I have a strong affinity for the 44 magnum. Not so much because of its power, moreso due to its versatility. From groundsquirrels to big game, the 44 magnum does a fine job.

Maybe I was influenced too much by Mr Keith and Mr Taffin. Being an Idahoan I suppose I can be excused for that.

Not pictured are my S&W model 629s or .44 specials, but you get the idea.

Very nice!! Thank you for sharing the photo. Here are a few of mine:

It is clear, you are a man of good taste and breeding! Let's see the 44 specials!

O

Ted, a very nice herd of 44's, looks very similar to mine. They mak'em bigger & they mak'em badder but really nothing is better, maybe as good but not better. I've let some go that I sure would like to have back! 4" 29, 6 1/2" 29, 6 1/2" nickel, pinned & recessed, 3" 624. When you have 4 son's its hard to keep the herd corraled!

Dick

Hello
No home should be without at Least One Model 29. Here is my 29-2. She Kicks like a Mule with Full House loads too.. Thegeneral.

nice 44's here is mine sorry in first pic the top redhawk is a 41 with a luepy scope then the other 2 are 44's and then in 2nd pick 44 dan wesson




44 dan wesson

My very first handgun that I bought about 26 years ago. Dan Wesson 44 Magnum, 6-inch barrel.

Do you still have it?

I still have it, but don't shoot it as much as I used to. The photo is pretty recent.

Gotta love the .44 mag. My brother, nephew, best friend and I all carry Rugers. Funny/Good thing is that I handload for all of us, same loads that shoot absolutely fantastic in my Redhawk, shoot just as well from my brother's Vaquero, or Blackhawk hunter, or the other two's standard Blackhawks.

I developed a 300 gr. load using Sierra jacketed softpoints for elk and bear. They are seated out to far for a Smith and the one friend that had a Colt, shot 4 rounds thru it, and the gun locked up. The Rugers just keep right on eating those things up. However, it does put a hurtin on the wrist after about 15-20 rds.

I have taken 4 deer and 1 elk with my Redhawk, and never leave home without it when going in the woods, whether hunting, berry picking or just hiking and camping. It just feels good on the hip when in the back country.

Posted these before but what the heck. 4" and 7 1/2" Redhawks. The 7 1/2" loves 300 gr Noslers and H110!

Those two right there would be extremely hard to beat for an outdoorsman who wants to cover all of his big bore handgunning with just two guns.

I have given serious consideration to acquiring those two exact two myself

Here's a view of my 7.5" Super Blackhawk:


Aqualung

You talk about kick like a mule,I have a taurus ultra-lite titanium 44mag that i carry for bears. It weighs 28oz. I load it with 300gr swc. moving at 1150fps. Thats a mule.

Nope, wrong, that ain't no mule kicking, its a dang rhino! Nice to carry but I'd rather just let the bear get me that shoot one of those!

Dick

My wife shot it when we first got it. I told her it was very stout. She just looked at me funny. The first shoot she took, the gun flipped out of her hands just missed her head and landed on the ground behind her. I picked it up and started to walk into the house with it. She said to me, where are you going, I'm not done with that i put more than one shell in it. I handed it back to her and to my surprise she fired the rest of the shell, handed the gun to me and said my hand hurts, it kicks hard.

Dang, I gotta let y'all shoot my .475 Linebaugh and when you're done shooting it, you will be able to plink with your max .44 loads and not feel it! LOL!

Here's my 44 mag SRH.



and here are a few of the bullets I cast for it.

Very nice, Blammer!!

Damn after seeing all those good looking Smiths I'm almost afraaid to post a photo of my Taruas.

don't be ashamed of that taurus no need to hide it in a holster

Heck use and hunt with what you have and apologize to no one. I will not look down my nose by any means. Besides if it gets you in the field then that is all that matters!

Ditto!!

Hay guys I'm not ashamed of it. Iy serves my purpose and in the wet locations I hunt it's ideal for the climate. It's just not as purdy as some of those shown at the top of the thread, it's a working gun not a gun safe dweller.

The reason it's pictured in the holster is because it's the only picture I've got of it. I guess I should break out the digital camera and take a few pictures of it and of some of the other junk I have laying around herethat I use for shooting and hunting.

I got busy and shot a better photo of it.



The Holster is a Simply Rugged Pancake Holster w/IWB Optional Loops.

if you look in the security six thread you will see my companion that goes onto the farm almost everytime i go out has alot of holster wear and been one helluva reliable partner.don't be ashamed was more an expression

I built this one several years ago (under the tutelage of a master S&W gunsmith). I wanted a 5" Classic, but preferred a square butt design. I started with a 8 3/8" M629-3 square butt and ended up with this Classic. It now wears Hogue Goncho Alves one piece finger groove grips - those S&W target grips will work on your hands! I use a 200 grain handload and find it to be the perfect "bedroom" load: Hornady 200 XTP, Win WLP, FED case, 15.0 grains Blue Dot. Will eat one ragged hole at 10 yards, standing with a two hand grip.

A handful of mine...

Very nice Tony, I've seen some of your guns before, great stuff!
OM 44, thats had a flat top!

OM 41 shorty.

Small herd of Blackhawks.

OM 45 Blackhawk.

Ruger SBH 44 10"

Ruger 357 Maximum.

OM 41 shorty.
[img]http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/6shot_01/100_1232-1.jpg[/img]
Ruger 44 SS shorty.
[img]http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/6shot_01/100_0197.jpg[/img]
A few elk I let get away!
[img]http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/6shot_01/100_0290-1.jpg[/img]

Dick

I am envious!!! You guys have some fine iron and even finer animals! Here are three more 44's..... Dan Wesson 445 SuperMags (hunting pards) S&W 29-2 [img] [img]http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff127/nkhoff/100_1413.jpg[/img] Bullets I cast are L to R, 200 LBT WFN (loaded for S&W), RCBS 250-K, LBT 280 WFN, LBT 280 LFN, LBT 300 WFN and LBT 350 WFN, 445 SM with 300 WFN.

My Redhawk; 7 1/2 blue with tall front for the last two bullets mentioned. Sorry for the crappy pics.

Thanks all for sharing!

hawk, love them cast boolits! Got some real nice designs!

Wanna trade 50 for 50 boolits?

As usual Dick your pics speak of experience!

Good looking holster. Only it;s wrong handed!

Dick, fine collection you have there. What type of grips are the ones on the "44 SS shorty" as you call it? They look great.

Recently aquired this one at an estate sale.

Very nice, Westcoaster!!

biglmbass, those stocks are made up from English walnut, I make them. My son Shane does the rifle stocks & I do the handgun stocks.
This is maybe half of the pattern stocks in my son's shop. You can see the Dakota duplicating machine on one side & uder the cover is the Hoenig machine.

Set up to turn a set of Holly stocks for a Ruger Blackhawk.

Three sets of Holly stocks.


Dick

So lets see Santa, I mean Dick,........

I have this Blackhawk with phony plastic ivory grips that really needs to be dressed up like your shorty .44

Thanks, Idaho. Those grips look great. Well done!!

Holly, as in holly bush? Have 5 of those "sticker bushes" around my place. I never would have guessed thier wood to useful for anything.

Westcoaster...I have the 4" version of the Anaconda....Love It!

Thanks Whitworth.

2Crow, I had been eyeing it up for awhile. Up here it takes forever for handgun permitting.

I always thought that Colt's were well made but I don't know a lot about them. I see a lot said about S&W, Ruger and Taurus but very little about the Anaconda. It appears to be well made though and as soon as my transport permits come in I'll get it out to the range and see how it shoots.

Tell me more about your ultra-light 44mag. I am looking for a light weight 44mag to carry on a belt when hunting with a long gun. My Ruger Bisley Hunter does great for handgun hunting but it is too heavy to carry all day on my belt or with another gun.

The Taurus UL might be too much of a good thing at only 28ozs. How does it shoot? You must have to hold it down hard to stay on target. How hard was it to sight in? What is your best 50 yard group? Or is 25 yards a better range for this gun?

Do you feel that you could hit something running at you with it? Or is more weight needed to shoot well when under stress. Taurus also makes the 4" Tracker model at 34ozs and the SS model weighs 45ozs, I think.

I've had several different .44's over the years. This one is my latest, and hopefully my last:





Without a .44, the others were sort of incomplete! A good case can be made for the .44 being one of the most useful handgun cartridges ever for an outdoorsman.

Regards, Guy

My S&W 329 PD. Great to carry, and fun to shoot(the recoils not that bad). My wife gave it to me a couple of Christmas's ago for a promotion/Christmas present:


My Desert Eagle with its 14inch barrel on(have the 6inch barrel also). I was evaluating the scope thats mounted on top of it at the time(and did'nt care for it that much). Was considering putting a Bushnell Holotech XLP(low profile one) on it, but called Bushnell and they said they are no longer making the XLP version:


A Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter that I use to own, topped with a 4X Leupold. One of the best 44 Mag handgun set-up's for hunting in my opinon. A guy traded a Leupold Mark 4 3.5-10X40 plus cash for this, kind of regret getting rid of it. I figured I had the DE with the longer barrel for handgun hunting and alwasy wanted a Mark 4 scope:

Soon to post my own but these look awesome. They "made my day"..

Since we have been discussing .44s again this morning I figured I would resurrect this old thread.

