What is your experience/preference?

Would a case be made for a 329 PD instead? Not into full 44 loads but ammo options there if needed.

Comment on accuracy, recoil, overall quality and satisfaction wanted.

Something to carry while big game hunting or just hiking in remote country...capable of handling whatever might come along.

I would get a .44 mag.

I would go with the a 44 revolver.
Much wider variety of loads, from plinking to defense, 2 legged and 4 legged.

I do not recommend a semi-auto for animal protection. If you get knocked down, and have to fire at contact distance there is a big chance that the semi-auto will have a malfunction.

A couple of friends have a 329 PD and I have shot them with a variety of loads. With full power loads it is a handful.

In the 329 PD Federal 300gr Cast Core are easier on my hand that regular full power 240gr loads.

My wife and I always carry a S&W 629 Mountain gun, in 44 Mag.

It is a litttle heavier but a lot more comfortable to shoot.

Best holster I have found is the DeSantis Dual Angle Hunter worn cross draw.

If you do not reload;

The Buffalo Bore reduced recoil Keith 255gr load is a good one for most uses.

In Brown bear country I would carry a bullet @300grains, loads by Garrett, Buffalo Bore and Federal Cast Core, Cor-Bon.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
I would go with the a 44 revolver.
Much wider variety of loads, from plinking to defense, 2 legged and 4 legged.

I do not recommend a semi-auto for animal protection. If you get knocked down, and have to fier at contact distance therte is a bit chance that the semi-auro will have a malfunction.

A couple of friends have a 329 PD and I have shot it with a variety of loads. With full power loads it is a handful.

Federal 300gr Cast Core are easier on my hand that regular full power 240gr loads.

My wife and I always carry a S&W 629 Mountain gun, in 44 Mag.

It is a litttle heavier but a lot more comfortable to shoot.

Best holster I have found is the DeSantis Dual Angle Hunter worn cross draw.

If you do not reload;

The Buffalo Bore reduced recoil Keith 240gr load is a good one for most uses.

In Brown bear country I would carry a bullet @300grains, loads by Garrett, Buffalo Bore and Federal Cast Core, Cor-Bon.

I agree with all of the above. Just can't beat the versatility of the .44 mag.

Whitworth

Thanks.

However take note:

I had to correct my post the Buffalo Bore Low Recoil load has a Keith 255gr bullet at 1350fps, not a 240gr bullet.

Thanks, good stuff, do reload, as I age, rather spend my time shooting, but must do the work first

Heard some guys who like Glock 20s in Alaska or even 1911 style 10mms and 41 mags in compact guns i.e. Smith MGs, Taurus. Recoil tolerance likely why no 44 or larger not chosen.

Personally been a 41 fan in the past, been thru a few 44s, SBH 7.5" bicentennial and a M29 4", and a 29-2 6"....dang that gun was ANIB and I should have kept that one....another......the 10" contender also did well for a single shot.

Maybe if I can get over the fact I have dies, brass, and perhaps 2k bullets for 41.....

Rarely in bear country, but a heavy hardcast would be comforting, and that would be a situation potentially where 'mo is betta' re: width of the meplat.

I was thinking recoil might be rough in a light alloy gun. Would MOSTLY shoot mid range loads when NOT in bear country.

Thanks for feedback.

I've never shot a 329 but understand that they sting a bit with full-tilt loads. The other option is a 629. They're still light enough to carry, but it would be a bit more friendly from a recoil standpoint.

I really like my ruger blackhawk in 41 mag. I had a redhawk in 41 mag but it was such a heavy gun i left it in camp most of the time. The blackhawk goes in a crossdraw holster so it does not interfere with the lead rope going back to the packstring. I have never had to defend myself against a grizzly with it but have used it for a coup de gras on some elk, deer, antelope, have taken a few targets of opporutnity like coyotes, rockchucks, and deer.
If I am packing in country where an encounter with a grizzly is likely, I carry the blackhawk as a secondary tool and have a Marlin in 45-70 for my primary save my ass gun.
I have tried the 44 mags but don't like the sting of the heavy recoil. I think I'm better off with a gun I shoot well verses a 44 that I wouldn't practice with. I don't feel undergunned with a 41 mag.

