Author Topic: Tired of 44 mag, need new deer revolver (Read 2793 times)

Bugflipper · « **on:** May 28, 2004, 10:22:29 PM »

I have owned 2 44 mags, a super blackhawk and a contender. Both kicked the begusus out of me. I have a 30/30 contender with less recoil. At any rate I want a double action revolver for deer under 100 yards any suggestions on caliber?

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #1 on:** May 28, 2004, 10:44:34 PM »

just load your .44 down to about 1000 fps with a good 250 cast swc it will kill deer and black bear as good as anythig.

HappyHunter · « **Reply #2 on:** May 29, 2004, 02:36:25 AM »

You could buy my Raging Bull for sale in the classifieds.

It is a 41 mag with a ported barrel, recoil is far less than my 44 mags.

The grips on a raging bull are excellent for recoil.

Fred

Raging480 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 29, 2004, 06:17:11 AM »

Ruger blackhawk in .357 MAX?

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #4 on:** May 29, 2004, 08:28:09 AM »

I don't know what you are shooting in your .44 mags but that gun is not normally bad on recoil. I'm not a big man at 5' 7" and 185 LB and find the .44 mag a nice gun to shoot. You'd do well to take the advice given above to use a lighter load.

Gregory · « **Reply #5 on:** May 29, 2004, 10:46:34 AM »

Quote from: Lloyd Smale

just load your .44 down to about 1000 fps with a good 250 cast swc it will kill deer and black bear as good as anythig.

I was going to suggest a 44 Special, but Lloyd suggests 44Special loads out of your 44 Mag. Although his suggestion takes away the fun of a new gun.

I traded my Ruger Redhawk 44 Mag for a Smith Model 624 for the same reason.

crawfish · « **Reply #6 on:** May 29, 2004, 12:32:24 PM »

Well from me you will get .41, .41, .41 and oh yea .41 :wink:
but in all honesty just back off on those pushing the wall .44Mag loads to around 1000-1100FPS and you will turn that RSB into a real pussycat.

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** May 29, 2004, 12:47:36 PM »

I suspect the caliber isn't the problem but the guns you are shooting it in. I believe you just might be a candidate for a double action revolver. Some folks prefer the way the single actions recoil and some the double actions. I whole hearted agree that both the Ruger SBH and the 10" TC are wicked on recoil. BUT a double action in same chambering is not, not for me at least. Trade that sucker for a Redhawk. No NOT a SRH.

If you are a reloader you can tailor the ammo to have whatever level of recoil you wish. If not try 200 grain bullets from the normal sources of factory ammo. Hornady is particularly good in my opinion.

GB

Robert357 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 29, 2004, 01:56:14 PM »

Another alternative is new grips for your Ruger.

I have put inexpensive CDNN Investment "target grips" on two of my Ruger Blackhawks and the grip is much more like my double actions.

http://www.cdnninvestments.com/ruger3.html

You could go upscale, there are grips that help tame recoil. I have been shooting a Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt, loaded to magnum levels recently and found that at least in that SA with the 7.5 inch barrel, the traditional SA grip that rolls up a bit after shooting, has some recoil advantages.

jonesjj · « **Reply #9 on:** May 29, 2004, 05:50:01 PM »

I shoot a Ruger Bisley Hunter in .44 mag with 7 1/2" and a Leupold 2X EER on top and it's like a pussycat, I have down loaded it with 18.7gn of 2400 and 240gn Hornady XTP JHP.

I can shoot shoot this all day with these loads, I am a small frame guy myself 5"6" 180lbs. I just love this 44, the accuracy is great by the way.

Out to about 75yds I can put all 6 inside a paper plate all day long, I can consistantly hit a 12 X 12 steel dinger at 100yd, all this off hand.

Just find the load it likes at reduced velocity and you can have a great shooting hand gun.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #10 on:** May 31, 2004, 01:19:10 PM »

I shoot the 44 mag in a 7.5"sbh and a 5.5 rh. Both have Pachmeyer declerator grips, 1st the standard grips are to small for me, 2nd they help the recoil. I may run through 50 rds. checking out a new load. thats not to much fun. I am considering a mag-port on the rh. That said for deer hunting a 240 hard cast around 900+ in a 44 sp will do fine.
Jim

coltfan · « **Reply #11 on:** June 01, 2004, 04:24:00 PM »

I was also turned off by the recoil of the .44 mag in a Contender. Traded it off for a super blackhawk, which I found to be fairly comfortable. But let me tell you, my 6" Colt Anaconda handles the recoil of the .44 like a dream. I'm not sure if its just the weight of the barrel rib and lug, that tames the recoil, or if the Colt/Pachmayer grips also help. The grips fit my hand perfectly, and the gun itself balances quite well. While I've never shot the S&W 629 with the barrel lug, I can't help but believe that the power ported version would also be great in taming the .44 mag recoil.

