All the new big bore cartridges Vs. 44 Magnum for whitetail hunting.

02 January 2008, 18:55

TC1

OK, I've never hunted with a handgun before and I'm thinking about trying it. Back in the day it was a no brainer, you picked which gun you wanted and you got it in a 44 magnum. I went down to look at the pistols the other day and it caught me by surprise how things have changed. I was a little overwhelmed, not really by the guns, but the cartridge selection.

If a man wanted to hunt whitetail deer with a pistol. Most shots would be with-in 75yds and most even closer. Which cartridge would you choose and why? I do re-load, but will admit I don't enjoy it and will avoid doing it at every opportunity.

I'm thinking a .44 magnum but what about all the new stuff, are there any new cartridges out there that offer a distinct advantage over it for what I want to do?

Thanks,
Terry

02 January 2008, 19:17

bfrshooter

I would say NO. The .44 is a super deer killer. I use everything from the Old Army cap and ball, .44, .475 BFR to the BFR 45-70 and all kill the same way. I just like big guns, not small ones like the .357.
The .44 will do everything you want and then some.
You have to be able to handle the larger calibers to be effective. But they don't kill any better.
I love the .44!

02 January 2008, 20:03

475Guy1

I totally agree that the 44 Mag is all that is needed for normal deer hunting and boars too. It's when you step up in class as to big game such as big bears and elk, and bison too that you actually would want something bigger.

02 January 2008, 20:28

FN in Montana

Too bad reloading is a chore as a .45 Colt in the proper gun makes for a very versatile combination. In a Ruger or FA You can load them from mild to fairly HOT. I feel the .44 mag/.45 Colt+P is ALL one needs for ANY deer within a sensible range.

I've never been a fan of recoil .... Why people subject themselves to it in order to shoot a deer with a .475 or .500 escapes me. NOT trying to start an argument here ref the .475/.500's. I've just never seen the need on deer.

FN in MT

02 January 2008, 21:48

tradmark

in ALL the big bore pistol rounds it's more about which bullet you shoot than the ME of the round. i've seen .44 mags have a more dramatic effect than .475's just difference's in bullets being used. you don't need anything bigger than a .44 for any of the game previously mentioned and the .44 has taken everything that walks. imho the difference is in trajectory, it's noticeably easier to hit the gongs at 200 and 300 with a .454 than a .44, that said, recoil is a moot subject b/c large guns like the bfr in a modest .475 load don't recoil that bad and still will penetrate better, however, you really don't need that penetration on NA game whatsoever, the .44 has it in spades.

02 January 2008, 22:36

Lloyd Smale

there are bigger and better large game guns but for animals under 600 lbs id take a 44 mag and never look back.

02 January 2008, 23:04

Whitworth

Does this mean I have to stop using my .475?

Just kidding!

03 January 2008, 00:31

TBEAR99

I HAVE 3 hunting handguns a redhawk 41 mag scoped with leupy another redhawk 44 mag and this is main gun being i only hunt whitetails and a ruger 475 linebaugh hopefully i'll get to go up north with this for a nice black bear which 44 is still enough gun for so with all that said i'd stay with tried and true 44 mag

03 January 2008, 01:47

hnts4fun

I've used a scoped Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag to cleanly take mule deer, antelope, and elk out to 125 yards. I enjoy reading about the new big bores... I have enjoyed shooting and hunting with my Ruger 44.

Matt

03 January 2008, 02:23

kenoneill

In the conditions and distances you describe, nothing is any better than a .44 Mag.

03 January 2008, 02:57

Snowwolfe

For the conditions you mentioned the .44 mag is perfect

03 January 2008, 04:20

OLBIKER

Deer around here must be dumb.They must not know they were not supposed to die when I cranked them with my 357 mag!!!!!

03 January 2008, 05:05

475Guy1

Whitworth, no you don't need to keep it anymore. Just send it to me and I'll take good care of it. BTW, I'll give you a couple of $$.