Geez I forget all I owned.....had a couple of 4" 629's in past, shot very well, just a tad heavier than I like to carry, though compact. I can see those who own/like a MG for weight.

6 loaded rounds just adds up, and any extra.

Re: 41 BH, my brother wanted one, so after I played awhile with an OM 4 5/8 w/Alloy grip-yes light, and man did it shoot, I let my brother have it....STILL kicking myself.

Read many articles where chrony results put the short Rugers as fast as 6" smiths, as the Cylinder gap must be tighter, always seemed to clock faster than the 57 4" I had, and it seemed a little noticeable, w/o chrony.

Interesting but perhaps the Rugers have less gass lost in the gap???

It'll vary handgun to handgun. I have seen nearly identical revolvers with identical loads record drastically different velocities. Try to find a Lew Horton M 29 -- 3-inch barrel, and very packable...... Here's mine:

I suspect the S&W 357PD might be just a RCH heavier than the 329PD because of cartridge size with a corresponding gnat's hair more metal between holes.

I generally use .41Special level loads when not in big bear country. Otherwise, in bear country, I carry a load of Federal Cast-cores. They're not all that bad using the rubber grips.

I like the 357PDs. They're accurate like all .41Magnums. Practice with lighter loads and shoot enough heavy loads to aclimate yourself to the recoil. I've never had a problem with either of my 357PDs and have about 600 heavy loads through each and many more "Special" loads. I'm thinking about selling one of them as I already have a mountain gun in blue and stainless. We'll see when I get my 2.5 or 3-inch .41magnum built.

Hmmmm, 2.5-3"? What about the short Ti Taurus? Not to your liking? Prefer Smiths? Chopping a longer bbl?

What about a G29?

Smiths are OK but I think I would carry a 5-1/2" SBH for hunting or fishing backup. I am just partial to single actions and a gun with the weight and strength to shoot it enough to be confident with it.
You are not going to do enough work with one of those light guns to be able to use it when you need it. Recoil will affect you and strain on the gun is great.
To carry a few ounces less can be counter productive. Recoil can also be so bad, a second shot won't be made if needed. Hard to do when the gun is pointing back over your head.
Just carry a good steel gun of your choice in a caliber that will do the job. I would still not go under the .44.

those 3 inch lew hortons allways make me drewl!

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:
It'll vary handgun to handgun. I have seen nearly identical revolvers with identical loads record drastically different velocities. Try to find a Lew Horton M 29 -- 3-inch barrel, and very packable...... Here's mine:

Thanks Lloyd! It is one of the best handgun buys I have made. I bought it nearly 20 years ago and it shoots great. It also goes nearly everywhere I go.........

Loyd, for you:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/P...rn=15714&isFirearm=Y

I love the .41 as a round and have taken elephant and buff with an old M58. However, these days I carry a 329 (simply because it was available and a 357 wasn't). I tried to order the 5 shot Taurus Titanium in .41 but Africa defeated that . The .329 with buffalo thumping, lion disemboweling loads is very unpleasnat to fire (bearing in mind I shoot several hundred .44 mag loads in shilouette and IPSC revolver class copmetition and practice each month from a 5" 629).

For a "just-in -case" carry gun, the 4" 5 shot taurus titanium looks like exactly wha the doctor ordered. considerably less bulky than the .329.

If I was buying again- I would try for the Taurus. If you want to shoot it occasionally for recreation as well, get a 629 mountain gun, and put up with the extra bulk and weight for a huge improvement in shootability.

This post is very timely - I'm going through the same exact though process. I've been looking at the 357 PD / 329 PD very seriously.

So here's my thought process:

1. I've fired a full .357 mag in a 12oz airweight. I pulled the trigger twice and unloaded the gun. That just plain flipping HURT. Same loads in my 37oz Security Six are very controllable and not horribly punishing. Out of my 45oz. 6" GP100 they fall into the "fun" category of shooting.

