Double Action or Single Action for Hunting Big Game

[bmeier]

I am looking to purchase a handgun to hunt black bear and Whitetailed deer. After researching the various calibers I am leaning towards a 44 mag and thinking about either a Ruger Super Redhawk or the the Super Blackhawk Hunter. Any suggestions. One person I spoke with said that I should get a DA as the pulling back the trigger on the SA might spook the game. Your help is greatly appreciated!

[oso45-70]

Bmeier
I don't think it would make all that difference, You would want to cock the double action the same as the single action, I would rather use a single action myself. The main thing, No matter which one you chose you need to do a lot of shooting so you know where you are hitting. Good luck to ya
and stay safe...................Joe....................

[Tom W.]

Same here.. if you get a D.A., you'll most probably shoot it as a S.A. anyway. I have both , a Super BlackHawk and a Super RedHawk, and I think I may have fired the SRH in D.A. maybe twice, at the range.

[MS Hitman]

Personally, I've not lost a game animal due to cocking a single action revolver.  I would suggest you try several different revovlers to determine which you like best.  

If you practice shooting double action and become accustomed to it, most likely you will shoot your game double action.  I've shot several deer with my M29 S&W double action after having spent the summer getting use to it.

Just get what you are comfortable with and shoot as much as possible to prepare as best you can.  Any well built 44, be it a Ruger, S&W, FA, or DW will should serve you well for what you indicate you wish to hunt.

[Redhawk1]

I suggest you try both. They both have a difference in how they recoil. The double action comes more straight back and then up ward and the single action rolls in your hand. Either gun would make a great hunting gun. The single action to me is more balanced IMO.
Please let us know what you decide.  

[Dave in WV]

See which one fits your hand best and try the Bisley SB Hunter too. Some folks like the Bisley style grip better. I don't care for single actions because they see clumsy to me.

[BlkHawk73]

I don't care for single actions because they see clumsy to me.

In what way?  Just curious as I've never heard them described as such.


    I'd also have to say that for the most part even the DAs are shot in single action model while hunting.  Maybe because that extra DA squeeze of the trigger could cause additional movement.  Not sure.  I happen to prefer the classic lines and feel of the SA's so I use them.  
   Do you want these models because of the scope mounting ease or just the overall look/feel of them.  Do have to agree with Dave in that the Bisley grip is generally preferred for comfortably shooting heavier loads.

[oso45-70]

See which one fits your hand best and try the Bisley SB Hunter too. Some folks like the Bisley style grip better. I don't care for single actions because they see clumsy to me.

Dave, I don't under stand what you mean about being clumsy, Could you explain, Thanks, Have a good day..........Joe............

[TScottO]

Double action revolvers usually have a better single action trigger pull than most single action revolvers. My first hunting handgun was a SW 629. In my opinion if you are only going to have one hunting revolver or this is your first hunting revolver I think the DA is the way to go. It’s nice to have the ability to shoot both ways. Generally DA is more fun to shoot and it’s not that difficult to shoot DA accurately. Most people just don’t put the time into it to acquire the skill.

I would go with the DA and down the road get into single actions. I also wouldn't rule out the Smith and Wesson 629.

Be Safe,
Scott

[Mohawk]

You never know when DA will come in handy. Otherwise use it in SA mode for hunting.

[Dave in WV]

Ok, the only reason I can say explains why SA revolvers seem clumsy to me is they are left handed guns. Why? They load for a left handed shooter. They shoot fine for a right hnder but loading seems very clumsy to me. I have small hands and that seems to exaggerate the situation. Maybe because I was trained on DA revolvers makes them seem that way. Dave

The point mentioned about a better single action pull from a DA is one worth considering. Sometimes it is very true without tuning a SA. The DA feature in close encounters is a nice thing to have when things go south.

[oso45-70]

Dave, I think I understand where you are coming from now, I thought I was missing the point completly, It never occurred to that all did not tune thier actions. You are right in one way, As most single actions need a little tuning to reach the point of having a nice smooth let off. As far as being left handed, I think its more how you learn to use the single action, I can see if you learned on a DA where it may seem a little odd trying to load and unload. Have a good day Dave..........Joe..........

[Dave in WV]

I brokered a deal with a close friend for my son for a .41 BH. It has the sweetest trigger I've ever felt on a BH. The best part is it's totally as from the factory.  :shock: I added a set of Hogue grips and it does shoot sweet.

[myronman3]

i see alot say that a d.a. has a better single action pull than a s.a.   baloney.   maybe one particular gun vrs. another.   but if applied as a general rule of thumb it would be false.   they are about the same.  especially if you are comparing a trigger of a srh vrs. a sbh.   which has the better pull in single action mode is a dead heat.   as far as double action for hunting;  no one i know would consider that.  the VAST  majority of us will shoot better in s.a. mode.  
    i have shot about every revolver out there in one form or another and if i had to chose ONE, if would be a super blackhawk with a shorter barrel.  knowing what i know now would have saved me a bundle, but then i wouldnt have had as much fun.   :lol:

[Robert357]

I have DA's and SA's.  I prefer SA's.  The only reason to take a DA hunting is if you think that you will need to quickly change your big game hunting ammo to forest grouse or bunny rabbit hunting ammo in a hurry or you think you are going to be up against some two legged preditors.

In a hunting situation, you are not going to need to reload quickly as you need to make the first shot count.  You will use your DA in SA mode to make your shot.  The main advantage of a DA is quicker reloading, which should not be an issue for a hunting revolver.

P.S.  Let me state one more factor.  Some of my SA revolvers have "target grips" which look a lot like DA grips.  I find that that kind of grip allows me to be more accurate for some revolvers.   Therefore, what you can shoot accurately, unless you are willing to install customer grips, can be a factor in going to a DA revolver.

