Author Topic: Opinions on next deer pistol (Read 2148 times)

odie-wan · « **on:** October 02, 2009, 01:06:25 PM »

Hello all. I am currently in between deer pistols and doing some soul searching as well. This is to be whitetails only with a slim chance of hogs. I've always had Rugers in 44mag and until recently enjoyed a T/C w/10" 44mag barrel. I have more confidence hitting what's in a scope although I've got some time on iron sites. I like to hunt brushy areas but periodically crawl up a tree stand to overlook some bottomlands.

Here's the dilemma. I'd like something a little different and I'm looking at a S&W 586 and 686-1, both in 357mag with ~8" barrels. The 686-1 is scoped (Swift) and there is a $100 difference. I like the guns but uncomfortable with the caliber. I'm also set up to reload 44's or 45's. Incidentally, they are tagged at $500 and $600.

OR.....there is another 44mag Super Redhawk with rings for $595 a couple places and used 44 mag 7 1/2" blackhawks on every street corner.

OR.....if I save up, there is a used 44mag Colt Anaconda for $799 (consignment) at the end of the street.

Oh the problems in life.

Sean

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** October 02, 2009, 02:32:04 PM »

odie-wan: first I would advise that as you are currently set up to reload 44 magnum you stay with that caliber; you are used to it. There is nothing wrong with the 357 - it is one of my favorites but you are accustomed to the 44, so stick with it.

Second - I would not go anywhere near the Colt, period - just me. The Redhawks are large and strong enough to handle any 44 magnum load but they are just too big for me.

I like the Super Blackhawks and if I ever get into another revolver project it will be with one of those and if they are that plentiful and you like the grip style then you can treat yourself less expensively.

Just my thoughts.

handi243 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 02, 2009, 02:32:20 PM »

i really like my contender

wyozx · « **Reply #3 on:** October 02, 2009, 04:17:13 PM »

If you want to try "something different" the 41 mag is more potent that the 357 mag. Or a Contender or Encore in a bottle neck cartridge in 260, 7mm-08, or 308. Picking something new out is half the fun. Enjoy the journey.

wyozx · « **Reply #4 on:** October 02, 2009, 04:23:16 PM »

Sorry, I realize the Contender couldn't be chambered in 260, 7mm-08, or 308.(those are Encore cartridges) In a Contender the old 30-30 has been good to me. The 7x30 waters would be excellent as well.

odie-wan · « **Reply #5 on:** October 02, 2009, 05:06:24 PM »

Unfortunately here in Ohio it's >5" and straight-walled pistol cartridges only. I had forgotten about the 41 BH that my brother has squirreled away. It's a beater but still shoots alright. I handled a 3 screw BH 41mag today but it was 4 1/2". Very nice shape and decent price.

I liked the G2 I had. It isn't very fun to shoot. Not that it beat me up, but practice is not very fun if you have to break it open after every shot instead of bouncing a can across the field with a full cylinder.

And I hear you about the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." I am comfy with a 44. I'm taking the opportunity to look around while I'm in the market. Dad started me shooting 38's out of a model 29 way back when and got into 357's by the time I was a junior in HS. I liked that gun but I've been in Ruger revolvers ever since so I don't have any recent experience with anthing else (I'm 41).

I'm leaning away from those S&W 357's but boy they felt nice. Decisions....

wyozx · « **Reply #6 on:** October 02, 2009, 05:41:24 PM »

I took my latest Antelope with a Taurus Raging Bull in 41 Mag 210 gr hollow point. The Taurus is fine but the Rugers are nicer. I had two 41 mag blackhawks but I perfer double actions if I have a choice. A used Redhawk or S&W 57/657 would be ideal. Next year I may try my 454 Super Redhawk but the 41 mag is an under appreciated hunting round with less recoil than the 44 mags I've shot. It is also very accurate as well.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #7 on:** October 02, 2009, 06:46:50 PM »

Ill put in a vote for a Ruger GP 100 .357 (My favorite and its dropped some nice deer.) or If not that I would prolly pick up a blackhawk in .45 colt.

rawhidekid · « **Reply #8 on:** October 03, 2009, 04:07:38 AM »

I recently had the chance to compare a 7.5 inch RBH with a 5.5 inch Bisley. The comfort and control w/heavy bullets went to the Bisley hands down. Oh yea, .45 Colt 255 & 300 Grn XTPs.