03 January 2008, 10:22

mike7mm08

I have said it for years. There is no need whatsoever for anything bigger than a 44 mag in a revolver. Excuse me while I go clean my 480

03 January 2008, 22:22

PWS

Wow! Good to hear all the accolades for the .44Mag despite all the wrist breaking calibers out there.

As pointed out above, inside of 125 yards and below 600lbs, there's nothing wrong with the good old .44. It's much more about placement than power anyway.

03 January 2008, 22:38

Whitworth

quote:
Originally posted by PWS:
Wow! Good to hear all the accolades for the .44Mag despite all the wrist breaking calibers out there.

As pointed out above, inside of 125 yards and below 600lbs, there's nothing wrong with the good old .44. It's much more about placement than power anyway.

and heavy hard cast bullets.......

03 January 2008, 23:45

TBEAR99

hey whitworth i was about to call jack about converting redhawk when my girlfriend said she already bought another bisly for me to convert to the 500 linebaugh so i never placed call but than for the contact info when i get a little extra money i'll be calling dustin

04 January 2008, 01:52

Whitworth

Hey TBEAR -- Happy New Year! Jack can convert that Bisley of yours as well.......

04 January 2008, 05:40

tom`

quote:
Originally posted by PWS:
Wow! Good to hear all the accolades for the .44Mag despite all the wrist breaking calibers out there.

As pointed out above, inside of 125 yards and below 600lbs, there's nothing wrong with the good old .44. It's much more about placement than power anyway.

Inside of 125 yards on 150lb Texas whitetails, there isn't anything wrong with my .223AI Contender. J-frame .357 seems to do pretty well, too, although not that far out as it's iron sighted.

04 January 2008, 22:13

TC1

Well, this is what I came home with. A Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in .44 Mag.

After looking at them again I really took a liking to the S&W 629 Performance center gun. Nice balance and I loved the sights. The price was a little steep though at $970. I really liked it but....

After talking to the salesman for a while I was almost drawn under the spell of the .460 S&W. The versatility seems amazing! The only draw back was the size of the gun. Damn that thing is huge. I figure I may end up with one someday, but want to see how this play's out first.

The Ruger wasn't the most expensive gun in the store but it certainly wasn't the cheapest either. I figure the Super Blackhawk was a good compromise between quality and value which is usually a good place to be. The store owner said he had spent plenty of time with it and the S&W PC 629 and both shot better than he. Who knows?

Thanks for the help,
Terry

05 January 2008, 00:17

ptaylor

quote:
Originally posted by TC1:
Well, this is what I came home with. A Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in .44 Mag.

After looking at them again I really took a liking to the S&W 629 Performance center gun. Nice balance and I loved the sights. The price was a little steep though at $970. I really liked it but....

After talking to the salesman for a while I was almost drawn under the spell of the .460 S&W. The versatility seems amazing! The only draw back was the size of the gun. Damn that thing is huge. I figure I may end up with one someday, but want to see how this play's out first.

The Ruger wasn't the most expensive gun in the store but it certainly wasn't the cheapest either. I figure the Super Blackhawk was a good compromise between quality and value which is usually a good place to be. The store owner said he had spent plenty of time with it and the S&W PC 629 and both shot better than he. Who knows?

Thanks for the help,
Terry

I owned one of those years ago when they first came out, killed my first deer with it using a handgun. They are great guns, and wish I hadn't sold it but I moved up to a freedom arms 454 casull funny thing is I don't run my freedom arms much harder than 44mag loads so not sure what the benefit was, and with the way I shoot can't tell much accuracy difference. You are correct about the 500sw and 460 they are just too damn big, might as well be carrying a rifle.

05 January 2008, 00:17

ptaylor

quote:
Originally posted by ptaylor:
quote:
Originally posted by TC1:
Well, this is what I came home with. A Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in .44 Mag.

