I'm looking into a new Taurus 444 Raging Bull for handgun hunting. I plan on shooting deer in the near future and possibly a bear down the road. However, I will mostly be shooting it as a fun gun for paper/steel/B-pins. Taurus has a new scope base which suits me just fine because I like a scope on my guns. My question is this, what barrel length should I get? I like the longer barrels for greater velocity/accuracy, but is their long barrel (8.5" I think) any better than their shorter (6.5") one? I'm concerned with it being very barrel heavy and cumbersome. Also, any thoughts on the gun itself (fit, finish, recoil, ect)?

And one more thing, has anyone tried the 405gr .430" bullets in their .44 Mags? http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm What hunting bullet do you like for deer/bear/hogs?

We got in several Raging Bulls into the gunshop I worked at back when the 454 first hit the scene. I think of the 4 we got in, 2 came back to us with bulged barrels, and one the rear sight flew off, from shooting factory ammo. I also thought the fit and finish left a lot to be desired for a gun in that level caliber. I have never looked at them since, I don't know if they've cleaned up their act or not, but I would hesitate to buy one.

Just my recollections on the "first" Raging Bulls.

Since you are considering it for hunting as well as target and pin shooting, I would recommend the 8-3/8" barrel. I don't have the RB, but I do have the standard Taurus Model 44. Recoil, even with hot loads is not bad. But I must warn you, the port does make it louder.