hunting with 44 mag pistol?

[Crosshairy]

Anyone have experience with deer hunting with a 44 magnum?

Up until VERY recently, I was completely convinced that I wanted a 41 magnum instead, but the cost of bullets (I don't have the material or time to reload) is looking like it will drive me away from practicing with it.

So I'm looking at the 44 mag and trying to convince myself that it's not too "scary" of a caliber to use.

My plan - get a Ruger Super Blackhawk with ~7.5" barrel and put a red dot sight on it. I'll probably buy one of those Primos trigger monopods to use for stalk hunts as a shooting rest.

Question - As a relatively small-framed guy (5'8"), am I going to regret this decision?

I want a pistol that's effective out to 50-75 yards, and the 357 just doesn't seem like it will fit the bill for knock-down power.

I think I will contact my local range and see if they have a similar gun that I could rent to try out. Appreciate any input.

 

[whiskey]

I have probably killed more big game with my .44mag Super Blackhawk than any other weapon. Mostly because I shot a lot of hogs with it in Florida, but I have killed a few deer with it too. Longest shot I've made was right at 50 yards. I had a 7.5" that I cut down to 5.5". It shoots 300gr Hornady XTP's very well. Recoil is stiff, but manageable. I dropped lots of hogs with neck shots and got lots of clean pass throughs with the XTPs. With a 7.5 barrel the recoil isn't bad. If you get one that shoots well, you can certainly kill deer out to 75 yards from a steady rest.

 

[44fanatic]

Ive got a SBH/Hunter with the 7.5 barrel. Recoil with factory loads is not what you think it is going to be. Firt time I fired it, I was cringing before I pulled the trigger as I had never fired anything lareger than a 45ACP. After that first shot, I was ready to put a box of ammo down the barrel without flinching.

 

[Urban_Hunter]

I had one shortly with the intention on hunting with it, and I second 44fanatic's comment. My first shot I was scared I would walk away with broken wrists, but after the shot I was wondering where the recoil was. That long barrel and heavy frame take most of it out. Don't try to hold it down and its a joy to shoot. You can shoot boxes and boxes through it easily... I've done it numerous times. Ended up trading it with a friend in a gun exchange and I wish I could go back and kick myself.

 

[BigD_625]

If you're worried about the kick, load up some 44 special. They'll shoot out of a 44 Mag revolver. Killed my first deer and several more with a 44 Mag Ruger carbine rifle. 240gr hollow points will spin them around sometimes.

 

[pressfit]

I have a smith and wesson 44mag.. 10 5/8 inch long barrel with a tasco world class 50 mm scope.. recoil is not that bad.. i did put on a set of pacmeyers.. only killed 1 deer.. a doe.. years ago with it.. I might dig it out and take it.. thanks for jarring my brain!

 

[Savage]

You wont notice a lot of difference between the 44 and 41

 

[Crosshairy]

Cool - thanks for the encouragement. I think I'm gonna pull the proverbial trigger on buying one.

Anyone want to talk me out of a 7.5" barrel? I don't want to go shorter, and I was afraid that a longer barrel would have portability problems.

 

[fourwheeler431]

I had a raging bull in .44 and it was fun to shoot with very little recoil,of course it was ported and weighed something like 63oz. I really wish I still had it!

 

[SEC]

I like the 7.5in barrel myself.

 

[eyeseeker]

I have a scoped 44super redhawk and love it. Recoil isnt bad at all and it is very accurate out to 75 yards. Red dot scope would be the way to go.

 

[10 POINT]

I shoot a 8 1/2" barrel Super Blackhawk, stainless steel and it is very accurate to 50-60 yards even with open sights. If you hit them they will go down!!