44 mag barrel

[hvychev77]

Hi all, so i've been tossing the idea around about getting into hunting whitetail with a revolver. My only reservation, or lack of knowledge, is which barrel length to get? I am leaning towards getting a 44 mag. Any suggestions on bullet types, brands, and length of barrel would be greatly appreciated. This of course is only if i'm able to find one these days! All my local gun stores seem to have an oddly diminishing inventory for some reason...

 

[cja245]

Make sure you look into your states regulations for hunting with handguns. My state has a minimum barrel length of 5 1/2'' from muzzle to firing pin.

I picked up a S&W 29-2 4'' barrel recently that I'm thinking about hunting with this year. I'm also thinking about getting a Ruger Redhawk before then. We'll see. I'm basically in the same boat you are except I already have a gun I could use.

 

[rcmodel]

A 6" will give you a longer sight radius and higher velocity with less perceived recoil then a 4".

Longer then that is too long to carry in a holster.

So, I gotta go with a 6" S&W Model 29 or 629!

They don't get no better then that, unless you would rather have a 5 1/2" or 7 1/2" Ruger single-Action.

rc

 

[BlackSky]

I switched to a handgun for deer season last year for the first time. I'm using a S&W Model 29-3 with 8 3/8" barrel loaded with Buffalo Bore 240 grain +P lead hollow points. I chrono'd an average of just over 1600fps at the range.

Unfortunately I never got to fire the damn thing this year. Got to carry it around in the woods for a week though. It carried like a dream in a chest holster. Carrying in the hands was nice too. Gone are the days of lugging around a 7 pound shotgun.

I got to cock the hammer once on the last day when two doe walked in front of me but I was not quick enough and they never reappeared. One issue I noticed was the shooting windows in our blinds. They are somewhat narrow from top to bottom. This was never an issue with a shotgun sticking out of them but sitting in those blinds this year with the pistol sticking out I couldn't help but imagine the tops of my wrists getting smacked on the top of the blind window if I fired. May not be an issue if you don't use blinds or have bigger windows in yours.

It was great fun, I'll do it again. Can't wait to actually harvest some venison with it.

 

[huntershooter]

My preference is a 4" 629 (in .44 mag. caliber); SS is low maint., the ranges typical in handgun hunting make barrel length irrelevant as to velocity-the 4" is easier to pack and maneuver-it does recoil more than a 6".
I use FO front sights as most of my deer hunting is in timber and a chance at a shot is frequently in low light (dawn/dusk).
As to ammo; I've had good luck with Hornady XTP's and Speer Gold Dots on Whitetail.
I switch to a HC lead bullet for hogs and Mule Deer; usually a WFNGC or a Keith type gas checked semi wadcutter.

 

[EddieG54]

Ruger Redhawk with a 5.5"barrel and 240 gr.handloads was a good whitetail handgun for me. Words of wisdom: Make sure the end of the barrel is sticking out of the blind before pulling the trigger. Couldn't hear a thing for about a week.

 

[highpower]

I have hunted with handguns in the past and I would recommend no less than a 6" barrel. You get more performance out of your loads and if you have the right carry rig, the extra length is not going to be a factor.

Two of my favorites: Model 29-2 w/6 1/2" barrel and a Model 57 w/8 3/8" barrel.


The most accurate .44 magnum I have ever owned: 629-4 w/6 1/2" barrel.

 

[Texan Scott]

BlackSky, that is an awesome photo. I have never posted a picture of myself, but if I ever do, THIS. Brilliant!

 

[skidder]

Ruger Redhawk with a 5.5"barrel and 240 gr.handloads was a good whitetail handgun for me. Words of wisdom: Make sure the end of the barrel is sticking out of the blind before pulling the trigger. Couldn't hear a thing for about a week.

I agree with Eddie.
A 5.5" Redhawk with 240 or 300 gr. Hornady XTPs.

 

[Steve in PA]

My primary hunting firearm is a scoped, 9 1/2" Ruger Super Redhawk. I love that gun!! I've taken several deer with this handgun and it's sighted dead on at 100 yards.

When I do carry a rifle, my sidearm is a 7 1/2" Ruger Super Blackhawk. My plan is to use the SBH when I am sitting on stand and a deer or bear wanders within handgun range. For the iron sighted SBH, that would be 50 yards.

I would go no less than 5 1/2-6" for a hunting handgun.

 

[farm23]

I have hunted exclusively with a handgun for 20 years and once you start you like the convince and extra mobility. Some states require you use a 6" barrel and it is a good choice. At this stage most of the time I use a 3" 629 but I do not take long shots. I would suggest either a Ruger SAA or a S&W 629 for some reason I am not impressed with the Ruger DA. I have not handled the Ruger DA much so that may color my Resistance. I would limit my choices to S&W or Ruger. I also have a Freedom Arms 454 with a scope but only use it if I am going out west or to Alaska. With the improvement in available 44mag ammo or hand loading the 44 will do almost anything you want.

All of the above has been predicated on the assumption you are looking at a non-scoped revolver. A scoped revolver opens another discussion.