo.97 with a 4.5" barrel.One of the new Ruger 44 Specials.

4 5/8s super blackhawk. no better bang for the buck in a holster gun.

Turk,

I have a Smith 357PD. Same thing as the 329PD .44 mag, only in .41 mag. The PD weighs 28.5 oz.

IMO, the .41 mag is just about as much power in that lightweight a package that I can reasonably handle. The key is that I can reasonably handle - your pain tolerance may be higher than mine.

What I can tell you is that with a full house .41 mag, 215 gr. bullet loaded with 20.0 gr. of H110 flat out HURTS. The 250gr. Grizzly loads are bearable for me for three rounds...and then they get painful. And I'm not horribly recoil sensitive to handguns either.

I don't even want to shoot a full .44mag out of a 329PD. Nope. Not even close. Not when I know that a .41 mag is borderline and running the edge of control for me. (PS: Jeff Quinn of Gunblast.com agrees - the .44mag full loads are damn near uncontrolable... http://www.gunblast.com/SW329PD.htm )

So here's my answer for MY own 357PD: handload my own "max load". I'm going for a 265gr. bullet at 1100fps. That should be fully controllable for 6 rounds. And that's my goal...6 controllable highpower rounds for animal defense and hunting in a super-light package.

IMO, if you want a max load, seriously consider the .44 mag or .45LC mountain guns. The extra weight of the steel frame and cylinder is going to be a definite benefit.

Anyway, good luck!


PS: a couple of other thoughts. I've done enough DA shooting (18,000 + rounds worth) to know that I don't want a single-actioned revo for personal defense. I don't think about cocking a revo - I just point, pull, and pull again. Whatever action you choose, the point is to absolutely know how to shoot the weapon without needing to think about it.

PPS: Just my opinion, but in the Airweight N-Frame's, the .41 Mag with max loads is pretty much the limit of controllability. I'd have to say the .44 Mag version is more versatile, but to truly control the revo for 6 straight rounds would require something less than a full house Corbon/Grizzly/DoubleTap load. Which is exactly why Buffalo Bore makes a "Reduced recoil" load that does a 255gr. bullet at near 1300fps...instead of a 320gr. / 1300fps load.

Turk

Since you already have a 44 Mag, a 4" S&W
makes more sense than adding another caliber, esecially a 41 Mag, which while there is nothing wrong with the caliber, ammo is not found everywhere.

I want to thank everyone for their help.

It was a tough choice between a Ruger Bisley and a Taurus Tracker. And I settled on the Taurus because of it’s weight. Being a DA is an added benefit to me in a defense gun. But it’s primary use will be a 50 yard deer and hog gun. If I make a BIG hog mad with my first shot, the Tracker will give a faster second and third shot. Besides, it is lighter. I will be able to run and climb faster!

The gun is paid for and should be here next week. I will be asking for help in how to shoot such a light revolver (34 oz.). That will be in a different topic.

Thanks again,

Richard

I have a 629 Mtn. Gun and find it the perfect mix of size weight and power. I use a Cyclone holster. I believe it's Bianchi #111. you can use it strong side or crossdraw.

My next choice would be the short barreled Blackhawk. It has the aluminum grip frame that keeps the weight down.

Turk made up his mind, so I don't have to worry about hijacking the thread. The 629 Mtn Gun isn't fun to shoot with the full house Mag loads. I rather like my 625 Mtn. Gun loaded with the 45 AR using 260 grain SWC. Kinda like a .45 Colt Short Special. Effective on our whitetails and an easy load to shoot. I have a three screw Ruger in .45 Colt with a 4 5/8" barrel. It does get muzzle heavy due to the aluminum grip frame. It's a rather nice revolver to shoot as well.

Turk

My sister in law carries a Taurus 44 Mag at the deer lease. I load the ammo for her and I havge shot her gun some.

It shoots good, is accurate, and the rubber grips are comfortable.

Since you are in Texas get some Speer shot shells. They are great for snakes and small game.

We carry 2 shotshells up first, followed by regular 44 mag loads.

We have killed Copperheads and Rattlesnakes in camp.

Turk, your thinking is 180* off. You ask about a hunting revolver and you have a fine one in hand already!
You problem is that you still carry a rifle.
Leave that thing home and HUNT with the revolver and you need not worry about weight.
This is, after all, the HANDGUN HUNTING FORUM.