I love my 44 SBH. Recoil is very managable and it kills deer dead. I was a bit worried about shooting a gun with too much kick that's why I went with the 44. plus ammo is cheaper and readily available, but I still handload.

I am tempted to try the Raging Bull in 454. That handgun is so heavy that I don't think recoil could be an issue. Its way to heavy to carry as a sidearm for backup but I can pick up a 44 Mag revolver later that is more portable. I don't plan on toting a 8 lb rifle and a 4 lb handgun both into the field.

I shoot a Ruger Super Readhawk in 44 mag. It is all you will ever need for deer and if you reload you can get even more out of it. I think you are better off shooting light 44 mag loads than using 44 spec, and as stated earlier the ammo is much cheaper and easier to find in 44 mag. I have the 7 1/2 inch barrel and it is a good length for hunting. The Super Redhawk is also an extreamly heavy built gun and will hangle the heavyest of mag loads without all that much recoil.

Don't get me wrong, the 44 mag is plenty of gun for deer and even elk and moose. There is no doubt about that. My interest in the 454 is simply that I have never tried one and I like the feel of the Raging Bull. As far as one to carry a lot, either the 4-5 inch Smith or the Blackhawk is my idea of a portable carry gun for hunting. Thats my weight limit for a backup gun.

I was shooting the Raging Bull this weekend on our hog hunt..what a gun!

Here is another friend shooting it...

I have a S&W Model 29 (6inch barrel) and a Freedom Arms in .454.
I love both guns, but the 'fun' one, by far and away, is the Smith because while I'm not usually susceptible to recoil (I do not flinch), the FA.454 gets to me after awhile. It administers a real pounding, at least for me. I can put a few hundred rounds thru my Smith with no problem, and enjoy the day. Plus, if you're going to reload, you need to make sure the jacketed projectiles you use for the .454 reloads are NOT for 45-colt...the high pressures will sometimes blow core from jacket and leave the copper jacket in your bore. Beware ! This is extremely hazardous ! Make sure you have correct components for the .454 Casull Magnum. I have found that the Freedom Arms does not shoot
45colt as accurately as .454 casull...I don't have the .45 colt cylinder so maybe it's better with the conversion. If you do not reload, you'll immediately see the difference between Remington .44 Mag 240 grain flat points and anything else factory loaded for .454 casull magnum. BIG price difference.
Last, the Freedom arms revolver is lots more dough than the Smith...not really a factor, but when all things are considered, I might actually sell my FA and go for something else...maybe a Ruger Flattop and leftover cash in hand...hehehe...




Personal preferences:
Handgun hunting is usually a close-range (50 yards or so) affair. This was always due to the limitations of handgun ammunition. Now, it's due to my aging 50-year-old computer-strained eyes.

I prefer to carry my sidearm in a hogleg. If I have to scope it, I can't put it in a hogleg and I might as well just take my rifle...especially if I'm looking to 'reach out and touch something' where optics would come in handy.

It's just me...but I'd get the 'Smith...