Wow! No wonder Taffin featured some of your guns in his book on the .44. Off the top of my head, I have four .44 Magnum revolvers, all S&Ws. Here's my latest acquisition. It's a 29-2.

I love that picture. Tell me about the grips.

How'd you manage all those bunnies? Been handgun hunting for bunnies (cottontails) with a Model 17 .22 lr, but rarely got more than one per hunt. I want your secret.

Hawkeye,

The grips are Ropers by Rod Herret (Herrett's Stocks). They are a well designed grip that really fits my hands well.

Another that I like quite a bit are Eagle Classics.

No secret to killing bunnies, just sight picture and trigger control. I find that it is both humbling and beneficial. I use a K22 model 17-something quite a bit as well but the big jacks barely even react when shot with .22lr usually unless you hit them in the head.

I really enjoy winter time hunting of the bunnies as it gets me out of the house, burns calories tromping through the snow and polishes up my handgunning skills.

[/quote]

Those Thunder Ranch grips and T grip really look good with the deep blue on your new Smith!

Now go wear the finish off that thing!

What I don't understand is how you even see that many bunnies in one day, let alone shoot them. Takes quite a bit of patience (if you don't have a Beagle) where I've hunted cottontails to even see one rabbit. They are pretty cautious, especially after a round has been fired. Are rabbits that plentiful where you live?

Yeah, I know.

Hawkeye,

I just posetd up a bunch of rabbit pics in the small game section, a thread on rabbit guns. You may get a kick out of them. I had fun taking them.

While I have a couple of collectable .44s, I am really just an outdoorsman/shooter so mine rarely stay looking good for too long. The way I figure it, when I die someone else will end up getting and using them anyways so I might as well enjoy hunting with some classics.

an update..

12 yds 250gr cast bullet, complete diagonal penetration from the right shoulder though the left ham.

Good attitude.

It varies from area to area and I have some well guarded honey holes, but yes, we have lots of rabbits, it really depends on the conditions too. When it is brutal cold out it really gets them moving. You may drive through an area one day and kick up 5 or 6 rabbits all day, then when a cold snap hits you may see a couple hundred. It has been my experience that the colder it is, the better.

I conservatively estimate that the day after Christmas, when it was in the negative numbers we probably saw 300 to 400 rabbits. However they are cagey as heck on some days and hard to get close. Handgun hunting them is really challenging.

Of course when you are carrying a shotgun, they will stay out 60 or 80 yards and when you are carrying a .223 or .22lr rifle or something, they are under your feet and will not hardly run for ya. No matter what, you will be carrying the wrong gun. At least that is how it usually goes for me.

A good rifleman with a scoped AR can really clean up.

Frankly I just like the challenge of hunting them with my .44s.

Inpressive. Bullet probably had a huge meplate too, so lots of trauma.

BEAUTIFUL!

I don't blame you.

Where in the US are you located?

Is Jack good to eat like cottontail?

I am in Idaho. I do not eat Jacks, They usually have all sorts of critters crawling on them. In fact I rarely touch them in warmer weather.

We have a few cottontails too, though their numbers are not even close to the Jackrabbit population. However, I do not shoot them unless I am hungry.

Oh, ok. Just laying out some bait for coyotes, then? Good plan.

The interesting part is that they never last long.

I have done quite a bit of night hunting (legally) of them and when you come back through an area an hour or three later, 80% will already be gone. The desert owls will actually tear off the skin and leave the meat. I have seen a bunch of partially skinned jackrabbits and had wondered what in the world was doing that till I sat on a bluff one evening and watched two little owls skin some jacks I had shot down below me on a desert two track. Pretty neat to watch actually. Beats TV.

The badgers, coyotes, foxes, crows and everything else make very short work of them.

I think jackrabbits only exist to be a food source for practically everything else.

I read a recipe for jack's once and it was in a book by Barsness I believe.

1. Take one jack and skin.

2. Put in pot with large rock and boil.

3. When fork can puncture rock, throw away jack and eat rock.

Or something like that.

Travis

My 629 ain't much compared to some of you pimps but she's served me well so far.


This pic is terrible but:


Travis

Nice. What kind of animal is that in the second picture?

As I said in the other post, we don't even have Jackrabbits around here. In farming country, they are a very damaging pest, ranking right up there with Prairie Dogs, which no longer inhabit these parts either. I believe the introduction of pesticides was more to blame for their demise than folks hunting them with Craftsman's or CeeTee's. Back when Jacks abounded though, my people ate them all the time. My guess is that they ain't any good in the high desert country due to their diet. They were eating corn and such around here. Back in the 20's and 30's, maybe even a little Hemp.

Here's a few:





An Anaconda, a Classic Hunter, a Model 29, a Model 629, a Model 29 Classic, a Super Blackhawk, and a Classic Hunter.

Here's the bullet that did the dirty work.

LOL, that's a good question.

That was in south Texas. Most guys I knew referred to that as a Fallow. That one had light spots on it exactly like an Axis deer but it's hide was much darker than any Axis I'd seen or killed.

Long story short, every Texan I asked, gave me a different answer. The landowner stated very clearly he wanted all "freakshows" (exotics) shot so I knew it was OK to pop her. There was more than one out on that property. I always meant to show my then neighbor/biologist Bob Zaiglin a picture but I never did.

It tasted damn good though.

Travis

The only three 44's I have left. The one 44 I really regret trading off was a limited run Ruger Superblackhawk that was produced in a 5 inch version with a Blackhawk grip frame.

I like your tastes in both caliber and guns!!

Those are three sharp looking Smiths! Man, there are some fine .44s on the campfire.

Here are a few pics of my 44 mag, its a Interarms Virginian Dragoon, built like a tank and shoots just about as hard.

mosinatic,

Those are sweet old SA 44's. Had a friend that had one. Nice handguns!

Bump.

Thanks.

Ruger Flattop.



Smith and Wesson 29-3

I just cought the Cold Steel Recon knife. Nice.

A Virginian Dragoon in .45 Colt was my first centerfire handgun. I've still got the nice hard case it came in. In fact, my 1964 era GI Joe is stored in it.

I like the pics there Cole. I too have one of those repro flattops. The grips are a bit small for my hands though. I prefer the Bisley grip as produced by Ruger.

One of the Best threads ever!

Great pic

I noticed yours in the pic. I like mine. I was waiting for it to come out. Usually I have enough self-discipline that I wait a couple of years for the hoopla to settle down and then get whatever gun I want for a "normal" price. On the Flattop, I bought the first one I saw, at Cabela's, no less. I bought another one a few months later for about $100 less.

.44 Blackhawk Old Model customized by Bowen with a 5.5" S&W barrel.
I am currently putting a Bisley hammer and gripframe on the .44 so I will have to update pics. when I finish the project.

Gezzzz..don't stop now!!!

Robster,

I picked up a 5.5" SBH that had been converted with a Bisley grip. It is a well balanced gun overall. Nice pics!

Fishing and woods loafing piece:



629-4 with C&S Extreme Duty fixed sights. It snuggles into my right hip nicely in this Sparks PMK:

RBMCMJR,

That is quite a nice setup there. I am a big believer in Sparks gear. Besides they are fellow Idahoans.

Very, very nice setup.

"Robster,

I picked up a 5.5" SBH that had been converted with a Bisley grip. It is a well balanced gun overall. Nice pics! "

Mackey

ends up I cannot do the bisley conversion.

In order to make the bisley grip fit, it needs to be filed quite a bit beyond the "oversize" that you can file down. I ordered a old army steel GF instead

Here's the pic of my new(used) Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter .44 Mag. Just had the Weaver 2X put on Friday and still waiting for decent weather to shoot it.

My favorite woods guns

Smith&Wesson 1992 629-3 Classic DX in 5 inch and a 629-4 Mountain Gun. I have wood combat grips for both but they are wearing their range grips. These two represent my favorite configurations of Smith .44 mags.

I just got a Moutain Gun the other day 629-5, the Cylinder and Slide .300 fiber optic front sight made a world of difference shooting it.

I like those.

Here are two pics of my 629 Mountain Gun.

My 4" 629 1983 vintage...and the 7.5"SBH...with the 2x Leupold. [img]http://[IMG]http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/ken14/100_0395.jpg[/img][/img]

Great guns.

The "bestest" thread ever in the handguns section.

Hard to go wrong with the ghost of Elmer looking over your shoulder.

Qtip,
NICE!

I gotta agree with the above, the "bestest" thread ever! I hauled around a basic S&W M29 for years. 21.0 gr H110 and a 245 gr. Keith bullet. Literally shot a couple tons of game with it, wore out some parts, got it refurbished, shot it some more, then passed it on to my nephew- who actually uses it- when the eyes got too old and the hands too arthritic.
Going through this thread and reading and seeing all the pics of honest working handguns makes me wax philosophical. Thanks guys!

ok..I'l ask...since I have never seen an owl in a rabbit skin jacket, what do they do after they skin the Jack???

Since I'm more of a .41 Magnum shooter I only have two handguns left in .44 Magnum...and both of those fairly recently acquired. One is a standard late 90s vintage Mountain Gun...the second a little more "unique".

A friend bought a first generation 6" P&R 629 back about 1981 when they first came out. He had always wanted a 5" 29 so he thought this would make a great candidate for a 5" gun since it would not have to be refinished. Unfortunately the gunsmith who did the job, while and EXCELLENT rifle smith, really didn't have the experience in shortening S&W barrels and have them look close to factory...so for the next 15+ years my friend didn't shoot the gun much...and then with just very light .44 Magnum reloads. One day he decided to have the gun put back to stock and called S&W about sending the gun in... Telling the CS rep that he was really looking for a 5" gun the rep said they had a full lug barrel that was left over from special order that had been Mag-Na-Ported...so my friend ran the gun up to S&W and they installed it while he waited.

