Author Topic: .44mag or 7.62x54R for this deer/hog season???? (Read 1767 times)

xd45nut · « **on:** August 29, 2011, 06:56:59 AM »

Hey guys, I realize this may not be the right forum for this question, but honestly I want a biased opinion. I am looking to get myself a cheep ($150 or less) hunting rifle for this deer season. Now what I am debating is; should I get a Mosin-Nagant and fit it with a scope or should I get my Pardner SB1 frame fitted with a .44mag barrel? I like the idea of being able to reach out past 150 yards with the Mosin but I also value the ability of being able to buy ammo at my local Wal-Mart.

fluffyphydeaux2010 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2011, 07:22:42 AM »

can't go wrong with a handi, but as I always say... when in doubt; roll your own

45-70.gov · « **Reply #2 on:** August 29, 2011, 07:29:30 AM »

you might want a hand gun in the same caliber some day

does that clear it up a bit?

?

if you want to hear a 44 special in a rifle......you better not be too far away
they are real quiet if you feel the need to be discreet

xd45nut · « **Reply #3 on:** August 29, 2011, 07:35:33 AM »

Quote from: 45-70.gov on August 29, 2011, 07:29:30 AM

you might want a hand gun in the same caliber some day

does that clear it up a bit? ?

if you want to hear a 44 special in a rifle......you better not be too far away
they are real quiet if you feel the need to be discreet

Some day?

? I wish I could afford a .44 Blackhawk today.

petemi · « **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2011, 07:36:02 AM »

I'd look for a used .44 a few years old on a SB2 frame, then you could add other high pressure barrels later. I've kinda always wanted a Mosin, but I really wouldn't know what to do with it. I already have a bunch of better rifles that aren't getting used enough. I know Dunham Sports has very nice ones refurbished at a very low price, and also has ammo for them. Bear in mind, the scope fitting is going to cost extra. You could also later ream the .44 to .445SM and shoot both. My .44 has the older over bored barrel. I just order .433 bullets from Montana Bullet Co. and load them myself. Even after it was reamed to Supermag, it still shot Hornady LeverEvolution ammo well.

In one very biased opinion, I'd go (have gone) with the Handi, SB1 or SB2.

Pete

45-70.gov · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2011, 08:31:23 AM »

Quote from: xd45nut on August 29, 2011, 07:35:33 AM

Quote from: 45-70.gov on August 29, 2011, 07:29:30 AM
you might want a hand gun in the same caliber some day

does that clear it up a bit? ?

if you want to hear a 44 special in a rifle......you better not be too far away
they are real quiet if you feel the need to be discreet

Some day? ? I wish I could afford a .44 Blackhawk today.

then you have your answer

i wouldn't get an older one
those on the better frames are mostly OVER bored
[just bet another whole handi when the time comes]
the older ones are not scope ready like the new ones on sb1 frames

i have a 357 in my pocket every day
thats why i shoot my 357 handi the most
but i like the 44 handi better.......both are the week frames

xd45nut · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2011, 08:43:39 AM »

Quote from: 45-70.gov on August 29, 2011, 08:31:23 AM

Quote from: xd45nut on August 29, 2011, 07:35:33 AM
Quote from: 45-70.gov on August 29, 2011, 07:29:30 AM
you might want a hand gun in the same caliber some day

does that clear it up a bit? ?

if you want to hear a 44 special in a rifle......you better not be too far away
they are real quiet if you feel the need to be discreet

Some day? ? I wish I could afford a .44 Blackhawk today.

then you have your answer

i wouldn't get an older one
those on the better frames are mostly OVER bored
[just bet another whole handi when the time comes]
the older ones are not scope ready like the new ones on sb1 frames

i have a 357 in my pocket every day
thats why i shoot my 357 handi the most
but i like the 44 handi better.......both are the week frames

\

This wouldn't be a debate for me at all if my Ruger Vaquero was chambered in .44 instead of .45LC.

spikehorn · « **Reply #7 on:** August 29, 2011, 10:17:07 AM »

44 mag

Dinny · « **Reply #8 on:** August 29, 2011, 10:54:38 AM »

Go with the 44 Mag.

