What to get for my second revolver, 44 magnum or 460 xvr.

[DR505]

I like this one for hanging from my belt:

A 4" Model 629-4 .44 Magnum

Not too heavy to tote, controllable, and accurate. I use 270 grain Speer JSP handholds or a stoutly loaded 240 grain LSWC.

 

[Neumann]

A 329PD at 25 oz is going to be brutal will full load .44 Magnum. A full-lugged 6" 629 will be a "bear" to carry at 48 oz. In between you should consider a 4" revolver. A 629 Mountain gun weighs 42 oz, and is not that bad to shoot. With practice, you can get off a quick second shot or more. I carry a 3", which weighs the same as a Mountain Gun, but with has a full lug. It's about the same to shoot as a Mountain Gun, but has a shorter sight radius.

I carry the 3" IWB out west (hidden, as to not scare the hoi poloi). I don't expect to encounter a grizzly, but a short .44M is better than a sharp stick. If I did go looking for bears, I'd carry a .45-70 brush gun or a shotgun with slugs.

 

[Capttjk1]

Take a look at the S&W 69. 5 shot, L-frame .44Mag. GREAT carry gun with plenty of stopping power.

 

[roscoepc]

I like this one for hanging from my belt:

A 4" Model 629-4 .44 Magnum

Not too heavy to tote, controllable, and accurate. I use 270 grain Speer JSP handholds or a stoutly loaded 240 grain LSWC.

I like this one hanging at my side!! I figure if I can tote a Browning Auto 5, 12ga 3" Magnum all day, A 500 S&W Magnum, 8-3/8" barrel is not a problem as I like accuracy along with power when I pop a cap! If you can handle a .44 Mag using hot rounds, the 460 or the 500 should be OK for you also. BUT.... Try one first if you can!!!!

 

[SFArmory]

I lived in Alaska for 8 years and bow hunted everything. I carried a 44 329pd because it was light enough to ALWAYS have with me. That's the key always. I practiced regularly with 44 special and 1 cylinder of heavy loads. Never had to use it, but drew it on 2 bears. My 454 at the time was just too heavy to hike 10+ miles with everyday stalking animals.

 

[ironhead79]

Take a look at the S&W 69. 5 shot, L-frame .44Mag. GREAT carry gun with plenty of stopping power.

Bingo. I have a 69 and a 460 8 3/8". The 460 is more of a "I'm carrying this specifically to take this animal on my terms". I would not want to have to draw and shoot it under extreme stress, ie. a bear charging to eat my ***. To carry heavy in the woods, 69. To carry for grizzly or a tank in the woods, 454 (hint, alaskan). Look at the ballistics. Compare 44, 454, 460. Open a reloading manual and study. Then, compare the platforms in which they are offered.

 

[cloudswimmer]

Actually it's the other way around, Grizzly bears are considerably more aggressive than black bears. But unless you meet Mr Griz then you don't have to worry about him.

I have multiple friends that have went hunting for Black bear and Grizzly bear and only the grizzly bears have charged at any of them, the black bears just high taled it out of there. A hit with a .357 in the head of a black bear is going to count for a hell of a lot more than a miss with a .44. Don't even think about the .460 unless you want to be deaf while the unharmed bear is having you for lunch, friendly jesting of course.

John.

By aggressive I mean bluff charging. At 55 I've been bluff charged 3 times in my life time by black bears and never by grizzly at similar distance. I studied all the essays by Dr. Tom Smith USGS wildlife biologist back in the day after experiencing my first bluff charge, and the consensus was when the brown bear charges he's not bluffing, when the black bear charges, often times more than not its a bluff charge, hence the brown bear is more dangerous. Yeah your basic modern day Google search will say a Brown bear is more aggressive than a black, but there are just too many variables, population density, etc. Funny thing is after I started carrying a large bore revolver on my outings I was never bluff charged again. Bears are smart too

 

[cloudswimmer]

The X frame is not for a novice and is also a heavy gun to pack - a hit with a 44 sure beats a miss with anything else...

Good point on placing a proper shot. The first gun I ever shot in my life was a .44 Magnum Model 29 that belonged to my gun enthusiast buddy. I had absolutely no problems with the recoil or muzzle rise and I had a blast (pun intended ) For the next couple of years I begged him to let me go shooting with him every time he mentioned he was going to our local outdoor range, and that's the gun I always asked for. Of course back then I was a semi pro level body builder, 22 years old, weighing in at around 245lbs which helped.

