Eaglestroker, I was going to get a flattop in .45 Colt. Then I saw the .44 special flattop on the Ruger website. Since I reload .44 special and magnum, I decided to get the .44.
I had been wanting the new 5" barreled Charter Target Bulldog. The flattop changed my mind. Bulldogs are great defense guns, but they are not fun to shoot. I wanted an accurate, durable, reliable .44 special. Either one would do for that purpose.
However, I also wanted it to be fun to shoot, and that leaves out the charter.
I have an EAA Big Bore Bounty Hunter in .45 Colt and love it. I'd like to get a flattop in that caliber, as well as a Cimarron Thunderer.
For now, the Ruger .44 special will do. Plus, it's the perfect platform for shooting the Lee 208 grain double ended wadcutters that I cast.
Then, there's the Lyman Devastator HPs and Lee 310 wide flat points that I cast.
I love my .44 mags, but I wanted something that would shoot .44 specials to their max potential accuracy. Plus, I can load them hot (not .44 mag hot, but still hot enough for deer) and hunt with them.
For the most part, I think I'd be perfectly with those 310 grainers moving at about 900 to 1,000 fps. Those should be fine for deer at 30 yards. Should be great for hogs directly under the tree that they forced me to climb.
BTW, that 24 is gorgeous.