The action job had been done by a master PPC shooter... My friend never did like the balance and I ended up trading him a 1989 629 Mountain Revolver for his gun...









...one of the most pleasant .44 S&Ws I have ever shot...

Bob

How is the magnaporting? Is it noticeably louder? Does it work?

Ryan..never had a ported gun until about 4 years ago when I picked up a Freedom Arms M83 in .41 Magnum...it is really nice to shoot.

Since then I have bought:

S&W M58 with Quad-Ports
S&W M60 3" .357 Magnum
S&W M657 3" .41 Magnum
(4) Taurus Trackers in .41 Magnum

..the first three having been done by Mag-Na-Port and the Taurus guns all with their round ports..

Yes it works... Indoors you can see the flames coming up from the ports, outside in the sunlight you don't.. I have shot the M58, M60 and M657 side by side with identical unported guns and have felt no difference in the muzzleblast... You can tell the difference in the recoil/muzzle rise.

Bob

RJM

As far as I'm concerned you are absolutely correct as I owned a Llama Super Comanche in 44 mag and It literally tore my wrist up every time I fired it. It was so bad I had to do wrist brace thing after shooting it. I traded it in on one of the Taurus 44 Mag with the Taurus porting system and it makes all the difference in the world. The Taurus is actually a pleasure to shoot. It really cuts down on both the recoil and muzzle jump in my opinion.

Is that a Mountain Gun, or a 4" half-lug?

thanks,


Okie John

Damn, this threads still goin'?

It's a regular 4" half lug okie.


Travis

A couple of very recent additions.

Tony,

We need numerics!!! Model and dash numbers, all that schit...

Travis

Update with a few new pics.

4" Model 29-2

These pics are from a couple of weeks ago when I took my enduro for a ride through Idaho's City of Rocks park.

The bride also picked me up a 4" stainless Redhawk last month for an anniversary gift. As soon as my new Milt Sparks leather gets here I will give it a real good workout.

For now, the 29-2 will have to suffice in regards to pics.

Milt Sparks leather and Herrett's Ropers. A great match for my style of sixgunning.

My new model 629-6, just bought it a few months ago after being out of the .44 magnum business for about 25 years.

Dude...You need to get a 44 mag!!!!

IRAKLION,
A definately do not need any more .44s but I am always looking at the offerings when I am in a town with a gunshop.

BTW, If you do not mind me asking, what is the story with your screen name "IRAKLION"? Spent some time overseas? Iraqi heritage? ??

Anyone looking for a holster for a S&W Models 27,28,29,57,624,657 4 inch guns with target hammer? I have one for sale. tom

All right Mackay, How does this grab you as a tribute (not a copy)to the grand old man.

.44 Special, 5.5" Octogan barrel, #5 styled gripframe, bisley hammer. I did not use his base pin locking mechanism for two reasons. I did not care for it, and it was rather cost prohibitive for me. This was built on a Ruger OM .357
Shoots great, will be packin' it this fall in a Keith #5 styled holster.

Robster,

I posted a reply yesterday to this and for some reason it does not appear today. Strange.

Anyways, Yours is without a doubt worthy of a museum. It is a fine looking Old Model.

While I am more of a fan of N frames over single actions due to the fact that I shoot them better, I really like what you did with yours. I would be trying hard to wear the blueing off of it . It is a beauty!

That's a beauty!

Robster, that pistol turns me into a slobbering idiot.

Thanks for the comments. It was 3 years in the saving and making, but it is well worth the effort. Shoots great!!!!

I am having a Keith style (Lawrence 120) holster being made for it by Mike Barranti. Should be ready for the season opener. The #5 gripframe fits my hand like a glove.

I must compliment you on exceptionally fine photos..love those!

Thanks for the compliments. It is amazing what the little instant cameras can do these days!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraklion


Heraklion=Iraklion

my heritage

ahhhhh

Gotcha

Revived for new additions:

S&W 629 .44mag.

Very Nice SuperSeal.

That looks like a winner.

A trio of 5" Model 29s:


29-6 "Classic"
29-2 "Chopped"
29-5 "Classic DX" ( needs proper grips)

My 5" Classic - it was sold off a couple years ago, but I do still have a 5" 629 Classic

Three of my favorites. Ruger SRH, S&W 629 Classic & Marlin 1894. Ruger & S&W took the bucks they are on & the 1894 took the doe that's hide is the backdrop.

[img:left]http://[/img]

Ruger SBH


S&W 29-2

update is that I did not go with the bisley gripframe. I put a steel ejector rod housing on it as well as a super blackhawk gripframe and Ivory grips

Here is my Bis-hawk. It has been getting a lot of love lately since you guys recommended the 10g of unique with a 240 swc. I had almost forgot how much fun they are to shoot.

my newest since this

FINE looking .44s!

I've been through a few .44s, but am down to just one at the moment - an Anniversary Flattop. Come to think of it, that just ain't right and I need to start the .44 collection back up.

Careful. It's an addiction....... er affliction.........whatever.

here's mine

Update #3.

I actually prefer the single actions anymore, but I do have a few S&W's around.



Ruger SBH 4 5/8's shortie, nice little deer gun.



Ruger SBH 10" 44 maggie.



4" 29-3 S&W



S&W 8 3/8's 629 classic



629 Classic DX, the stocks have been changed!



An assortment of S&W's with some of the stocks I make.

[img]http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/6shot_01/000_0019.jpg[/img]

Dick

Dick,

Those are awesom pics!

So......

My new Classic DX 5"29 needs a set of non finger groove, round to square conversion grips so I can put the round butt finger grooved factory stocks back in the box.

Something along the lines of those shown in the pic above.

Wanna sell some grips!

Hello Ted, I sell lots of them, most are like you see in the photo, kind of wild! Thats the way the competition shooters like them, something a little different. You would probably prefer some nice walnut, I can do whatever you want.
Are you home or still kicking sand!

Dick

Is that a 29-3 at the top there?I have one that looks just like it.

I am home. I am also FREEZING!! Ha Ha !!

I will tell you what, You choose what you think would look best for this, the RB on the bottom:



Pm me for where you would like the $$ sent!

Cheers!

Welcome to the forum Brad. I recognize your Bisley from another forum, so I'll brag on your behalf.

Folks, this gun started life as a 50th Flattop .44mag, and Brad did all of the work in converting it to a Bisley-------including the stocks. Absolutely beautiful!!!

This is one of my all time favorite threads. So I thought I'd bring it back to the top.

Colt Anaconda.




S&W.

Here's mine I got last week.

Sorry for the delay in my response, shameless. Yes, that nickel 29 is a -3.

Here is my new one, just got it last week. No pics of the 29-2 that I have.

Bearcat, that's beautiful!

A revival of a great thread! Perhaps my favorite thread on the Fire!

No wonder.

Mark, what model of Cold Steel knife is that?

Here's a pic of my 44. She's headed to the hills with me tomorrow!

That is a "Tanto Recon", Hawk. They run right around $100, or did a few years back when I got that one. Cold Steel.

My bride picked me up one of those 4" Redhawks a while back. I really need to take it out and shoot it a bunch more. My stocks of .44 ammo are getting low. I need to fire up the Dillon 550 and crank out a couple of buckets of 240 grainers.

Nice gun.

44 Mag. is my favorite handgun cartridge, and my Super Blackhawk - while it's not anything fancy - is my favorite among all the handguns I've ever owned.



I really like single actions, so I even prefer my SBH to a pre-82 Model 29 (8 & 3/8" bbl) I owned many years ago.

I have a few .44's and my favorites are the mags. But I also have a good amount of the .44 Spl. Here's a few of the 624's that I own and a Taurus 445 in .44 Spl. And it wouldn't do to leave out my 24-3. The Taurus is the size of a Bulldog and I use it for carry. I enjoy the Spl almost as much as the mag.

My SBH 4 5/8"

Adding to the thread......

The 629-4:

Those are beautiful factory stocks on the bottom 624. You lucked out on that one. I've owned many Specials, including two 624's, a 4" and a 6 1/2 incher.

I own just one .44 magnum handgun. I do have a couple .44 mag rifles and one .44 special revolver. Here's my Redhawk in .44. Hogue Bantam grips to help my stubby fingers reach the trigger. An inexpensive, but serviceable Simmons 2X mounted in Ruger rings sits on it currently.

Not a great pic, but I was bored and not seeing any deer so I thought I'd prop up my guns and take a pic while waiting on a whitetail.

Here are my 44's: 1894 Marlin, Smith and Wesson 29-3 6", Ruger Nwe Model Super Blackhawk, and a Smith and Wesson 29-2 6/5".

I finally found a Mountain Gun, made myself a fine Christmas present.

Nice looking revolver, TWR.

Aside from lighter weight (and the nice looking tapered barrel), are there any other pluses w/ a Mountain Gun over a standard 4" M29?

To me, balance is the key I guess but mechanicly, it's just a lighter barrel that reads Mountain Gun on it's side.

I would think a 4" 629 would be similar but have never handled one. I did shoot a 4" 329 and there is such a thing as too light...