In a rifle, it's even more potent than a pistol.

Thanks, Dinny

yukondog · « **Reply #9 on:** August 29, 2011, 12:05:19 PM »

See if you can find a 45 long colt barrel then you could shoot both, then latter ream it to a 454 [ on a sb-2] and have the best of both worlds.

thejanitor · « **Reply #10 on:** August 29, 2011, 12:29:59 PM »

Well I see you posted the question to all of us people afflicted with the Handi Holic disease.
I cast a vote for the 44 mag.

thejanitor

reclusej · « **Reply #11 on:** August 29, 2011, 12:30:30 PM »

44 mag.

geezerbiker · « **Reply #12 on:** August 29, 2011, 01:29:05 PM »

One more thing to consider is because of the open rear receiver on the Mosin-Nagant receiver, this is a hard rifle to fit a scope to.

On the other hand, getting a .44 mag Handi rifle for $150 isn't going to be easy. I paid $175 for mine and I think I got it for a steal of a deal. Mine is also one of the later ones on a SB2 frame and while it's over-bored a bit, it's a damn good shooter.

I was looking at a .45 Colt Handi too but I bought an early 3 screw .44 Blackhawk to go with my .44 carbine instead.

Tony

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 29, 2011, 01:37:16 PM »

Not exactly what you asked about but....... How about a Handi in 308 or 30-06. One of them will do all a 7.62 Russian will do and a whole lot more than a 44 Mag. Check the Pawn shops and gun shops, maybe you can find a deal .......

gstewart44 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 29, 2011, 03:45:02 PM »

Quote from: jeepmann1948 on August 29, 2011, 01:37:16 PM

Not exactly what you asked about but....... How about a Handi in 308 or 30-06. One of them will do all a 7.62 Russian will do and a whole lot more than a 44 Mag. Check the Pawn shops and gun shops, maybe you can find a deal .......

My thoughts exactly.

rdlange · « **Reply #15 on:** August 29, 2011, 05:54:33 PM »

You can scout mount a scope on the Ruskie easy. They shoot good and are cheaper than a Handi. But, I upped the extra $$$ and got Handis anyway, even for more. As a Texan, try Texas Gun Trader or the Texas Hunting Forum classifieds. Got all mine here or there for fair prices.

Just a thought, but a Tracker rifled barrel is good for 100+ yds...

Be Well...

xd45nut · « **Reply #16 on:** August 29, 2011, 07:14:22 PM »

Quote from: geezerbiker on August 29, 2011, 01:29:05 PM

One more thing to consider is because of the open rear receiver on the Mosin-Nagant receiver, this is a hard rifle to fit a scope to.

On the other hand, getting a .44 mag Handi rifle for $150 isn't going to be easy...

If I do go with Mosin I am going to fit it with a scout scope set-up that should be both easy (providing I can get the rear sight off) and affordable. If I go with the .44mag I am not going to go out and buy a Handi, instead I am just going to send in my SB1 receiver to be fitted.

Quote

Just a thought, but a Tracker rifled barrel is good for 100+ yds...

I have a Tracker barrel fitted to my receiver currently and I love it.

Austin from NC · « **Reply #17 on:** August 29, 2011, 07:22:50 PM »

Between an old foreign gun or new american their is no choice 44 all the way. I drive a 17 year old toyota pickup, GO FIGURE.

Austin

Airsporter · « **Reply #18 on:** August 30, 2011, 03:10:49 AM »

Did you really expect any other answer on this forum?

I have a bunch of Handi's and several 91/30 Mosin-Nagants. The Mosins are solid old-school military rifles. I would probably prefer my M38 (carbine version) for hogs - lots of fast, powerful follow-up shots available.

yellowtail3 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 30, 2011, 04:14:07 AM »

Mosin. Looks cool, cheap, shoots pretty good w/iron sights, cheap ammo, huge power. It'll be fun.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #20 on:** August 30, 2011, 05:50:03 AM »

Gander has Nagants for $99 and Durham in janesville ,WI has them for $79 thats about as cheap as I have seen them. Kurt

45-70.gov · « **Reply #21 on:** August 30, 2011, 06:01:27 AM »

if you go with the nagant.......PM me i have a scout mount to sell

what is the difference in $ between a fitted barrel =shipping and a new gun

just me but i don't like the multi-barrel/one receiver thing
one broken spring or any part and 2 or more guns are broke

2 handis and one is spare partes for the other
especially if they will swap

Fred McIntire · « **Reply #22 on:** August 30, 2011, 09:33:09 AM »

I'd like to have one of the Nagants for fun; however, I'd choose the Handi all the way. There are way too many barrel options available for the Handi.

I have 2 Handi's in .44 Magnum, 1 in .357 Magnum, and an extra .223 Bull barrel. Speaking of, I just purchased a Handi combo with a .357 Magnum/.357 Maximum barrel and a .45 Colt/.454 Casull barrel. I think I should be able to hunt just about anything in North America with this set up.

I also purchased a Buffalo Classic in .45-70 the other day !

My name is Fred, and I'm a Handi-holic . . . .

quickdtoo · « **Reply #23 on:** August 30, 2011, 09:50:00 AM »

Quote from: 45-70.gov on August 30, 2011, 06:01:27 AM

what is the difference in $ between a fitted barrel =shipping and a new gun

About $90, $160 for an accessory barrel and ~$250 for an SB1 rifle.

Tim

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_263/products_id/55422

spikehorn · « **Reply #24 on:** August 30, 2011, 09:52:01 AM »

Quote from: Fred McIntire on August 30, 2011, 09:33:09 AM

My name is Fred, and I'm a Handi-holic . . . .

Hi Fred.

xd45nut · « **Reply #25 on:** August 30, 2011, 07:30:22 PM »

Well guys I have also been doing some research on ballistics and the available loads for the 7.62x54R. It has a lot greater drop at 300 and 400 yards then .308 or .30-06 and I still can't get over the fact that I am going to have to buy all my ammo for a Mosin over the net. I think for this year I am just going to go with a .44mag barrel for my Pardner and start saving my pennies for one of those Ruger M77 Scout rifles. Plus this will give me just the excuse I need to get a .44 special revolver for CCW

.

Fred McIntire · « **Reply #26 on:** August 30, 2011, 08:15:47 PM »

Get a .44 Magnum revolver and shoot both .44 Magnum and .44 Special rounds out of it !

xd45nut · « **Reply #27 on:** August 30, 2011, 09:51:34 PM »

Quote from: Fred McIntire on August 30, 2011, 08:15:47 PM

Get a .44 Magnum revolver and shoot both .44 Magnum and .44 Special rounds out of it !

I may.

yellowtail3 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 31, 2011, 04:50:31 AM »

Quote from: xd45nut on August 30, 2011, 07:30:22 PM

Well guys I have also been doing some research on ballistics and the available loads for the 7.62x54R. It has a lot greater drop at 300 and 400 yards then .308 or .30-06 and I still can't get over the fact that I am going to have to buy all my ammo for a Mosin over the net.

Maybe, maybe not; check out local shows and shops. I got 440 rounds of 7.62x54 for 79 bucks. Put another way... you can get the rifle, and 440rds, for about the cost of 200 store-bought centerfire rifle cartridges.

xd45nut · « **Reply #29 on:** August 31, 2011, 06:05:41 AM »

Quote from: yellowtail3 on August 31, 2011, 04:50:31 AM

Quote from: xd45nut on August 30, 2011, 07:30:22 PM
Well guys I have also been doing some research on ballistics and the available loads for the 7.62x54R. It has a lot greater drop at 300 and 400 yards then .308 or .30-06 and I still can't get over the fact that I am going to have to buy all my ammo for a Mosin over the net.
Maybe, maybe not; check out local shows and shops. I got 440 rounds of 7.62x54 for 79 bucks. Put another way... you can get the rifle, and 440rds, for about the cost of 200 store-bought centerfire rifle cartridges.

Not around here. I live in the country and the local farm supply shop only sells more common calibers, I have to drive an hour to to find a Wal-Mart and 2 hours out to Amarillo to find a regular gun shop. Also all of the bulk ammo I have seen for the Mosin has been MilSerp FMJ; 7.62x54R hunting ammo is about the same price as .44mag.