44 vs 500 s&w

[longwalker]

This past weekend I had my SRH at the range just to put some holes in paper. I shoot it enough in double action sometimes I just like to go print groups. Regardless the SRH made me look good. One of the other shootes had a new to him Magnum Research in 500 S&W. He hadn't shot it before and and having a hard time getting it to group well.

This will have been my second time shooting the 500 S&W. The gun grouped well enough. Although the sights were set way to high. Easily corrected. The point to all this rambling is, what a brut. I am sure it will put down just about anything you want. However is it a fun gun to shoot ?I would have to say no.

I'll stick with my 44 magnum and just consider myself a light weight.

longwalker

[Redhawk1]

I also had a BFR 500 Mag and it shot extremely accurate, my buddy wanted it more than me and now he has it. He is shooting it very good also. I am now shooting 2 S&W 500 Mags, a 4 inch and a 8 3/8 inch. Just as fun to shoot, but I have noticed the 44 Mag stays at home a lot now that I shoot the 500 Mag's all the time, but that may change with my new 460 Mag, it is just a blast to shoot and is becoming one of my favorite to shoot.  

[Dusty Miller]

Hoowah!!  Love them big bores!!

[Questor]

My impression of the S&W 500 hasn't changed much since its introduction. It's bigger than I want a revolver to be. But if I could tolerate that, it's a really nice gun. I'm especially impressed with the design of the Hogue grips for it. Very nice.  I think the .460 is the real star as a hunting round, though. With the velocity and trajectory it's a new kind of gun that has some of the best attributes of a single shot and the best attributes of a revolver. It's also got the size of a single-shot.  

Personally, if I were seriously considering one of these big franed revolvers, I'd use the 460.

[Redhawk1]

Questor, I almost have to agree with you. But the 500 Mag is just so awesome. But I think the 460 is right up there as one of my favorites.  :-D

[welshman]

well, I have own and shot 44mags for more years than In can remember and the 44mag will do anything those huge bores will do when it comes to hunting just place the bullet where it belongs and it will do it's job.

[Redhawk1]

well, I have own and shot 44mags for more years than In can remember and the 44mag will do anything those huge bores will do when it comes to hunting just place the bullet where it belongs and it will do it's job.

If people want to hunt with guns bigger than the 44 Mag, they have that option, just because you personal think they are not needed, that is your opinion. Given a choice of a 44 Mag and a 500 Mag in Bear country, I'll take the 500 Mag. After shooting the 460 Mag and 500 Mag, the 44 Mag is boring.  :-D

[myronman3]

i am with you welshman.   welcome to g.b.o.

these guys that are fans of the overkill bores are way tougher than me.   god bless em,  but i have no use for any more power than a 44 will yield.

[DirtyHarry]

If people want to hunt with guns bigger than the 44 Mag, they have that option, just because you personal think they are not needed, that is your opinion. Given a choice of a 44 Mag and a 500 Mag in Bear country, I'll take the 500 Mag. After shooting the 460 Mag and 500 Mag, the 44 Mag is boring.  :-D

I agree 100%, especially in bear country. If I am going to be in bear country and have to choose between a 44 and a 500,,,,, man thats a no brainer .. :wink:

[myronman3]

you guys kill me.  everyday  i work out in bear country, often sitting very still for hours at a time in one place.  bears are everywhere here,  some of them pretty big, too.   i could bore you to death with story after story.  

  if you think for a second that bear cares one bit whether your packing a 44 or 454 or 500; your dead wrong.  

 your brain is your best defense.    and if it comes to a stand off,  damn few of us could even hope to hit a bear coming full bore.   luckily,  most blackies that dont run instantly at the sight of folks, will stop or run after they hear a gunshot; whether it is a 22lr or a larger bore.  

   in the end it doesnt matter,  whatever an individual prefers beats not having a gun at all.   and 95% of the time i am in bear country it is unarmed.  i fear dogs and two legged varmints more than bears.

[Redhawk1]

myronman3, the 500 Mag is still a cool round.    But if I did only get one shot, I still want the 500 Mag.  :eek:

[myronman3]

myronman3, the 500 Mag is still a cool round.     :eek:

undoubtedly.  

But if I did only get one shot, I still want the 500 Mag.

that's entirely up to you.  me, i would hope to at least get off a shot.  i have seen how fast these things can move and i have to say, if they are within 50 yards and they want you,  you are pretty much had.     i laugh when people tell me about how a bear chased them.

[welshman]

Look guys I am not trying to step on toes or attack anyone on their choice of weapons , the 44mag has been around longer than any of the wrist breakers it has a better rep than any of the wrist breakers mentioned here . it is and will always be top dog . I have taken the 44mag to very high levels of power and the recoil just isn't worth the pain, taking the 44mag 300 grain sierra to 1475 fps that's a lot of power.just my opinon.