After looking at them again I really took a liking to the S&W 629 Performance center gun. Nice balance and I loved the sights. The price was a little steep though at $970. I really liked it but....

After talking to the salesman for a while I was almost drawn under the spell of the .460 S&W. The versatility seems amazing! The only draw back was the size of the gun. Damn that thing is huge. I figure I may end up with one someday, but want to see how this play's out first.

The Ruger wasn't the most expensive gun in the store but it certainly wasn't the cheapest either. I figure the Super Blackhawk was a good compromise between quality and value which is usually a good place to be. The store owner said he had spent plenty of time with it and the S&W PC 629 and both shot better than he. Who knows?

Thanks for the help,
Terry

I owned one of those years ago when they first came out, killed my first deer with it using a handgun. They are great guns, and wish I hadn't sold it but I moved up to a freedom arms 454 casull funny thing is I don't run my freedom arms much harder than 44mag loads so not sure what the benefit was, and with the way I shoot can't tell much accuracy difference. You are correct about the 500sw and 460 they are just too damn big, might as well be carrying a rifle.

05 January 2008, 02:09

Whitworth

Congratulations TC1!! That's a reallz nice piece! You will not be disappointed and you are pressed to find a stronger .44 magnum than Ruger's offerings! Let us know how it shoots!

05 January 2008, 07:05

PWS

SOOOWEEETT!! Once you've got it dialed in and start plunking those slugs where they should go, it's like having a gonzo slingshot.

I'm totally with you Ptaylor:

quote:
the 500sw and 460 they are just too damn big, might as well be carrying a rifle.

What TC1 has is all a fellow needs for 80% of handgunning (counting 15% for varmints

)

05 January 2008, 17:14

Redhawk1

Most handguns with a scope are to big, so what makes the difference if it is a big 44 Mag or a big 500 Mag?

I like the 500 and 460 Mag myself. I don't see any difference from shooting a deer, bear or hog with a 500 Mag as I do with a 12 gauge slug gun.

It is all just personal choice. I think the bullet type is more important than anything else especially if you use a 357 Mag. Also the distance game will be taken. In my opinion a handgun hunter needs to shoot more to become more proficient and keep shots in a reasonable range.

05 January 2008, 19:33

TBEAR99

congrat's tc nice gun you won't be dissapointed

05 January 2008, 21:21

Doubless

Beautiful choice, and with the integral mounting system, you are all set. I am like everyone else, it is more a consideration of bullet placement and momentum than bore diameter. If all you are going to do is hunt thin skinned game, i.e., deer, pigs, maybe a pronghorn, you are all set.

Me personally? I like the .41. Flatter trajectory, 20% less powder, 20% less recoil, and anyone that says you can't shoot a 300 out of a .41 has never seen my NEI mould, and what it does out of my FA654 Silhoutette. Try a "clocked" 1800 FPS!.

06 January 2008, 05:41

testhop

quote:
Originally posted by TC1:
Well, this is what I came home with. A Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in .44 Mag.

After looking at them again I really took a liking to the S&W 629 Performance center gun. Nice balance and I loved the sights. The price was a little steep though at $970. I really liked it but....

After talking to the salesman for a while I was almost drawn under the spell of the .460 S&W. The versatility seems amazing! The only draw back was the size of the gun. Damn that thing is huge. I figure I may end up with one someday, but want to see how this play's out first.

The Ruger wasn't the most expensive gun in the store but it certainly wasn't the cheapest either. I figure the Super Blackhawk was a good compromise between quality and value which is usually a good place to be. The store owner said he had spent plenty of time with it and the S&W PC 629 and both shot better than he. Who knows?

Thanks for the help,
Terry

06 January 2008, 05:52

testhop

quote:
Originally posted by TC1:
Well, this is what I came home with. A Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in .44 Mag.

After looking at them again I really took a liking to the S&W 629 Performance center gun. Nice balance and I loved the sights. The price was a little steep though at $970. I really liked it but....

After talking to the salesman for a while I was almost drawn under the spell of the .460 S&W. The versatility seems amazing! The only draw back was the size of the gun. Damn that thing is huge. I figure I may end up with one someday, but want to see how this play's out first.

The Ruger wasn't the most expensive gun in the store but it certainly wasn't the cheapest either. I figure the Super Blackhawk was a good compromise between quality and value which is usually a good place to be. The store owner said he had spent plenty of time with it and the S&W PC 629 and both shot better than he. Who knows?

Thanks for the help,
Terry

I HAVE A HUNTER44 ALSO AND IT IS MY PICK FOR BOTH HUNTING AND PLINKING I HAVE PUT A 2 POWER
LEUPOLD SIVER SCOPE ON IT FOR HUNTING I USE 20 GR. 2400 AND FOR PLINKING I LOAD 10 GR. UNIQUE
BOTH WITH 240 GR.CAST BOOLIT SIZED TO 430

06 January 2008, 19:27

bfrshooter

The Hunter is a super gun. My only suggestion is too shoot the heck out of it with a bunch of jacketed and clean out the copper often. It will need smoothed out before it shoots the best.
I bought one but sold it because I made the mistake of getting the Bisley grip. My hands are way too big for them. It did shoot great though.

06 January 2008, 23:54

sputster

bfr, which would you have more room on, the regular SBH grips or the Bisley? My hands are a little big on the SBH, I thought the Bisley grips had more room.

29 February 2008, 20:52

CCMDoc

quote:
Originally posted by TC1:
OK, I've never hunted with a handgun before and I'm thinking about trying it. Back in the day it was a no brainer, you picked which gun you wanted and you got it in a 44 magnum. I went down to look at the pistols the other day and it caught me by surprise how things have changed. I was a little overwhelmed, not really by the guns, but the cartridge selection.

If a man wanted to hunt whitetail deer with a pistol. Most shots would be with-in 75yds and most even closer. Which cartridge would you choose and why? I do re-load, but will admit I don't enjoy it and will avoid doing it at every opportunity.

I'm thinking a .44 magnum but what about all the new stuff, are there any new cartridges out there that offer a distinct advantage over it for what I want to do?

Thanks,
Terry

I have a couple of S&W 500s, a RSR in 454 and a bunch of other stuff. When I lived in NY, I hunted whitetails exclusively with the .44 Mag - first in a 6" S&W 629, then 8 3/8" S&W 629 then 9 1/2" RSR. I have used the 454 and will probably try the 500s, but if I had to choose but one caliber for whitetails - no question - the .44 mag is it. While I liked the RSR, I liked the feel of the 629 the best.

01 March 2008, 08:27

bfrshooter

Sputster, my middle knuckle is very large from a lifetime of shooting heavy bows plus my hands are large anyway. The Bisley tears me up.
I use Pachmeyer grips on the SBH and have no problems. I had to put them on my Vaquero too because of the heavy loads I shoot.
I call the Bisley a "girly man grip."

01 March 2008, 14:25

Lloyd Smale

ive got 475 and 500 linebaughs and a 454 but i have more 44s then anything and for game under 500 lbs there hard to beat. Its about like asking if you need to step up to a 300 mag if you allready are hunting deer with an 06.

01 March 2008, 16:30

bfrshooter

I understand the new Ruger's are VERY smoooooth inside and going right to cast boolits is no problem. My old one needed broken in but there are some posts saying the new ones are great.
Wish I could afford one more.

01 March 2008, 20:26

Deadwood

bfr I'm similar yet different from your experience with the Blackhawk vs Bisley grip. the Blackhawk beats the snot out of my hand, the grip's too small, but with pachmayer grips it's great. I recently got a bisley hunter and find it comfortable. I've got large hands and large knuckles but find the bisley works.