44 Mag for Hunting: Advice?

[huntolive]

Although I probably don't need one I am seriously considering getting a 44 Magnum 4 deer and hog hunting Etc and also as possible Trail Gun.
I have a Freedom Arms 454 Casull single action and a Ruger Super Redhawk 454 Casull double single action. So I really have heavy hunting calibers covered and both have 7 and 1/2 inch barrels.
For trail and optional hunting guns I also have Glock 20 and Springfield XD M 10 mm as well as Smith & Wesson Performance Center 8 shot 357 Magnum. So I've always told myself I don't need it 44 nor want one.
Nonetheless I found myself lusting after a model 629 number 170334, it's the performance center 8 inch barreled version that has rails for above and below the barrel. I am also interested in the PC 629 17018 1, what is the compensator on that and what does it do and what's the deal with the funky style grip handle on that one?
I'm also considering the PC mag Hunter
170318 two tone.
Along with those I would consider another Super Redhawk Ruger or the 629 Deluxe 150714, or possibly the V comp if it's not too expensive and in fact most of these are probably more money than I should be putting into a gun right now, but when is that stopped us before?

I am seeking advice and experience on any of these models and direction of which way to go as well as pricing information and where are the best places I could get one new or used and what the differences between the muzzle brakes and compensators on the models that have them.
Thanks!

 

[ken158]

You have heavy hunting covered as well as trail / woods guns. Think about a model 69 in 4” - I’m glad I got mine.

 

[75Vette]

You've certainly given yourself several options. I can't tell you about the 8" 629-8 but I have a couple of the others and they are fantastic shooting guns. The 17018 or the Lt Comp Hunter is a solid gun and probably the best priced of the ones you mentioned. They can be found for about $1000. The comp just makes the gun a little less snappy and the grips are Altamont's idea of combats. Just for looks. The gun comes with rubber Hogues and do a fine job. I put a Leupold M-8 on mine.





The 44 Magnum Hunters are VERY sweet shooters and very accurate. They have a three piece barrel with the brake (3rd piece) serving as a nut to hold the barrel shroud on. These usually run in the $1200 neighborhood.

 

[S&W ucla]

You have heavy hunting covered as well as trail / woods guns. Think about a model 69 in 4” - I’m glad I got mine.

+1 I've been trying to take a deer with mine but they haven't cooperated, yet.

 

[sandog]

huntolive, sounds like you have the big revolvers covered.
A model 69 would be my choice.
I packed 629's and Redhawks for many years in grizzly country, never fired at a bear in anger, ( or at an angry bear !). I could have packed a smaller lighter gun like the 69, had they been making them then.
Now for a gun that will be fired a lot, and seldom carried, a 629 would fill the bill better.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I like my early production 629's-but I would by the shorter barrel Ruger rather than the later production S&W's. I recently purchased a GP-100 in 44 Spl that I really like-a 5 inch with FO front sight-great quality-a good fit for what you are seeking, given your present arsenal. JMO.

 

[vonn]

Any 44mag you want will take deer and hogs easily. In my experience range estimation and practice are what are needed to be successful when handgun hunting. Very satisfying way to hunt. Good luck!

 

[jdlii]

The .44 magnum just may be the perfect cartridge for hunting white tail deer with a handgun. I've carried a Ruger Super Blackhawk and even with Pachmayr grips, firing this revolver was painful.

I traded into a 629 Classic DX with a 6.5" barrel and this revolver is the one that gets a lot of woods time. I have taken a 5pt. buck with it using Hornady 240grain, XTP bullets. Another opportunity has not presented and a lot of that is my fault based on my recent hunting habits and a comfortable shooting house.

An appropriate load of 2400 powder, a quality bullet, magnum primer and good brass will provide all of the power you need. I have carried my 629 in a Bianchi shoulder holster but, recently acquired a Kenai chest holster and find that rig, for hunting, hiking or doing outdoor chores when a handgun is need to be kept close, is almost perfect.

Good luck!

 

[silentflyer]

The 8" .44 S&W is a great choice,the Redhawks are very strong if you are going to hand load hot rounds. The Dan Wesson .44 mag in a 8 or 10" barrel are known for being super accurate, they dominated the metal silhouette matches back in the day. Lots of choices

 

[gwpercle]

I would re think the 8 inch barrel...not exactly handy for a trail gun.
The model 58 in my avatar has a 4 inch barrel and even though a N frame revolver it packs well in a good belt holster. I have no doubt it will down a hog and even a deer if I can get up close...old eyes limit my distance .

You will have to carry it if used as a trail gun so consider how to pack it .
Gary

 

[Rpg]

The long barreled guns OP is considering are fine things if you’re hunting from a fixed blind, as seems quite common in some parts of the country. This style of hunting rarely involves carrying a handgun more than 100 yards in a day: to and from the blind.

If you’re hunting on horseback or on foot where you’re actually going to carry the handgun over distances and/or for hours, these large, long barreled guns are dismal implements. Anything larger than a 4” N frame in those circumstances quickly loses its luster.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Hey, we're enablers ! We're not going to tell you to not buy a S&W .

But as noted above , you have long bbl revolvers well covered , but your gap is for a handy big bore belt revolver . Say somthing in 4in to 5in . ( Note that 4in is legal for big game in your home state , and the nearby neighbouring state .

 

[diyj98]

Since you already have a couple cannons suitable for large game, I'd look at a S&W 69 for a handy trail gun. It's easy to carry for a 44 magnum and I don't find the recoil unmanageable.

 

[44wheelman]

My recommendation would be diversify; something 4 to 5” in length for carry. Have fun at the range working on double action skills with some mid range cast bullet loads, but you can still load up your HPT’s with 296 for all your serious work.

 

[silentflyer]

Long tubes are no problem in a shoulder holster rig.

 

[buck460XVR]

The 44 Magnum Hunters are VERY sweet shooters and very accurate.

Yes they are. I have an Lew Horton solid stainless with an unfluted cylinder, it came with some petty wood round to square conversions, now wears Hogue X-Frame grips. The accuracy and the trigger amazes me every time I shoot it, and the comp and weight tame recoil very nicely. It is definitely a dedicated hunting/range gun, that I would recommend to anyone.

 

[Shuz]

Look into a Smith model 69. Great trail gun.

 

[Old Corp]

In a .44 Mag 'woods/trail gun', the new-ish M69 would be a good choice and I've always admired the Mountain Gun series. One of those in .44 would work great too. It'll take a little looking to find one, but that's the fun part.

I've beat the whole 'woods/trail gun' thing to death....
They range all the way from a M63 4" .22 Kit Gun, to a Ruger Security Six SS .357 4", to a Colt Delta Elite SS 10mm, to a M58 .41, a Ruger Bisley .44 Spl 5.5", and I could keep going except for embarrassment.

Have fun....

 

[BillyMagg]

The .44 magnum just may be the perfect cartridge for hunting white tail deer with a handgun. I've carried a Ruger Super Blackhawk and even with Pachmayr grips, firing this revolver was painful.

I traded into a 629 Classic DX with a 6.5" barrel and this revolver is the one that gets a lot of woods time. I have taken a 5pt. buck with it using Hornady 240grain, XTP bullets. Another opportunity has not presented and a lot of that is my fault based on my recent hunting habits and a comfortable shooting house.

An appropriate load of 2400 powder, a quality bullet, magnum primer and good brass will provide all of the power you need. I have carried my 629 in a Bianchi shoulder holster but, recently acquired a Kenai chest holster and find that rig, for hunting, hiking or doing outdoor chores when a handgun is need to be kept close, is almost perfect.

Good luck!

I'm going to second the motion, I owned a stainless 5.5 inch Super Blackhawk, it was the most in-accurate gun I have ever owned, and a "Mule kickin" experience.....

most Ruger single actions are very accurate, and I bought the Super Blackhawk after shooting a 45 Blackhawk convertible, with 45acp, I had a 4 inch group with iron sights, except for two "called" flyers...

now that Super didn't kick with 44 Specials, but it didn't hit either, I sold it to my "reloading neighbor" who swore he could make it shoot! 4 or 5 years later I asked him about it?? GONE, he couldn't get it to shoot either, and my shooting partner, the Ruger man, couldn't get a decent group with it either...

Now, the sad story is, I bought a 44 Flattop, 1961, 4 digit serial, and that dang thing was probably the most beautiful, accurate, smooth shooting little thang that ever was,,,,

in a moment of extreme stoopid, a 45 New Frontier with an ACP/45 Colt cylinders, and shiny blue, beguiled me long enough to trade my poor sweet little Flattop, near the top of my dumbest moves ever...

So, I still have two earlier 29-2's a 4" and a 6.5", sweet shooters both, and a 5" 29-6 Classic... I haven't shot the -2's in a blue moon, but the Classic still kicks my butt, and looks pretty sweet in the process...

I shot a Ruger Red Hawk in 44 Mag one time,,, I just did NOT like it...

So when it comes to 44 Mags, shoot em all, shoot em often, and buy what works well for you... at that level of handgun power, fit becomes even more important, that and what look "Purdy" or don't....

oh, and yes I do still miss that 44 Flat top, even more than my 29-5 6.5" Classic DX, traded to my shooting partner for a Colt Combat Commander, who although he would never sell it back to me, let it go at a gun show for 425 Bucks.....

 

[huntolive]

Thanks for all your help guys.
I'm looking into some older 629 series 3 or 4 with a 5 " barrel, OR the Mag Hunter.
I wasn't that impressed with the new model 629 Non Performance Center offerings.
What limitations do the 69s have vs the 629s if I go that route?
Also which Hold Value the best?
Where do I find a good 629 3 or 4 series or mountain gun or 44 flattop?