[Redhawk1]

Look guys I am not trying to step on toes or attack anyone on their choice of weapons , the 44mag has been around longer than any of the wrist breakers it has a better rep than any of the wrist breakers mentioned here . it is and will always be top dog . I have taken the 44mag to very high levels of power and the recoil just isn't worth the pain, taking the 44mag 300 grain sierra to 1475 fps that's a lot of power.just my opinon.

Top dog the 44 Mag??? It has been around for some time, but that does not make it top dog. The 45-70 has been around for even longer and is not top dog.  But that is just your opinion.    :-D

[1911crazy]

The 44mag is probably the top dog in the handling department. Lets face it too if i was in big bear country(grizz) I would be sure to carry more than enough gun.(454/500) You can never have too much gun. I wonder what the Godfather of handgunning would think today if he was still alive with these new wheel gun cannons. (Elmer Keith) I know for sure that handgunning wouldn't be what it is today if it wasn't for him.  I also believe that most can hold their own with a 44mag where others can't handle the larger calibers. Heck I remember when there was a time when some complained about the 44mag years ago too.  I guess these were the 357mag/41mag guys.  Lets face it we all have different opinions but the bottomline is use the gun you can handle and master the one that feels right.  Since the 357mg and 44mg has killed everything in North America I think its a good starting point for a carry gun. But remember bigger is better.  Its much better to carry a gun than have no gun at all when in bear country.  If the bear is that close to you, you don't have time to think its either a shot thru the roof of its mouth or thru the eye. I say this because i read that some say shoot its skull well its skull is so thick the bullets will bounce off 95% of the time.  Its like the guy in Alaska who always practiced drawing his handgun out of its holster and his quickness paid off when he was attacked by a big bear who had a fresh kill stashed nearby.  Stay safe...have a plan..practice...it could save your life.

I can remember watching the "Faces of Death" video's when Bob is outside the car taping his wife feeding the bear bread from the car.  When she shakes the empty bread bag she should of said "guess what Bob no more bread your lunch".  This is when the bear turned and attacked poor stupid Bob.  The next seen is the bear has Bobs entrails in its mouth yummy. My point is don't put yourself in this position remember these are wild animals.  I even see people in Vermont walk up to a moose at the side of the road to take a pic what are these people thinking? Here's a 1,000lb ++ animal that can go into a charge like a freight train at any moment. We must use caution too.  I'm sure most of us know better but i'm sure there's some that just don't think at that moment.  Wild America isn't your local petting zoo.

[Redhawk1]

I am sure even without Elmer Keith, we would be right where we are at today with handguns. Hes was just a part of it, not the whole thing.  JMHO.

[dougk]

I was thinking of pairing my RH .44 mag with a .44 mag rifle, just for fun.  Have any of you paired your .50 cal revolver with a .50 cal rifle?

[Catfish]

I own and shoot 3 - .44 mags., 2 - .454`s and a .500 S&W. I have hunted for deer for years with the .44 and killed several with that round and it is more than you need for deer. As for bear countary, the .44 mag. is more than enough for black bear, but for browns nothing less than the .500.
   When you start talking about big bore handguns and their recoil, don`t forget than when the .357 mag. came out there were alot of people saying that it had to much recoil and would never fly.  there was almost no one shooting the .44 mag`s untill Dirty Harry came out, and over nite S&W could not make them fast enough. Fun though alot of them were never fired, at least by the first owner.
   The main thing with and cal. is shot placement. If your not comfortablr shooting the big bores get a samller cal. that you are comfortable with.
   As for the .460, it`s a great round and I will probibly own one some day when I find one real cheap, but as for the extra velosity over the .500 it`s really not there. With the .500 you can push a 275 gn. bullet to abt. the same velosity as the .460 pushes a .220 gn. bullet.
   As several have already said, LOVE THOSE BIG BORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[10mmshooter]

I have also fired the .44mag, .454, .475 Linebaugh and the .500mag.  My personal opinion is that the .500mag is just too big to be practical in what a pistol is used for.  However with that said I do believe that if the case was shortened to a 454 or 475 length more than enough power will be on tap but in a much lighter frame.  Something the size and weight of the 500mag should have a shoulder stock.

[Redhawk1]

I have also fired the .44mag, .454, .475 Linebaugh and the .500mag.  My personal opinion is that the .500mag is just too big to be practical in what a pistol is used for.  However with that said I do believe that if the case was shortened to a 454 or 475 length more than enough power will be on tap but in a much lighter frame.  Something the size and weight of the 500mag should have a shoulder stock.