I finally had a nice tribute holster made by Mike Barranti. Looks great, fits great, cant say enough good things about the holster. Been wearing the blue off this .44 special, now I need to start wearing in the holster.

I enjoyed this thread on the 44's immensely! Some are really works of art.Thought I'd throw this old shooting iron in the mix.It doesn't measure up to many of them shown, built it myself because it is what I always thought a Super Blackhawk should look like.Keep 'em coming!

That is some pretty wood in those grips!
What is it?

That is a Unique looking piece there!

I would enjoy wearing the blue off that as well. So many nice guns, not enough field time.

My one and only, hardly ever shoot it but we took it out this morning.
Unlucky goph, 240 Hornady and about 8 grains of Titegroup.

Nice going, Sam. If you wait to be charged by an large, angry carnivore, you might never get any shooting done.

It is walnut. No extravagant wood but Alan had some great pieces of walnut laying around and made these for me.

Model 29


Model 629 Classic Hunter


Model 29 Classic


Super Blackhawk. My first .44 magnum; my grandparents bought it for my 16th birthday.

That looks like a five inch tube on that!

My favorite for an "all arounder"!

A stainless 5" Classic like yours would be hard to top for the most practical N frame 44 built for an outdoorsman.

My 6.5" 629 Classic is very cool, but yes the 5" is handier, and about as light as I want to shoot with full power loads.

I'm pretty content with my light loads, and full power loads. One of these days I need to find a good mid-range load that will toss 200-250's at 1100 to 1200 fps, and burn clean. A Smith 329 is on the "buy" list one of these days, and mid-range is all I care to try with one!

Try 10 grains of Unique.

I do not know what your cleanliness requirements are, but that load is one that is easy to shoot well and I have yet to find an N frame that does not like it.

Yep, 10 grains of Unique under a 240 XTP works quite well!

However I do have to admit, the 300 gr WFNGC Beartooths I just loaded over a 20 gr charge of H-110 do take some getting used to out of my 629 Mountain Gun! Let's just say these rounds will be saved for things that I absolutely have to "stomp a mudhole in"!

Keith

10 grs of Unique is one of my most used loads in 44 maggies, never seen one yet that didn't like it with the 250 gr Keith slug but mule deer hate it!

Dick

Shot some light 8.5 grain Unique w/ 240 grain LaserCast loads through this guy today. Fun gun. Great load for plinking and small game!

Nice looking pistol. I am just starting to reload for my 44's. Loaded up some xtp's with w-296 and next want to try some Titegroup lighter loads. You use titegroup?

8.5 grains Unique with 240/250 grain cast SWC loads for light loads.

10 grains Unique with 240/250 grain cast SWC loads for mid level/everyday loads. These will work perfect for Idaho Mule deer.

22.5 grains H110 with 300 to 320 grain cast SWC loads for anything heavy, such as elk or dinosaurs.


Those three loads will do pretty much everything you will ever need to do with a .44.

In reality, 95% of all your needs can be met with the mid level, 10 grain Unique load.

The 8.5 grain load is a good one to work on pure marksmanship fundamentals without worrying too much about recoil.

Mine are close to those, here they are and how I rate them, all are accurate

5grs Bullseye + 240-250 cast - easy shooting, great plinker

10.0grs Unqiue + 240-250 cast - good hunting load for around here

21.0grs H110 + 310 WFNGC - holy f, I'm being charged by a Killer Whale

Thanks. I loaded up 50 rounds of 296 23 gr and tomorrow will try some TG.

Since you are from Pocatello, I would suggest sticking with 10 grains Unique and a cast semi wadcutter. They work well on Bengal tigers!

Mackay is about right on. Here's my 629 Mountain Gun and some 300 gr Beartooth bullets WFNGC slugs. I load them with a hefty charge of H-110 and let me tell you...with that light barrel, it gets your attention!



a closer view of the Bear thumpers....

After a few cylinders of those through a lightweight gun, I want to go put a bag of ice on my wrist to slow the swelling.

I trashed my right wrist riding bucking horses in college and do not shoot the heavy loads too much.

Moderation being a good thing here.

I dig the pics!

No flame intended here, but why do y'all insist on shooting such heavy bullets, especially in the Smith and double-especially in the Mountain Gun version? It would seem that factory 240's would be much easier on the wrists. Heck, the 44-40 made do with 200 grains for much of its existence. Going lighter instead of heavier would seem best.

No worry about the flames!

I do shoot some heavy bullets. That being said, only a very small percentage of the rounds fired through my Smiths are heavy loads. The vast majority are the 8.5 and 10 grain Unique loads.

I doubt I shoot more tha 5% heavies. There is no need. I do not shoot at large criiers all that much as compared to smaller ones.

10 grains of Unique with a cast bullet will do more damage to animals than most would think.

This boar took one single round through the shoulder (which I am told is a bad place to hit them) and expired quickly.

You can see the grey smear where the bullet entered.

The load was 10 grains Unique with a 240 grain Lasercast SWC.

Mackay...did you bust that pig in Idaho???

Bob

I think you're pretty much understanding my question, but just for the sake of clarity, I wasn't talking about heavy loads. I'm pretty much on record as not favoring anything that is over max levels in the reloading manuals, for sure. I haven't seen you going for overloads though. I'm talking about the heavy bullets specifically. It seems like ultra-heavy bullets are all the rage. The frontal area is no wider. Is there really much that a 300 grainer can do over a 240?

Momentum, Cole. All things being equal (nose shape, meplat size, bullet hardness), the 300 should handily out penetrate the 240. How much is enough -- if you get an exit on the animal, you certainly have enough......

I understand your point Cole, but as Mack already explained, I don't shoot them often out of thst gun. In fact I DO have some 250 gr WFNGC's from Beartooth as well. I usually shoot them out of my .44 Spl and the mag as hunting loads. My everyday load is the 250 gr Keith style SWC hardcast over 10 gr Unique for the 629 and my FA 97 gets fed the same bullet over 7.5 gr of Unique.........






Fact is I'm headed to Alaska next week for a spring bear hunt and wanted the 300 grainers for that reason. More momentum is mo better in that regard....

Thanks for the replies and input. Adds to my understanding.

Mackay,

What primers are you using with these loads?

Yep,

It was on a guys ranch. Not feral. We do now have some feral ones though.

I was home on break from the war in December 06 and only had a few weeks home and had missed deer and elk season so I figured I would go pop a porker. My dad and I each popped one. Fast little guys.

Armen,

I set back a fair amount of primers a few years back, mostly CCI, when things were looking scarce in the reloading component arena ,so that is what I am using right now.

I have used quite a few Winchester too though. I have never really noticed much difference.

My loads are not riding any ragged edges, so switching back and forth between primer manufacturers has never caused any issues for me.

Sane loads are easy on me and my guns!

Thanks Mackay.

Are you using magnum primers for the H110 load and standard large pistol primers with the Unique loads? Or, just magnum primers for all loads?

I use standard primers for everything. Though the Winchester primers state that they are for standard or magnum loads.

Well here are two 44's of mine and a Vaquero 357. Sorry it is a little blurry!
SRH, SBH, and Vaquero

Here are some grips that our own Campfire member Idaho1945 makes. I bought these from him about a year about 90% finished. They sat on my bench until just recently. I just got them finished up and put on my 5" Classic DX.

I make no claim to being a craftsman, but they turned out nicely for me. They fill the palm of my right hand just right. Much better than the factory finger groove types that came on the gun.

My latest, a rendition of the special run of 500 5" 29's made in 1958.

Tony,

Where did you find that sweet old piece?

It looks like a nice one. I am not much of a collector and am afraid if I owned such a rare bird I would be out killing stuff with it! In fact I would be bound and determined to punch a cow elk or two with it, or at least try.

By the way, the bottom gun in this picture of 5" 29s below is the 5" 29 Classic DX and the original round butt, finger groove grips that came with it. The new ones,as pictured in my above post, are way more practical for me.

Mine is not one of the originals but was a 6" M29 that I had the barrel cut and new front sight mounted on. The grips are the original and somewhat hard to find "coke's" from an early beater M29 I had converted to 45 Colt. Below is the before and after picture of the gun.

Mackay those are very very nice indeed!!! I wish I had some of those pistols back in my vault today.

Thanks Tonk!

It has taken quite a number of years to not only figure out what works best for me in regards to actions and barrels lengths, (and collect the guns) but leather as well. In the end, my tastes run to simple, high quality rigs.

Now I have managed to accumulate enough examples that meet my needs and hunting styles perfectly. My goal from here on out is to wear the bluing off of them and simply wear them out!

Very nice. I like the holster too.

Gentlemen:

Many of you seem to think that a 240 or 250 grain cast bullet with 10 grains of Unique to be a great standard midrange load for most occasions.

I am casting two SWC bullets that seem to come out at about 265 grains out of my wheelweights. One is the 429244gc, and the other is a duplicate of the old H & G 503, it is flatbase nongc.

Suggest what you think to be a good midrange load for these two bullets.

I just loaded up some of the nongc bullets with 17 grains of Hercules 2400. I havent tried these yet. Speaking of Unique I have about 4 lbs of ersatz Accurate #5 that I got from Pat McDonald some years back. Its burn rate is about the same as Unique. Has anyone tried AA#5?

Thanks for any input you can expound.

Yes: the 44 mag is a great cartridge, maybe the greatest for range of use.

I have no experience with the powders you mention.

