Author Topic: A trio of favorite packin' .44's (Read 3687 times)

Bigeasy · « **on:** May 17, 2009, 06:46:24 AM »

These are 3 of my favorite packin' 44 mag's when I am bumming around in the woods. The Smith is a 6 inch, one year only "Hunter Classic". The blued Ruger is a 6 1/2 inch flat top with maple grips. The stainless super blackhawk is 4 5/8 inch, with a square back, long grip frame fitted. All 3 carry well in strong side hip holsters, and are a little more comforting then pepper spray when in bear country...

Larry

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2009, 10:09:31 AM »

For all-around STUFF, you just can't beat a .44 Mag. You've shown 3 nice 'uns.

spruce · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2009, 11:36:55 AM »

Three good choices. Thanks for showin' em.

timothy · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2009, 04:19:41 PM »

Intresting trio there, I see your not hung up on one action, finish, or grip material. They all look very practical and I bet they work great. Very nice

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2009, 07:34:20 AM »

Big, what loads to you stuff in those .44's when bumming around the woods??? I have gone to lighter loads in my 44's actually 44 spl. brass for my bumming loads. $:-\$ I am not in the class with Elmer and find I like shooting the moderate loads far more than heavy mag. loads. For varmits, and the like I have been using Rem.210 hollow points. Come fall, I have some cast loaded over Unique for grouse. I may hunt antelope with one of mine this fall, then I will load a bit hotter. For next years fishing trips in Grizzly country, I plan to load my 4" with some 250 cast and a fairly heavy does dose of 2400

Bigeasy · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2009, 07:55:37 AM »

Wyo-

These days I load a 240 / 250 grain Keith bullet at about 900fps for almost all my uses - it will shoot thru a buck broadside, and is easy on the wrist and ears. I like Unique and Red Dot powders. When I am loading for protection against moose in rut, I like the same bullet behind 296 powder at about 1400fps, with a hard cast 300 grn at about 1250 also good. Its funny, when I used to shoot PPC matches back in the 80's, I often used a S&W 4 inch model #29. A lot of guys thought I was nuts, as they were using mild .38spl loads. I loaded my gun with 200grn semi-waddcutters at about 750 fps. Almost no recoil, and a super smooth DA pull on that gun won m,e more then a few matches. Guys started catching on that the larger diamiter of the 44 bullet was sometimes the winning difference when cutting a scoring line can make all the difference in gaining a point or two... These days, my favorite carry gun for woods walks is a USFA 4 3/4 .44 spec. Super trigger, very accurate, shoots right to point of aim with a 250 slug at 850 fps - perfect..

Larry

Bigeasy · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2009, 08:03:10 AM »

Here is a pic of the USFA

irold · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2009, 09:42:15 AM »

Bigeasy , With your upper velocity loads , any trouble with leading ?? You didn't mention any gas checks , so assume your not using them ? I've been loading a 454 with 45 Colts using 240 gr hardcast and 10 gr. of Unique....after several sessions, gotta get the lead out. Don't have a chrony.....but looks like I'm around 1000 + fps according to my manuals. Maybe I've got a rough barrel or something , been told lots of things can cause leading. Regards,irold

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2009, 10:01:45 AM »

Easy, another nice single action.

I sold most of mine. I found I can shoot Smiths more accurately than any of my single actions. Still have one .357. I have used Unique but have much Red Dot from my shotgun loading. Will give it a try. I have some cast 250's, but bought a bunch of the 210's from Midway, for varmit shooting I like the hollowpoint. It doesn't expand much but enough to anchor varmits, plus, I think they maybe rickochet a bit less. Even in this country, that is something I think about.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2009, 10:29:50 AM »

Irold-

Each gun is different as far as bore finish, as well as dimentions. I have a few that will only shoot well with a gas check, but most do well as long as the bullet is cast on the hard side, sized to the bore, maybe .001 or so over. I size to .431 usually. If you have a gun with chamber mouths that are way out of spec, that can be a real problem. Older colts were well known for that. Undersized mouths can be opened up to match the bore without to much trouble, oversized mouths are a bigger problem. With oversized mouths, you are better off sizing between the chamber mouth and bore diamiter, using a softer bullet at moderate velocity, so the bullet will expand or compress as needed for a good fit, at least that was my experience with one 2nd gen. Colt SAA in .45 lc that I had.