Some times I try to over look people with the personal opinions and just have to laugh. We all have our reasons why we get certain guns. I am just glad you are not the one making that decision for me.  :wink:

[10mmshooter]

I have also fired the .44mag, .454, .475 Linebaugh and the .500mag.  My personal opinion is that the .500mag is just too big to be practical in what a pistol is used for.  However with that said I do believe that if the case was shortened to a 454 or 475 length more than enough power will be on tap but in a much lighter frame.  Something the size and weight of the 500mag should have a shoulder stock.

Some times I try to over look people with the personal opinions and just have to laugh. We all have our reasons why we get certain guns. I am just glad you are not the one making that decision for me.  :wink:

This is a board used by people, people have personal opinions.  This allows the spread of a dialog, like the exchange of ideas or opinions.  Personal opinions are formed by the experiences or lack of experiences for that person.  I prefer handguns to fit on a hip holster without the need of suspenders or a backbrace.  As an adult you are allowed to make your own decisions for yourself.  Don't trip on your personal opinions while over looking others.

[Redhawk1]

OK 10mmshooter, What personal experience do you have to offer on the 500 Mag? Not just shooting it a couple of times, I am talking about carrying it in the field. I have a 4 inch 500 Mag and it fits quit well on my hip. No suspenders needed or back brace needed.

Like I said I get a kick out of some peoples opinions, I am not bashing you for yours, I just don't agree with it. No harm it that.  

[TCBrian]

I am not going to argue which is better, just point out what I have found from shooting both.

First, the .44 mag in my super redhawk with 300grain hardcasts loaded very hot will kill anything that I would want to hunt with a handgun and it is much more compact than those bruiser 500s.

I have shot the 500 smith in the smith gun with the compensator and recoil is not that big a deal. The gun has the weight and balance to handle the big round and I was very comfortable shooting it. It offers a lot more energy than the hottest 44s and even a lot more than the mighty 454 casull, but I am not convince I need that much power.

Either gun is great and has its purpose, but I don't think you can possibly call one better than the other.

If you are a very big person, that the 500 would probably fit you better. If you are not, like myself the .44 offers a much better sized weapon for carry and balance.

Good hunting,
Brian

[10mmshooter]

My experience was a day in the fields firing about 50 various rounds out of a S&W 8" recoil was stout but workable.  The gun felt too big and too awkward for casual hip carry.  The 3 guns that I do carry are a 5.5" .45lc Redhawk, a 5.5" cut down .454 SuperRedhawk and a 6" cut down .475 Linebaugh BFR.  These three are all the power and more than I'll ever need in the fields of Texas.  These 3 are just a little heavier than my duty weapon and tend to blend into the hip.

[Redhawk1]

My experience was a day in the fields firing about 50 various rounds out of a S&W 8" recoil was stout but workable.  The gun felt too big and too awkward for casual hip carry.  The 3 guns that I do carry are a 5.5" .45lc Redhawk, a 5.5" cut down .454 SuperRedhawk and a 6" cut down .475 Linebaugh BFR.  These three are all the power and more than I'll ever need in the fields of Texas.  These 3 are just a little heavier than my duty weapon and tend to blend into the hip.

Sounds like you found what works for you and your needs. As for me the 500 Mag fits my needs as well as my 460 Mag and my 454 Casull.  We all have our reasons for what we choose and what works for you may not be what I "want".  

[poncaguy]

All this talk sure has me itching to shoot my 460 S&W 15" Encore.....waiting on scope and ammo.Ordered some 45colt, 454 Casull and , of course some 460. :-)

[jro45]

Me and my S&W 500 shooting 270gr bullets will go deer hunting this season. I would shoot it 200 yds at a deer. I would range it first. Don't want to shoot over 200 yds with 2x scope.

[44 Man]

No contest, the 500 S&W definately has a leg up on the old .44.  BUT do you need a 1 ton duelly pickup to go get grocerys?  No, you do not.  And for deer and black bear, (and elk with heavy bullets) the old 44 will do anything you ask of it.  Sure it's fun to turn loose those big, fat bullets, but when I take a walk in the woods, it is with a smaller, lighter gun strapped to my leg.  A .44 magunm.    44 Man

[Redhawk1]

No contest, the 500 S&W definately has a leg up on the old .44.  BUT do you need a 1 ton duelly pickup to go get grocerys?  No, you do not.  And for deer and black bear, (and elk with heavy bullets) the old 44 will do anything you ask of it.  Sure it's fun to turn loose those big, fat bullets, but when I take a walk in the woods, it is with a smaller, lighter gun strapped to my leg.  A .44 magunm.    44 Man

I agree with you, but I still like the 500 MAG. Also have you seen my grocery list, I do need a 1 ton duelly pickup.  :-D  :-D  :-D

[DirtyHarry]

Personally for me, when I'm on the menu, too much is never enough...  :wink: