Neocon
Member
I would like recommendation for a versatile Smith for hunting white tails. 44 mag is going to be my may for recoil. I would love pictures of the sweetest hunting revolvers made.
Smith for handgun hunting
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gunsmith11
Member
.44 mag or a .41 mag either will get the job done,,,try to stay in within 50 yards, unless well experienced
gunsmith11
Member
model 57 or a model 657 and if lucky a model 58 but the 58 is fixed sight only, ok at 50 yards anything longer it will do the job, but needs an very experienced shooter,, oh i for got all of these are .41 mag...just for info a .41 is a true .41 caliber,, a .44 is a .429 very little difference
gunsmith11
Member
I have a model 58 my sweet heart, but also have a model 657 set up with Millet red dot sight for day time, and a Crimpson Trace laser sight for night time,,nite time is reserved for Hawgs
VAdoublegunner
Member
Lots of good options.
I like a 4" 629-4. It's easy to carry, stainless is good in the field for exposure to harsh hunting conditions, it has the most up to date enhancement package changes to handle heavy loads but was before a lot of engineering changes many didn't like. Also, they are not too hard to find. Mine has served well.
If it's legal in GA, I might consider a 1006. Mine is accurate enough at 50 yards and has the punch with the right bullets and heavy handloads. Revolvers are the more traditional choice for hunting, but using the the 10mm auto for that purpose, which is something it could certainly handle in original loadings, is sort of cool.
I like a 4" 629-4. It's easy to carry, stainless is good in the field for exposure to harsh hunting conditions, it has the most up to date enhancement package changes to handle heavy loads but was before a lot of engineering changes many didn't like. Also, they are not too hard to find. Mine has served well.
If it's legal in GA, I might consider a 1006. Mine is accurate enough at 50 yards and has the punch with the right bullets and heavy handloads. Revolvers are the more traditional choice for hunting, but using the the 10mm auto for that purpose, which is something it could certainly handle in original loadings, is sort of cool.
tom turner
US Veteran
Hi,
Georgia is a great state for centerfire handgunners. For deer and such, any centerfire handgun is legal.
Although I'm usually also toting a scoped .270, 30.06 for those longer distance shots I primarily handgun hunt.
I've toted various barrel lengths and have come to the personal conclusion that the 6" variety gives more velocity punch that's needed over a 4" . . . but that the 7+" barrel handguns are more cumbersome than I prefer.
Thus, after various handguns, I settled on a 1989-made S&W Model 29-5 (.44 Magnum) with a 6" tube and have never looked back.
1. It comfortably can ride in a specially altered BELT holster, for when I'm dragging that buck out of a bottom or climbing a tree.
2. It has PLENTY of velocity and great accuracy
3. NO ONE beats the trigger pull of a Smith revolver . . . and a great trigger is SO important to getting sterling accuracy in the field!
The S&W Model 629 is the stainless steel version of the blued M29 but I feel the blued guns aren't "picked up" as often by wildlife. All 629 revolvers have the "Enhancement (durability} Package" treatment with the stronger bolt lock up, as do all the Model 29s from the "dash 5" model and higher. Some 29-4 models have it too, as mentioned above. Mine's a Model 29-5
I mainly fire really stout 300 grain rounds in this revolver (except when plinking, of course) and it still locks up as tight as new!
Here's my trusty, but STILL not rusty M29 atop the hide of a very rare Piebald Whitetail buck I took here in Georgia a few years ago with the revolver.
Ahhhh, the joys of hunting!
It is topped by a Holosight, and twice I've dropped THREE deer with as many shots in rapid succession with this great sighting system, including a large doe RUNNING broadside in a fresh clearcut at sixty-five measured yards! She dropped like a stone and never moved at all!
If I do MY job and hold carefully, braced or rested, I can nail gallon milk jugs with consistency AT 200 YARDS . . . just aim 34" high! VERY accurate revolver that consistently benches three round groups under 2" at 50 yards . . . shooting my preferred round (300 grain hardcast flatnose). Wow, what accuracy and knockdown power!
I have NO desire to ever replace this revolver with anything else. It is that "perfect" for me.
Georgia is a great state for centerfire handgunners. For deer and such, any centerfire handgun is legal.
Although I'm usually also toting a scoped .270, 30.06 for those longer distance shots I primarily handgun hunt.
I've toted various barrel lengths and have come to the personal conclusion that the 6" variety gives more velocity punch that's needed over a 4" . . . but that the 7+" barrel handguns are more cumbersome than I prefer.
