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The strongest .44 Magnum made !?!?
- Thread starter Erocksmash
- Start date
Why not just buy a gun and cartridge that is engineered to do what you want to do? Maybe a .460 or .500? 
I do not own a Freedom Arms revolver. Sometimes I wish I did, but I’m just not really a single-action man. I do know a little bit about the materials used and how they’re made. If you just have to abuse your hands and wrists with unsafe, over-pressure .44 Magnum ammunition, or normal pressure .454s for that matter, I’d say the Freedom Arms revolver is your gun. I don’t understand the fascination with this endeavor, but maybe in due time you’ll get over it.
FWIW, be sure to keep the delinquent .44 loads you make clearly labeled and separate from other .44 ammunition. Every one you make is a potential disaster waiting to happen.
I do not own a Freedom Arms revolver. Sometimes I wish I did, but I’m just not really a single-action man. I do know a little bit about the materials used and how they’re made. If you just have to abuse your hands and wrists with unsafe, over-pressure .44 Magnum ammunition, or normal pressure .454s for that matter, I’d say the Freedom Arms revolver is your gun. I don’t understand the fascination with this endeavor, but maybe in due time you’ll get over it.
FWIW, be sure to keep the delinquent .44 loads you make clearly labeled and separate from other .44 ammunition. Every one you make is a potential disaster waiting to happen.
Fishinfool
Member
I have a number of .44 mags in my inventory, but I believe this old model Ruger Super Blackhawk is probably the strongest handgun I have. I have owned two of these; I shot the hell out of the first one in my younger years, with full-power factories and Keith-formula handloads. It performed very well, with no signs of loosening up. I was able to make shots at 200 yards with it. I sadly traded that one in on something I wanted more, so I later bought this one.
I've found no need for anything more effective than this, so I can't comment on other potentially stronger guns.
John
I've found no need for anything more effective than this, so I can't comment on other potentially stronger guns.
John
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OP
Why not just buy a gun and cartridge that is engineered to do what you want to do? Maybe a .460 or .500?
I do not own a Freedom Arms revolver. Sometimes I wish I did, but I’m just not really a single-action man. I do know a little bit about the materials used and how they’re made. If you just have to abuse your hands and wrists with unsafe, over-pressure .44 Magnum ammunition, or normal pressure .454s for that matter, I’d say the Freedom Arms revolver is your gun. I don’t understand the fascination with this endeavor, but maybe in due time you’ll get over it.
FWIW, be sure to keep the delinquent .44 loads you make clearly labeled and separate from other .44 ammunition. Every one you make is a potential disaster waiting to happen.
Yes there is accountability with every round and every bunch I make...
Call me an old soul I would like to see what I can do with the .44 then possibly explore more cartridges later down the road when the climate allows us reloaders better access to supplys or just myself really
gregintenn
Member
Thompson was my first thought.Almost as strong as the Encore.
I would go with the T/C product, if we're limited to handguns.
I would just buy something chambered for a stronger cartridge rather than trying to make a cartridge do more than it was designed to do. I prefer to leave blowing guns up to the experts like Elmer Keith.
I agree the strongest regular production 44 Magnum is the Ruger Super Blackhawk. This one has seen years of service without a problem.
Bill
Bill
Triple Lock!!!
When I saw this thread I thought of our Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan. When I pulled up the spec sheet (I wasn’t sure if the the Alaskan was it’s own model or simply a super Redhawk with the shorter barrel) I found it interesting the very first feature Ruger lists is— “Triple-locking cylinder is locked into the frame at the front, rear and bottom for more positive alignment and dependable operation shot after shot.”
I had never noticed that from Ruger—so I have a Triple Lock!
Ruger(R) Super Redhawk Alaskan(R) Double-Action Revolver Model 5303
When I saw this thread I thought of our Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan. When I pulled up the spec sheet (I wasn’t sure if the the Alaskan was it’s own model or simply a super Redhawk with the shorter barrel) I found it interesting the very first feature Ruger lists is— “Triple-locking cylinder is locked into the frame at the front, rear and bottom for more positive alignment and dependable operation shot after shot.”
I had never noticed that from Ruger—so I have a Triple Lock!
Ruger(R) Super Redhawk Alaskan(R) Double-Action Revolver Model 5303
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I picked up a used SBH with a 10.5” barrel to play with.
With Remington gone who is going to make the new ammo for the newly designed guns?
With Remington gone who is going to make the new ammo for the newly designed guns?
Echo40
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This won't be a popular opinion, but I would have to say that the strongest Double Action .44 Magnum Revolver in current production is the Taurus Raging Bull 444.
The Raging Bull was designed for .454 Casull, and the Model 444 reflects that, as it is a .454 Casull Revolver chambered in .44 Magnum.
The gun is an absolute beast, weighing in at 53oz with front and rear cylinder latches to insure that it stays locked up tight while firing even the hottests of .454 Casull loads, and based on what I've read, the Raging Bull holds up pretty much indefinitely to .454 Casull, so I imagine that it would basically be indestructible firing .44 Magnum.
Last but not least, the Raging Bull, like most of Taurus' Magnum Revolvers, has significantly higher QC than Taurus' usual bargain-priced handguns, and the price point reflects this, as the Raging Bull costs about as much as a Ruger or Smith & Wesson does. The MSRP on the Raging Bull 444 is $899, typical gunstore prices are about $100 to $125 less. Some would say that's too expensive for a Taurus, and for the money they'd rather buy a Ruger or Smith & Wesson, which is understandable. I myself would sooner buy a Smith & Wesson at that price, but the question was in regards to the strongest .44 Magnum Revolver on the market, and in my opinion, when it comes to DA Revolvers, the Taurus Raging Bull is just that.