I bought a 10" barrel Magnum Research BFR .500 S&W Magnum about 10 years ago, and going up from my long barrel .44 Mag Super Blackhawks to that gun was a pretty easy transition. HOWEVER I just bought a brand spankin new Smith&Wesson Model 500 4", and it is QUITE a different experience than my big single action .500. At this point I don't feel proficient enough with it yet to use in a life or death stress filled situation. If I was going out literally tommorow gold prospecting I'd still carry my Bowen Classic Arms .44 Magnum with my custom loads cause I can shoot it reliably. But I'm gonna practice practice practice with this new Smith 4" 500 till I can replicate my confidence.

I would say to the OP get the gun you really like be it a .44, 460, or even a 500, but get a lot of range time in with it and build that muscle memory and confidence before taking it out for personal protection. Did I mention practice

 

[keithherrington]

Before you decide...

...I'd read this article by John Linebaugh.

Gunnotes...Smith & Wesson Mod 25-5

Over the years I've delved deep into both the 44 Mag and the 45 Colt. When it's all said and done I'd take the 45 Colt without hesitation. As for the 460/500 X frame, no thanks. If I want a gun that powerful, I'll carry a rifle.

Keith

 

[Road_Clam]

I have the 12" 460 XVR. I don't have the need to carry as my intent was 100-200 yd target. You could carry the 5" XVR but the 8-3/8" would probably get heavy over a longer hike. A shoulder rig will help. Problem is with my experiences with the 4"-5" big bores is they pack a BRUTAL recoil wallop. I would never own a 4 or 5" just because I would never be able to practice shooting a lot of rounds. My 12" i'm good for about 15-20 rounds then my wrists are aching and it's time to stop. You don't want to be shooting a big bore sore and tired. You need 101% focus. I'm strictly an amateur handgunner and I have learned to shoot my 460 well. They simply takes some mature respect and learning how to manage the recoil. I try to tell people "don't fight the recoil, smoothly decelerate the recoil and allow the gun to lift up and over your head keeping it from smashing your face. I also only let new shooters load one round at a time to prevent an accidental double tap discharge from the fierce recoil. When you get into the larger 8"+ bbl XVR's the recoil gets easier the manage. I totally enjoy shooting my 12" and have become pro efficient at managing a 460 mag. My XVR has helped me across the board as a handgun shooter. My snappy recoiling Glock G22 now seems like a 22LR after spending time with a 460 mag LOL

 

[Oldfrt]

I visited the range today and purchased a 1 year membership so I have plenty of cheap range time available. I think a 4 to 5 inch barrel 44 mag will be the most likely. I am not too concerned with the carry weight of the revolver or ammo, the weight will be born by the trike and not my body, I only have to work on getting it up the hills but that is why I ride every day. I did get about 100 rounds in today, 50 of 357 and 50 38's, I did my first one handed shooting with some 38's not bad but needs lots of work. I also picked up some snap caps so I can work on trigger control and start practicing with my left hand and build up those muscles.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I think a 4 to 5 inch barrel 44 mag will be the most likely.

Probably a good next step caliber. You can always upgrade bigger later if you like the big bang.

.

629-6 Classic, 5" bbl.

.

 

[John Rus]

By aggressive I mean bluff charging. At 55 I've been bluff charged 3 times in my life time by black bears and never by grizzly at similar distance. I studied all the essays by Dr. Tom Smith USGS wildlife biologist back in the day after experiencing my first bluff charge, and the consensus was when the brown bear charges he's not bluffing, when the black bear charges, often times more than not its a bluff charge, hence the brown bear is more dangerous. Yeah your basic modern day Google search will say a Brown bear is more aggressive than a black, but there are just too many variables, population density, etc. Funny thing is after I started carrying a large bore revolver on my outings I was never bluff charged again. Bears are smart too

I can see why one might say that, a bluff charge though is not really considered dangerous (Your still in one piece, which is always a plus ). Although I could easily see how that would be considered aggression.

It is well proven that grizzlies are considerably more dangerous (Dangerous being the operative word.) than black bears. I have second hand acounts of people I know that have consistent opionions with what I have read.

