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Old 03-06-2017, 09:40 PM
gsfxst gsfxst is offline
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Default 44 mag barrel

Im thinking of a short barreled 44 for elk hunting in bear country .not for the elk. Im wondering how short you can go before you start losing knock down power . I would think 2to3 in would loss a lot of power and 6 or longer would be to long on the quick draw then 4 in should be the best trade off.

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Old 03-06-2017, 10:56 PM
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I suggest you buy a box of factory 240 grain jacketed ammo and find a friend that will let you shoot a M29 / M629. Unfluted cylinders and full lug barrels dramatically reduce recoil. Conversely, plain barrels and fluted cylinders let you appreciate the full power of the 44 magnum cartridge.

I have nine M29 / M629 revolvers. In a M29 with 4" standard barrel and fluted cylinder, my standard load is quite brisk and 6 rounds is enough. The same load in a M629 with 5" full lug barrel and unfluted cylinder, the other 44 bullets can be fired without any discomfort.
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Old 03-07-2017, 05:34 AM
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I would suggest consulting the regulations in the state you are planning on hunting in before picking a pistol. In Colorado, you would need a 4" barrel to avoid a lot of hassle with the LEO.

Although you are permitted to carry a "personal protection" firearm during hunting big game, and that firearm does not have to meet the minimum length/energy rating, I think it is easier to have an approved sidearm. I have had a couple of attempted interrogations by wildlife officers trying to get me to "admit" that I would use my sidearm as a "put down weapon". Answer is: no way... never.

The 44Mag handgun is an approved firearm in Colorado for big game if it has a 4" barrel and the ammo meets the minimum energy rating by a "manufacturer" of 550 ft/lbs at 50 yards. That is a little more attainable for 44 mag than the rifle minimum of 1,000 ftlbs at 100 yards.

Even though I am the manufacturer of my ammo, and I have done my own load testing, Colorado does not trust you. So the answer, if asked (and you choose to answer), is I am shooting Hornady ftx.

I carry my 629-4 with 6.5" barrel in a Guide's Choice holster from Diamond D when in bear country. Although a controversial choice for bullet, I load 300 gr. FTX over a max charge of 2400. The bears down here are black and expansion seems to be less of an issue with the smaller animal, thinner coat, etc. I will load up some hard cast wad cutters before my trip to WY this summer though.

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The other added benefit of an approved firearm is around camp. I once had a LEO get all huffy when he rolled into camp during hunting season and I had a .40 sidearm on. Tried to accuse me of hunting without orange and illegal method. I explained that frying up steaks while crouched over a fire is the dumbest hunt for elk I have ever heard of... Truth is - he was just trying to gain some leverage to justify running names of people in camp by making baseless and wholly unsupported allegations.
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Old 03-07-2017, 04:04 PM
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If you have a rifle, you don't need a handgun for bears IMO. I do carry a 4" N-frame when packing meat though. When you have 60-80# on your back a rifle can be a burden. I also have a 3" & would carry that as well. Not much is stopping a 250gr LSWC @ a mere 1100fps & that is easy to shoot in a 3" gun. Yes a 3-4" gun is easier to carry & get out of a holster or chest rig. You are shooting a bear at anything but hand shaking distance, so the longer bbls accuracy advantage is all you are losing. As noted, not much is stopping a 250gr LSWC @ a pretty manageable 1100fps.
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Old 03-07-2017, 04:09 PM
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The other added benefit of an approved firearm is around camp. I once had a LEO get all huffy when he rolled into camp during hunting season and I had a .40 sidearm on. Tried to accuse me of hunting without orange and illegal method. I explained that frying up steaks while crouched over a fire is the dumbest hunt for elk I have ever heard of... Truth is - he was just trying to gain some leverage to justify running names of people in camp by making baseless and wholly unsupported allegations.
One reason I don't like hunting in CO. It seems many of the F&G & local LEO in charge of such duties are out to screw with the hunters. Been there & done that. Montana guys are waaay more hunter friendly.
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Old 03-07-2017, 04:52 PM
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It will be in Montana . I have a Ruger Bisley 7 &1/2 Barrel. I have shot for years. that will work but it would be a good reason to buy a S&W.
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Old 03-07-2017, 05:05 PM
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It will be in Montana . I have a Ruger Bisley 7 &1/2 Barrel. I have shot for years. that will work but it would be a good reason to buy a S&W.
Now THAT'S good thinkin!

Dan
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Old 03-07-2017, 05:08 PM
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Since you have the longer Ruger already, a 4-inch S&W should work well for you. I don't find the shorter barrel a lot of fun to shoot, but I remember it was a little more tolerable when I was younger.