Wyo-

Thanks. I hate to say it, because I really like the look of a nice SA, but you are right, a DA Smith, fired SA, with good fitting grips, is hard to beat. I think the larger your hand, the harder it is to shoot a Colt style SA revolver. Guns just as accurate, just harder to shoot, at least for me. Find I have to concentrate a bit more to get the results my smiths just seem to have with ease. You dont hear a lot about Red Dot in handguns, but it works real well in big bore revolvers for light - mid range loads. I usually don't like noting specific loads, but will say thousands of 6.0 to 6.5 grain loads of Red Dot behind a 240 grain bullet in dozens of revolvers has proven to be a safe and accurate plinking/target/small game load. About 8-850 fps, depending on the gun.

Larry

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #10 on:** July 27, 2009, 01:49:02 AM »

got to love a 44. My most carried guns are my 4 inch smith 629 and a stainless 4 5/8s super. Theyve put lots of meat on the table, as small as a grouse and as big as a 1100lb buffalo. I have quite a few other 44s but those to are my favorites.

mechanic · « **Reply #11 on:** July 27, 2009, 04:17:37 AM »

Some years ago I got into shooting pins. Everyone was using a 9mm or a 40, I showed up with a 44mag. While there were no restrictions when I started, they soon made one. My wadcutters were destroying the pins. I didn't have to shoot one twice however.

Nice guns, hard to beat a 44.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #12 on:** July 27, 2009, 05:19:15 AM »

Here's my 44's...

I carry the 6" M-29 (bottom left) 99.9% of the time, and i've been using the same load in my 44 mags since the 70's. I've taken moose, deer and all kinds of other "food" for my freezer with this gun/load for so long now, that i doubt i'll ever change a thing.

The load i use is a hard cast Keith style bullet out of a RCBS mould. I load that bullet over H-110 powder, to a velocity close to 1,300FPS. Just like with my long guns, i don't care to have a load for this and a load for that, so that's the only only load my 44 mags get. That way, i know where it's going EVERY time i pick the gun up...

DM

222 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 27, 2009, 05:59:11 AM »

Big, I have the same 629 Hunter Classic what holster do you use with it?

I'm 5'10" and 290 my shoulder rig is to small for my 52" shoulders and cross draw is out.
Thanks Ray

Bigeasy · « **Reply #14 on:** July 27, 2009, 11:02:41 AM »

Ray-

I use a Bianchi leather strong side thumb snap with the 6' Smith. Meduim high ride, I don't remember the model # off hand. I have also used an Uncle Mikes nylon version of the same thing when I know I am going to be out in heavy rain. Uncle Mikes also makes a good across the chest shoulder holster that fits a big guy. I use one when I am carrying my scoped Ruger Redhawk or long barrel scoped #629. How do you like your Hunter Classic? I really like the balace on mine, with that full under lug and un-fluted cylinder. I am pretty sure it was a one year only model.

Larry

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #15 on:** July 27, 2009, 03:20:45 PM »

Drilling Man, Over the years I have heard Smiths with shoot loose if given a diet of heavy 44 mag. loads. Seems like this is not true in your case.

??

I haven't loaded any of my Smiths with heavier loads due to the fact that I am mostly using them for varmit shooting. However, I need to develop a load for traveling in grizzly country.

222 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 28, 2009, 08:30:58 AM »

I love my Hunter Classic and maybe the most accurate .44 I have had so far. I hope to shot a whitetail with it this winter Lee 240tl over WW296.
Thanks for the info on holster. Will look into the cross chest carry option.
Ray

Plinker · « **Reply #17 on:** August 14, 2009, 11:38:54 PM »

Hard to beat a good Ruger .44Mag with a 4 5/8" barrel.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #18 on:** August 15, 2009, 02:57:58 AM »

Larry, I wanted to ask about those Red Dot and Unique loads for your trio of .44's. Do you use mag. brass or .44 spl.