The Raging Bull was designed for .454 Casull, and the Model 444 reflects that, as it is a .454 Casull Revolver chambered in .44 Magnum.
The gun is an absolute beast, weighing in at 53oz with front and rear cylinder latches to insure that it stays locked up tight while firing even the hottests of .454 Casull loads, and based on what I've read, the Raging Bull holds up pretty much indefinitely to .454 Casull, so I imagine that it would basically be indestructible firing .44 Magnum.
Last but not least, the Raging Bull, like most of Taurus' Magnum Revolvers, has significantly higher QC than Taurus' usual bargain-priced handguns, and the price point reflects this, as the Raging Bull costs about as much as a Ruger or Smith & Wesson does. The MSRP on the Raging Bull 444 is $899, typical gunstore prices are about $100 to $125 less. Some would say that's too expensive for a Taurus, and for the money they'd rather buy a Ruger or Smith & Wesson, which is understandable. I myself would sooner buy a Smith & Wesson at that price, but the question was in regards to the strongest .44 Magnum Revolver on the market, and in my opinion, when it comes to DA Revolvers, the Taurus Raging Bull is just that.
OP
Interesting you bring this up sir as I completely forgot about Taurus and the raging bull line... this might be an option I consider....
Thanks
junglefighter
US Veteran
I have a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan and I like it better than any 44 Magnum I have owned. The short barrel is not a problem for me and it shoots great. I find it as accurate as a 4" bbl. and the recoil is not as great as people write.
ggibson511960
Member
I question the veracity of claims that a particular handgun brand has "stronger" steel. There are some amazingly strong ferrous materials in this world, but realistically, which ones get used in handguns? The investment cast frames such as Ruger's are noteworthy. They are obviously strong enough for the calibers, plenty hard, but generally not as strong in tension or bending, nor as fracture tough as forged, heat treated Cr-Mo grades like the ubiquitous 4140. Ironic that MIM is so disparaged but it's near identical investment casting is accepted. The other group of firearms touted for strength use stainless steel. Stainless grades are very good, but unless they are one of the 400 series, hardenable Martensitic grades, are not as strong. Tribal knowledge says that gun manufacturers use 400 series stainless so they can machine critical parts in their soft condition, then heat treat for better strength. We'll never know because manufacturers keep such information as a trade secret.
What is known is the geometric proportion of stronger firearms. There are no svelte top straps, skinny chamber walls or gracefully contoured recoil shields that we all adore on S&W handguns. "When in doubt, make it stout" abounds in the lines.
What is known is the geometric proportion of stronger firearms. There are no svelte top straps, skinny chamber walls or gracefully contoured recoil shields that we all adore on S&W handguns. "When in doubt, make it stout" abounds in the lines.
poprivit
Member
I think Ruger SBH is strongest. There are others that are better fitted but basically SBH copies. I’ve had my Ruger SBH since 1960s. It is one of the few guns that is fired full house magnum with Jacketed bullets. This is only because that’s what it likes. I never shoot jackets or magnum loads out of my 29s or any other of my S&Ws.
Echo40
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.500 S&W is overrated, .460 S&W generates equal muzzle energy with superior sectional density, higher velocity, and deeper penetration. Furthermore, the 460XVR is more versatile and more fun at the range because it can also shoot .45 Long Colt and .454 Casull in addition to .460 S&W.
Lets not. It has been a good discussion and seems to continue to be.
The question was which is the strongest 44 magnum - not what is more powerful than a 44 magnum.
pistolpete10
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Of 4 44 mags I've owned the only one that ever failed was a NM SBH, the ejector spring became weak and the ejector recoiled enough to dent the edge of the chamber, ruined it for accuracy. I don't know why they designed it that way, big disappointment, it may have been my most accurate handgun ever. Also owned a 5-1/2" and 7-1/2" redhawk and a 6" 629. I still have the 629 and will keep it. I like it best of all. Wouldn't mind having an old 6-1/2" 29, that's what I should have bought to start with... Live and learn.
OP
It's not so much recoil I chase, or caliber size I chase. I guess its old fashioned power?!?! just a friendly conversation about and old caliber... I don't intend to over push the the .44 magnum, is that I cherish a S&W 6 gun and don't want to destroy it. Recoil doesn't scare me and I would like to shoot the best of the best. Loading for it even better.... I would compare it to child birth not so much the spfic details of the matter but to create a cartridge out of bits and pieces of case, powder, primer, projectile...
I feel no need to go any further than .44m if I did it would be the. 460 gun I chose as its very versatile, but my reservations are do to the current climate and ability to find components, I have struggled to find stuf to load the .44m... yes I'm new, yes I should have stocked up, I started roughly beginning of the year and have become entrenched in it, guns are cool S&Ws are better...
I get no greater satisfaction than reloading ammo to feed the guns I love...
And like I said the .44mag just seems about right at the moment...
Sorry I'm rambling...
That being said of course in my humble opinion....
I feel no need to go any further than .44m if I did it would be the. 460 gun I chose as its very versatile, but my reservations are do to the current climate and ability to find components, I have struggled to find stuf to load the .44m... yes I'm new, yes I should have stocked up, I started roughly beginning of the year and have become entrenched in it, guns are cool S&Ws are better...
I get no greater satisfaction than reloading ammo to feed the guns I love...
And like I said the .44mag just seems about right at the moment...
Sorry I'm rambling...
That being said of course in my humble opinion....
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