Just my 2 cents

buck460XVR · « **Reply #9 on:** October 03, 2009, 05:17:09 AM »

Quote from: odie-wan on October 02, 2009, 05:06:24 PM

I'm leaning away from those S&W 357's but boy they felt nice. Decisions....

I suggest you look at 629s then. I hunted with 686s for years and took several deer with them. Like you, I have always liked the way a Smith feels in my hand. Altho I have an X-Frame for my primary deer gun nowadays, last fall I picked up a .44 Magnum Hunter. I originally was gonna put glass on it, but it shoots so well, I decided to stick with the irons. Saw one barely used in a gun shop the other day for $750.

odie-wan · « **Reply #10 on:** October 03, 2009, 04:17:04 PM »

There was a 629 in one place with glass on it. I couldn't get him to sell without the scope and it is out of my budget with it. Felt nice but not 3 bills nicer than a SRH. I did find one Bisley and would like to pick up a bisley hunter some day but I'm not hung up on it.

I appreciate everyone weighing in on this with your experience and opinions. I am going to go check out a 7 1/2 " SRH that I found in a shop (by phone) about an hour away. Nice price and will do all that I need with or without glass. I'll let you know if I "pull the trigger".

Sean

countryrebel · « **Reply #11 on:** October 03, 2009, 06:27:30 PM »

I went with the SRH 7.5" and so far it has been a great deer pistol. Out of your choices I would go with the SRH hands down.

Handgun Hunter · « **Reply #12 on:** October 04, 2009, 01:48:46 AM »

odie wan,

I hunt here in Ohio as well and there are some other chamberings in the specialty pistols that are legal here. For instance, I hunted for a while here with a Lone Eagle in 444 Marlin. Any strait walled cartrage in the TC would be legal. I wish I still had that gun now, I would try the 265gr. Hornady flex tip, sounds like it could be a 200yd. white tail rig to me. Not to mention, a new project. Just a thought.

What part of Ohio do you hunt in? I hunt mostly the central / southeastern part of the state.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 04, 2009, 02:14:29 AM »

Stick with what you know and reload for, the 44 Mag seems the way to go in my opinion.

kynardsj · « **Reply #14 on:** October 04, 2009, 02:21:02 AM »

Although I am a 357 mag kind of guy, Contender, Blackhawk, Security Six, you are already set up for the 44 mag and 45 LC reloading. I'd pick out a pistol in one of those calibers and go with it.

odie-wan · « **Reply #15 on:** October 04, 2009, 08:08:37 AM »

Handgun Hunter, I'm in NE Ohio but get to hunt on a friend's property in SE Ohio. The less common stuff like a 444 would be interesting for sure but I'd like to get back into a revolver.

By the way, I struck out on the SRH that I found yesterday by phone. I drove the hour to the store only to find out that the clerk I talked to, read the wrong price tag to me and it was actually $200 more than he said. C'est la vie. The search continues. At the worst I'll have my brother's 41 mag to use this season.

Handgun Hunter · « **Reply #16 on:** October 04, 2009, 01:06:08 PM »

odie,

I think the .41 mag. is plenty of gun for deer as well. I started hunting handgun for deer with my SBH .44 and still like the power to weight ratio. I love the SRH platform, but if I was to buy one, I think I would go with the 454 Casul just for the flexability, and scope it too. If I'm going to carry a gun this size, another 8-10 oz. would not make that much difference to me. I like the portability of the single action and .44 is more than enough.

Good luck this year, and if you get down to the Burr Oak area, let me know, there is some realy good hunting in that part of the state.

