Author Topic: Best Buy Hunting Revolver (Read 5058 times)

HGunner · « **on:** January 20, 2012, 03:56:17 AM »

My favorite hunting caliber is 44 magnum and I've owned and shot quite a few over the years. I've recently moved up to the Freedom Arms 83 but have used many S&W and Ruger variants. My favorites in no order are Ruger Bisley 7.5", the S&W 629 classic in 5 or 6.5", and the FA 83 6". I know people want the Bisley in 5.5" but I had one cut and it does not balance, handle, or hunt as well as the 7.5" for me. I think the Bisley grip is MUCH better than the standard grip for full house 44 mag recoil. Anyway, for those of you interested in breaking into handgun hunting, I don't think you can get more for your money than a stock Ruger Bisley in 44 magnum. You can buy one of these and a complete reloading setup for the price of the S&W. Start getting ready for next season!

teamnelson · « **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2012, 04:11:47 AM »

I agree - a Bisley 44 7.5" is great. I tried others to include the S&W 629 Classic 6.5" ... just always go back to the Bisley. Selling my 629 because it never gets used.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2012, 04:51:27 AM »

I like the Redhawk also.

temmi · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2012, 06:51:37 AM »

A Bisley with a 71/2 tube is hard to beat.

I prefer a .45 Colt.

Snake

palgeno · « **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2012, 02:55:43 PM »

The reduced recoil from the heavier the SBH Bisley Hunter is worth considering...price is not much more and satisfaction is a lot more...mine is a tack driver to boot!
Gene

johnnyb · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2012, 09:44:56 AM »

I have the Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter 44 mag with the regular grip. Need to figure out how much to switch over the grip to a Bisley grip

kynardsj · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2012, 10:10:04 AM »

johnnyb, you have to change the grip frame out. I also agree that the SBH Hunter is the way to go. I had one in 44 mag and now have one in 45 LC. Very nice, very tough and accurate guns. I'm not a Bisley fan but to each his own.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #7 on:** January 23, 2012, 04:46:38 AM »

I can't recall how many 44mag rounds I shot thru a 10.5 in Super Blackhawk while shooting IMHSA but it was alot . Some matches were 80 rounds of very hot ammo at times. I really don't remember the standard grip frame being a problem. That dragoon style trigger bow on the other hand was a pain .

HGunner · « **Reply #8 on:** January 23, 2012, 02:25:34 PM »

I certainly wouldn't argue with the Hunter version as a first hunting revolver. It would likely be a little more comfortable to shoot due to the extra barrel weight. It would also allow for scoping down the road if iron sights aren't for you. I don't have anything against the standard blackhawk grip frame but it always seems to peen the back of my middle finger with heavy loads. This just doesn't happen with my Bisley. I'm sure some shoot the SBH very comfortably.

Swampman · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2012, 03:19:22 PM »

Quote from: johnnyb on January 22, 2012, 09:44:56 AM

I have the Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter 44 mag with the regular grip. Need to figure out how much to switch over the grip to a Bisley grip

I see no reason to. The Bisley is unattractive and the recoil is the same.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2012, 04:29:01 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on January 23, 2012, 03:19:22 PM

Quote from: johnnyb on January 22, 2012, 09:44:56 AM
I have the Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter 44 mag with the regular grip. Need to figure out how much to switch over the grip to a Bisley grip

I see no reason to. The Bisley is unattractive and the recoil is the same.

I disagree. the Larger grip fills my hand and the recoil is back rather than rolling.
I wish ruger would make a shorter barrel version of the Bisley and in 357 again. A 357 in 5.5" would be my choice.

Swampman · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2012, 11:49:13 PM »

There's one at our local pawn shop but the asking price is crazy.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #12 on:** January 24, 2012, 12:32:06 AM »

if you think the bisley doesnt handle recoil better come over and visit and i will set you up with some 44 mag loads that will clearly show you differnt. Start shooting 300 plus grain bullets at full power and the bisleys hands down handle recoil better. Ive even done a few informal tests where ive take guys that arent used to heavy recoiling handguns and had them shoot both with the same load and ive yet to have anyone say the blackhawks were just as good as the bisleys. If anything most will shoot the blackhawk once and put it down but arent afaid to blast a whole box out of a bisley.

