Author Topic: SRH .454 or 629 .44? (Read 695 times)

catblaster.375 · « **on:** July 09, 2004, 05:27:50 PM »

I just posted a topic down below asking about loads for the S&W 629 that I will soon purchase, but I am conflicted on wether I should stay with that or if I should go with a SRH .454 w/9.5''barrel. My reasons for this are I love the feel and looks of the S&W but I know that it won't last as long as the ruger(with the heavier loads). Now I no that there is probably no way in hell that I could ever break the Smith but just the thought of having the lesser strenghth gun bothers me. I also like the versatility of the .454 Casull caliber, the fact that I can shoot .45 colt hunting loads(Buffalo Bore and PMC) to duplicate the power of the .44 without the recoil of the .454 is a big plus. Though I am only 14 I am not very recoil sensitive(I know it's not at all the same but I can shoot my .375 H&H all day long)and could probably fire the .454(I would also buy a shooting glove). I know that many of you will chime in that the .44 is plenty of power but I have family in Alaska and I never want to feel undergunned or even have the minimum(for the bears not for my family). But all this is contrasted by the economical and pleasant .44mag ammo and the classic lines and smoothness of the 629. I would really appreciate your opinion. Thanks

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2004, 02:15:48 AM »

I am a Ruger fan so you know where I am going with this. But you have stated a very important fact. The 45 L/C can do anything a 44MAG can do. And if you needed more power, you would have it in the 454 Casull. I have a Super Redhawk in 454 Casull and I love the gun and the round. I also have the Redhawk in 44MAG and love that gun as well. But if I had to choose only one Ruger it would be the 454 Casull. Yes the S&W 629 looks good and functions well, but it can't shoot a 454 Casull.

I have owned the S&W 629 but as most of my Smith & Wesson gun, it is gone. I do own a couple of S&W's but my love for Ruger's is unmatched.

Now the BFR is coming close.

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2004, 02:27:58 AM »

I'm not much of a S&W fan but, yes they are decent guns. I am however a Ruger fan...guess where this is leading :wink: While I'm more of a single action person, there's nothing wrong with the massive SRH models. The versitility of being able to use .454 and .45LC is about the same versitility of using .44 mag and .44 special. The difference is that the .45lc can be a softy to shoot like the .44 special or a powerload like the .44 magnum. Add to this that you can still move up to the .454 loads gives more load variables to the SRH.
You mention the possibility of this one day being potential bear medicine. If it to be carried as uch the 7 1/2" version would be easier to carry. To each his own though.
If going with the Ruger, I would also suggest getting a set of Wolff springs to improve the trigger bit. The simple swap does a lot for the feel of the trigger. I'd also suggest starting with some lighter loads and working up to the hot 454 loads so as to not devlop any unwanted flinches. OH, and be sure to clean the chamber holes especially well after using 45lc cartridges or build up may prevent proper chambering of .454 cartridges.

Good Luck!

Hcliff · « **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2004, 04:04:01 AM »

The 44 mag S&W will be easier to carry than the SRH. THe SRH is quite a bit heavier. I can tell the difference when packing it. The 9.5 is even harder to carry because of the barrel length. You wee need a lot of rounds to shoot a Smith out of time. I have shot alot of ammo through mine (thouands) and it is just fine. You are far more correct that the 454 is more powerful. It does have a different recoil. Much sharper. The 454 can shoot 45 LC but there is quite a difference in whee the round hits versus aiming point when swithing from 454 to 45LC.

For the recoil they are different. See if you can try them both. Rifle recoil is different that handgun recoil. Handgun recoil depend on the grip and your grip and how you hold the firearm. When people shoot my 629 44 mag with hot loads that is therecoil level most beginner's can manage. The 454 is a great round but it is a step up. If you are shooing alot for fun ther is more 44 mag ammo out that is cheaper. The 454 is much more expensive to fire if you shoot alot and do not handload . Lots of 44 have hit the shelf when I worked at the gun shop because they were too much for lots of shooters. We took in a Dan Wesson twice on trade because the people who bought it didn't like that 44's recoil.

S&W 44 is a great gun. Lighter to pack. Takes alot of shooting to have problems. Lots of the problem have circulated from shooters using these in competition or running lots of round over years thought them. S&W has made improved them over the years.

The SRH is VERY strong, but it is heavier. They do not have as nice of a trigger. Replaceing the spring helps alot. The 7.5 is easier to pack than the 9.5 because the 7.5 will fit on a belt without getting in the way. The 9.5 seems muzzle heavy for me personally. I have the 7.5 because of that. The neat thing about the SRH is scoping it is easier and easier to remove with the rings. Scoping usually means a shoulder holster for any gun. Another alternative is the SRH is 44 mag.

What you have to ask your self how much shooting? How much power? How do I want to carry? Do I want to scope?

I know I didn't give you a great answer but this is like telling some one to buy a Chevy 4x4 diesel vs a Ford gas 4x4. They do similar stuff but are different. Some is personal preference and what feels good on you hand. I have a 7.5 SRH and a 629 Classic in 6.5. Both great. You can always save and get the other.

