Pistol for Hunting.. Which .44 Mag???

[KimberRich]

A little background....   My Dad is retiring in a few months and I'm looking to get him a nice retirement gift.  He has been wanting a .44 Mag pistol to hunt Deer with for some time and I think I'll buy him one and have it engraved with his years of service and maybe a message from me. 

My question is what gun's do you guys suggest and why??  Recommended barrel lengths would be some good info also.  I've been looking at the Ruger Super Redhawk's and the S & W 629's and a few others.. 

Thanks!!! 

[Jellymon]

Ruger super redhawks are awesome guns!!! I used to hunt a little with my ruger in 454 casull. The finish is a dull grey which is better for hunting, and it has rugers built in scope rings so you dont have to mess with rings and bases. It is a heavy bulletproof gun which helps with recoil quite a bit. I put on hogues tamer grips which made the 454 recoil feel almost as little as a 44. The trigger was very good with no creep. It was very accurate with the leupold I put on it, 2x recommended. I was outshooting the guys sighting in thier muzzelloaders at 50yds!(with sandbags) The longer barrels are better, I wouldnt go under 6". If you want a gun that will last forever and do anything you ask of it, super redhawks are the way to go.

[carpsniperg2]

the super redhawk is a good choice. i have a 454 raging bull, and the 444 raging bull might be a good choice as well. i like mine a lot. the one thing i would suggest is at least a 5" barrel. i really like the longer barrels like 7-8+" i feel the added weight helps manage recoil and they tend to shoot a little better. i am a handgun hunter as well.

[rickomatic]

Super Redhawk is a great gun. If you're set on a double action, that's the way to go. If you are considering single actions, take a look at the Super Blackhawk Hunter. It's got integrated scope mounts. If you decide to go that direction, also consider the Bisley grip frame. I've got one and it shoots VERY comfortably, even with Garret Hammerheads.

[KimberRich]

Super Redhawk is a great gun. If you're set on a double action, that's the way to go. If you are considering single actions, take a look at the Super Blackhawk Hunter. It's got integrated scope mounts. If you decide to go that direction, also consider the Bisley grip frame. I've got one and it shoots VERY comfortably, even with Garret Hammerheads.

Not set on a double action at all.  The Blackhawks do look nice.  Not sure what you mean by integrated scope "mounts"?  From what I can see it's got a factory rail that is machined for the Ruger style clamp on rings so maybe that's what you mean?  Do they come with the rings like some Ruger rifles?

[JackOfAllTrades]

Rickomatic said what I would have said. Yes, the integraded cuts in the frame/barrel for Ruger rings.

I bought my Rugers long before the factory scope mount features were available and have stuck with iron sights on a Bisley model 7 1/2" Super Blackhawk and a SS Redhawk 5".  Both get equal duty as companions to my rifles when hunting or as the primary gun when scouting or hunting the dense stuff. Both of my 44's have taken several Blacktail at handgun distances. Polished off a Bear with the SBH at close range.

-Steve

[Bofire]

 :)What does he want to do? Does he shoot a big gun already? Is he a serious, handloading, hunter guy or a factory load shooter?
I think you need to really think about how he will use the gun, or will it be a wall hanger, cause it means so much?
Carl

[yorketransport]

Just to make your decision a little more difficult, I'll throw out a few othe choices. For a single action try the Magnum Research BFR. It's like a more refined Blackhawk. They are increadibly accurate and offer a free spinning cylinder from the factory. For a double action you could track down a Colt Anaconda. They may not be better than either a Smith or a Ruger, but they sure are nice! Andrew

[CAMPMEAT]

T/C Encore. That way he can buy more barrels because he'll get addicted. I have 3 Encore pistols besides rifles.

[rasbo]

S&W 629 6.5 barrel,is an awesome handgun,fast recovery,great pull...If he would like to shoot it your welcome to try it.mag-na- port

[ecnclan]

Like the SW 629 myself but the Rugers are great guns.

[Ray]

The Super Blackhawk Bisley Hunter in .44 is a good revolver. Take off the grips and remove one of the springs for a poor man's trigger job (works fantastic). Nothing wrong with a 629 either.

[demontang]

I would have to say the s&w 629. I own one and smiths seem to have the best trigger pull ive felt for a wheel gun. The rugers are nice too but I just love the s&w wheel guns and would take one over a ruger

[gasman]

Another vote for the Super Black Hawk 


Love mine 

[Ray]

The Ruger Super Blackhawk can take high pressure loads extremely well but are single action only. Usually sufficient for most hunting.