With the minor differences in weight that your cast bullets are dropping at, as compared to the 240s and 250s, I would suggest the following:

Start out at 8.5 grains Unique (or its equivilant), then in .5 grain increments work up to 10 grains. More likely than not,somewhere in that range you will find a "sweet spot" for you, in regards to accuracy and recoil management.

That is really the true joy of the mid range 44 loads. They have just the right amount of power to handle most reasonable tasks, as well as being easy on the shooter. Most loads in this range will also cut tiny groups out of just about any .44.

Good luck and report back on the results, good or bad.

Cheers!

The thread about the Super Blackhawk VS the S&W M29 made me think it was time to toss in a couple new pics...

So, here is a fresh pic of some N framed .44s

I snuck one NIB .44 special in there. The rest are magnums. One is an unfired 29-2 4" that I have been saving for a rainy day.

Hey Mackay, what would you say a minty 29-2 4" would go for these days? Original box and accessories and paperwork. Probably going to buy it regardless. Just curious.


Thanks in advance,
Travis

429244 w/21 gr. H110

Travis,

Minty, as in really nice 29-2, with box, but has been fired, somewhere in the area of 8 bills, depending on the region.

Mint, brand new in the box 29-2, somewherein the area of $1,100.

That is a bit of a guess BTW, as I have not been doing much trading lately and older N frame prices were getting steep quickly a couple of years ago.

The S&W forum is a good place to check in to see what current prices look like.

Sadly, the days of the $400 29-2s are gone for the most part.

Local markets vary quite a bit when it comes to pricing. I bought a very clean 29-2, with the case and tools (no paperwork) for $699 earlier this year. The case was worn on the inside (immaterial to me, as I sold it along with the factory grips right after buying the gun) which likely drove the price down. The 4" variants are, in my experience, the hardest to come by. I see probably 5-6 6.5" and 8 3/8" 29-2's for every 4" I see, so that also affects the selling price.

I agree with Mackay on this point, as a truly "mint" gun will have all matching accessories, and collectors know exactly what to look for (for example, whether the backing inside the case is correct for the era the gun was made) all of which, if they are proper and matching, drive up the price. A truly mint 29-2-not just a "clean" 29-2 but a truly mint gun (no turn line, no scoring on recoil shield, no scuffs in the checkering of the grips: in short, no evidence of ever having been fired outside the factory) are hard to come by, and are priced accordingly.

This one didn't have a ring on the cylinder. It was cherry. He wants $950.00 and if it's there when I return he will likely have my money. Again...

Thanks to all who replied.


Travis

I just got back from chasing elk. Did you get the Model 29?

Colt DA revolver prices shot way up several years ago and S&W's are following suit. The economy is probably the only thing that has held it back some.

How did you do?

My 2 .44s; both Super Blackhawks

My 629-1.

edit: I have 5 other .44 Magnums, but this is my favorite. It has been with me on many adventures.

My dad and I both filled our cow tags the first two days. Weather was cold and nasty.

We were fortunate on the first day to meet some great guys who saw us coming out with my elk quartered up in my plastic sled, being pushed and pulled by us. They came over to us on 4 wheelers and saved our bacon, as it would have been hours after dark before we would have made it back to my truck and temps were dropping fast. Two days later an eastern Idaho radio station said wind chills were 25-40 below zero.

I would not be surprised if they were members here. Good men.

I was all tuned up for a long range shot but the wind was howling so I left the LR rig at the cabin and took my short barrel .308. There was no way any long range shooting was going to be taking place.

My dad and I were looking at a once in a hunting lifetime moment. Two big herd bulls stepped out at about 100 yards. With us on a ridgeline and the sun to our backs, they were broadside to us and the wind was blowing straight at us, hard. For a full 10 seconds they stood staring at us while we looked at them. Never during elk season have I had two bulls do that, ever. Too bad we had cow tags. No matter, it was a sight to remember.

They took off down the steep hillside as we watched. My dad said, "You know, they just covered in 30 seconds what it would take us 20 minutes to cover,and they made it look easy".

As soon as he said that, he said "There!" off to our right was a cow poking her face around the corner of the ridge we were on. All I could see of her was from just behind her front shoulder, neck and head as she stared at us.

She looked like she was going to bolt so I snap shot her. A whopping 75 ish yards. She piled up. The little .308 Tikka did the job.

The next day my dad popped his a 300 yards with his .300 Win Tikka. She was on a dead run. We were standing 20 feet away from the 4 wheelers discussing the ever important subject of lunch when she bolted. He ran to the wheeler, used it as a rest and plowed a Nosler into her shoulder. Great shot.

She did not know she was dead though. She had piled up. She then got up and ran down the hill 500 yards with a destroyed shoulder where he finished her off. On the way down there, I kicked out a big Bullwinkle.

We quartered his cow up and headed for the cabin. The next day we headed for the local hot springs and soaked our chilled bones.

Overall it was a great time.

Backdrop:

Great story, Mac. Some aspects remind me of my own Dad - pulling off the shot-to-be-remembered, and the hot springs. Although, with hot springs available my Dad would be easy to find, but it wouldn't be on top of some frozen-azz mountain.

Mackay,


Bizarre story. I was in Great Falls today and stopped to pick up another gun I had on layaway. I was going to check and see if that 29 was still there. Apparently the owner of the gun shop died, and I can't even get the rifle I had on layaway much less check on that Smith.

I left my info with the fella minding the shop. Apparently they are having to sort through some legal issues to get everybody the stuff they have on layaway. The license was only for the gentleman that died.

Who knows how it will work out in the end.

Been a very strange week...


Travis

Although in the past few weeks I have secured a Model 14, 19, 48 and a 66.

I think I have a Smith problem.


Travis

I feel your pain deflave. I ordered a Ruger 1911 6 months ago and was expecting it any day now. I called my dealer a couple weeks ago and his wife answered and told me he had died. The FFL was in his name so everything closed. I ave another dealer but his suppliers won't even take orders for a Ruger 1911 now.

That was a great story...and I wish you and dad had the "stag" permits to have taken those bulls.

And that is a great pic of the mountains....

Bob

Big Lost side or Little Lost? Great story!

Big Lost.

The wind coming down over Willow Creek Summit had a bit of a bite to it. To be honest a December hunt in that part of the country is not a hunt I would suggest, unless you enjoy frostbite and windburn.

Truck engines don't like to start sometimes, cameras don't work (fingers don't either when you are quartering up animals), pull start chainsaws and generators give you a workout, etc, etc

Lots of critters out though. We probably saw a hundred speed goats over towards Challis. Bunch of elk hanging out in the hay fields around Challis, as well as deer in town. Couple of nice bucks along with a couple of smaller 3 pointers across from the hardware/grocery store.


Pictured below is the "old" man and I. He still trucks up mountains, leaving most gasping for breath. It helps that he lives in the mountains and walks daily throughout the area. I could only hope to be half as active as he is when I turn 70, which he will in a couple of months.



My wife took this picture when she came up. She also had a tag.

The weather turned nice, with little wind to speak of. Great for long range shooting, hence why my dad has his Sako TRG42 cradled in his arms. We intended to get my wife set up for a long shot.

Sadly it warmed up and the warmer weather coupled with the full moon we had last week killed the hunting. They decided to seek their entertainment elsewhere I guess.

Thought it might be the Big, I need to spend some time over there. We mostly hunt the Little Lost and it does look similar, flat valley floors and tall mountains. Nice story and congratulations!

Beautiful country, but it looks rather chilly.

My .44 Mag.

I really like that short Anaconda. I have the longer 8" version, but would not mind picking up a 4" version if I was flush with cash at the time.
They are pretty heavily built guns. It is a shame they did not catch on, as they are well built, at least the ones I have examined have been.

A friend has a few in .45 and .44 and I really should try to talk him out of at least one of them.

Have you put many rounds through yours?

That's a very nice-looking Colt. I like the grips.

Mack,

I have run 200 rounds max through the gun. Yes it is a well built, heavy revolver. I like a little weight in a .44 mag. unless it is going to be carried more than shot. (329 time)

It had rubber grips on it as did 99% of them.

I stumbled on the wood grips, new in the package at a gunshow at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and almost spilled my coffee grabbing for my wallet and some cash. Their about as easy to find as Hen's teeth, and if someone is selling, it's like buying Python grips, $200 on up!!

I've owned a Superblackhawk 10 1/2", 7 1/2", 5 1/2" (everyones first), Redhawk 7 1/2", 5 1/2", Dan Wesson 6" and 8", Smith & Wesson 629 in 6", 5", (My favorite Smith)4", 2 5/8", and a Smith 329. I have to say I like this one the most.

That is a nice revolver!

I would be doing my best to wear that beauty out! You did well finding those grips.

Mackay:

Nice. But I'm not going to scroll back.

Is this one new?

That's proper reading material, BTW.

Not new,

A while back I had SDM fabricating take my old 8 & 3/8ths" 29-2 and turn it into a 5"er for me. He then took the wide target trigger and narrowed and polished out the serrrations.

I had him set the front sight up like the Classic/DX versions with quick change front sights. It is my idea of a perfect practical Model 29. I can switch from fiber optic to gold bead or whatever.

That is an OLD copy of the book!

Tough to beat a 5" M29. This one was done by Alan Harton for me. Front sight is one of Jim Stroh's interchangables. Pretty slick arrangement, no screws to be seen.

Hamilton Bowen cut barrel to 5.5, tuned and added his sights some years ago. I got tired of being beat up by the square trigger guard and a month or so ago had Gary Reeder in Flagstaff re- configure the trigger guard and add his gunfighter grip frame.

Tony... I love that front sight...it should be on every S&W!!!

Thanks for posting that...Bob

It is pretty click and is screwed on as well, just can't see the screws. A small set screw from the front holds the blade in. Same sight just on my 45 Colt.

Better add this one from the Elmer thread

Mackay:

Great way to bump an old thread: buy a new .44.

I have actually had it for a while. My bride bought it for me for our 10th anniversary.

I just took it for a walk in some nice country and thought I would share!

Those pics(the first one, especially) have 'make me a post-card!' written all over them, Mackay.

My one and only foty-fo. There's no mistaking when I change to double action (semi) rapid fire... I need to work on that....

Very nice. I've a 4" Mountain Gun myself, pictured early-on in the thread, IIRC.

What grips came on that one? Mine had factory S&W rubber grips, which I think are the old Hogues. Much tackier and softer than the Pachmayers on yours.

It came with the factory S&W/Hogue rubber grips. I really don't care for those grips. I like something with a back on it that moves my hand out a little further from the trigger, like the Pachmayers or the Compact grips on the Nightguard series.

Great thread! Here is my "go for a hike" gun, a 3" 629-4. I switched out the cylinder release for the old style which I find much more attractive.

It's the last gun my dad bought me before he passed away.

629 power port with a Trijicon reflex sight.

This is my 629-4 with my favorite loads -- BearTooth 280 grain WFLGCs

Great photo!

Super Redhawk, Weigland .454 base, Leupold deltapoint

My latest. A former Old Model Super Blackhawk.



Its prior life. Same load.

And a few more Smith's.

A couple of P&R'd M629's.





And a nickel M29-2 "Classic".

Did Smith & Wesson themselves do the work on the bottom gun?

Yep. And free of charge. The gent doing the work called me up asking what I wanted. He obliged.

That is a SWEET looking .44!

While I am not into RBs or finger grooves,that is a personal choice. Is that a 5" tube?

Pastor Dan,

That makes it an Heirloom Gun for sure. I would pass that one down to the next generation when the time comes.

That .44 Bisley is one FINE looking piece there. There are no flies on any of those others as well. You have one heck of a practical shooter's collection.

Here are a few pictures of my all time favorite pistol. "Little Bastard"

Smith & Wesson 629 (44mag) w/3" Magana Ported Barrel, Crimson Trace Laser Grips and a DeSantis Holster.

Oh yeah!

Really nice one Rick. How well does the Mag-na-porting tone it down?

Greetings and thanks for your kind words!

Yup, it's a 5" barrel. The grips are factory but my -3 had the squarish, rubber grips with the S&W silver logos and I'd agree that they allow for a more secure hold. These are pretty servicable, however.

"Makay, Thank you for your help! I have unique and H110 for my 357mag so I'm glad that it will aslo work in the 44mag.


Unfortunately, I can't find the thread you're talking about. frown
But I will try to post some pictures in a few days!

Keven, Thank you too for the help. I will look into those hornady xtp bullets. I have some for my 357mag that I sill have on hand.

Who knows, if I like the 44mag as much as I'm thinking, I may endup ditching the GP100 357mag smile

Leo"

Here it is Friend

Thank you, Mac!

No wonder I couldn't find it. It's a bit old than one year old

How'd you do that?

PFM!

Pure Freaking Magic! as I like to say!

Congrats on your new .44. The Ghost of Elmer is Smiling!

Here's some SBH 44 porn. Ammo is handloaded 310gr Oregon Trail WFNGC over 20.5gr H110, 1250 fps.

Haven't seen either one of these yet!

10" T/C Contender, you have to pick which shoulder to steer it over when shooting 300 gr LBT's!!!

Model 29 Classic Hunter










Mike

Well not too sure how this thread slipped under my radar thus far. Not to beat a dead horse, but here is currently my only 44. (Key word currently)

Great new pics all!

That .44 of yours Montana Marine looks like a Stomper with those loads lined up like that!

Having shot some heavy chambered Contenders and Encores in things like 45-70 and 454 Casull, I believe you about picking a shoulder. I will stick with the .223s and such for short barreled Contenders. Much more fun for me that way.

The H110/310gr loads are a handful, as you surely know. For me, I can't imagine wanting to go any higher in power/recoil in a handgun.

Much more enjoyable shooting 240s over 8-10 gr Unique, and that's what I shoot mostly.

You know how it is when you shoot a 44Mag though, you have to have a few stomper loads on hand....grin.

I've had had many over the years....only two left:

Antlers, and others, some beautiful .44's.. Thanks for the show..A great idea MacKay..!!!!!

Thanks Wyo

Dude,

Those two really could do it all when it gets down to it.

(Just don't tell my Bride)...

I know exactly what you are talking about.

I found a mostly full box of .45 Colt loads the other day from a number of years back. 340 cast WFN over max loads of H110. I recall they had my trigger finger swollen and bleeding from smacking the front, inside of the trigger guard when it came off the trigger during recoil. I put them right back up on the shelf. One of these days, when I get some heavier gloves and tape up a finger....

I will watch some younger fool shoot them.

Check out these for your pistol. No eye relief problems. No difficulty in finding the target through a scope. You just put the dot on the target and pull the trigger.

[img:center]http://leupold.com/wp-content/uploads/classification/348-346-1100x500.jpg?9d7bd4[/img]

I had quite a few 44's over the years Smith's Dan Wesson's they all shot good but I just always liked the Rugers just a little bit more

Rich44,

What type of grips are those on your redhawks in the top picture?

The stainless steel one in the middle of top pictures is exactly like the one I just recently purchased!

Those grips are a little large for my hands so looking at replacing them with something slightly smaller. Currently look at pachmayer gripper decelerator ones.

Anyone try these grips on their redhawk who could some feedback on them?

Thanks,

Leo

leomort

They are the older Pachmyer Presentation grips I've tried the grippers they are a little on the thin/skinny side for my hands these fill my hand better

Damn, I guess some can never have too many .44 Magnums. Not that I blame them...

A single .44 Mag works for me.

Top to bottom:

.44 Mag Super Redhawk
.357 Mag Blackhawk
.327 Federal SP101
.22LR/.22WM Ruger Super Single Six



The .327 Fed and .22/22WM "belong to my wife" ...

Just looked over the entire thread...Some beautiful stuff here..One can never have too many .44's, and the great thing is there are sooooo many to choose from..keep up the great work..

Here's mine, a SBH bought new in '98, a couple months before my 18th birthday. I've done some action work, added a steel ejector rod housing and a crescent ejector rod. Also put a Bowen rear sight on it and a Belt Mountain base pin. Grips are elk. It's my favorite handgun by far.Pretty much lives on a diet of 2400 and a 250 gr. Thompson bullet.

bump. I need to get my 44mag post here.

Unbump. Dumbshlts don't need to revive old threads. Start a new one.

And by acting like a jackass you just bumped this thread.

Happy?

My Ruger Redhawk 44mag, 5.5" barrel

Great thread. I love .44s.

Glad this came back... I enjoyed it the first time and its still good stuff.

Yea, this thread is a steaming pile of shlt and seems to attact the forum flies.

Why is it so hard for you mental midgets to just start a new thread?

I enjoy this thread and am glad MacKay started it. In some ways it could be said that it's sort of offensive to start new ones when you've got an ongoing one that is on the same topic. We have similar threads on 1911's, 45 Colt's and 357 Mags. It's all good.

you folks forcing others to look at threads they don't want to look at should be horsewhipped!


strangest critter on the planet are some humans

5 inch

My one not so practical.

Ruger SBH hunter 44

]


Not a 44. Its a 45 and my favorite, so far, revolver

]

+1

Hey Friends

It is easy to ignore the comments from those who have nothing positive to contribute to an otherwise very enjoyable topic.

Every forum has a couple of these types, this one is no different. Some people simply do not have the ability to play well with others.

Moving on....

One of our friends and regulars here was asking about practical size differences between the Redhawk and Blackhawk/SBH, among other handgunning questions, via PMs.

I took this pic tonight for visual reference. While I enjoy my Single Actions, I really like the grip frames of the Redhawk and N frames with Eagle Classics or Herretts Ropers ( or similar types)for doing precise shooting. Purely personal preferences. Some do better work with SA guns.

Anyways, here is the pic that I figured I would share.




On another note and slightly off topic. Some here "apologize" for contacting me with questions/advice about various subjects.

There is never a reason to apologize and nobody is "bothering" me. It may take a day or two due to my schedule, but I will always try to get back to guys.

To be honest, I am both flattered and a humbled by all of it . Also, there is a lot of stuff that is not in my area of experience and I have no problem saying so.

Cheers!

One of the bestest threads ever.

I don't have any pics to add to this thread yet, as my only .44 is a 94 Trapper. May be able to change that soon though. I found a Ruger Alaskan in a small gunshop Friday for a bit over $800. Anyone have anything good or bad to pass along about these before I dive in? Thanks!

You can always take some new pics of the Trapper and post them.

Free bump for dla!

Are Specials welcome here?



5 shooter. 396 Nightguard. Best backpacking revolver, EVAH!


Travis

That a Benchmade? Should have known you never out-grew the 80's

Yep! My Bali-Dong.