Flash · « **Reply #13 on:** January 24, 2012, 02:01:53 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on January 23, 2012, 03:19:22 PM

Quote from: johnnyb on January 22, 2012, 09:44:56 AM
I have the Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter 44 mag with the regular grip. Need to figure out how much to switch over the grip to a Bisley grip

I see no reason to. The Bisley is unattractive and the recoil is the same.

The recoil is the same but it's delivered at a different angle with a Bisley grip and becomes much easier to manage as a result. Colt didn't design it on aesthetics but on functionality.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2012, 05:00:43 AM »

The standard plow handle grip was /is best for all shooting from any position. It looks like the Bisley would make a fine target grip. That's an observation. Note when the Bisley came along there were few/none hard kicking guns it was for target shooting . I shoot a 454 Redhawk that kicks stright back and see little advantage when it comes to reducing felt recoil. With the Super blackhawk the rotating up helps reduce felt recoil. So it would seem each shooter wouls need to decide what recoild control he wanted ie; a gun that pushes stright back giving the shooter all the recoil and little loss of hand contact or less recoil be need to regrip after each shot. Woth the SA if you cock with the thumb on the shooting hand you readjust your grip anyway. Just a thought .

HGunner · « **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2012, 08:52:48 AM »

Well the original intent of my post was to make a recommendation for new handgun hunters. I've had a Bisley for a long time and I am probably biased. That being said, I bought a 5.5" SBH and sold it the same week after shooting it side by side with my Bisley. The felt recoil difference was amazing. I've also shot the redhawk variations and a variety of 29 and 629 variations and the only gun for me that is more comfortable to shoot than the Bisley 44 magnum is the FA 83 in 44 magnum. I stand by my recommendation that the Ruger Bisley 44 magnum is the best buy in handgun hunting.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #16 on:** January 24, 2012, 10:35:07 AM »

My recomendation for handgun hunters is to start with a 22 adn go after squirrles and rabbits first get good with the little game as you will have more practice and get used to a handgun.
Then go after big game.
As amny have said shoot the biggest most powerful gun you can shoot well.
If it is a 44 then shoot a 44mag if it is a 357 shoot a 357 as shot placement has more to do with big game than does the power of the bullet on deer and hogs.

shot1 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 24, 2012, 10:57:46 AM »

For the Ruger BH get a set of Hogue Mono Grips and it will turn a beast into a pussy cat. I can't believe how much better my HEAVY loaded 5 1/2" BH 45 Colt handles with the Hogue grip than the original style.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #18 on:** January 25, 2012, 12:50:54 AM »

everyone has differnt tastes but id rather bleed then put condom grips on a single action. About like wide whites on a corvette to me. No doubt though there probably more confortable to shoot. Just make sure nobodys watching

Quote from: shot1 on January 24, 2012, 10:57:46 AM

For the Ruger BH get a set of Hogue Mono Grips and it will turn a beast into a pussy cat. I can't believe how much better my HEAVY loaded 5 1/2" BH 45 Colt handles with the Hogue grip than the original style.

damienph · « **Reply #19 on:** January 27, 2012, 05:50:22 AM »

I've never owned or fired one of the Ruger Bisleys but I have owned 3 Super Blackhawks (currently 2) and several Blackhawks (currently 4) and like the feel of the regular grips. I've been shooting Ruger single actions since my first one in 1972. I've tried different rubber grips, including Uncle Mikes, Pachmayrs and Hogue and have gone back to original wood grips.

For me, the original grip works the best.

Whether you prefer the Bisley or traditional grip (or rubber) Rugers are definitely a best buy when it comes to hunting handguns.

