First Revolver Help

[Randy M]

Well, I've been hunting with a scoped Encore for several years now and am interested in something different.  I was thinking along the lines of a Ruger in .44 Mag.  I will use this primarily for deer and hogs, open sights, out to 75 yards or so, and I do not hand load at this time.  Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Randy M

[Questor]

The decisions are pretty simple, and are based on your preferences:
1) Single action or double action?
2) Stainless or blue or gray paint?
3) Short barrel or long?
4) Hip holster, shoulder holster, or no holster?
5) Scope or no scope? If scope, get one with integrated mount.
6) Wooden grips or synthetic?

After you've got those questions answered, there won't be too many options .

[Redhawk1]

The decisions are pretty simple, and are based on your preferences:
1) Single action or double action?
2) Stainless or blue or gray paint?
3) Short barrel or long?
4) Hip holster, shoulder holster, or no holster?
5) Scope or no scope? If scope, get one with integrated mount.
6) Wooden grips or synthetic?

After you've got those questions answered, there won't be too many options .

That about covered it.  

[jerkface11]

I'll suggest the bisely framed super blackhawk hunter. It's the one with the integral scope mounts.

[myronman3]

what is your price range?  

either a freedom arms (my first choice) colt anaconda, or a  :oops:  smith.    i dont agree with smith's politics, but in the end that's up to you.  another option is the dan wesson.  

i find rugers have a major manufacturing defect,  and taurus' customer service stinks.

[Randy M]

The decisions are pretty simple, and are based on your preferences:
1) Single action or double action?
2) Stainless or blue or gray paint?
3) Short barrel or long?
4) Hip holster, shoulder holster, or no holster?
5) Scope or no scope? If scope, get one with integrated mount.
6) Wooden grips or synthetic?

After you've got those questions answered, there won't be too many options .

My answers...
1) Double
2) Stainless
3) 7"-9"
4) hip
5) no scope at first; possibly down the road
6) synthetic

Thanks,
Randy

[Redhawk1]

How about a S&W 460 Mag.  

[WNY_Whitetailer]

How about a S&W 460 Mag.  

Sounds like a good suggestion...You can shoot 454 Casull, 45 lc or 460 Mag ammo out of that gun.  Good stuff...

[cattleskinner]

I'd say a super redhawk.  They come in stainless steel, or their grey stainless.  They have 7.5" or 9.5" barrel.  Chambered in 44mag. 454casull 480 ruger.  Synthetic grips, or you can get all kinds of aftermarket types.  They may not be as sexy looking as a smith, but are built like tanks and will get the job done for whatever you need.  Also, some of these chamberings are alot easier on the wallet if you don't reload compared to the 460, or 500.  Also, the super redhawk is already set up for a scope, and even come with the rings so that you can use one down the road if you so choose.  Good luck in your decision.

~~~Amos

[Randy M]

I'd say a super redhawk.  They come in stainless steel, or their grey stainless.  They have 7.5" or 9.5" barrel.  Chambered in 44mag. 454casull 480 ruger.  Synthetic grips, or you can get all kinds of aftermarket types.  They may not be as sexy looking as a smith, but are built like tanks and will get the job done for whatever you need.  Also, some of these chamberings are alot easier on the wallet if you don't reload compared to the 460, or 500.  Also, the super redhawk is already set up for a scope, and even come with the rings so that you can use one down the road if you so choose.  Good luck in your decision.

~~~Amos

Thank you.  This is exactly the kind of help I was looking for.

Best,
Randy

[timothy]

Absolutley! The Super Redhawk is the gun for you. Try open sights first and you already got the rings for later if you need them. I'd go with the 44mag. Nice stainless finish and will kill any dear or hog. I went with the 480 and although its by prize sixgun I havent shot it all that much. Go 44 and  dont look back. Good luck

[Redhawk1]

I'd say a super redhawk.  They come in stainless steel, or their grey stainless.  They have 7.5" or 9.5" barrel.  Chambered in 44mag. 454casull 480 ruger.  Synthetic grips, or you can get all kinds of aftermarket types.  They may not be as sexy looking as a smith, but are built like tanks and will get the job done for whatever you need.  Also, some of these chamberings are alot easier on the wallet if you don't reload compared to the 460, or 500.  Also, the super redhawk is already set up for a scope, and even come with the rings so that you can use one down the road if you so choose.  Good luck in your decision.

~~~Amos

Thank you.  This is exactly the kind of help I was looking for.

Best,
Randy

Randy, the S&W460 can shoot 45 L/C and 454 Casull. Price is no different than shooting the same ammo out of the Rugers.  I have had the Rugers and I love them, I no longer have any Ruger's in the Redhawk or Super Redhawk since I got the S&W 500 and 460 Mag's. The 460 is not that expensive to shoot when using Hornady 460 Mag rounds. About a buck a shot. Not bad for a 250 yard handgun. It is not difficult to put a scope mount and scope on the S&W and felt recoil is less with the 460 over a 454 Casull in a Ruger Super Redhawk. I know I had both for comparison side by side.  

[Lawdog]

Well, I've been hunting with a scoped Encore for several years now and am interested in something different.  I was thinking along the lines of a Ruger in .44 Mag.  I will use this primarily for deer and hogs, open sights, out to 75 yards or so, and I do not hand load at this time.  Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Randy M

For handgun hunting either scoped or open sights just give me a Ruger Super Blackhawk 7 1/2" and I'm happy.  The .44 mag. is an excellent choice.  It has worked for years and will work now.  Lawdog
 

[Redhawk1]

Well, I've been hunting with a scoped Encore for several years now and am interested in something different.  I was thinking along the lines of a Ruger in .44 Mag.  I will use this primarily for deer and hogs, open sights, out to 75 yards or so, and I do not hand load at this time.  Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Randy M

For handgun hunting either scoped or open sights just give me a Ruger Super Blackhawk 7 1/2" and I'm happy.  The .44 mag. is an excellent choice.  It has worked for years and will work now.  Lawdog
 

Lawdog you just took the fun out of getting the new kid on the block, (The 460 Mag).  :-D

[longwalker]

It might be guilding the lilly, but a SRH will not let you down. 1) they don't get any stronger 2) they come in a varity of calibers (mine is 44 magmun)  3) In the woods when it's cold and you have gloves on the trigger pull will not be a problem.

I have taken plenty of deer with my SRH. 44 Magnum does the job very well. The gun it's self is just great, for what I use it for. Mine is used to hunt deer size game, and an occasional bowling pin match.

In my opinion it was never intended to be a carry weapon and there for should not be compared to carry weapons. Likewise it was not designed to be a bullseye target gun.


You will be glad to have SRH in you hand when the winter winds are blowing snow in your eyes and your deer is making its way toward you. A heavy, large frame double action revolver in stainless steel, designed for hunters is a hard combination to beat!

longwalker

[Randy M]

Thanks for everyone's input.  What is a typical cost for a SRH 7 1/2", stainless, in .44 mag?

Thanks,
Randy

[cattleskinner]

According to the Ruger catalog, the 7.5" ss 44 mag. super redhawk is $742 msrp.  At the gunshop in town, he charges 25% off of the msrp, so around here, the cost would be $556.50 plus tax.  The .44mag. only comes in the regular stainless steel, no the gray stainless, at least according to this year's book.  

~~~Amos

[Old Griz]

:cb2: Hey Randy.

I'm a SA guy so I prefer the 7.5" Bisley in .44, but I don't think you can go wrong with any Ruger. I like the looks and feel of the SRH and that ought to be a great choice.

Sure do miss the New Braunfels area. We used to live in Ft. Worth, and we'd head down there every chance we got. A real nice part of Texas.

[PaulS]

For a first revolver you need something you can shoot economically and something you can get accustomed to shooting without developing a flinch. A double action is a good choice and Ruger is a strong, accurate gun. The caliber that I would recommend is .357 magnum. Learn to shoot it with .38 jacketed ammo and work your way up to the stronger loads as they feel comfortable. If you want a good hunting revolver then the .44 mag with light reloads is a good choice. For concealed carry you need a short barrel - up to 4 ot 6 inch and for hunting a longer sight radius is better 6 to 8 inches or even up to ten inch. For all around use, a 6 inch 357 will do most anything except hunting deer beyond 60 yards. With work you can get very accurate out to 75 yards with a Ruger stainless revolver.
Choose as much caliber as you can honestly handle but not more. You have to shoot a lot to be confident with what ever you choose.

PaulS

[poncaguy]

I got a 357 Mag 8" Dan Wesson from a pawn shop for $350. Has a very , very, good double action trigger. Great pistol to shoot.