Travis

Always wanted one myself, but BM's are spendy for a toy I'll likely just cut myself with repeatedly.

Since we're bumping this for dla...

I was gifted this Bali-Dong and itwas a POS. Came apart twice in the field despite Loc-Tite.



They offered me full credit for it so I believe I had about $225.00 to put toward another one. I went all out and it only cost me about $75.00. They're actually very good knives. And I think it slices about every person that [bleep] with it.

Great knives, even if they're not 44's.

[spoiler][/spoiler]Do any of you gentlemen use H108? It is similar to AA#9
I ended up buying an 8 lb jug of it and am set for life I think.
I cast Lyman 429421 and they weigh about 250 grs.
I use 18-19.5 hrs depending how Frisky I feel
It gives me 1200 fps from a four inch 629. I won't bother to post a picture you know what they look like. No varmint has ever charged me and lived to tell about it.
whelennut

Classic photos. Probably the only bali's to ever have game blood on 'em.............rather than the usual newbie twirler blood.

What better timing to add to this thread, than with pics from our recent expedition..

Both being 29-2s

A lot of guys compensating here.....

Guys with a few 29-2s in the safe don't have to compensate for a damn thing.........and they know it.

Same goes for old Flattop and three screw Blackhawks.

And you know this how?

What makes you think they are compensating for something?

dla, what is it that you are compensating for by posting all of your negativity? Do you not like .44 magnums? What is it about this thread that bothers you?


This is my latest acquisition, a Bisley in .44 mag with a looooooong 7 1/2-inch barrel.

My second .44mag was a 7.5" Bisley. A very well balanced revolver with the Bisley grip.

I've also got a SBH Silhouette.........it's sooooooo long I don't even have a holster for it.

Gotta love those long barrel 44's. Not much for packin', but great fun for shootin'.

Also good for compensatin' ; )

I don't think there is any firearm category I like more than quality .44 revolvers.

Bought my first scoped handgun this fall.. a Blackhawk Hunter with a 2x Burris.. While I mostly agree with Elmer a pistol is a weapon of opportunity.. I wanted to try this.. For the first time I feel entirely comfortable shooting big game with a 6 gun..
For fun I will stick with irons..

You can whack somebody pretty good with those long barrels, too.

That's exactly what I think compensating means in this instance

The last couple of years I have been doing something that could be construed as "compensating", if one would like.

One can make more money, buy more stuff, but a man can never get back time. I was gone, doing things I felt driven to do, as many here know. Part of the cost of that was not being able to enjoy time/recreational opportunities with friends and family.

Now I "compensate" by trying to do such things more than ever before. I try to be a better dad, be involved as best I can with my oldest daughter's mounted shooting, shoot with friends, and generally enjoy life.

I try to compensate for the time I can never get back, count my blessings that I am here for my family, mostly in one piece, and feel fortunate that I have the opportunity to get out and do stuff like launch chunks of lead at steel plates with great people for the pure enjoyment of it.

Life is not easy, but I compensate for it.

Well said.

We should all have that posted on our wall.. Well stated Mackay..

Well said. it's easy to forget how short of a time we are here.

Very well stated. Life's a gift, and we should treat it as such. Owning some nice handguns is just the icing.

The long barrels can hunt too.

Mackay,

I might have missed it, but what load/bullet were you shooting at distance with RJM?



Travis

Your dog does a good pig impression.



Travis

Travis,

I was shooting my mild plinking load. I figured since we were going to be doing high volume shooting, it would be appropriate.

8.5 Unique and a 240 Laser cast SWC.

Even at 500 yards it was plugging right along.

Next time out I will run the 10 grain Unique load.

When hitting the steel up on a hill we could get a good audible report back to us.

I intend to file one of my Patridge sights and create some horizontal bars for easier aiming references.

Small refinements.

Cheers!

Oh Heck,

I almost forgot Travis..

GFY Buddy!

that's the best one i've read in the past week!

I would like to share a thought on the .44 magnum I do not read in threads, and have never seen in a magazine, or professed by the "experts"

The tendency in America is bigger - faster - stronger. Having lived and gone to school in RSA this was something I was teased about frequently being an American in a foreign country.

I guess I could have gotten defensive about this, but there is a lot of truth to that statement. Over time I could see the way things worked and began to understand that cartridges like the 375HH were "just right" they did not need to become the 378 weatherby, or the the 375 ultra-mag. They were fine as they were, even better truth be told!

I find this so much the same with the 44 magnum. There was a time when I had my 7.5 inch redhawk that I continued to build up the loads and bullet weights, until I was wondering where the self destruction of this gun would occur! Thinking back I was a complete idiot loading that revolver to levels that were just stupid on many levels.

Then some time and additional maturity crept back into my life. I found that in reality the bears I was responsible to handle for my job really did not know the difference between the monstrous overloads, and a factory load equivalent.

The real beauty of the .44 mag when used on big animals is that it's really great with a plain old .44 mag loading. Anything more is fine, but un-necassary. I got caught up in the "power" and took it to the limits. All I did was waste a lot of gun powder and stress my shooting skills.

I bought a .44 S&W Mtn gun. It was like a toy, I was thinking it was no way gonna hold up and function with proper .44 mag loads. It's was puny and scary small. It does however work just fine, shoots any load I want, and has power a-plenty with simple .44 mag loads. The recoil with heavy loads is severe, but this is a good idea actually. It keeps folks from pounding them to bits. It's brilliant to carry. I could not likely ever go back to the 7.5" RedHawk having packed this for a decade or more now.

So the bottom line here is that the .44 mag is a brilliant and comfortable design which is fantastic with really powerful .44 special loads, and factory level Magnum loads. It does however have the range to go into the realm of stupid power for those who have to do this.

I have had good luck with that bullet as well.

I like that load (that's what she said) but I settled on 9.5 in the mag case some years back. Kinda does it all as I'm sure you've found. I was shooting at 110yds yesterday with the same Laser Cast bullet out of my Special. It was doing pretty well but the wind was kicking my ass.

I like the file idea. I've been thinking of dipping some ultra thin string in paint and trying to put some visible lines on my front ramp. If it works, I'll post it up. If it doesn't, GFY.


Travis

I did up a front sight this afternoon.

I took one of my spare red ramp sights and filed on it a bit. Then I swiped some of the wife's nail polish and clear coat stuff. It is not exactly Turbull quality, but after installing it on the 5" 29, I like the different horizontal aiming references.

I will do a refined version on the version 2.0, but for now I want to go shoot this one. I will try to get pics up after a bit.

I had one of those for a little while. Unfortunately, I had the rear sight bottomed out with 240s and couldn't get it to sight in with the 270 (speer) and 300s (all) that I wanted to hunt with.

I sold it and got a Bisley Hunter. I had a little bit of adjustment left in the rear sight with it with 240s. I've replaced the red ramp sight with a plain black one for a Redhawk which is a small amount taller according to my caliper, but I haven't shot it since ... too busy abusing a .45 Colt blackhawk 7-1/2 inch. (Sux to be me, eh?)

Tom

While shooting, when the light is from various angles. I can't always see the lines however crisp they are.

But The more I practice at distance the more it seems I can get a feel for how much front blade needs to pillar the rear sight.

Getting close to doing Fluffy's front sight again.

Quick story?
Honest truth here:
Was at a lady-friends place in Blackhawk Colorado. (omen 1)
And this gal has a few cats. One in particular, a huge huge nuttered tom-cat was just adoring my SBH. (omen 2?)

This was strange.
My SBH did not have a name. Now sometimes I am not too bright, and I can prove it.

I gets this idea in my head to name my .44 what ever this big ol cat's name is?
Should be safe, this big ol cat has the scares and only one eye!

So I ask 'what's that ones name?, serves me right when it comes back "Fluffy" !



Little load research: 210 grain Laser Hard Cast.

3: 13.5 Longshot 1475fps , mild report and recoil.

4: 14.0 Longshot 1510fps, getting woke up, a little.

5: 15.75 Longshot 1545fps, seems a nice load.

7: 27.5 H-110 1708fps, and seems like coffee brewed in Red Bull

8: 28.5 H-110 1806fps, and this seems what it would be like to talk to God!

#8 has some definite signs of pressure. But to me not excessive.

A question if I may?
No accuracy test done yet, planed...

28.50 of H-110 under a 210 grain hard-cast a long term no-no in a SBH named Fluffy?

K,

You kind of lost me there. What was your question?

He's asking if 28.5gr's. of H-110 under a 210 grain hard-cast will [bleep] up his revolver if he shoots it a lot.



Travis

A translator is a good thing. My hat is off to you, 'Flave, for all you do.

Is 28.5 of H-110 under a 210 grain hard-cast to hot in a .44 SBH ?

Will that load lead to revolver damage?

The load is out of the book, but seems HOT!

Thank you!

Thanks for the clarification Gents

Honestly I think it would be pretty hard to hurt an SBH with semi sane loads. That is a fair amount of H110, but a 210 is a pretty light pill. What comes to mind is fireball, AKA unburnt powder/energy.

High velocity is fine, but I really don't think you gain much when you are running a cast bullet. I would rather run a heavier cast bullet at a more sedate velocity.

That is just my experience.

Now a thin jacketed hollowpoint, that rapidly expands, moving at a high rate of speed is a whole other animal and loads of fun. It puts the smack down on stuff.

Others may have a differing opinion.

