WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED THE MAXIMUM EFFECTIVE DISTANCE FOR A .44 MAG HANDGUN ON DEER? I KNOW AMMO HAS A GREAT DEAL TO DO WITH THIS BUT I AM SPEAKING IN GENERAL. THANKS

Using the 1,000ft/lbs rule it puts you right at a 100yard max. I suspect that accuracy will be the limiting factor for just about everyone though.

Provided you had "HEAVY" ammo , such as what's available from Buffalo Bore, and the shooter is capeable it would be effective out to about 300 yards.

Buffal Bore has a 44+P+ load that fires a 340 grain bullet at 1478 fps out of a 7.5" barrel but is suitable in only certain firearms (Ruger redhawk, Taurus raging bull, Dan Wesson) Others are plenty strong but BB says that their cylinders are too short for the long 340 grain bullet.

http://buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#44P

However, most people consider it about a 100 yard range gun at best with regular ole ammo.

To put it into perspective as to how powerful this load it. The Federal 300 grain load would have 1000 foot pounds at 170 yards. THe Buffalo Bore load would carry 1000 foot pounds all the way out to 270 yards.

Accuracy won't be a problem. However Shootability might be. If you put a short barreled handgun in a shooting rest, they are very accurate. They are not however real shootable. A little wiggle here or there on a short barrel will cause some big misses. BB has it right on the effective ranges.

Its also true that with a revolver, 100 yards is about as far as the average handgunner will be successful.

I have a .44 mag rsrh with a leupold 4x scope and I still am limlited to about 100 yards ---- not because of the calibur it is cause I cant shoot it better than that. I really love that pistol , It shhots great and is very relieable.

Dan. That about as good as it gets for a Combo.

I have a Ruger Super Redhawk with a 7 1/2" barrel last season I took a deer at 165YDS. USING BuffaloBore 240 gr. GoldDot ammo I did not know the distance I guessed it at 80-90 yds only after the shot I measured with a Leupold range finder the BuffaloBore ammo shoots flat and hits very hard the deer dropped immediately and did not flinch I hope this helps chad

I checked out the 44' s at Sportman's wearhouse yesterday. I am looking at the SW 629, Taurus, and Ruger Super Redhawk. Would like to know the pros and cons of these guns. I am initially leaning towards the Ruger. Thanks

You atre leaning the right way. IMO. They are all fine guns. The Smith will be smoother and a better trigger from the box, The Ruger is the stronger of the bunch by far.

Has Smith and Wesson changed management since they done that government sell out deal?