Hold down a ,44 mag?

[barber]

I'm shooting a Contender ,44 mag . 14 inch barrel, with a Holsight. When shooting off a rest, should I just let it recoil or hold it down fairly tight?

[Junior1942]

I'm shooting a Contender ,44 mag . 14 inch barrel, with a Holsight. When shooting off a rest, should I just let it recoil or hold it down fairly tight?

Just do whatever feels right but do it every shot.

[Boomer68]

I have Contenders as well and would use a firm grip, and just rest the forearm on the sandbag.

[hardertr]

By the time you feel the recoil, the round is already on target.  Like Junior said, do whatever feels right, and DON'T FLINCH!


For what it's worth....I find the recoil in my 44mag a little less "desirable" than my 30-30.

[Ladobe]

You never want to over control a handgun no matter from what position you're shooting.   Just roll with the flow.   Even offhand one handed I never held onto my Contenders/Encores any tighter than needed to keep from dropping them, including on the hardest recoiling cartidges way over a 44MAG.   Used a relaxed light grip, just enough to hold on target steady, then tightened it some after the shot and let it roll.  FWIW

[Junior1942]

If you have extra rounds do a two-grip test from a bench.  Shoot three rounds with a tight grip.  Then, at another target, shoot three rounds with a relaxed grip.  You might find a 12" POI difference at 50 yards.
I zero my hunting pistols from the position I'll most likely use to shoot a deer--with the top of my left hand against the side of a tree.

[Blackhawker]

Hold Down? 
Just shoot it by squeezing them off gently.  If you try to fight it, you'll surely shoot the ground at 15 to 25 yards in front of you and never learn to shoot correctly, or with any decent accuracy.  If you can't squeeze them off and let it roll, try a different caliber that doesn't have as much bite. 
When shooting a revolver (especially single action) or a single shot pistol, you shouldn't (or don't need to) hold the gun very tight at all.  Use a very light grip on it, despite the caliber.  What do I mean by "light"?  Light enough that someone can easily knock the gun out of your hand if they were to try. 

The only guns that might require a firmer grip (but still light) would be some autos that might not cycle correctly when "limp wristing" them.

[barber]

Thanks for all the replies,    They helped a lot     One more question, I s a 14 inch barrel good for up to 1oo yards?  or farther?  I hit the center at 75 yards.  Thanks again.

[spinafish]

I would think farther..but that depends on you..it has the energy.  If you are getting really good groups at 75..100 yds shouldn't be a problem at all.

[gypsyman]

The firmer/harder you hold the gun, the more it will seem to punish you. Less likely to develop a flinch if you let the gun come up. As stated earlier, just hold it firm enough to not drop the gun. Like a good firm handshake. As far as accuracy goes, lots of steel targets got knocked over at 200 meters with 14'' Contenders. In that caliber I would limit myself to 100 yds deer hunting. Be surprised how good you can get with practice. gypsyman

[Hank08]

You always hold a handgun as tight or firmly as you can without it shaking.  Some say hold it tight until it shakes and then release pressure til the shake stops. This is the only way to do it the same way everytime.  Where did some of you came up with this idea of holding it loosly??? When you put the gun down there should be the print of the gun on the inside of your hand from holding it so tight. H08

[hardertr]

You always hold a handgun as tight or firmly as you can without it shaking.  Some say hold it tight until it shakes and then release pressure til the shake stops. This is the only way to do it the same way everytime.  Where did some of you came up with this idea of holding it loosly? ?? When you put the gun down there should be the print of the gun on the inside of your hand from holding it so tight. H08

When I hold a handgun, I hold it with a "firm handshake" grip.  I don't know how to explain it....it's just a natural feel.  It's not so tight my knuckles turn white, but not so loose that I will ever have to worry about losing control.  The only time I ever have any "problems" is when I am shooting a pistol with a small grip, like my Ruger Single Six or Blackhawk.  I still have control, it just doesn't "feel right".

[MePlat]

On this I agree with Hank08.
When I used to shoot a lot more I shot everything from a 22 LR (rarely) to an encore 14 inch 458 win Mag and I held all of the guns with the same grip.
That way a man stays with one tension in his grip and he doesn't have to wonder did I hold it tight on this shot or loose or what.  Hold tight the Bill Blankenship way and one never has to question his grip on the gun.
Maybe the shooter will have to question other things about his shooting but not his grip.
Shooting well Is done by "THE NUMBERS" and that is it.  You don't believe it watch a seasoned master or high master bullseye shooter go about doing it by the numbers.
Even seen them mark around their foot placement with a marker in practice.

[chiefs50]

I'm with Ladobe and Blackhawker all the way on this one.  Less is more.  Don't try to hold it down.  I shoot a 14" .45/70 and a 10", octagon barreled .45 Colt and never try to "hold em down".  A firm grip is fine but don't try to hold it down

[barber]

Interesting replies, I appreciate all the info, guess I'll just have to try them all and see what works the best for me,   Thanks again for the help. It's really appreciated.

[sirsloop]

Interesting topic.  I've noticed with my .500 that there is a difference in how people handle the recoil.  This video demonstrates pretty well, even though its offhand.  I'm the big tall dude in the black tshirt.  Notice how when I shoot it I kinda just let the gun recoil up, and I don't jerk the thing around.  I just kinda let it go off and use my arms as a shock absorber.  All the other people in the video are inexperienced with shooting this gun, and hand cannon calibers.  Not saying its wrong, but notice how they each handle it a little different.  Some try to keep their arm down, and their wrist snaps up and back quick.  Some people have their arm and wrist snap up and they push the gun back down real quick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qGz20-P6Eg&hd=1  skip to :30 if you just wanna see shots 

Anyways, I'm in the "let it recoil" camp.  If you are trying to man handle a .500 you're gonna lose.  Just hang on and let r fly.  You'll have less of a tendancy to flich if you are not trying to keep the barrel pointed at the target after the shot.