.44 mag single shot/revolver?

[wild country]

Thank you for the info to all.......I have owned a contender in 45 long colt and other cal., It sounds like the .44 will fit all my needs.  If I buy a revolver what would you recommend, and how much will I have to tinker on it.......trigger........Also should I put a scope on it?  If it's any help I live in Northern Maine and light can be a factor when hunting over a bear bait.  I understand barrel length equals accuracy, would I want a 4" or 6" and why........

[sidekick]

I've never been to Maine, and never hunted bear, so who am I to recommend a setup. However, I would think a 10" TC Contender with a 2X scope would be ideal. The single shot can be cocked quieter than a revolver, and if over bait, I presume you will be close. Since I have a 4" S&W 629, I would pack it also, for backup. Otherwise, if I only had one gun, then I would prefer my Ruger 7-1/2" SBHH with a 2X scope. Guess I have an issue with just a single shot and any kind of dangerous game animal when on the ground.

[BlkHawk73]

  Were it me, I'd go with one of the Ruger single action revolvers.  I prefer the .41 magnum and .45 Colt chamberings but the .44 is quite adequate for any Maine game.  Since the range isn't likely to be to great of a distance, optics are a real neccessity so long as you're proficient with the revolver.  If optics are a must, Ruger has the Hunter models which are setup for optic mounting and come with rings. While these were made in .41 and .45 they're difficult to find but the standard .44 Hunters are easily obtainable.
  This of course is just the opinion of a southern Mainer. 

[corbanzo]

I'm not really a big single shot type of guy, don't own any, and most likely never will, really like the idea of follow up shot.

If you are hunting a black bear over bait, you don't need a scope, and you don't need a long revolver.  A 4" .44mag for a black bear will kill him dead at baiting distance.  I would go with a revolver just incase you dont get him well on the first shot and need another. 

[OLDHandgunner]

I have several 44's (S&W, Ruger & T/C ) that I hunt with in VT. My recommedation would be a S&W in 6"( They have a good trigger & good sights ). Ruger Redhawk 5 1/2" or 7 1/2" ( Most have a good trigger ). Ruger SBH ( may or may not have a good trigger ). You shouldn't need a scope over bait.
GOOD LUCK

[jhalcott]

  wild country, I've hunted up near Patton and Houlton. You CAN do it what ever way YOU like best. I've used scoped TC's and revolvers,scoped and unscoped. At bait ranges, which is only about 25 to 50 yards, an unscoped 44 mag with a LEGAL length barrel will work fine. All my revolver barrels are in the 7 inch plus range because the state laws HERE say 6" minimum. A revolver will give you the comfort of a quick second shot IF it is needed. The single shot will FORCE you to wait for the perfect broadside shot you want!

[Lloyd Smale]

super blackhawk!!!!

[wild country]

Oldhandgunner,
thank you for the info, I have a friend, who is a boarder patrol agent, he always has a tricked out .44 mag on his hip and the man can shoot.  I'm sure he wouldn't have a problem letting me shoot a few of his guns.  As for barrel length 4" would be nice to carry, but 6" seems to give me better accuracy at a greater range. (Not that I've tested this, but will)

 jhalcott sounds like you have sat eye to eye with a few of our bear up in this country.  Any over 300b shot with a handgun? 

Blkhawk73 where abouts in southern Maine do you live?

Thank again for all the input, it helps to hear from those who hunt and shoot.   

[EdK]

I like a 4" revolver for carry the best but shoot a 6" much better. Of course the guns' accuracy is about the same but I just shoot better with more sight radius and so do most people. I don't think the single shot issue is really that big a deal over baited bear - this is from a stand or some other relatively protected vantage point? You're allowed to carry a few extra rounds with you

A T/C 44 mag with 10-14" of barrel and no pressure robbing cylinder gap is quite a bit more powerful than a revolver.

[jhalcott]

  Wild , I've seen many bears in the woods but the biggest I've shot only went 195 pounds. The super Black hawk is a fine revolver while the Red hawk is a stronger one. Accuracy seems to be about the same in them. My friend has a redhawk while I have the SBH. I have taken several DEER with mine using 240 grain bullets. I've tried a scope on my revolver and find it uncomfortable. It really makes the gun top heavy to me. On a Contender, though, I prefer the scope. By the way, A contender in .44 mag is a bit more than the .44 in a revolver. That would be a LOT cheaper than a GOOD revolver.
   As far as sights,you can get colored sights that glow in the dark, either green or red. I had a set years ago but I don't remember the make or model.