Hcliff

catblaster.375 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 10, 2004, 06:23:29 AM »

Thankyou so much guys for your time and knowledge. My reasons for wanting to go with such a long barrel is mostly for the long sight radius(I have a 4'' barrel SP101 .22 that took me 32 rounds to hit a pop can at 50 yards from the bench vs my 7.5'' vaquero .45 I can hit a milk jug at 100 yards offhand every time). Now I now you guys are gonna chew me out for not just using the .45 but my reasons for that are this- has fixed sights, would like higher power factory loads more available, would like a little longer barrel, and I much prefer a double action for hunting-better grip and ease of loading/unloading. I also like the longer barrel for a slightly increased velocity and maybe accuracy and also it just looks cool.

I'm starting to lean toward that .44 again.

Thanks again guys.

Castaway · « **Reply #5 on:** July 10, 2004, 07:42:39 AM »

I guess I have to chime in. A couple things come to my mind, totability and recoil. I suggest you borrow a 44 Mag and see what a full house load is like. Better yet, a box of 44's would give you a feel of what you're up against. The 454 is quite a package and recoil is SEVERE in comparison. There's no doubt it is a very powerful handgun, but in my opinion, if a 44 mag with a good cast bullet can't put it down, I wouldn't want to take the same shot with a 454. A good Keith style bullet from a 44 will make an inney and outey in any critter in North America on a side shot. I have a Black hawk with 7.5 " barrel, my over 40 eyes apperciate it, but it sure is hard to sit anywhere with that much barrel sticking down my leg. Can't imagine a 9" thing hanging from my side if I want to sit. Guess it's a matter of how you want to carry it. On a side note, you seem interested in a double action. If the truth be known, few hunters use the double action feature when leveling down on game. I'd check the price on a 44 Black Hawk. If you want an indestructable pistol, it's as close as you can get. The 44 also has the option of firing 44 Special loads for practice.

257 weatherby · « **Reply #6 on:** July 10, 2004, 02:07:51 PM »

Like the others have said I think you might want to get a 44 mag. to start with. I shoot both 44 and 454 for hunting along with some heavy rifle chambered Encore's and I think it is best to start off with a kinder cartridge (recoil wise). I really enjoy shooting my 454 but it takes a lot of experience to be able to control it with full power loads. You might want to look at my post on Al Goerg he took all kinds of game with a S&W 29. There is a photo of him with a brown bear on Kodiak island with a 44 mag. So in my opinion if you can learn to shoot the 44 mag. good and the full power loads recoil doesn't bother you then you might want to look at the 454.

Catfish · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2004, 02:25:25 PM »

I got my 1st. 44 mag. , a 3 screw Ruger, in 1966 and have been a big bore fan ever since. For hunting I much prefer single action revolvers. You should be shooting them single action any way and the single actions seem to have a better trigger, at least 95% of the time. At present I have 3 - .44 mags. and 2 - .454`s. For the money you can`t beat the RSB in .44 mag. for a hunting handgun. The 7 1/2 in. barrel seem to be the best for hunting for several reasons. Longer barrels are more unhandy to carry and they also seem to be barrel heavy when off hand shooting, especially if your in a hurry trying to sight on a running deer. I have a 629 Smith with a 4 in. barrel. It`s my CCW gun. A little heavy and hard to conseel, but it has a great trigger, single or double action and pleanty sof stopping power. I have a SRH in .454 and a Rageing Bull in .454. The Ruger is far better for carry, but is just plane brutal to shoot compaired to the RB. The RB is a pussy cat for recoil, but weights in at 250 Lbs., or so it seem. I`ve got an early RB and love it, but from what I been hearing about Taurius and their quality and customer service lately I don`t know that I would buy another one. You should be able to pick-up a SRH in .454 cheap at a gunshow. I got mine for $400 in the box with rings and it had fired less than a box of shells, if you get one you find out just how tough you are when it comes to handgun recoil. The cheapest way for you to up your power is to just start reloading your own. Your old .45 will stand loads alot heaver than what you can buy and if you load your own you`ll get at least .44 mag. preformance out of it, and shooting will be alot cheaper.

Old Griz · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2004, 06:50:51 PM »

:cb2: The choice is between:
A) the Ruger SRH in .454, or
B) the S&W 629 in .44.

Since you like double actions, you like the strength of the Ruger, and a .44 will kill anything in North America that you are hunting, with a great variety of bullets, I'd go with Hclif's suggestion and get
C) the Ruger SRH in .44.

You've got the best of both worlds there. Strong double action, much cheaper ammo, and you can shoot a lot longer without wearing yourself out. The recoil will be about the same as you .45 Colt, so you already know what to expect, and you can get the long barrel you want. You can scope it later if you want to, but with eyes as young as yours, with the ability to see . . . I mean, hit a milk jug every time at 100 yards with a Vaquero, you probably have another 30 years before you need to worry about that!

If you are worried about bears in Alaska, you're probably better off with a pepper spray designed for bears www.udap.com/ rather than a handgun anyway. Bear hunting, and a bear coming after you are two different situations. It is very difficult to hit a fast moving, charging bear in a spot that will actually drop him before it's on top of you. Sure, some people have done it, but they'll tell you--they were very lucky. (I believe our Founding Fathers refered to it as Divine Providence.) By the time you clear leather with a 9" barrel it might just be too late! (Hope you're tall with really long arms!)