Okay, I've chosen the revolver.

[DoubleH]

I've been lurking a while and appreciated all the good advice I've picked up and thought I'd jump in.  

Now the hard part of deciding what caliber to get it chambered in.  I'm fairly new to handguns and handgun hunting, but I did pick up a Ruger GP-100 in .357 a couple of years ago and even bloodied on a nice fat Virginia whitetail two years ago.  (More of an opportunity thing when I realized she was going to walk right by me and put down my rifle and pulled out the revolver.  What a thrill though!)  Since that time I've shot a fair amount and have pretty much decided that I've reached the limits of the GP-100 and would like to move up to something that is primarily a hunting gun.  

Anyway, I've set my sights on a Ruger Blackhawk Hunter.  From what I can tell, it's available in .41Rem Mag, .44Rem Mag and .45 Colt.  I'd appreciate any thoughts or advice you guys can share.

[Prof. Fuller Bullspit]

If you don't reload go with the .44 Magnum.

If you reload there is no practical difference between the three for hunting as far as I'm concerned.

That said, If you reload then the .45 would be my first choice.

[Deaf Smith]

I can almost agree if you don't reload either the 41 or 44 magnums will do the job. To get the most out of the 45 long colt you have to reload. Most of the factory loads are made for colt SAA type guns and to low pressure not so with the magnums who can always make do with factory loads.
Jim L

[DoubleH]

Hmmm, I hadn't even considered of the reloading issue.  I've got a couple of real young kids at home so time is a real premium.  So far, I've managed to avoid the reloading bug due to the time constraints.  I'll have to cogitate on this some more.  Thanks for helping me avoid stepping into that one.

[Lloyd Smale]

44

[sureshot2040]

if i didnt reload i would go with the 44. you can buy ammo at almost any sporting goods store and even at walmart. you can go to your local gunshop and buy 44 specials to plink with. with that said i do reload and wouldnt trade my vaquero 45 for two 44 vaquero's.
just my two
sureshot

[Prof. Fuller Bullspit]

The 41 magnum is a bit milder than the .44 magnum to shoot. However it is harder to find factory loaded ammunition.

The .44 magnum is easy to find and in so many flavors you won't have any trouble finding a load that fits your purpose, target, plinking, hunting, etc.

The .45 is such a classic. In factory loads you will find plenty of suitable plinking rounds and even good target and defensive rounds. You could hunt with it as it is loaded but you don't really get the most out of this round unless you reload it up to take advantage of the Ruger strength.

That said, if 99% of your use is for fun, the .45 wins for me hands down. If you want to hunt and don't reload, you might find some custom loads that would take care of you, but you pay the price!

If I had to choose just one gun I would choose my Ruger .44 magnum over the .45 because I know I can find ammunition for it more easily. I can also load ammunition for the .44 to do anything I want. As nice as the .41 is, I would not choose it over the .44 or .45 for my only big bore handgun.

[Deaf Smith]

Better yet teach the kids to help you reload most don't care what you do with them as long as you spend time with them. they can do all the little things while you do the actual reloading and in turn they can learn another part of gun lore.  by the time they are teenagers you can have them reloading your ammo for you to make some extra cash or so all of you can go shooting together as a family. it works my buddy did it with his kids and they were all very close and the kids loved reloading with their father.
Jim L

[securitysix]

Better yet teach the kids to help you reload most don't care what you do with them as long as you spend time with them. they can do all the little things while you do the actual reloading and in turn they can learn another part of gun lore.  by the time they are teenagers you can have them reloading your ammo for you to make some extra cash or so all of you can go shooting together as a family. it works my buddy did it with his kids and they were all very close and the kids loved reloading with their father.
Jim L

That would work.  It is how I got started.  My dad got me into shooting at a very young age, would let me help with the reloading some, too.