Another interesting fact is mother black bears are not as protective of there cubs as we once thought, there are some researchers (Can't think of the right word right now.) that have came in close proximity to or even (I think, don't quote me on this one.) removed the cubs from there mother and the mother bear did not attack. Not to say they never defend there cubs but they not as protective as one might think, myself included.

Now grizzlies are another matter, they defend their cubs with authority!

 

[Kid44]

I see you are in Missouri, no grizzlies there so I think you are safe. If you are going to do your riding in the lower 48 a .44 magnum is probably plenty of gun. Not sure I would buy a
.460 unless I was going to Alaska, permanently. That is a lot of gun, regardless of barrel length to carry around all day. As I have said before, there is not a bear behind every bush and boulder just waiting for you to come along and become his next meal. It's cool to fantasize about "what if" situations, but most likely that's about as far as it ever gets. Not saying it can't, and won't happen. It does pay to be prepared, just choose your gun wisely. With the five year plan you have in place you have plenty of time to decide and become proficient with your choice.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
As was told to me, I tell to you.
When at Thunder Ranch, one of our teachers had been in Alaska.
He "wrote the book" [for real!!] for the oil pipeline workers.
The conclusion was, Everyone had a rifle or shotgun [ 12gr pump and 45-70 lever] and a large handgun.
The point was that no one went alone. If a bear or moose [worse]
came after you ,you would not have time to shoot till he got there.
Aka you would fight from the ground or not at all.
The job of the other guy was to run up close and shoot the animal off you , stop the red stuff leaking and get help .
The long gun was primary and used at close range.
The handgun was if you are not holding the long gun [or standing next to it]
and used at closer range [aka run up and put it in bears ear]
So if you only carry a pistol, a short barrel, larger bore, magnum,
with NON-expanding ammo that can be shot with one hand.
Bear spray or pepper spray "may" work [ you can make a clould
for the critter to run through]
Pistol is your last chance.
I would say, a 357mag,41mag,44,mag 4in or less S&W
a ruger alaskan 480 if you can shoot it.
And don' go any where alone.
.

 

[ostlund]

Probably a good next step caliber. You can always upgrade bigger later if you like the big bang.

.

629-6 Classic, 5" bbl.

.

Sage advice on both inputs. 44 mag is a significant step up from .357 and one needing time to grow into. The bigger ones are just to big of a step in my opinion. Besides, you'll never regret having a .44 mag.

 

[Kid44]

All the responses to your original post, including my 1st one and I don't think I saw anyone ask where you were going to be doing your riding, so, where are you going to be doing your riding? If you are to stay in MO and surrounding states a good stout load in a .357 would be sufficient. There are black bears in the Ozarks area but still fairly rare to see one I understand. I would be more concerned with wild dogs and unsavory people than bears.
As for a recumbent bike/trike I would think a shoulder holster may be the way to go. Only place I would consider a
.460/.500/.454 would be for Alaska, and maybe the area around Yellowstone.

 

[Oldfrt]

I plan on trying to visit and ride in as many states as possible after retiring, and Yellowstone is a definite stopping point.

Also I have some family who are looking forward to me getting into shooting since I do have the disposable income to purchase the toys and we can visit ranges to have some fun with things that make a big boom.

I did get to put my hands on a 4 inch 69 yesterday, same fit as my 686 but the trigger felt a little smoother on the 69.

 

[Kid44]

I plan on trying to visit and ride in as many states as possible after retiring, and Yellowstone is a definite stopping point.

Also I have some family who are looking forward to me getting into shooting since I do have the disposable income to purchase the toys and we can visit ranges to have some fun with things that make a big boom.

I did get to put my hands on a 4 inch 69 yesterday, same fit as my 686 but the trigger felt a little smoother on the 69.

Just an opinion and worth what you are willing to pay me for it, but I think you would be well served with a nice .44 magnum. Shoot it, become proficient with it and load it with good quality ammo to fit the scenario and enjoy your ride.
Personally, for a bike ride/hike I think a 4" barreled gun would be just the ticket.

 

[Riflemann]

Well I have both a 629 Classic in 44 Mag, and a 460XVR. The 460 is heavy and needs a good shoulder holster for any walk over 400 yards. I would say my 44 mag will handle any 2 or 4 legged critter that wants to do me harm. I shoot at an indoor range and the "*** is that" factor comes into play everytime I shoot the 460.