What to buy... HELP!!!

[dirty d]

Hey guys. Ive got a question for u thats been driving me crazy for months. I know that this discussion has been beat to death many times before but im gonna bring it up anyway. I am torn between between buying a model 629 44mag and a460 xvr. I would use this gun for deer + hog hunting and all around fun with the boys. I also like the s&w 500 but i think thats WAY more gun then i will ever practically need.Ive shot both the 460+44 and i think that only made my dillema worse(wish i could have both but i cant, its one or the other). I like the versatility of the 460 but the 44 mag is tried and true many times over. Im mainly concerned whether the 44 is enough and if the 460 is too much. Everybody has any opinion + i would appreciate any advice you guys would have. Thanks.

 

[GyMac]

For me, the 629 would be the gun. I think it would be much more versatile. The 460 answers a need that I just don't have.

 

[RkyMtn]

Dirty_d,

Will you have to carry the gun for a distance in which you will need to pack ammo and holster the gun?

I hike and like my Model 29 4"; just the right weight and length. If I don't have to carry the gun, and 6" or 8" 629 will be powerful and accurate. The .44 Mag is plenty of round and there is such a diversity of ammo. I typically have the following rounds to shoot in this order:

1. CCI .44 shot shell (for snakes and small critters)
2. PMC .44 Special 180gr HP (small - medium game)
3. PMC .44 Special 180gr HP (small - medium game)
4. Pro Load Hunting 270gr SP (medium - big game)
5. Pro Load Hunting 270gr SP (medium - big game)
6. Federal Cast Core 300gr (stubborn big game)

Check out the eye-candy here:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...best-packin-stainless-n-frames-ever-made.html

Whatever the need, I can escalate the power factor and effect on any future threats with an appropriate load. There are a LOT of .44 Magnum ammo mfg's.

And, if you have to scrounge, .44 Mag will be easier to find than .460.

Cheers,

RkyMtn

 

[A10]

The .44 is a great gun, no doubt, but for power diversity you can't beat the .460 (I own 2 .44's, and no .460's yet). .45 colt, .45 colt heavy Buffalo Bore, .454 Casull, and .460 S&W for those rampaging tyrannosaurs!

 

[chud333]

For deer and hogs why would you need more than a .44 mag?
Clearly an easy choice for me. Ammo price and availability will
favor the .44 as well. I've killed both hogs and deer with .44 mag
and you could'nt have killed them any deader. Just my H.O.


chuck

 

[dirty d]

Man i appreciate the quick responses. Honestly i gotta say that i was leaning towards the 629 44 mag. but the "bigger is better" part of me was leaning toward the 460. It is very loud and very heavy. I wont have to carry either very far(just to the stand and back) but i thouht the 44 would be the best overall choice. Still mind screwing a bit tho. Thanks for the responses fellas. Keep 'em comin.

 

[CWH44300]

I'm thinking 44 , its probably the most versatile handgun a guy could have , loads from mild to wild in a platform that's easy to pack - you can't go wrong with a 4" stainless 44 - its the 4 x 4 of handguns

 

[dinooch]

44mag ammo can be found anywhere. Same as 30-06. I know it's nice to have all these exotic calibers for handguns and rifles but the way things are going I stick to the stuff that is most likely to be available. 9mm 45acp 38spl 357mag 5.56x45mm 7.62x51mm you get the picture.

 

[oldman45]

Actually I would go with an older model 29 with a six inch barrel.

If that is out of the question, go with the 629.

 

[Az. revolver fan]

The 629/29 is a fine, useful handgun. Probably the best in it's class. The problem I have with "handguns" like the .460 and it's cousins is that there are carbines in that weight class that are easier to carry and shoot. A Marlin "Guide Gun" in 45/70, for instance, is less expensive, approximately the same weight, easier to shoot, uses cheaper, more commonly found ammo than the .460 & .500, and will perform the same tasks.