Thus, after various handguns, I settled on a 1989-made S&W Model 29-5 (.44 Magnum) with a 6" tube and have never looked back.
1. It comfortably can ride in a specially altered BELT holster, for when I'm dragging that buck out of a bottom or climbing a tree.
2. It has PLENTY of velocity and great accuracy
3. NO ONE beats the trigger pull of a Smith revolver . . . and a great trigger is SO important to getting sterling accuracy in the field!
The S&W Model 629 is the stainless steel version of the blued M29 but I feel the blued guns aren't "picked up" as often by wildlife. All 629 revolvers have the "Enhancement (durability} Package" treatment with the stronger bolt lock up, as do all the Model 29s from the "dash 5" model and higher. Some 29-4 models have it too, as mentioned above. Mine's a Model 29-5
I mainly fire really stout 300 grain rounds in this revolver (except when plinking, of course) and it still locks up as tight as new!
Here's my trusty, but STILL not rusty M29 atop the hide of a very rare Piebald Whitetail buck I took here in Georgia a few years ago with the revolver.
Ahhhh, the joys of hunting!
It is topped by a Holosight, and twice I've dropped THREE deer with as many shots in rapid succession with this great sighting system, including a large doe RUNNING broadside in a fresh clearcut at sixty-five measured yards! She dropped like a stone and never moved at all!
If I do MY job and hold carefully, braced or rested, I can nail gallon milk jugs with consistency AT 200 YARDS . . . just aim 34" high! VERY accurate revolver that consistently benches three round groups under 2" at 50 yards . . . shooting my preferred round (300 grain hardcast flatnose). Wow, what accuracy and knockdown power!
I have NO desire to ever replace this revolver with anything else. It is that "perfect" for me.
tom turner
US Veteran
PS: Here's my holster rig. It's simply an Uncle Mike's belt holster, and I modified it to accommodate the Holosight and still be silent AND fast to draw.
Best of all, it was economical and protects the gun's surface better than leather, especially on wet days!
Best of all, it was economical and protects the gun's surface better than leather, especially on wet days!
David LaPell
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A Model 29, 629 in .44 Magnum or a 57 or 657 in .41 Magnum should be the ticket for whitetails.
GatorFarmer
Member
I don't see why you couldn't use a .357 such as a 6" Model 686 or 66 for what you want to do. Recoil would be less than a .44 or .41 Mag.
Beaver
Member
An accurate Smith in 45 Colt will put their feet in the air. I shot a medium pig last month with said gun and one shot did the trick. 285 gr. SWC, 950fps. Dead pig.
Shooter10
Member
Neocon: Several years ago, Georgia had a minimum of 6 1/2 inch barrel for whitetail hunting, caliber .357 and up. I have not checked recently to know if the barrel length has been changed or not, but it is something you need to check. I agree with several, the model 57 in .41 mag does a great job, as it shoots flatter than the .44 and has plenty of energy to not just knock a deer down, but anchor it as well. I have owned a model 58 and still have a #57, but with too short of a barrel, however have a Ruger Blackhawk in .41 mag with a 7 inch barrel, which works great on deer.
84CJ
US Veteran
Wont debate which is better a 41 or a 44. Check your ammo supplier and see which one is most available. If you reload that is not a problem. If you are shooting factory ammo the 44 might be a better choice. I bought a 629-1 8 3/8 new and often wished I had gone with the six inch. I got use to the 8 inch and was afraid to change. 1 gallon milk jugs at 100 yrds with iron sights are no problem. I have never tried anything past about 125 yrds.
66TAS
Member
This will be one of my Georgia white tail guns....
mdl 29 no dash cut to 4 1/2 inches
alternate selection Freedom Arms 97 44 special
mdl 29 no dash cut to 4 1/2 inches
alternate selection Freedom Arms 97 44 special
29aholic
Member
Originally posted by 66TAS:
This will be one of my Georgia white tail guns....
mdl 29 no dash cut to 4 1/2 inches
alternate selection Freedom Arms 97 44 special
Damn Adam I need that FA...maybe I can do your taxes for it
66TAS
Member
[/QUOTE]Damn Adam I need that FA...maybe I can do your taxes for it[/QUOTE]
You can PAY my taxes anytime pal!!
You can PAY my taxes anytime pal!!
I use both, a Model 57 and a 629-1 for hunting. Both mags are 6" barrels. As for holsters, I like Bianchi's Cyclone 111 belt holster because it offers good protection for either gun and you can wear it as a crossdraw. I also use a Bianchi Ranger shoulder rig at times as well. Either gun does a good job on medium size game.
