thinking about 10mm or .44

[MJRW]

But can't decide which one would be appropriate. I don't know as much about Virginia wildlife as I should, what is the minimum caliber for what I may encounter in various parts of VA? I'm thinking a revolver may be good with the first shot being snake shot and the following rounds .44 mag. Then again, I do like the 10mm round. For outdoor use in VA, which is more appropriate?

 

[Zak Smith]

It is more likely that a person will attack you than a wild animal, so I'd choose the 10mm auto.

-z

 

[Cortland]

What part of Virginia will you be in? In the parts that I frequent (eastern Virginia: suburban Tidewater and rural Northern Neck) there are no bear. The most aggressive animal you're likely to encounter is a rabbid raccoon. There are snakes, though.

I'm a 10mm fan. 9.5 grs of 800X behind a 220 gr. LTC at 1200 fps. I'll take 16 of those over 6 44 Mags any day of the week.

Any don't forget: VA is an open carry state (with complete and total local preemption coming July 1).

 

[Zak Smith]

I hike quite a bit in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, and I usually bring a firearm. The 6" S&W 629 (.44 Mag) is a pain to carry. It's much more likely that I'll bring the 1911 or merely the Glock 19, since both of those are much easier.

-z

 

[denfoote]

I don't hunt, so I picked the Taurus only because I was looking to get one myself at some point!!

 

[Redhawk1]

I picked the 44 MAG, but I would make it a Ruger not a Taurus.

 

[stans]

Either would serve you well, but I agree with Cortland, where will you be going in Virginia that will require a handgun? Hills and mountains, I would pick a 44, hands down. Coastal plain screams 10mm. Or buy both, then you are covered no matter where you go!

 

[Majic]

Our bears are small and the occasional wildcats aren't very big either. Feral dogs would probably be the biggest problem. Snakes, though some are dangerous, are usually fended off with a stick long before you could draw your handgun.
Big bores are fun, but the magnum horsepower is really not needed here in Virginia except for maybe hunting and even then you can do just fine without it.

 

[svetlio]

hi cap 10mm ??

I'm a 10mm fan. 9.5 grs of 800X behind a 220 gr. LTC at 1200 fps. I'll take 16 of those over 6 44 Mags any day of the week.

-----------------------

Cortland,

what guns are there, offering higher capacity of 10 mm, other than Glock 20? I know Colt make 10 mm 1911s, but they are only 8-roun d or something like that.

Thanks,

Svetlio

 

[Cortland]

what guns are there, offering higher capacity of 10 mm, other than Glock 20? I know Colt make 10 mm 1911s, but they are only 8-roun d or something like that.

Mine's an EAA (Tanfoglio) Witness. It obviously ships with a reduced 10 round magazine, but 15 round magazines for the large frame .40 S&W conversion will work with 10mm. Unfortunately those are pretty hard to come by (for now ). Of course, 11 rounds of 10mm is still nothing to sneeze at.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

.44----BUT not a Taurus

10mm is good---just not widely available like the .44 is.

 

[Lennyjoe]

so I picked the Taurus only because I was looking to get one myself at some point!!

What??? Denfoote is thinking of getting another Taurus? Say it aint so!

Take a look at the hunting laws in Virginia. I know of a few states that require hanguns to be producing 500 ft lbs of energy at 100 yds for legal hunting.

I have a 10MM and love it. I havent hunted with it yet but am sure it will do the deed when needed.

 

[Kalos]

Seems to me as if both would do the job pretty well, so I would focus on the delivery system. I chose the .44 just as a matter of not caring much for Glocks.

On the other hand, you -could- refocus the question on caliber by replacing the Glock option with one of those moon-clip'd revolvers in 10mm. I know S&W makes one; maybe Ruger as well?

 

[Parker Dean]

.
10mm is good---just not widely available like the .44 is.

Now there's a point.

While you can get 10mm at a lot of places, most of the time it's 10mm-lite. If you're wanting some punch then you'll be dealing with Double Tap, Texas Ammo, Georgia Ammo etc. Not that this is a bad thing, just that you'll have to think ahead about keeping ammo in-stock.