 

[buck460XVR]

The choice would be tougher if you reload. If you don't reload, the choice is fairly obvious. Factory options for .44 mag ammo is almost limitless, but for the .460 is lacking. Cost for factory .460 ammo is also prohibitive unless one has very deep pockets. For hunting one must practice continuously and ammo cost can and will affect this. For range fun, ammo cost also makes a difference. Again, for someone with deep pockets, this is not a factor. But, if one handloads, the scales starts to even out. Cost for reloading once one has the brass is similar. The .460 really shines with handloads and at distances past 100 yards, the .44 cannot keep up, both in accuracy and terminal performance. I have both and shoot both regularly. I have hunted with and killed deer with both. For range use and specific hunting use, the weight differences are moot between the two. At the range, there is no gun that is more fun to shoot than a .460 with the proper loads. Also, if one handloads, there is no reason to shoot .45LC or .454 loads from the X-Frame as loading down .460 cases with proper powder and bullets will give better performance without the nasty carbon ring that forms from shooting the shorter cases.


The choice is yours.

 

[dirty d]

Fellas i relly appreciate it. I gotta say i was already leaning towards the 44 and the responses here plus the poll results really back up what i was already thinking. Ammo wouldnt play to much of a factor as i do plan on reloading but i agree that the 460 would be more of a specialty gun and the 44 would have all the power i would need and then some. Thanks again guys.

 

[MikeChandler]

Your question implies that you don't have a .44 already; I wonder how many of the 460 crowd don't already have a 44?

I think it's a good practice to begin with the least specialized calibers, and move to the most specialized last, to fill any niches the others don't cover.

Either way - CONGRATS!

 

[dirty d]

Mike u are correct. I dont have a 44 mag. But i dont really collect guns. All my guns have a specific "job" and i was looking at getting into hunting with a revolver and i dont ever intend on owning both guns if the 44 mag is gonna do everything i want it to do. I just wanted to make sure i was making the right decision the first time instead of buying one and then selling it to buy the other.

 

[luangtom]

The diverse loads available for the .44-Mag are what brought my vote for it. I would like to say that the 629 in the right configuration would be my ideal outdoors handgun. The right grips make it feel just right......

 

[mbliss57]

Dirty_d If you are buying it for big game only then I would go with the SW500.
It has ballistics and ammo possibilities that are numerous. I hunt, and although the .44mag or the .460 will work extremely well, why not use what wasn't available 10 years ago and has the best big game set up hands down. I own both the .44 and the 500. However, If you are buying it for big game and smaller critters and plinking etc then I would go with the .44 mag. The SW500 is a handful and the ammo expensive... but it's the best set up for big game.

 

[mes227]

I have both. I'd go with the .44mag. Has so many more uses than the .460. While the .460 can chamber lighter loads, the gun is just too big to carry or hike with. And the .44Mag is plenty of gun for nearly all uses, the ammo is SO MUCH cheaper and abundantly available. And as a survival gun, you're never going to successfully scrounge for .460Mags or .454Casulls, even .45Colts are hard to find. On the other hand, even Wall Marts stock .44s.

 

[Sportsterguy]

The 629/29 is a fine, useful handgun. Probably the best in it's class. The problem I have with "handguns" like the .460 and it's cousins is that there are carbines in that weight class that are easier to carry and shoot. A Marlin "Guide Gun" in 45/70, for instance, is less expensive, approximately the same weight, easier to shoot, uses cheaper, more commonly found ammo than the .460 & .500, and will perform the same tasks.

Excellent answer sir. If I need that much power a 45/70 Marlin would win every time over a .460. Them Guide Guns are the rage with my friends in Kodiak, Ak. for bear protection and hunting.

Too much over the top IMO for a handgun, who's ammo is very expensive.

A .44 mag with a heavy hard cast bullet will do everything a .460 will without the recoil, noise and money.

 

[DHOLLA]

Can you ever have to much gun?

My dad and I have both 44's and 460's Reload for both. The 460 is way more fun. Plinking and shooting the T-rex rounds. If your going to reload go 460 and don't look back.

 

[brucev]

To use a phrase now all to common, this is a "no brainer." You can't go wrong with the .44 S&W Magnum! Buy the M-29 and have fun!