Hunting with a 29/629 vs Ruger Hawks

Triathloncoach

Triathloncoach

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I read that either Ruger Hawk model 44 Mags can handle higher pressure loads than the Smith & Wesson’s. If true, does this translate into real world benefits in hunting or defensive loads against large predators? I reside in Georgia and live in constant fear of Grizzly/Polar Bear attack. 😜. And I’m from NJ so of course I have never hunted. But I’d like to fire some hot 44 Mags.

Thanks
Frank
 
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Any of the Ruger " Hawk " models will handle hot 44 mag loads , being much heavier they absorb the recoil better, if hot loaded 44's is what you're looking for . I had a 5.5" redhawk yrs ago , it was heavy , I finally sold it .
A S&W in 44 is my favorite . I have always felt that a 245gr swc traveling @ 1200fps will handle any situation necessary on the NA continent . That is not a hot load . If you feel that you need really hot loads for protection , then you really must practice with them , a lot . Recovery time to the next shot is very important . Try to get off 6 rounds in 7seconds and see how many even hit the target . That will help you decide just how " hot " you want your loads and will help you decide which firearm to carry . IMO , the 4" model 29 is perfect for a " carry " gun , and it will deliver all the defensive power I need , " IF I do my part " . I hope I have helped answer your questions . Paul
 
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Someone once told me the unhinged cylinders on the Ruger made them stronger that the flip out cylinders in other revolvers. Not sure if its true but sure didn't like the right hand single load process of the Ruger.

Hey coach, I live in SC and am from NJ as well and can relate.:D
 
There’s not a 4 or 2 legged predator in your state that a 44 special won’t handle.

If you really plan on lugging a 44 around, you’ll like the Smith better than the Ruger: every ounce saved counts in the woods. Hotter loads won’t make any practical difference.
 
My 6-inch S&W629 handles my special reload - a cast 210gr wadcutter bullet at 1200 FPS. That is PF 252. Good enough for bowling pins and 4-legged critters.
 
I have a nice 629 with 3 inch barrel but for trail walking I prefer my Ruger Alaskan 2.5 inch barrel loaded up with 300 gr. hot .45 Colt loads going 900-1000 FPS out the short barrel. The thing being for .454 Casull is built like a tank!
 

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I am planing on making some loads for my 44 mag in a super red hawk. Using 240gr cast bullets and 296 power any one out there come up with a maximum load for this combination?


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Triathloncoach said:
I read that either Ruger Hawk model 44 Mags can handle higher pressure loads than the Smith & Wesson’s. If true, does this translate into real world benefits in hunting or defensive loads against large predators?

Thanks
Frank
Click to expand...

If there is any benefit to using the "Ruger Only" loads over standard loads I think they would be minimal. The extra recoil and louder blast will make them slower to get on target after firing. You might want the extra velocity and energy if shooting longer distances or shooting extremely dangerous game.

I guess it depends.
 
On the other hand, if over the years you have to face thousands of vicious paper targets that require over 300 grain bullets at maximum velocity, pre-endurance package N frames might skip chambers, possibly their cylinders will fly open during recoil, and they will develop end shake and rotational play at lock up sooner than Ruger's large frames. Also Ruger's longer and fatter cylinders allow reloading to higher velocities.

Now if you are actually going deer hunting any old S&W .44 Magnum will work just fine. After you snag a few deer and start looking at hand gun elk hunting you might reconsider the Rugers.

Since the 12 gauge slug's effectiveness on grizzlies was brought up I'll add that its weight and velocity can be duplicated with a .480 Ruger without resorting to a humongous X frame.
 
My ruger Redhawk will shoot any hotter reload I load up and want more. My s&w m29 won’t hold up with my 44 magnum hotter loads. The s&w are plagued with throat problems which I think are caused by magnum loads on a steady diet.

My ruger super black in 44 mag has been loaded hot with loads beyond the listings in the reloading manuals. I had people leaving the range who where near me. In my 20’s I was young, crazy and dumb. But the super Blackhawk did hold up.

Each magnum revolver does have its limitations.
 
BigBill said:
Each magnum revolver does have its limitations.
Click to expand...

Yup.....

blow-upblackhawk.jpg
 
Own a fair number of both, so my take- The Ruger red & blackhawks are probably stronger than the S&W N frames, and will probably last longer than a S&W loaded at full power. We are talking many thousands of full power rounds here.

That said, the S&W will handle any SAAMI level load just fine, for a lot longer than your wrist will last. There are no recognized +p loads for the .44 magnum, and loading beyond "book" loads is an accident waiting to happen, in any make of revolver. A 240 grain SWC at about 1400 fps is feasible without going over book (SAAMI) pressure levels. That is a pretty "get your attention" kind of load. More power, in any of the revolvers you mentioned, is best served by a caliber upgrade - .454, .460, .500.

I would second buying a post endurance upgrade model in the S&W if you plan on a lot of heavy book loads, especially with bullets over 240 grains. If you want to try a factory load with lots of flash and awe, try the Remington 180 grain load in a short barreled .44 mag. It will be a good example of why most .44 magnum owners learn to love 240 cast at a more sedate 900 / 1000 fps or so.

Larry
 
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A 240 grain bullet at 1200 fps has about 750ftlb of energy. Lay down and have 750 of lead dropped on you chest from 1 ft. Then decide if it need to be dropped from a bit higher up. If you don't have that much lead a fully assembled V8 engine would be about right. If you're a light bullet high velocity fan a 4 banger from 2 ft to 2.5 ft up would get the idea across
 
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I once owned a Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in SS and .44 Mag. It was a great shooting revolver. I used it in trade for my current Ruger .454/45 Colt Alaskan. However I recently got a good deal on a nice older Super Blackhawk in .44 Mag with 7.5 inch barrel and it is proving to be a great shooter also.

My 629 2E and Ruger Alaskan .45 which fight for my attention!
 

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What you might want to consider doing first is, get your hands on a S&W 29 or 629 with between 4 and 6 1/2 inches of barrel, buy a box of ‘standard’ .44 mag factory loads (something around 240 grains going over 1200 fps), fire at least 3 or 4 cylinders full of it, and then revisit your assessment of what is “hot” and how much hotter you’re really interested in going. The Ruger can push load limits beyond what is considered safe (or in spec) for a S&W, yes. But it’s also at the Extreme top-end of what is possible, in that caliber. So, the way I see it, you’re really not missing out on that much. You can still push a S&W .44 mag pretty far. After that, for my money, if it’s not ‘enough’, i’d Be shopping for something in another caliber. A 44 pushed to extremes that ruger enables (via an actually longer bore in the cylinder of a SRH) isn’t even a true .44 to me anymore. It’s like a .44 ......long? BUT if I wanted to hunt Grizz or Moose with a .44 mag revolver (which I wouldn’t but if) I would choose a ruger over S&W specifically for that application. Any other intention, any other time, I’d take the S&W.
 
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