OTOH, you can get tolerable 44 mag just about anywhere that sells ammo, so if you forget to keep some around, or have an unanticipated need, it's not that big a deal.

Don't get me wrong, I like the 10mm but there have been times I'd like to just go plink without having to think about the logistics of delivery versus time versus projected use. Of course reloading fixes a lot of this but I'm not there yet.

 

[pauli]

my vote: whichever you're more capable with.

if you're dealing with a rabid dog, neither caliber, capacity, or platform matters if you miss.

clearly, you need one of each to practice with.

 

[Cortland]

Take a look at the hunting laws in Virginia. I know of a few states that require hanguns to be producing 500 ft lbs of energy at 100 yds for legal hunting.

VA Law states: Pistols and revolvers are lawful for deer and bear hunting only in those counties where hunting deer and bear with rifles is lawful. Cartridges used must be .23 caliber or larger and have a manufacturer's rating of 350 foot-pounds muzzle energy or more.

Rifle (and hence pistol) cities/counties are few and far between in the eastern part of the state. Non-rifle counties still allow a number of species to be taken with 22 rimfire rifles, and in these circumstances you can also take game with a pistol, but it must be a 22 rimfire.

Also, if you're hunting in a non-rifle county (with a shotgun or a .22) it is illegal to have a pistol in your possession (considered hunting with a rifle/pistol). This changes July 1, but I think it may only apply to CCW. Luckily (if you're not a VA citizen), Virginia also begins issuing non-resident permits on July 1.

 

[Majic]

Take a look at the hunting laws in Virginia.

To handgun hunt big game here in Va your handgun has to be chambered in .23 caliber or larger and rated for at least 350 ft lb of energy.

 

[RWK]

I would personally opt for the 10mm -- plenty for anything in Virginia, and better for two-legged critters -- but from a Smith 610, not a Glock 20 (accuracy, reliability, durability, AND THE ABILITY TO ACCOMMODATE INEXPENSIVE .40 S&Ws, AS WELL AS 10mm).

 

[dairycreek]

Are there any bears involved?

I don't know as much about Virginia wildlife as I should, what is the minimum caliber for what I may encounter in various parts of VA?

As an Oregonian I don't know anything about Virginia wildlife either but I can give you some advice about running into bears in the woods. If you have any chance of meeting up with a bear then, by all means, the 44 magnum is a better choice than the 10mm. If there is no chance of bear then the Glock 20 is a find woods weapon. I once met up with a disaffected black bear here in Oregon and am really glad I had the 44 mag handy. Good shooting

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I have a 20, love it.

I might have gone with the .44 except I'm not a Taurus fan at all.

 

[SapperLeader]

I voted glock - and I dont like glocks . I think the biggest problem youll face is the feral dog or two legged predator, and for that I would like the greater capacity, controlability and firepower of the 10mm. IF VA had bigger wildlife of course, Id consider the .44 with no hesitation. If you do want a revolver, how about a .45 moonclip revolver like the s&w 625 or taurus tracker?

 

[jeff-10]

I chose the 20, have no experiences with the Taurus 44 mag so couldn't recommend it.

 

[SapperLeader]

MJRW, have you made your decision yet? Inquring minds would like to know .

 

[355sigfan]

If bear is not a worry then carry what ever you would in town. But if your in bear country the 44 mag with heavy handloads is far better than the 10mm. You will not get a chance to shoot 16 times. Heck you will not get a chance to shoot more than 1 or 2 rounds standing up. The rest will be while the bear is eating you.
Pat

 

[Sean Smith]

Practice ammo for 10mm is ALOT cheaper than any .44 Magnum practice ammo. As low as $160/1,000 +S/H from Georgia Arms. *IF* you don't need the extra power of the .44 Magnum for the animals where you live, that is something to consider.

If I was getting a dedicated hunting gun, I would get a .44 Magnum, but not a Taurus... no reason not to get a superior Ruger instead, or a S&W for a bit more.

For a multi-purpose gun I'd get a 10mm. Good loads for self-defense against people, good hunting loads, and higher capacity and faster reloads than a revolver.