I don't have much experience with Taurus. I've shot a few (including the Raging Bull) but not enough to form an opinion. That being said I will put in another "plug" for Ruger. These I have a LOT of experience with and they are tough reliable revolvers that will withstand the heavy hitting loads day in and day out with nary an hiccup. I too hunt in Illinois and last year Ikilled a nice 8-point with a fixed sighted Ruger Vaquero .44Mag (below) at just about 20 yards. I was watching him walk toward me but I didn't have a clear lane to shoot him, by the time he made his way into a clear lane he was at about 20 yards and I had forgotten to ear back the hammer!! Needles to say,even with my very best effort to keep the noise down, the "Click....click" of the Ruger got his attention and I had to make a pretty fast shot before he bolted away.


Here's the deer...The gun is on my righthip under my shirt, you can just make it out.



This year I will again leave my slug gun at home and will be hitting the woods with a Ruger .44mag only this time it will be a Hunter model with a 4x Leupold scope on it!





For $550.00 you can get yourself a "new in box" Ruger and it will last you a lifetime!

Food for thought........