Just as others have mentioned, I prefer to do about 75% of my shooting with a reduced load ( I prefer 5.8 grains of Titegroup under a 240 grain hardcast SWC, which I estimate at about 1000 fps) with the balance being my preferred hunting load of 24 grains of H110 under a 240 grain XTP.

Wlscott · « **Reply #12 on:** June 02, 2004, 05:30:55 AM »

I have to agree with Robert357 about the grips.

When I was considering a big bore revolver I shot a friends Smith 629 (44 Mag), and another friends Ruger SRH (44 Mag and 454 Casull). Shooting the Smith felt like someone was hitting the center of my palm with a ball peen hammer :shock:

The Ruger was much more comfortable (and he loads his pretty hot).

I've had my SRH for about two years now, and although I like the stock grips alright, I'm thinking of going with the Jordan Trooper grip just to see if I can make it even more comfortable.

You don't mention what grips your Blackhawk has. I've heard that Bisley grips are much more recoil friendly.

Good luck.

scruffy · « **Reply #13 on:** June 02, 2004, 06:18:05 AM »

I've always enjoyed shooting my Dan Wesson 44mag, but I enjoy it alot more now with houge grips. They seem to absorb a fair amount of the recoil over the wood grips I had on it and the finger slots help me to grip it more firmly, which probably reduces the felt recoil. I'm 5'9", 200lbs, and have no problem shooting it at the range and rolling through a box of 50 umc's. But I'm considering using 44 specials for my target/range days but full power loads for hunting (and resighting before hunting season of course). Like shooting anything, adrenaline deadens alot or all of recoil!

later,
scruffy

Doc T · « **Reply #14 on:** June 03, 2004, 06:35:10 AM »

Keep the SBH and have it Magna-Ported. That way you can still shoot hot loads with less recoil.

OregonBoy · « **Reply #15 on:** June 03, 2004, 09:15:07 AM »

Does the SBH really kick that bad? I've always liked the looks of the 10.5"bbl version, and have considered buying one before, as I heard the recoil was very controllable.

Zeus · « **Reply #16 on:** June 03, 2004, 10:51:32 AM »

I had a 10.5" that I had a 2x Leupold on that was a dream to shoot. Shot wonderfully with 21.5 grains of 296 under a 313 grain RCBS bullet from www.creeker.net They don't bother me at all when shooting. Some people hold it differently I guess. GS

myronman3 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 03, 2004, 02:46:14 PM »

sbh with 10.5 inch barrels are pussycats compared to even a 7 1/2 inch barrel. the longer barrel really tames things down, and makes them nice shooters. but they are a pain to pack; but really handy if you need an impromptu crutch.

les hemby · « **Reply #18 on:** June 04, 2004, 03:50:25 AM »

some like em some dont but hogue grips turned my 4.58 sbh into a pussycat i can shoot all day. I didnt like the gun at all. I even traded it once to a friend. He didnt like it so i bought it back, i tried the hogues and i guess they do make it more like double action. It is now my favorite handgun. My advice spend 20 on hogues before you spend more on a new gun. they may suprize you.

redhawk44 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 05, 2004, 06:14:31 AM »

If you want to buy a new revolver, there is probably no way to talk you out of it.

But if it is truely the recoil that is bothering you, then just go to meyers, or Wallyworld and buy a pair of bicycle riding gloves. You know, the ones with the padded palms and the fingers cut off. That will cushion the recoil as well as keep the BH from rolling up in your hand so much.

If that doesn't do it, try shooting lighter bullets. The 200 and 210 grain bullets are plenty bullet enough for deer out to as far as you can hit them anyway, and also, if you are a handloader, load then to about 1200 fps.

What with the gloves, the lighter bullets and the somewhat reduced velocity, why Hell, you'll think you are shooting a 38 Special. :grin:

jar-wv · « **Reply #20 on:** June 05, 2004, 06:06:00 PM »

My Blackhawks, 2-44 mag, 2-45 Colt, & 1-41mag, all have Pachmeyer or Hogue grips on them for this very reason. I honestly don't know of any other handgun that hurt as much as my first SBH. As soon as I got home with it I put on my muffs & started to shoot a cylinder full thru it. After each shot I found myself trying to hold it differant than the previous round, only to find another way to hurt a differant finger. After that experience I automatically order or buy grips at the same time. BTW I bought the 41 and older 3 screw 44 used and they already wore the differant grips, so apparantly I'm not the only one that has had the same experience. The Blackhawk grips sure look pretty but I have found they're not that great for recoil.

jar

Norseman · « **Reply #21 on:** June 26, 2004, 02:29:58 PM »

Real Simple!

Buy a Ruger Bisley! You would not believe what the different grip does...unbelievable!

Buckeye · « **Reply #22 on:** June 26, 2004, 03:25:32 PM »

.357 with 180gr. Fed. Castcore,should handle anything that won't hunt you.

