Pick a Hunting Handgun for me!

[centershot]

I'd like to get a new handgun for hunting mule deer and possibly elk at close range. I've owned in the past a S &W .44mag 8 3/8 629. While I enjoyed that revolver it was long, heavy, and with full power loads (24gr 296 240gr HP's)- all the recoil I wanted, with light loads (8gr Unique 240gr HP's) was an absolute hoot to shoot. What I have on my short list is a S&W 657 7 1/2" barrel in .41mag. - another 629 with the 6 1/2" barrel or possibly a T/C with 12" max barrel in 44mag. I have no problem with Rugers, but feel the S&W's are a bit nicer and would spend the extra $100 to get it.  Single or double actions are fine, I would like the ability to add and or remove a scope. I'd like to have killing power to 100yds  or a bit more So, what's your pick caliber and weapon. Thanks.

[Old Griz]

OK, I'm biased. I like single action guns for hunting and just for fun. I do have a S&W 57 that I use for a trail gun, and a 25 in .45 Colt that couldbe used for hunting, but I really like my Ruger Bisleys in .44 mag for serious hunting. One is scoped, one isn't. They are accurate, dependable, and so dang strong, that you never have to worry about them, and again, they are just so much fun to shoot. Davidson's Gallery of Guns has ONE Ruger Hunter in .41 mag they are offering at this time. www.galleryofguns.com/genie/default.aspx?item=KS-417NH.

If you're going double action, you're fine with the Smiths.

Some might say you ain't gettin' enough gun, but I think you'll be just fine with anything from .41 to .45 Colt. Good luck on your choice.

[countryrebel]

I would like the ability to add and or remove a scope. I would go with a super redhawk with 7.5" barrel. Spend that extra money on a trigger job and your set. I have had many 44mag handguns and finally settled on the srh to add or remove scope when needed. Love to spot those muleys on the canyon then sneak down on top of em. Works almost every time.

[warrior1]

centershot, i think you would be happy the 657 7 1/2" . i got one and i thought i was getting a 6" ,as a result i was going to sell the 7 1/2" , but i decided to shoot it first.
bad idea, this gun is one of the sweetest shooters i have. this revolver could very well be the one i use this deer season,if not opening day, it will see use during the season alon with a blackhawk 41 mag or super redhawk 44 mag .

good luck with your choice. good shootin dan

[irold]

Presently I own a T/C with a 12" 44   barrel , along with a Redhawk in 44 with a 4" barrel and a SRH in 454 with a 7i/2 incher ...By far the T/C is the best for extended ranges , like 75-125 yards.  As long as you can survive with "one " shot ,  It all depends on how I plan to hunt for the day on what I take.  If I'm gonna be still huntin then by all means take a revolver ( I perfer the 71/2 incher)  A morning in the tree stand, can't go wrong with the T/C , and probably I'll have the 4" Redhawk there too.   Its all a matter of personal preferences.  BTW the revolvers are iron sighted ( sort of , the SRH has a One Ragged Hole peep ) the T/C wears a Weaver 2X.  The only thing I would recommend is the 44 Mag , not that there is anything wrong with the others....but the 44 can be loaded up , loaded down , brass is everywhere , you can go to Grannies Corner store and pick up a box of 44 mag , not always the case with 41 or the 45 C ,  There's been lots of critters killed with a whole lot of other guns , but the 44 Mag will pretty much do it all.  As far as brand, thats really a matter of preference , do you like Chevies or Fords , or maybe a Dodge....they will all do the job , they're just different.  Personally I prefer Rugers , the Ruger family has been great to me for service ,  Never had anything major break , most are strong as an ox .  I've heard people complain about the triggers or actions , all a matter of what your used to.   OMHO    Good Hunting !

[safetysheriff]

if you hand load it's reasonable to go with the .41 mag' for a slight reduction in recoil.    i don't think it'll be an impressive reduction when shooting loads for elk.   for mule deer it'll be a little flatter-shooting than the .44 mag' from what i've read.   

for me, however, i'd stick with the availability of the .44 mag' components, being a hand loader.     and i'd do it with a single-action Ruger, in stainless steel, with a 5 1/2" barrel for weight, for decent sight radius, and for power over the .45 colt caliber.   i have one in that iteration and it's a great piece.    why pay for a double-action when they are usually shot single-action when hunting?    a ''poor man's trigger job'' like shown on www.gunblast.com is something of a help.  for me, i've changed the hammer spring instead, and worked the trigger on a cocked hammer with light pressure from my thumb on the hammer to help smooth the sear engagement.   it works!

i wouldn't go with a T/C because if you run into a nasty elk, nasty bear, nasty hog, wolves, etc.   you will want a repeater.

good hunting to you,

ss'   

[Mikey]

centershot:  It's a Smith and Wesson for my recommendation.  'The 629 with the 8-3/8 bbl was too long and too heavy' -  you won't be all that much shorter or lighter with a barrel only 2inches shorter.  I carried a 29-2 with the 6.5" bbl for almost 20 years and finally sent it back for a shorter 4" Mountain Gun barrel.  I love it.

