The strongest .44 Magnum made !?!?

[Erocksmash]

Howdy,

Well this conversation has recently come to light as I have asked a good reloading buddy of mine(got me into reloading) "What is the strongest .44MAGNUM made?"

Well I'll ask the greater good of my respected forum here... facts, opinions, first hand experiences!?!?

I have a model 29 and have just started loading for the .44mag I don't want to subject the 29 to test loads or a constant diet of full power bad to the bone loads.

I feel an overwhelming urge to load large calibers...

So a second question is whats next? A BFR? A Freedom arms .44? A large frame super Blackhawk listed here in the forum? Whats the better gun? I know DA/SA vs SA only, I'm not worried about that I guess.

Something that is going to handle the abuse in the woods on the range and last a life time....

Thank
Erik

 

[arjay]

A super Blackhawk is pretty beefy and a colt anaconda is pretty strong for a double action

 

[ajgunner]

I have been doing my best to try and wear this one out for lots of years. So far it is proving to be tougher than my hand is. The best part is when it gets really filthy, you just strip it down and run it through the dishwasher so it is shiny and new for the next outing.

 

[Eric300]

I'm sure opinions are going to vary, but, how can you go wrong with any of the 'big bore' revolvers by Ruger? Super Redhawks/Blackhawks are built like tanks. In fact, I'd say that they may very well be over-engineered to handle consistent heavy recoil from 44mag/454/480. I don't know if they are 'the strongest', but, they sure gotta be darn close.

 

[S-W4EVER]

Marlin 1894 (bought mine new in 1977).

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

The strongest .44 magnum ever made is the RUGER #3 single shot rifle.

 

[PatriotX]

Dan Wesson should likely be in the D/A conversation.

 

[diyj98]

I'd think the Ruger Super Redhawk would be near the top.

 

[Culina]

If I had to place a bet on the strongest .44 magnum handgun, I would put my money on a Freedom Arms model 83 in. This sounds like a great idea for a magazine article, line up half a dozen .44 magnum revolvers and fire proof loads in them and see which one lasts the longest. (using a ransom rest and along string of course)

 

[ladder13]

How much money do you have? FA is the creme de la creme. Just get your hands on one.

 

[Bullet Bob]

You didn't limit opinions to handguns, so I'd think the Ruger No. 1 that was made in .44 magnum would be hard to wear out.

 

[Longcarbine]

Ruger Blackhawks are tanks, Ruger Redhawks are Abram's tanks.

 

[k22fan]

"The strongest .44 Magnum made !?!?"

I assume that you are asking which gun will withstand the highest pressure without bursting while firing one shot. My first guess would be one of the rifles that were also chambered for modern rifle cartridges, the Remington Model 788 bolt action or Ruger #3 or #1 if #1s were actually made. In all revolvers the weak link in the chain is the cylinder. .44 Magnum Ruger Redhawk and Super Redhawk cylinders have the same part number so those revolvers would have the same strength. Those are the largest DA revolver cylinders that I own. There's probably bigger .44 Magnum cylinders in other revolvers.

Perhaps more relevant, 44 Magnum Ruger Redhawk and Super Redhawk cylinders are longer than S&W N frame cylinders. Cartridges assembled with a longer OAL can produce more power with the same pressure.

 

[snowman.45]

I suggest a Ruger Redhawk in any barrel length. I reload, and made a 240 gr. load with a SJHP bullet at well over 1200 fps. It's been some time, and I don't remember the charge weight, but I believe the powder was W296. Let's just say it was warm enough to cause me not to want to shoot by M29 4" for a while after a 50 round qualification. I ended up getting a Ruger Redhawk when they came out in the 4" barrel. Shooting the same home-brew round, I shot 120 rounds in one range trip without discomfort. I could have gone on, but I didn't bring any more ammo.

 

[mikerjf]

Trying to think outside the cylinder... how does something like a Thompson Contender compare?

 

[SJC3081]

Ruger Super Redhawk.

 

[Erocksmash]

I suggest a Ruger Redhawk in any barrel length. I reload, and made a 240 gr. load with a SJHP bullet at well over 1200 fps. It's been some time, and I don't remember the charge weight, but I believe the powder was W296. Let's just say it was warm enough to cause me not to want to shoot by M29 4" for a while after a 50 round qualification. I ended up getting a Ruger Redhawk when they came out in the 4" barrel. Shooting the same home-brew round, I shot 120 rounds in one range trip without discomfort. I could have gone on, but I didn't bring any more ammo.

I just loaded up some 240gr, 24gr of w296/h110 winchester JSP and Nosler 240gr JSHP 10mins ago 50 each, for whatever I decide on...

 

[Erocksmash]

I'm really taking a liking to the Freedom arms and the BFR in .44 mag....

I haven't explored the idea of anything bigger or faster when I belive .44 gets the job done for me this side of the rockies anything more ill take the 1895sbl, anyways until thing calm I have enough components short of 2400 my fave, to last me threw the current climate...

 

[hkcavalier]

If I had to place a bet on the strongest .44 magnum handgun, I would put my money on a Freedom Arms model 83 in. This sounds like a great idea for a magazine article, line up half a dozen .44 magnum revolvers and fire proof loads in them and see which one lasts the longest. (using a ransom rest and along string of course)

Would be fun, but not if you ever want a manufacturer to ever send you guns for review. Unless it's part of a contract evaluation, I have come to understand they look dimly upon testing like this.

I do agree with 83 is probably the strongest repeating handgun. That's a lot of high quality steel in that cylinder.

Can't beat the single shots for strength though.

 

[6string]

Handloader advice

Since you mention that you are a handloader, I am assuming that you plan to develop loads that deliver performance in terms of accuracy and power.
So, besides being strong, you will want something accurate with good sights and a target grade trigger.
Just my personal opinion, but that tips the scale towards one of the high end single actions. A Freedom Arms 83 with the optional action job would do you well. Even better, get one with the Silhouette sights.
These rule the IHMSA matches where guys are using high power loads delivering long range accuracy out to the 200 meter rams.
And, they are shooting thousands of rounds per season.
It's not something that you're gonna see in the gun press, but dedicated IHMSA competitors would wear out even guns like the Dan Wesson after one or two seasons.