S.B. · « **Reply #20 on:** January 31, 2012, 07:46:35 AM »

HGunner, sounds like you need all the velocity you can get?Why? How far is your average shot? More whitetail deer are probably killed with .44 handguns at around 1000 fps than any thing else.
Steve

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #21 on:** January 31, 2012, 09:04:24 AM »

Redhawks and hunters both can come with rings . Its a nice set up since you don't have to worry about bases getting lose.

HGunner · « **Reply #22 on:** January 31, 2012, 03:44:31 PM »

I'm not one to max out velocity but we are talking about 44 magnum and most factory ammo runs a lot hotter than 1000 fps. i assume most beginning hunters will shoot quite a bit of factory ammo before they start reloading -- I know I did. Some of the most widely available ammo is Hornady XTP and Winchester white box. These loads run over 1400 fps in my FA 83 6". This typical factory ammo is all it takes to show the difference between a Bisley grip and a Balckhawk grip. If you're happy with 240 @ 1000 fps then any 44 mag will handle the recoil fine. Even my S&W Mountain Gun is fun to shoot at that level !

While we're talking about factory ammo I'll also recommend MagTech 240 grain JSP in 44 magnum. This is well made practice ammo that can be used for hunting. It's cheaper than Win white box (with better quality control in my experience) and runs about 125 fps slower making it a little more pleasant for practice.

gypsyman · « **Reply #23 on:** February 01, 2012, 03:18:28 AM »

I'll stick with my Dan Wesson's. gypsyman

pspinc2003 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 03, 2012, 05:04:05 PM »

Older Taurus M44 never let me down..., smooth and very accurate

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 05, 2012, 01:58:57 AM »

Quote from: Lloyd Smale on January 24, 2012, 12:32:06 AM

if you think the bisley doesnt handle recoil better come over and visit and i will set you up with some 44 mag loads that will clearly show you differnt. Start shooting 300 plus grain bullets at full power and the bisleys hands down handle recoil better. Ive even done a few informal tests where ive take guys that arent used to heavy recoiling handguns and had them shoot both with the same load and ive yet to have anyone say the blackhawks were just as good as the bisleys. If anything most will shoot the blackhawk once and put it down but arent afaid to blast a whole box out of a bisley.

Have to agree with Lloyd here. But make mine a 45 Colt.

Bighorse · « **Reply #26 on:** February 05, 2012, 03:09:58 AM »

What good info -- I was considering the Redhawk or the Blackhawk for hog hunting before I found this great website. Then the Bisley debate was thrown in on top of it.... Questions:

1. For hog hunting, is it better to have the double-action RH or the single-action BH, or is it just a matter of preference? I bought a Ruger SP-101 double-action .357 last summer for conceal-carry and it's awesome, but I'm open to the BH especially considering the Bisely grip.

2. Second, it looks like the RH doesn't come in the Bisley grip, and so far I can't find a dealer who has the Bisley BH in stock. Is this an add-on for both RH & BH, or strictly an option for the BH?

Thanks.

Bighorse

HGunner · « **Reply #27 on:** February 06, 2012, 01:59:03 AM »

The choice between single and double action is personal preference when it comes to hunting. The Ruger Bisley is more of a different model than an option. This grip frame is on 2 blue steel models with 7.5" barrels in 44 mag and 45 colt. It is also available on a Hunter model with heavy barrel and scope rings in 44 mag (also 7.5"). On the used market you can usually find a 5.5" stainless model in 45 colt as well as a Hunter model in 45 colt. There have be others but these are your best bet both for caliber and availability. You'll need to reload to really enjoy the 45 colt. Reloading is totally optional with the 44 mag.
If I was running after dogs I would get the 5.5" but but for stand and stalk hunting I like the 7.5".

critter44 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 17, 2012, 05:15:11 AM »

I have the Ruger SS Bisley Hunter model in .44. Mine is an excellent shooter. I use it on deer and hogs (reloads) and it serves me very well indeed.

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #29 on:** March 17, 2012, 10:27:41 AM »

For me, the "best buy" hunting revolver is pretty much the same as it has been for over 50 years, with just a few changes.
Something like one of these:

Or one of these: