Revolver cartridges for scoped usage.

[Hog huntin Harry]

What are some good cartridges for use in a scoped revolver ?
Will be used for hunting sub 200 pound hogs and whitetail deer at 50-75 yards.

 

[Gordon]

.44 Magnum, .41 magnum, .45 Colt handloaded in a Ruger Blackhawk , .454 Casuall, .480 Ruger and other custom calibers and 45-7- in giant revolvers. .460 S&W is super for that use as is .500 S&W . With a thompson Center single shot or a bolt action the choice is endless. I did have an 8" Colt Python factory scoped .357 that would do that with the right load, but a .44 is better.

 

[Hog huntin Harry]

Would Winchester White Box 240 grain JSP .44 mag at 1350 fps be adequate for my intended uses ?

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I set up a revolver for the exact purpose you mentioned for this season.

Mine is in .45 Colt with an Ultradot 30 in a Weigand mount.

 

[Meeks36]

41 mag all day long! If you reload. If not 44 mag. You can find factory 41 mag. To get the most of it you need to reload.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I like the 41 if you reload but all the options above are good.

I'm not a fan of the 500 nor 460 as that frame is just too large in my mind.

 

[Barbaroja]

I would say yes for the Winchester ammo in 44 as long as it shoots well in your revolver. I hate to jump on the bandwagon but .41 mag is pretty sweet. As others have said if you don’t reload go for the 44 mag. My Ruger Blackhawk in 41 is my favorite gun, my Blackhawk in 44 special is a VERY close second.

 

[Hog huntin Harry]

.44 mag it is then, so which revolvers would ya'll recommend ?

 

[Meeks36]

Ruger blackhawk, or redhawk. If you want to shoot heavy +p rounds. Have a box of "Ruger only" loads picked up from Underwood 340 grain. Its my bear country load or if I need to slow a marauding truck or two.

 

[Barbaroja]

Blackhawk will handle just about anything you throw at it. Probably one of the most affordable options too. A pre owned one can be had for around $400-500.

 

[Hog huntin Harry]

I plan to also use my revolver for woods carry, so should I go with a 6.5 or 7.5 inch barrel ?

 

[Riomouse911]

6.5 is a little bit more packable, but in all honesty once you’re the 6 to 8 inch barrel range there isn’t a huge amount of difference in that extra inch or two when carrying these larger guns.

If you’re wanting max velocity or are using open sights, the longer barrel will give you a bit more velocity and the longer sight radius can make a gun with open sights a bit easier to hit with at distance.

My larger “hunting” revolvers wear a 6.5” (629 .44 Mag) a 7.5” (.41 Mag Redhawk and .454 Super Redhawk) and 8” (.357 Dan Wesson) barrels.

I’d go 6.5”, it’s pretty much down the middle and,IMHO, is a bit more of a “do-all” barrel length.

Good luck with your search.

Stay safe.

 

[.38 Special]

Getting some mileage out of this pic...



Bisley Blackhawk Hunter, bought for the express purpose of "scoped-revolver-for-pigs".

It's .44 Magnum, which is more-or-less perfect for small-to-medium pigs and deer. I suppose I would have preferred .45 Colt, but that chambering was not available at the time. Regardless, I doubt the critters would know the difference. Other calibers work too, and I'm a fan of many of them mentioned on this thread. The .44 Magnum is merely the easiest way to get from here to there, if one is the sort of handgunner for whom "easy" is a feature rather than a bug.

Packable? No, not really. I'm not sure any scoped revolver really is. I think if I really wanted a hunting revolver with an optic that could be carried in reasonable comfort, it would be a Redhawk with a reflex sight.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

If you're going to scope a .44 magnum, the Super Blackhawk Hunters are very nice.

If you like double actions and would like a beefy revolver that will really absorb recoil, give the Super Redhawks a look.

 

[Barbaroja]

As for packing a big revolver do yourself a favor and get a good holster system for it. I don’t have a holster for my blackhawks that I really like. To much flop, I’m about to order a sourdough pancake holster and a belt from simply rugged. This will be my first but they seem to have a really good reputation. What made the difference for me is they sell a harness system that works to turn the holster into a nice looking chest rig. Again I haven’t gotten it yet so not a recommendation except to say get something sturdy. Those big revolvers are a burden to carry in a less that ideal holster.
Good luck!

 

[Meeks36]

Depending on range a 4 in would be easier to carry. Portability=less range. Well to me at least. Wouldn't try past 75 yards with mine. Could I stretch it out further yes. Limiting factor is me. Bought it used for $500 last year.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

A 44 magnum would be my first pick if you reload and Cast 41 magnum

 

[22-rimfire]

I'm a fan of the 480 Ruger (single action) carried on a chest rig. BFR is my choice. Good to 100 yds if you practice. IF you are hunting, you probably will have the revolver in your hand or cradled like many do a rifle most of the time. Get yourself a monopod. It could double as a walking stick. My original favorite was a 8 3/8" Model 57 Smith (41 mag). This is what I would carry if I am strictly shooting with iron sights.

 

[adcoch1]

Hunted a bunch for deer through thick stuff with a ruger redhawk 7.5" 44 mag, no scope, but I would recommend also a good holster. I make do with a cheap uncle Mike's, but I wear it weak side butt forward as a sidearm, and when it is my main hunting arm I just carry it in my hand. If it was scoped I would do the same or get a chest rig. My next revolver is probably going to be a BFR in 500JRH or a super redhawk. Either or both will wear a scope and I will make the expenditure for a chest rig for one. I like handgun hunting, its nice in the thick stuff and a good holster just improves the experience.