Lately I have been thinking about getting into my first big bore. I am still somewhat new to shooting, and I have only 38/357s right now. I was thinking about making the jump to a .44, but I like to consider all of my options.
My first thought was to get a Ruger redhawk .44, or a S&W model 29. I have my eyes on a redhawk 7 1/2 and 9 1/2 inch barrel or model 29 8 3/8" versions. I can get the redhawk for much cheaper where I live than a smith. I'm looking at longer barrel lengths because I want a smooth shooter. I really like my 6" GP101 just for that reason--its fun and comfortable to shoot.
I hear that the versatility of the .44 is nice, but I also see .45 colts are popular. What peaked my interest is I saw a nice .45 s&w for a reasonable price, beautiful gun, but I don't know too much about .45s. Looking at my other options, Ruger also makes a .454 casull redhawk and .480 redhawk. Since we're almost there, lets just round up and tip hats to the .500 S&W.
Ammo is a consideration here. 480 is pretty steep, like $2-3 per round about the same as .500 ...I imagine most of you guys reload at that price point. I am not into reloading, don't have the time or the space for it so thats not an option. .45 rounds are much cheaper, around 75 cents, and .44 mag rounds are cheaper still, around .50 each at best. I can't even find .44 special, so I'm not sure if the whole versatility argument applies in 2009 if you do not reload I don't plan on shooting thousands of rounds through my first big bore gun, so I figure I'm not going to worry too much about cost, but at $3 per round I know I will envision dollar bills vaporizing everytime I pull the trigger.
Anyways, I guess I'm looking for some advice on stepping up. Whats the best platform to jump to? It would also be interesting to see what everyone's first big bore gun was and what they liked or disliked about it!
My first thought was to get a Ruger redhawk .44, or a S&W model 29. I have my eyes on a redhawk 7 1/2 and 9 1/2 inch barrel or model 29 8 3/8" versions. I can get the redhawk for much cheaper where I live than a smith. I'm looking at longer barrel lengths because I want a smooth shooter. I really like my 6" GP101 just for that reason--its fun and comfortable to shoot.
I hear that the versatility of the .44 is nice, but I also see .45 colts are popular. What peaked my interest is I saw a nice .45 s&w for a reasonable price, beautiful gun, but I don't know too much about .45s. Looking at my other options, Ruger also makes a .454 casull redhawk and .480 redhawk. Since we're almost there, lets just round up and tip hats to the .500 S&W.
Ammo is a consideration here. 480 is pretty steep, like $2-3 per round about the same as .500 ...I imagine most of you guys reload at that price point. I am not into reloading, don't have the time or the space for it so thats not an option. .45 rounds are much cheaper, around 75 cents, and .44 mag rounds are cheaper still, around .50 each at best. I can't even find .44 special, so I'm not sure if the whole versatility argument applies in 2009 if you do not reload I don't plan on shooting thousands of rounds through my first big bore gun, so I figure I'm not going to worry too much about cost, but at $3 per round I know I will envision dollar bills vaporizing everytime I pull the trigger.
Anyways, I guess I'm looking for some advice on stepping up. Whats the best platform to jump to? It would also be interesting to see what everyone's first big bore gun was and what they liked or disliked about it!