[44hunter]

In most cases you will want to shoot a revolver SA. You will probably be more accurate. If you plan to use it for defense aginst bear attacks out west you will probably want a DA. The Rugers are all nice guns I prefer the Blackhawk Hunter or the Redhawk both seem to have good balance. In my opinion the the Super Redhawk is a bit front heavy.

[44hunter]

cknight98

They are both Redhawks Ruger offers them with scope mounts just like the Blackhawk hunter. The SS wears a Simmons 2X and Uncle Mikes Grips and the Blue has a Leopold 2X with Excalibur Rosewood Grips.

[Rmouleart]

No one has mentioned, hunting Big dangerous game hunting using either single or double, you would not catch me with a single action, using the double action you can speed load quickly if needed, If charged bye a bear or something, I would not want to be in the position that I had to reload or thumb cock each shot, one at a time;) plus you can shoot a double action without using your thumb to cock. I prefer double actions for hunting something that may charge in aggression, other wise it don't matter,all prefence. Im a double action man. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

[myronman3]

No one has mentioned, hunting Big dangerous game hunting using either single or double, you would not catch me with a single action, using the double action you can speed load quickly if needed, If charged bye a bear or something, I would not want to be in the position that I had to reload or thumb cock each shot, one at a time;) plus you can shoot a double action without using your thumb to cock. I prefer double actions for hunting something that may charge in aggression, other wise it don't matter,all prefence. Im a double action man. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

   this year i was treated to seeing a black bear cross an 80 acre alfalfa field.  for some reason it was in a hurry.  i have been around blackies for many years now,  but i was shocked at how fast that animal moved.  it made a whitetail look slow.  and it maintained that speed all the way across the field.   inside fifty yards you dont stand a chance if they want you.   and it was going away from me.  imagine it was coming towards me.    :shock: you wouldnt have time to fart, let alone reload.   your only hope would be what you have in the gun, and after what i saw i will bet that you couldnt empty it out.   by the time you i.d. the threat and then get your piece into action, you would be lucky to get off even one shot.   i pray that i never cross tracks with one that wants me; because in the stuff i hunt in, i would be bear turds for sure.   thankfully the vast majority of bears want nothing to do with us.    reload?  it is a pipe dream.
get what fits and feels good, forget the hype.

[Rmouleart]

Well about five years ago I shot a good black bear, using a SRH 44mag, open sites, I was still stalking at dust, going to my stand, suddenly I see a big black abject to the left of me, bye the time my mind realized it was a bear he was running across me, I took a good stance got him in my site, squeezed one good one at about thirsty yards, I know I hit him due to the fur displacement, he kept going like nothing hit him, so I follow up with double action, caught him with the 4th shot, he dropped and skidded across the leaves, then was trying to get up, two more shots I thought I missed due to him moving all around, Luckily I had a speed loader ready to be used, I reloaded so fast I could not believe myself, but I did not want to loose that bear. I got one more shot into his chest area, this last shot did him in, but  must say, everything happened so fast, when checking the bear for shot I found four shots in his shoulder and chest area, he only reacted to the first and the fourth shot, Kupdagrass on the last, I was using 240ge xtp's on top of 24gr win296, ccimag primers. This is where the double action shined, your right about how fast they can be. The best way to hunt the field is to imagine there is always a chance of seeing something any time, this way you are prepared for action, and will be able to react when needed, other wise you experience bear fever;) Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

[New Hampshire]

The gut I work with has been hunting black bear for close to 20 years.  He has told me some amazing stories.  He says he has seen blackies that literally jumped across the length of a path that was something like 15 feet wide!  He says they are weird, too, because they can sit in one spot for 15 minutes without so much as twitching, then shoot out at blinding speeds before you know what was even there!  He keeps offering to take me bear hunting, but his bait site is a 2 1/2 hour drive just to get there, which would really put a damper on the ole fishing habit I got   .

As to DA or SA?  I guess it was said best, shoot the one you feel the most comfortable with.  Just like a rifle, if you aint comfortable with it your not gonna shoot it the best.
Brian M.

[45LC-Man]

Rmouleart I got excited just reading about that Blackie. Nice work! :lol:

[Jim n Iowa]

If you elect the SBHH I would consider the Bisley model. I don't know for a fact but it could be a bit less in recoil felt. I own a SBH and a RH scoped model, both in the 44 mag, and 7.5" barrels. I can see no reason to go to the SRH in 44. The scope rings are not interchangeable. (diff heights). The std. RedHawk to me is better looking, and a tad heavier. You must consider that std scope rings by Ruger are 20mm. Most red dot scopes are 30mm which are available, but hard to buy. I like 30mm tubes. The hunter is a good choice. Scoped model RH also as you will hunt in SA, however there is that one time that could happen, for deer, hog, or bear for follow up shots. I practice with both guns.
Jim

[Redhawk1]

You cam order 30mm rings from Ruger to fit there guns. :grin:

[myronman3]

Rmouleart: sounds exhilarating!   i am wondering though, if you would agree that if that bear would have wanted you, that it could have?   even if fatally hit,  a bear can do alot of damage before it dies.  
   if i cant shoot s.a. mode, i wont shoot.  but that is my personal limitation.   i guess as far as i am concerned i think if you know you can, by all means go for it.  very few can shoot d.a. accurately, though.

[Rmouleart]

To be honest if a bear wants you he will have you, even with his heart punched out, he can still stay alive long enough to kill you, thats the chance you take when hunting bears, Also the excitement as well, never know how they will react, most of the time, they will run. Black bears for the most part don't like confrontations, they most of the time avoid it at all costs. But there is always a chance of a attack. In saying this, you would not catch me using a single action revolver, better to have it and not need it,than to need it and not have it;) Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

P.S. If you see a bear this close he better be stuffed.