? Just talked with a friend of mine it looks like I will have a chance at a nice single action ruger in .44spl. Not sure when it will develop.

Those hills in your photo look like the mts of Northern Pa.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #19 on:** August 15, 2009, 07:21:22 AM »

WYO -

I use 44 mag brass in all my guns, except for a Colt, and a USFA SA, which are both 44 spec. I don't like to list specific loads, everyone should use a loading manual (to much BS, to many mistakes and mis-imformation on these internet forums to take the risk). Looking at the specs on that new 44 spl Ruger, I believe it would handle any reasonable 44 spec load. Looking at Rugers web site, the 4 5/8 inch 44 spec weighs the same as the Super Blackhawk in 44 mag with the 4 5/8 barrel - 45 ounces. If this is right, seems to defeat the reason most folks want a 44 spec - lighter weight. Now, a 44 spec on the Vaquero frame, with adj sights, that might be interesting.

That photo is actually from upstate NY, White Face mnt., I believe, near the Canadian border. We were up exchanging Canadian thugs for American thugs, and had a day to kill.

Larry

Ak.Hiker · « **Reply #20 on:** August 15, 2009, 07:35:07 PM »

Quote from: Bigeasy on August 15, 2009, 07:21:22 AM

WYO -

I use 44 mag brass in all my guns, except for a Colt, and a USFA SA, which are both 44 spec. I don't like to list specific loads, everyone should use a loading manual (to much BS, to many mistakes and mis-imformation on these internet forums to take the risk). Looking at the specs on that new 44 spl Ruger, I believe it would handle any reasonable 44 spec load. Looking at Rugers web site, the 4 5/8 inch 44 spec weighs the same as the Super Blackhawk in 44 mag with the 4 5/8 barrel - 45 ounces. If this is right, seems to defeat the reason most folks want a 44 spec - lighter weight. Now, a 44 spec on the Vaquero frame, with adj sights, that might be interesting.

That photo is actually from upstate NY, White Face mnt., I believe, near the Canadian border. We were up exchanging Canadian thugs for American thugs, and had a day to kill.

Larry

I read the other day that Ruger may make a run of 44 Specials with the aluminum grip frame. At 34 oz. these would be perfict with a 250 cast at 850 to 900.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #21 on:** August 17, 2009, 03:04:20 PM »

$:-\$ While digging around my reloading room, I found 500 240 grain hollowpoint case bullets I bought when I was in Oregon. Under some magazines, I forgot I had them. Now, after looking at them I find they are copper coated. $:-\$ Since they are not the jacketed and lead core bullets, I assume I can use my cast bullet date for these. Anyone have experience with them. I was going to load them over Red Dot for plinking.

I remembe when I saw Keith, he had some bullets like this in his ammo belt.

S.B. · « **Reply #22 on:** September 11, 2009, 04:13:15 PM »

Quote from: Plinker on August 14, 2009, 11:38:54 PM

Hard to beat a good Ruger .44Mag with a 4 5/8" barrel.

If Ruger had of made this one with a fluted cylinder, I'd already own one?
Steve

docmagnum357 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 27, 2009, 02:03:42 PM »

I had one of those classic hunters. Full lug barrel, unfluted cylinder, black sights with white outline, and a really smooth action. Wish I had it back..........

ratgunner · « **Reply #24 on:** December 29, 2009, 12:56:01 PM »

Who made those grips for the flat top ? I need a set.Also that Smith just dont fit in with the Rugers,so send it to me please...

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #25 on:** December 29, 2009, 01:06:24 PM »

I like the un fluted M 629.

Badge54 · « **Reply #26 on:** December 30, 2009, 05:39:45 AM »

The thing I like best about those guns is the S&W is a "one year only" model and you use it.

Many would put that away and try to keep it pristine. I love the guns with nicks and scratches that tell stories.

Badge54

Bigeasy · « **Reply #27 on:** December 30, 2009, 09:57:25 AM »

I shoot just about everything I own. Guns like the Smith, or the 50th Flat top are made to use. Now I do have a Browning High Grade Model 71 .348 lever action that I have not been able to bring myself to shoot. Still have the 20 round box of ammo I bought with it some 25 years ago.

Larry