2. Based on that experience I have the feeling that pulling the trigger on a full-house .44 mag in a 329PD lightweight is going to be painful at the least and more likely in the category of Brutal.

3. GunBlast called the .44 mag 300 grain loads nearly uncontrollable. And, having fired full 240gr. loads from a 6" 629 with wood grips I can honestly say that I'll take a pass on a full .44 mag.

So, that leaves me with a few choices:

1. .44 Special: download the .44 mag to around 240gr. / 1000fps - more than enough oomph for anything in California and enough for anything this side of a Montana Grizzly in the lower 48 states.

2. .41 Mag: Likely snappy, but controllable in the 357PD platform. I've fired full .41 Mag loads in a Redhawk and found the recoil to be quite reasonable. As I handload, I'm not at all concerned about ammo availability. I'm thinking a 210gr. Kieth SWC at around 1000fps is perfect medicine and makes for a nice, package.

I've thought about going to a Blackhawk but I just can't do it for a defense revolver (used against critters or Badguys). I've pulled my Security Six and my 625JM from a holster enough times to know my instinct is to pull a DA shot. In fact, my brain does not even think of an SA pull anymore.

So, anyway, a 357/329pd still ends up the same way for me: I'd bob the hammer and slick the action for DAO. And, IMO, since a .44 mag is wasted power in the 329 platform from my perspective, the .41 makes the most sense.

Smith dropped the .41 from the lineup - so if you can get one off GunBroker, get em while you can.

Having said all that, it may be a moot point for me. I'm in California - which means shipping a firearm into Cali is an issue to be dealt with. I may be "stuck" with a .44mag regardless.

Final note: Dang, that 3" Lew Horton looks awesome. S&W hasn't approved that 629 Carry Comp for Cali yet... I rather like the 38oz weight of it.

Diameter trumps speed for me every time, so I am always inclined to go with the larger caliber. That said, you don't have to push 'em so hard. You just don't. The .45 acp was very effective by virtue of its big bullets and not speed and the same can be said about the .45 Colt. Slow 'em down and they become a heck-of-a-lot more pleasant to shoot.

Thanks for the kind words about my Lew Horton!

rnovi

Seeing that you are in California, you need to be sure that non lead bullets are avialable for what ever caliber revolver you get, in case you find your saelf in the Condor Zone.

I know that Cor-Bon loads the DPX in 44 Special and 44 Mag.

Not sure about the 41Mag.

Great...just one more reason.

Barnes does indeed make an X bullet for the .41 - which is good news. I'm still liking the .41 option for the 357PD. Just can't quite shake that one.

But...gotta find an FFL that will ship to Cali - and THAT is a problem.

They do show a 180gr X bullet for the 41.
I wonder how much longer they will make that bullet?

The 44 X bullets can be had in 200 and 225gr.

Lot less chance of them being discontinued.

Just a thought.

I have a .41 mag Taurus Titanium and it is nice and light. I have to adjust the overall length but I do load 265 grains to 1175 FPS and 293 grains to 1050 FPS.
The 250 grain Federal castcore goes 1050 FPS. I did hit my moose this year with the Federal load as a follow up shot. The bullet hit the ball joint at the shoulder blade which is huge on a moose. the bullet did go through the ball joint but did not reach into the chest. This load would be good for deer and such but to small for the big nasties IMHO.
My 4 5/8" blackhawk would shoot the 293 grain bullets to 1275 FPS I shot one of these through a mooses head and it went through about 8" of bone and out the other side. A big difference to the 250 grain bullets.
I really like the 41 mag but I think I am going to go 45 Colt next. I have seen a 45 Colt mountain gun but may go with a 5 1/2 Blackhawk instead for a lighter hunting gun.

Miller,

I think you make a good point on the penetration through the shoulder. (I know this side-tracks the original poster - appologies there!)

The question at hand I think was that of a lightweight personal defense revolver, not of a dedicated hunting handgun. In a dedicated hunter I agree - .44mag at the minimum makes sense. For that matter, I'd go with a 7.5" bbl and put a scope on it.