I have gone to the use of heavier slugs to compensate for the loss of velocity and I am very happy with a combination of H110 and a 295-300 gn swc . I have found the full power 296 powder/240 gn slug loads to have a snappier recoil than the heavier slugs.  I don't load the heavies to max as I do not need it with the heavier slugs, and the felt recoil is softer.  The heavier load is easily a 100 yd load. 

The gun is a hoot to carry and slow and easy loads make it a lot of fun to plink with, skip cans or double action a bunch of balloons. 

I haven't taken a shot at 100 yds with it except on paper.  My most recent hunting shot is only 60 yds with that revolver and the heavy loads.  JMHO.  Mikey.

[kennisondan]

while I personally shoot tc single shots and single action big bores.... I have to point out that if u like the SWs you have had, then I very strongly suggest you research the dan wesson 44 mag or 41 mag. the changing of barrels and shrouds would take care of your need for scoped and unscoped weapons uses.. and different lengths and different weights, as well... they shoot at least as well as the smiths and rugers.... (blasphemy, I know.)
you can find them used in new condition and can find extra shrouds and barrels as well... check it out.... it is worth the trouble and would be cheaper, probably than two guns... I kind of like changing barrels, etc.
just my opinion.. worth every cent...
dk

[RaySendero]

Get a Ruger Redhawk with a 7 1/2" barrel in 44 mag!

[Redhawk1]

A S&W in 460 Mag or  a Ruger in 480 Ruger.Also look at the BFR in 460 Mag or 480 Ruger.  Personally I like big holes in my game.

[corbanzo]

If you like the .44 mag, I think that the super blackhawk bisley hunter is about  the best you can get for the price. 

[gstewart44]

I started my 44 mag adventures about 25 years ago with a SW29, 6 1/2 in barrel.   The trigger was sweet and it was very accurate until I started loading hotter and heavier for big nasty hogs.   After about 2500 rounds of the 300+ gr bullets it started getting loose and accuracy fell.  I took it to my gun shop for service and the 'smith told me if I continued shooting the heavy loads I could expect the revolver to show it .   He said the SW design is good for medium and light loads but won't hold up to a steady diet of the hotter loads.   I traded that revolver for a Ruger SRH with 7"  barrel.    Eighteen years later and with 10,000+ rounds of heavy loads my Ruger shoots as good as the day I got it.  The thing is built like a tank.   I use it with a scope these days due to failing eyesight and carry it in Uncle Mikes bandolier holster across my chest. 

The SW 29 is definitley a more beautiful piece of steel, and has a trigger that is second to none but the Ruger is built like a bank vault and will carry on long after I am gone.   

[SingleShotShorty]

Ruger SuperRedhawk 44 mag with Leupold 2x out to 100 yards



T/C Encore 15" 308 Winchester with 2.5X8 Leupold out to 200 yards

[Hook686]

A Desert Eagle in .44 magnum with a 10", or 14" (if you can find one) barrel. Easy to scope, great accuracy out to 150 yards, converts to .357 magnum for lighter weight game.

[Jotto]

I have a .44 Bisley Hunter, but if I'm chasing whitetails, you'll find me carrying a TC Contender in 7-30 Waters (12 in barrel) with a Burris 2-7.  120 Ballistic tips are great out to 200 maybe a little more.

[billm08]

Get yourself a Ruger Redhawk with the integral scope mounts and a 7.5 inch barrel.  The redhawk and super redhawk are very similar except the Super uses a grip frame like a gp100 and the redhawk is more traditional and is very similar to the security six.  They are both tough as nails and will fire many thousands of rounds through them without an issue.  The rugers also do one thing that the smith won't.  The models with the integral scope mounts will allow you to carry a gun unscoped in the morning if you are walking and want something quick and light and in the afternoon you can put the scope on and hunt out of a stand.  With a smith you have to remove the rear sight....with a ruger all you need is a quarter to tighten the mounts...the sights never get moved.  Get someone who knows Rugers to smooth up the internals, polish the inside of the frame and put in a 13 pound spring and you won't miss the action on a smith one bit!

[warrior1]

all right centershot, lay down your cards,what did you get you got pics. dan

[S.B.]

I use my 5&1/2" Redhawk for the 300 grain loads and so far it's work just fine.

I use Keith 240 SWCs in my S&Ws.

[Mikey]

JOTTO - Nice buck (really nice buck)............

S.B. - How would you compare your Ruger with the shorter barrelled S&W???

Centershot - OK, so what didya get??? 

Mikey.

[S.B.]

Heavier of course but, this Redhawk came used to me with the smoothest trigger I've ever felt on a Ruger. It doesn't appear to have an action job or lengthened firing pin, maybe just a fluke for Rugers? It's got a set of Pachy's on it now, just don't have a picture that's current. My next older brother had a 5&1/2" Redhawk and I always admired it and knew one day I'd have one also.
In a nut shell, it's the smoothest Redhawk I have ever been offered and I traded my OM BH .41 for it.
That said, the mountain guns is my favorite .44. Light, accurate, quick from the holster, and recoil is no where as bad as professed.