Sverre A. · « **Reply #17 on:** October 07, 2009, 08:13:24 AM »

I have four favorite revolvers:

Ruger SRH in .44 Mag and FA in 454. Both 7,5".
S&W 629, 4"
Bisley 45 LC, 5,5"

"This is to be whitetails only with a slim chance of hogs".
"I like to hunt brushy areas but periodically crawl up a tree stand to overlook some bottomlands"

Can you go wrong with the SRH?
No

odie-wan · « **Reply #18 on:** October 07, 2009, 02:25:21 PM »

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm on the same page as most of you. 44 SRH or RH. Luckily I have the 41 to fall back on so I don't have to rush into something and pay too much.

Thanks again for your thoughts,
Sean

teamnelson · « **Reply #19 on:** October 07, 2009, 02:49:01 PM »

Contender in .445 SuperMag if you can go longer than 5" barrel. Bet none of the other kids will have one on opening day

bluecow · « **Reply #20 on:** October 11, 2009, 03:28:32 AM »

dan wesson! 44!

nockhunter · « **Reply #21 on:** October 11, 2009, 04:06:27 PM »

Just a quick note. My 4" M29 weighs 1oz more than my 4" 586. I think the way to go would be a 5-6" M29 or M629, 44 mag, load it with any 240-300g cast or jacketed , @1000-1200. You should be able to shoot through just about anything you point it at. Yet still be managable to shoot.

Mike

Cheesehead · « **Reply #22 on:** October 11, 2009, 04:31:01 PM »

Quote from: nockhunter on October 11, 2009, 04:06:27 PM

Just a quick note. My 4" M29 weighs 1oz more than my 4" 586. I think the way to go would be a 5-6" M29 or M629, 44 mag, load it with any 240-300g cast or jacketed , @1000-1200. You should be able to shoot through just about anything you point it at. Yet still be managable to shoot.

Mike

I have a 5" 29 and have taken deer with it. I seems perfect to me.

Cheese

Cabin4 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 11, 2009, 04:33:37 PM »

Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in either 41mag,45lc or 44mag. It has the intergral scope mounts.

Tonk · « **Reply #24 on:** October 12, 2009, 10:38:24 AM »

Odie-Wan, I believe that deer hunting pistols start with the 41magnum and go up from there. I like the 44 magnum a bunch and the .45 Long Colt too! However, they simply do not compare to the .454 Casul, .460 Smith & Wesson, 480 Ruger or .475 calibers and last the big .500 Smith & Wesson. I have tried twice in my hunting days the .357 mag using Super Vel ammo back then and it was not a good outcome on deer period at 40 yards. Bigger is always better said Elmer Keith...Amen!

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #25 on:** October 12, 2009, 10:49:32 AM »

Redhawk or super redhawk . Real handgun hunters shoot stright walled cases .

odie-wan · « **Reply #26 on:** October 12, 2009, 04:50:49 PM »

Well, I stayed with the one I know. I found a nice used 7 1/2" SBH 44 with Pachmyers already on it for a good price. Not perfect but good enough for my purposes and I've already got ammo and a holster that fits it. Plug and play. Maybe next time it'll be something else. I've got a quart bag of 38 spl stainless "brass".....

Thanks all. Good luck this season
Sean

rawhidekid · « **Reply #27 on:** October 12, 2009, 04:57:20 PM »

Good luck with your new hogleg. Don't shoot till ya see the whites of their eyes and watch what's behind what you are shooting at,(you are liable to get it too).

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #28 on:** October 13, 2009, 04:22:49 PM »

Ihave the 686 and plan to use it this year. I see your point on reloading set up, that can add up to the price tag. Ipicked up a super redhawk at an auction a couple of weeks ago, and like the feel of it a lot. Not sure if it will see action this year as I have not gotten a load for it and is close to season to be trying to get a feel for it. I think it will become my go to gun when all is said and done as it can handle the heavy loads on down, and balances in the hand so well.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #29 on:** October 13, 2009, 04:45:06 PM »

''if you could only have one gun,,,,,''

how many articles like that have you read

my answer is always the same
the same as my answer to the original post
my choise reguardless of your hunting laws

5 inch 629 smith with round butt grips.......280WFN lbt is all it shoots

black hawk would be my next choise in 44 mag... my next one will be a bisly