A .44-caliber 250-275 grain cast flat-nose bullet whizzing along at 1000-1200 FPS is nothing to sneeze at, and that is normal stuff for a 4-inch .44. Precise and quick shooting is probably a lot more important than another 100-200 FPS of velocity. Be prepared for practice. It's not an easy gun to shoot well.
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Old 03-08-2017, 11:05 AM
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I shoot a 649 also, I my have found a Mountain gun. will shot it this afternoon.
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Old 03-08-2017, 12:08 PM
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Just bring a friend with bad knees, you don't have to out run the bear , just out run your friend. Kinda like Shane did to Otis on The Walking Dead, sort of.
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Old 03-08-2017, 12:13 PM
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No new advice as that's been covered but I too highly recommend a chest holster such as the Diamond D Guides Choice or similar for carrying the heavy or long barreled 44 Magnum. A belt holster is out of the question for hiking, climbing, and hunting terrain that you'll cover. The Diamond D chest holster is on the expensive side and there is a wait time for them to make a custom holster to fit your gun. They may have one to fit your gun in stock?? Buy a good chest holster for your 44 Magnum.
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Old 03-08-2017, 02:04 PM
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Default My vote for 6.5" S&W!

I had the Bisley twice and it's a solid gun but it's bulky and I had to hold my hand just right to keep them from knocking my knuckle. I have owned the 4" Model 29 and it seemed to buck straight back more even though the bullet is going a good 200 ft/sec slower. I have found the 6 or 6 1/2 inch Smith & Wesson's to be just perfect. With 240 grain jacketed bullets I'm travelling at 1300 to 1400 ft/sec instead of 1100 or so. That's a difference of about 150 mph. Climb in a car, floorboard it and when you get top speed hold your arm out the window and smack a half ounce of lead suspended in the air. I bet you won't say, " Well that's not significant!"
Of course the gun will recoil more but the longer barrel causes it to roll up a little instead of straight back into your hand. You'll get a followup shot just as fast.
The longer barrel won't slow your draw down any because routinely you clear the holster by several inches if you're the average guy. I can hardly tell my 6 1/2 " is on my hip in a Bianchi Cyclone or Lawman, a cross draw is great too and some of the chest or shoulder holsters are great too like the El Paso Saddlery folks offer.
Besides, aren't you really wanting to buy another gun?
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Old 03-08-2017, 03:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harbinger_of_lead View Post
I would suggest consulting the regulations in the state you are planning on hunting in before picking a pistol. In Colorado, you would need a 4" barrel to avoid a lot of hassle with the LEO.

Although you are permitted to carry a "personal protection" firearm during hunting big game, and that firearm does not have to meet the minimum length/energy rating, I think it is easier to have an approved sidearm. I have had a couple of attempted interrogations by wildlife officers trying to get me to "admit" that I would use my sidearm as a "put down weapon". Answer is: no way... never.

The 44Mag handgun is an approved firearm in Colorado for big game if it has a 4" barrel and the ammo meets the minimum energy rating by a "manufacturer" of 550 ft/lbs at 50 yards. That is a little more attainable for 44 mag than the rifle minimum of 1,000 ftlbs at 100 yards.

Even though I am the manufacturer of my ammo, and I have done my own load testing, Colorado does not trust you. So the answer, if asked (and you choose to answer), is I am shooting Hornady ftx.

I carry my 629-4 with 6.5" barrel in a Guide's Choice holster from Diamond D when in bear country. Although a controversial choice for bullet, I load 300 gr. FTX over a max charge of 2400. The bears down here are black and expansion seems to be less of an issue with the smaller animal, thinner coat, etc. I will load up some hard cast wad cutters before my trip to WY this summer though.

Guides Choice™ Leather Chest Holster, the ULTIMATE outdoor gun holster | Diamond D Custom Leather | Handmade Leather Holsters