Buckeye

TennesseeNuc · « **Reply #23 on:** June 26, 2004, 05:34:37 PM »

Bugflipper,
Norseman is giving you good advice. I've owned a couple of Super Blackhawks. I couldn't stand to shoot them. I didn't know my hand could hurt in so many places. I tried a Bisley. It felt like a different gun. I converted a SS SBH to a Bisley by changing the gripframe, hammer and trigger. It's now a pleasure to shoot.
Best,
TnNuc

45LC-Man · « **Reply #24 on:** June 27, 2004, 01:50:10 AM »

I'm with Redhawk44............ You just want a new gun don't you. Just say so. Admitting to an addiction is the first step towards getting help. We are here to help you. We are your friends and want the best for you. Just go out and buy GB's D/A and have a Bisley gripframe put on it and then have someone put a 10" "pussycat" magnaported barrel on it with some Hogue grips and shoot light bullets in it. There now, don't you feel better? You can get up off the couch now and see the receptionist about your bill. :-D :-D

Actually GB I thing you need another forum added to this site. Something for addicts like us who have alligator tastes and lizard pocketbooks.

DarkTech · « **Reply #25 on:** June 27, 2004, 06:20:43 AM »

I suffered for a long time with my .44 SRH until I put a set of Hogue Monogrips on it. Tamed the recoil instantly. The grips made such a difference that I put them on my 454 SRH before firing the first shot. Life is good when recoil is not punishment. The Hogues are only about $20 at Midway or Midsouth Shooters Supply and worth a try.

Jim

Quote from: Wlscott

When I was considering a big bore revolver I shot a friends Smith 629 (44 Mag), and another friends Ruger SRH (44 Mag and 454 Casull). Shooting the Smith felt like someone was hitting the center of my palm with a ball peen hammer :shock:

The Ruger was much more comfortable (and he loads his pretty hot).

I've had my SRH for about two years now, and although I like the stock grips alright, I'm thinking of going with the Jordan Trooper grip just to see if I can make it even more comfortable.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #26 on:** June 27, 2004, 11:52:13 AM »

Tenneseenuc
Converting sbh to a bisley. This interested me, is it cost effective? My 7.5" sbh can tire one out when checking loads at the range, and I don't seem to shoot as good with it as I do a double action style as in Redhawk.
Jim

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #27 on:** June 27, 2004, 12:31:11 PM »

I have several 44MAG's. A Ruger Redhawk 7 1/2 inch barrel, Contender with a 10 inch barrel, Encore with a 10 inch barrel and a Ruger Blackhawk 7 1/2 inch barrel. I don't think any of them have a lot of recoil. I am loading Hornady 240 gr. with 20 gr. of A2400. I also load some 300 gr. cast performance with 18.5 gr. of A2400. These are the max load in the Hornady manual. With the contender, I also shoot a 444 Marlin with a 10 inch barrel, loaded 1 or 2 grains from the max and do not find it bad. I guess after I have shot my 500MAG well over 1500 times, a 44 MAG seems mild.

TennesseeNuc · « **Reply #28 on:** June 27, 2004, 04:05:03 PM »

Jim in Iowa,
I got the "kit" from Brownells. It consisted of a grip frame, trigger, hammer and a few various small parts. The grip frame was not rough cast, but it did require some fitting. The fitting was done with by hand with wet/dry paper and a dremel tool. The cost was about $150 for the parts minus the amount that I got when I sold the old trigger, grip frame and hammer. Because it was stainless there was no further expense for blueing...only a little elbow grease.
The gun had already proven itself to be a good shooter, so I felt that it was worth the effort and expense.
The way my luck runs, I figured Ruger would introduce a SS SBH Bisley just about the time I finished mine. They haven't yet. Although they do offer a SS SBH Bisley Hunter.
Best,
TnNuc

Norseman · « **Reply #29 on:** June 27, 2004, 04:10:27 PM »

:twisted:
Recoil is just a STATE of mind! It doesn't really hurt- common! I believe the Ruger Bisley with it's "different grip" than most, is the best solution the this perceived recoil thing. Loved the Ruger Super Redhawk (Blued) .44, but never used it double action and was very heavy in weight. Ruger Super Black hawk was lighter in weight BUT the grip angle would come up in recoil and got me in the web in between the forefinger and thumb. I was bumbed out although the recoil didn't "hurt" it was a pain in the ass! LOL! The Ruger Beasley on the other hand fit the bill for me because the grip is perfection! The weight is reasonable, the barrel is a tad long but cool carrying on the left side of your gunbelt out of the way, it's blued and traditional, I recommend it highly! Accuracy is a real eye opener. A single action is stronger than any double action revolver could ever be. It's CHEAPER TO SELL what you have been disatified with, and take the bucks and buy the Bisley. beleive me, I ain't saying this as a greenhorn who prefers smokin Camels over Marboros, Chevys to Fords etc...it's from experience. Check out the RUGER Bisley, and consider y'all my logic.

The Southern Norseman <><

Keep your powder dry boys!