Help choosing a handgun for Deer

bwortman · 12-16-2002, 06:12 AM

I am looking to get a 44 mag for handgunning deer. I am trying to decide between a ruger super redhawk or a smith & wessen 629 classic.

Does anyone have any advice about either one, good or bad?

Thanks

Bloodnativ · 12-16-2002, 07:31 AM

Either one is an excellent choice. I'm not familiar with the S&W but the Ruger SRH kicks butt! You might want to think about the SRH in .480ruger. Bigger bullet, higher velocity, more energy and the recoil is almost the same (a bit more of a "push" as opposed to a "slap&quot

. It will do everything the .44mag will do and more.

Ruger-Redhawk · 12-16-2002, 05:07 PM

You have your sights set on a couple of good guns.The Smith is a fine gun no doubt.My preference is the Ruger Redhawk and the Super Redhawk's.For a 44 mag I would choose the Redhawk over the SRH and the Smith.The SRH is quite heavy. The Redhawk weighs less and is very capable of handling hot 44 Mag loads.If you want to increase your power get the SRH chambered in 454 Casull. In the Casull you can shoot the 45 Colt.The Redhawk is available with scope rings. The SRH the scope rings are standard.My opinion the Ruger's are allot stronger then the Smith's and will hold up better shooting hot loads.
Ruger Redhawk

Support the NRA...Protecting our Gun Rights and Freedoms is everybody's responsibility. Ruger Redhawk A proud NRA Life Member since 1977.

frizzellr · 12-16-2002, 06:31 PM

Ruger-Redhawk summed it up nicely. I have always felt better about the strength of a Ruger over a Smith.

Smooch · 12-16-2002, 07:26 PM

May I suggest another one to check out, the Taurus Raging Bull, I have heard many good things about them, and would be on the top of my list if I were to buy a deer hunting hand gun, with the Ruger's being next on my list. I would probably go with the .480 over the .44, being it has much more knockdown power, or even the .454, if you can handle the extra recoil. I have heard the recoil on the Raging Bull's are very managable, being that they come with the barrels ported right from the factory.

handloader1 · 12-16-2002, 10:12 PM

Super Redhawk. Good luck

.300wbymag · 12-17-2002, 02:09 PM

i have a ruger super black hawk in 44mag it has a 10 1/2" barrel. i would go with a red hawk"super' OR A SUPER BLACK HAWK

Ruger-Redhawk · 12-17-2002, 02:54 PM

Looks like the Ruger Redhawks are getting most of the votes ,which doesn't surprise me.Smooch mentioned a Taurus "Raging Bull" in 454 Casull.First of all I have no experience with the Taurus RB.I have a friend who works at a gun shop. He told me that he has seen problems with some of the RB's. Something to do with the frame and cylinder latch.It's been sometime since he told me about this. I'm sure Taurus has probably corrected these problems by now.I'm sure Soarkrebel can enlighten us with information about the S&W 629 "Classic".Nice guns but can't compare to a Redhawk or SRH.
Ruger Redhawk

Support the NRA...Protecting our Gun Rights and Freedoms is everybody's responsibility. Ruger Redhawk A proud NRA Life Member since 1977.