For me, the question is a dedicated defense revolver with packability that makes sense for the Lower 48 states. Short of a Grizzly I'd be quite comfortable with the .41 Mag. And given that Griz are rather rare in SoCal...and just about anywhere else I hunt...well, the .41 seems quite effective.

And if I was hunting in Grizz country I'd want something with quite a bit more juice than even a .44 mag.

No, in my case the simple truth is that I live in SoCal. My chances of seeing something more than a "simple black bear" are nil. Maybe a hog when I'm hunting in Texas. Frankly, I'm far more likely to encounter two-legged demons than four.

Still, I agree wholeheartedly that the 44's are easier to find.

never shot a bear but would think they are more like lion than buffalo- in which case... surviving an encounter with one relies 90% on using ones brain and getting out of danger before something develops and 10% arround having something with enough penetration to break spine/reach brain etc from any angle. An angry lion can absorb alot of soft expanding bullets! They are also sufficiently big that no handgun is going to generate enough muzzel energy to impress them, so infact, a .357 with appropriate bullets that you always carry makes as much sence in lion country as a .454 (especially if the bulk or weight of the .454 causes it to be left at home)

Leopard are a different story, and here a .44 is significantly better than a .357. Leopard are small enough to notice the difference in energy, and good expanding bullets can be used. Our top leopard-with-hounds man always carried a .50 AE or now, a .454.

.41 is a great compromise.

To be fair I would add that my personal thoughts on marginal loads is "if one shot does not do the trick then shoot again".

I like to defend the 41 mag knowing that heavy bullets at good velocity like the 265 and 293 grain loads above bring the 41 mag to a more all around useful level.

Even though the 250 grain at 1050 FPS load did not did not go to the chest it did put the shoulder out of commission. The hit was at around 75 yards so the velocity must have been around 45 ACP levels. If this was a close range bear encounter follow up shots may have proved to add to just taking out the shoulder.

I was shooting one handed (had a rifle in my other hand) and only made one hit out of 5 . I was glad once again that I carry a handgun while rifle hunting. Apparently cold hands and a sticky chamber from hunting in the wet environment can make reloading a chore for a single shot rifle.

While I have only shot one 10 MM Glock I was impressed with it. I was at the range where two guys were shooting a new pistol and at 15 yards they managed to put 2 shots about 4 inches apart out of 6 shots or so. They were losing excitement fast. I asked if I could shoot it and I put two shots about an inch apart. The guys went back to shooting and quit complaining about maybe getting a dud pistol. My experience with a 9mm Glock shows they can shoot fine. We shot a deer with the 9MM version. They do get heavier with a full mag though.

I would want the gun to be Stainless, given your applications.

What about the Ruger Alaskan?? You could get it in 44mag, 454 Casull and maybe 480 Ruger if you were lucky enough to find one.
If not the Alaskan, then get a Super Redhawk and bob the barrel to 3 or 4". then put a Tritium front sight on it. A lanyard ring on the butt might be handy also.

You wouldn't have to use full house loads, a 300gn hard cast at 900-1000 fps in the 44 or 45 should be enough for most things. The 480 could be loaded with anything from 325-400 gn bullets.

A buddy of mine picked up a Taurus 357 mag snubby. It is a 5 shot and the barrel is about 2 1/4". We shot some factory 125gn JHPs and it was very pleasant to shoot. You could do a penetration test with some 180gn hard cast and see what velocity was needed to go 2-3' in wet news print.

Given what you want it for I think the Taurus Ti would be a good choice. I think mine is the 425 and I've had it several years, anyway for as long as they've been out. I've used it many times in Alaska for both backpacking and hunting trips. I holster it right on my pack's waistbelt. When I want to walk around without the backpack I just stick it in my pocket. It is so light it is unlikely to EVER find yourself inconvenienced enough not to carry it. When a caribou is done I take the holster off the waistbelt and put it on my pants. At night in the tent it is right next to my head. It just carries like a carry gun which is really what you want, you want it with you all the time.

Works out OK for short range hunting like this too.