The other added benefit of an approved firearm is around camp. I once had a LEO get all huffy when he rolled into camp during hunting season and I had a .40 sidearm on. Tried to accuse me of hunting without orange and illegal method. I explained that frying up steaks while crouched over a fire is the dumbest hunt for elk I have ever heard of... Truth is - he was just trying to gain some leverage to justify running names of people in camp by making baseless and wholly unsupported allegations.
I don't think I ever want to go hunting in CO. if your wardens go around with that type of attitude. Here there are no minimums on any gun except muzzle loaders and every warden I have ever talked to has been friendly, polite and never tried to trip anyone up with a bunch of questions. Sorry that you have to put up with that kind of treatment. Here state law regards my camp as the same as my domicile. Except for a plain sight violation LEOs need a warrant to even enter my tent or camper.
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Old 03-08-2017, 04:00 PM
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I don't think I ever want to go hunting in CO. if your wardens go around with that type of attitude. Here there are no minimums on any gun except muzzle loaders and every warden I have ever talked to has been friendly, polite and never tried to trip anyone up with a bunch of questions. Sorry that you have to put up with that kind of treatment. Here state law regards my camp as the same as my domicile. Except for a plain sight violation LEOs need a warrant to even enter my tent or camper.
Last time I hunted CO the F&G warden came by daily to check if you had your lic on you. Even though he checked you the day before, knows you have said lic, not carrying it is against the rules & subject to fine. Which they wanted right there, not a mail in thing. That really put me off hunting CO again. The 3rd day he checked my lic I would have called him a corrupt ******* to his face, but I am sure it wouldn't have helped anything.
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Old 03-09-2017, 04:10 AM
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I would use a 5" barrel. That length is considered optimum for magnum revolvers. If a 4" barrel is,all you have it will do but I would not go shorter and not only because of loss of velocity but for a better sight radius too.
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Old 03-09-2017, 02:50 PM
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I would use a 5" barrel. That length is considered optimum for magnum revolvers. If a 4" barrel is,all you have it will do but I would not go shorter and not only because of loss of velocity but for a better sight radius too.
Yah but sight radius at bear shooting distance is not an issue. A 4" packs as easily as a 3" though & easier to shoot well. I have a 3" but more for the novelty of it. Still works fine though with 250gr LSWC @ 1100fps.
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Old 03-09-2017, 04:21 PM
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One reason I don't like hunting in CO. It seems many of the F&G & local LEO in charge of such duties are out to screw with the hunters. Been there & done that. Montana guys are waaay more hunter friendly.
You're right about the fish cops, particularly in the 3rd and 4th seasons-strung a little tight!
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Old 03-09-2017, 08:11 PM
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I believe that bear, handgun and knockdown power should not be used in the same sentence. I find my Redhawk 5.5" is a little too long for me to get out easily in thick timber and heavy clothing. I would feel better with a 4" gun, and often carry a 4 5/8" 45 in timber. Recognize that you would be lucky to get off two shots if a bear charges. For me the best way to avoid seeing bears when hunting is to carry a bear tag.
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Old 03-09-2017, 11:33 PM
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I am not sure about 44, but I remember reading Elmer Keith and maybe Phil Sharpe did some testing with 357. I can't remember exactly but I think they discovered that for every inch you cut off a 6" revolver barrel you lose about 35-40 fps. I would guess for 44 it would be close to that. If I were going to have a carry gun for bear, etc. I probably would not go under 4 inches, if for nothing else just for accuracy.
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Old 03-10-2017, 12:13 AM
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I am not sure about 44, but I remember reading Elmer Keith and maybe Phil Sharpe did some testing with 357. I can't remember exactly but I think they discovered that for every inch you cut off a 6" revolver barrel you lose about 35-40 fps. I would guess for 44 it would be close to that. If I were going to have a carry gun for bear, etc. I probably would not go under 4 inches, if for nothing else just for accuracy.
100fps either way isnt affecting the equation much. Its more about accessability & shootability. A 4" N-frame for me is the sweet spot.
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Old 03-10-2017, 12:20 AM
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Several years ago Numrich was selling brand new factory 3" Model 29 barrels for $100. I bought one and had a local gunsmith install it on my 29-2.
It has been fun but I kind of wish I had the 6" barrel back on it.
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Old 03-10-2017, 08:51 PM
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For me the best way to avoid seeing bears when hunting is to carry a bear tag.
LOL. This has been my experience as well. Never see them when you can shoot them!!!

The best way to hunt a bear is at the local campsite over the dumpster!!
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Old 03-10-2017, 10:50 PM
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Last time I hunted CO the F&G warden came by daily to check if you had your lic on you. Even though he checked you the day before, knows you have said lic, not carrying it is against the rules & subject to fine. Which they wanted right there, not a mail in thing. That really put me off hunting CO again. The 3rd day he checked my lic I would have called him a corrupt ******* to his face, but I am sure it wouldn't have helped anything.
The fine has to be paid then and there on the spot?
As in put the cash in his pocket?
I'm SURE that all those fines collected get put right into the state coffers every time.
Wanna buy a bridge?
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Old 03-11-2017, 11:54 AM
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Pay the fine right now?

Just get a receipt.
If no ticket is written out , go to court and get your money back.

If a ticket is written out...........
it should tell you the address of the court or a mailing address
for you to send or pay the fine.

Officers do not collect the fines.......... unless they are

Just saying.
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