[Freezer]

   If you not thinking last ditch defence I'd go for the T/C.  Otherwise S&W Mountain Pistol.  The grips are great the barrel ported and it's about as lite a 44 as you'll find.

[S.B.]

The only port in a S&W mountain gun barrel is the one the bullet comes out of. Don't know about their mountain pistol?

[Cottonwood]

There are several handguns for hunting that come to mind that do have easy removal of the scope if you want to use iron sights.

Ruger SBH Hunter 7.5"
Ruger SRH 7.5" or 9.5"
S&W 629 Stealth Hunter 7.5"

If you want a larger caliber from S&W there is the .460 mag which offers you to be able to shoot .45 Colt/454 Casull/460 mag and the .500 mag from the Performance Center.

These have perm scope mount indents and can quickly be detached and replaced as desired.

I am thinking of getting a S&W 460 XVR .460 magnum myself for the reasons stated above, and if that is not an option for me the Ruger SRH in .454 Casull will offer me the availability of using either .45 Colt or the .454 Casull cartridges.  I reload my own, so cost in shooting these larger caliber cartridges is not a problem as factory prices are outragious.

[centershot]

all right centershot, lay down your cards,what did you get you got pics. dan

Well I went a little lighter.........as in .22lr. Been shooting the heck out of it lately, almost more fun than a guy should be allowed to have!  ..Still need to add a big bore something to it before fall. Keep thinking a 629 or 657 would sure make a nice pair. I had a Ruger .45Colt Bisley and .22lr Bisley that both shot nice(traded them for the 617) but the Rugers always leave me wanting something else.

[Mike in Virginia]

Not to offend the .44 Magnum folks, but the old argument of .44M vs. .45LC is settled.  It's been said a million times that if you try to make a magnum out of a 45, you should have just bought a magnum to start with.  I chose the 45 because the 45 shoots harder.  You can't load a .44 to the same energy level, because the case is too small.  And yes, new modern LC brass is as strong as 44 brass.  I can shoot a heavier bullet will less pressure.  I can shoot harder will less pressure.  It's a little silly to think a smaller pistol case can hold more powder, or not develop higher pressure.  If one looked at the velocities and pressures in both calibers of ammo currently produced by the companies known for making hunting loads, it's clear that downrange energy is superior from a 45LC.  Look at Double TaP, Core-Bon, Buffalo Bore.  The .44 is king if one restricts himself to standard Wal-Mart ammo, because Remington and Federal and those bigger companies don't want folks stuffing hot .45 ammo into Colts.  My point is, get a Ruger .45LC for hunting.   

[ole 5 hole group]

Haaa - Mike in Virginia - can't argue with your statement but you're looking to ruffle some feathers.  The 44 Mag is one sweet caliber and yes, the 45 Colt in the 5-shot version is King of the Hill in medium bores according to Ross Seyfried and I absolutely concur with good ole Ross.
http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/article.cfm?tocid=321&magid=24

As to the original posters question on a handgun for hunting mule deer & elk - If State law allows, 357 caliber & up with a good hard cast bullet will get the job done in fine fashion - all you need to do is place that little pill properly.  Don't expect any caliber to make a DRT shot, as the vast majority of times the animal will take off at warp speed and will cover a little ground before piling up.   

[eclarsen]

Hook piqued my curiosity...didn't know you could get longer barrels for the Desert Eagle or switch calibers (noob!), so I looked'em up...HOLY $hi...er COW!  What I don't know!  10-Inch Mark XIX Component System Package for only $3200--3 mag calibers to choose from.  Who wouldn't want wanna them?

As for the OP--any one ever hunt elk w/ the 357 max in a Contender? 

I have read a lot of posts singing the praises of this cartridge on wt deer, but haven't heard anything from those using this round other than a few black bear harvested.  I imagine it would do well as long as the shots were relatively short range, say 150 yrds or less?  Not speaking from experience, myself, asking.

[shot1]

In a T/C Contender 14" 30-30 Win if you don't reload if you do reload 30-30AI. Less recoil than a 44 mag and more effective on target. Deer out to 200 yards easy, elk 100 and in. T/C Encore 15" either a 260 Remington or 308 Winchester will fill the bill nicely. Either will wear a good 2.5 - 8X28 Weaver or 3 - 12 Burris.

[gypsyman]

eclarsen, unless you use a hard cast heavy bullet,or jsp, do not use the 357max on deer or elk. Stay away from the XTP bullet. Seen one personally, and talked with another, that had bullet's not penatrate at all.
I prefer my Dan Wesson in .44 with an 8'' barrel. Have the 6'' for plinking,8'' for hunting,(I just like the longer sight radius for hunting) and the 10'' for when I shot sillywet. Strong as a Ruger, as close to a Freedom Arms in accuracy without selling the farm, and with a good trigger job, S&W feel. gypsyman

[Noreaster]

I'd vote for a T/C G2, very versatile I have one in 44 mag and 17hmr. But seeing your .22lr you'd probably be better of with another Smith in 41 or 44 mag. That would be a good combo, cheap practise .22lr and a big game gun with the same feel.