BTW here is that front sight:

I stuck it on the 5" gun.

I think it has a bit of promise, though I still want to play with a Patridge, with small white or gold bars and a flat black background.



I need to do a bit of "Magic Marker" touch up over the hardener on the black metal to dull it up a tad bit I think. Other than that I think it is G2G for now.

28.5 grains of H110 under a 210 grain cast bullet?

I think that's warmer than I'd go. If I remember right, I used to shoot 28 grains of 296 under a 200 grain Speer JHP. That threw a fair fireball. Mostly, though, when I went with light bullets, I shot Remington or Sierra 180s. I have notes saying I went up to 31 grains of 296, however, for the past 20-ish years I've been loading 29 grains of H110.

I've got something new to play with 500 165 grain JHPs that Sierra made for CorBon. Sierra gave me some unpublished data ... I think when I get around to shooting them, they're gonna be fun.

Tom

Mackay,

I'm lovin' it. I hope you had a few while you worked it over.

K,

210's suck. I like more weight and less speed.


God bless,
Travis

I reckon you know this and have probably seen the picture, but Elmer had a front sight marked up that was just about perfect. At least I thought so.

Quickload predicts 34,600 lbs-psi. I don't think you will damage a SBH with those loads. If you run a whole lot of them you might eventually see some flame cutting around the gap, and forcing cone. They will be hitting the gap at about max pressure.

What Travis said "More weight, less speed". That H110 load seems hot to me. It may not damage Fluffy, but why chance it? I would almost guarantee some flame cutting of the top strap.

Did I zip through this too fast and mis the Freedom Arms 44 mags?

Is there actually 10 pages and not a single FA in .44 mag here?

Ummmm, what book? Hodgdon's current max for a 210 jhp is 27.0 gr of H110. Yeah, I know that yours is cast and yeah, I know that lead usually developes less pressure than jacketed all things being equal but still...you'd be prudent to back them down a couple of grains.

And, yes, you can wear out a SBH with enough of those (or any other max load).

Yes, thanks!

270 Deep-curls over a full-house scoop of H-110 are about the most accurate deer caliber revolver loads I ever shot. The full-house 270 loads don't seem anywhere near as hot to me, nor show as much pressure as full-house 210s .

Just playing with some loads, with what I got.
Still hard to find a large selection of 'stuff'.
It might be a lot of fun to put some holes in stuff at distance, more speed - less math.


If the weather really got bad elk hunting making a visibility an issue. I wouldn't think twice about swapping my rifle for my revolver and carrying a cylinder full of heavies.

Good eye! Thanks!

Typing at the table, reloading at the bench.
Oregon Trail Laser cast, 200 grain, right data, wrong typing.

As mentioned, no accuracy test done yet. I would wager that something in the just shy of the upper data for Longshot will group up?

When I read the data, I just had to try it!
So I loaded a few, just waiting till I can get away for some range time.

Thanks

The right quantity of gin and vermouth and I am told I do as well. My load used the 275 gr WFN at 1050 fps from the old three screw.

It is a fine pig. Bitchin' sixgun too.




Travis

Yep,

I need to delve into my "Sixguns by Keith" again, look at a few of the illustrations and refresh my memory. It has been a while. I have a pretty clear picture of what his old sight looks like in my head. However I will check to see if the one in my head and the actual one in the book are the same, or a close facsimile.

I had actually dug Sixguns, Gun Notes, and a couple of Taffin books out for a kid that was coming over to my house a week or so back, but I never got a chance to thumb through them myself. I need to do so.

I think this seems to be the consensus.

I recall loading up some 180 grain JHPs that I had acquired somewhere. I don't recall where now. They were screaming in my 5" Classic and 6.5" guns. Muzzle flash was a bit sporty at night or dusk.

Velocity was in the mid 1800s as I recall. If it was not for the muzzle flash, at the time I thought it would make an interesting personal protection round. At that speed, a .44 caliber round that rapidly expanded would be quite a thumper.

Speaking of "Thumper", I ended up shooting all of the 180s at Jacks. As it was, they were just too messy. They eviscerated them, blowing pieces and parts everywhere, as shown here:




In the end, I went right back to the basics, shooting cast bullets. 240s/250s and 300s/310s. They just work. Plus for a guy who shoots often, they are far more economical.

Mackay,

Where do your file marks match up for yardages?



Travis

For what it is worth, one guy had a signed copy of "Hell I was There" for sale at the Houston Gun Show. $750

Haven't had a chance to bust anything with it yet, but here is my most recent 44 magnum.

Travis,

I have no idea yet. I will fiddle with the sight picture, essentially using a six-o'clock hold, then if needed at all, maybe adjust my rear sight a few clicks, as needed.

It will be interesting to see the differences between 8.5 and 10 grain Unique loads with the 240 laser cast SWCs.

Damnit Mackay! Don't make me have to do this work myself...



Travis

Damn fine gun.

The more I fiddle with mine, the more I like it and realize what a truly hell for stout, all around, outdoorsmans gun it is.

Great packable, practical sized powerhouse that is easy to shoot well.

I've managed to resist a Redhawk for quite a while now, but these threads are wearing me down pretty quickly.

Mackay, have you had the chance to compare the 5.5" Redhawk with your 4". I'm wondering if there is a "5" sweet spot like the N-frames have, or if the Ruger is so over built that it screws up the formula.

If I could twist Ruger's arm, I'd love to see a 5" blued version again. I'd add a 1917 lanyard swivel and some walnut stocks, and after enough carry time to reach 50-75% blueing it'd look as tough as anything that ever rode on a belt.

But after I snap out of my fantasy, I realize the stainless 4" will still do what I want.

I was still pretty young, maybe even still in High School, when I read about the first person to shoot a Redhawk, when I read about Elmer Keith doing it in his old Gun Notes, column in Guns and Ammo. My best friend and I both got subscriptions to Guns and Ammo and Shooting Times, so we could trade issues and read both. Joe was always griping about it 'cause I think he liked Keith. Skeeter was a pretty good tradeoff though. I remember Elmer shooting up those Jacks, maybe right up there where you're at MacKay. I may still have the issue around here. Sooner or later though, stuff like that gets moldy or some such and gets thrown out unless you're an expert at preserving it, like at a Library. Anyway, it made me want a big Security Six. heheh

That blued Redhawk is awesome!!

Really like the factory wood grips on your piece. I doubt they make one,but a Tyler T grip would look good on that setup as well.

My first Redhawk was a 5.5". It now resides in my dad's safe. In fact RJM, my dad and I were fiddling with it not too long ago, during his visit. We were swapping grips out.

It is a fine gun, but I never cared for the balance personally. Things such as that are very subjective and will vary from person to person. The 4" version (for me) is pure awesomeness. It feels just right and has a nice balance.

I actually also like the 7.5" Redhawks. They seem to have a decent balance. It just was the 5.5"ers that I could not warm up to.

In contemplation, a guy with a 4" Redhawk and a 7.5" Redhawk would pretty much have all his bases covered in terms of big bore centerfires.

Toss in some nice leather and you would be all set:)

Thanks for the reply. Considering our shared love of the 5" N-frame, I'll turn the burner off under the 5.5" Redhawk idea.

I like your two gun approach-----------"more" is often a great answer. Maybe a 4" stainless and an older shiny blue 7.5".

MacKay and all his talk of the great qualities of the 5" Smith .44 cost me a wad of money this morning, but it was worth it.. Thanks MacKay, this one is great!

That is a FINE looking, all weather .44!

I think you are really going to love that one.

Now if I may humbly suggest the ultimate holster for it:

Sparks 200AW




It makes a huge difference when carrying big iron, if you have a sturdy belt rig and belt. The 200AW is definitely a favorite.

MacKay, thanks I will check this holster out.. I need a good one.. Suggestions on a belt to go with??? Thanks again.. Greatly enjoy your posts and photos..

I generally run two different type belts, depending on what I am doing/wearing.

Obvious one being a Sparks 1.5" leather gun belt, color, and stamping vary.

The other is the Wilderness Tactical belt, of which I have a couple. One being the standard instructor belt, the other being the frequent flyer. The thing I like about them is that you can cinch them up to exactly the amount of tightness needed and not rely on lining up on a belt hole.

The black ones are dressy enough to get away with wearing as a dress belt when wearing dress clothes too. I run the F Flyer as my regular work belt since I do plain clothes work. Nice and lightweight, good price too.

Thanks for the Kudos BTW

MS

Mackay,

What do you think of Simply Rugged holsters? They seem to get good reviews and was thinking of getting one for my 5.5" Redhawk.

Well, I've put a bucket of shells through this Freedom Arms .44 mag now.

Recoil compared to the S&W Mountain Gun is non-existant. There is no .44 mag load that could be safely fired that would have anything remotely called Heavy recoil in this revolver. The weight, design, and the grip are about as good as it gets.

Saying it is well made would be an understatement as well.

I'm not posting a gun pic, but I do have a .44 Magnum related question. What charge of H110 would you guys recommend under this bullet for white tails under 100 yds from either my 7.5" Redhawk or my short Marlin 1894P?



Bullet is a 310 gr. WFNGC from a Lee mold. I cast them from wheel weights and lubed them with the old Lyman Ideal lube. I don't feel a need to load them to max, but would be interested to hear what you all consider max load and speed to be and what would good deer capable, mid to upper velocity load would be. I'd prefer to stay with H110 because I'm familiar with it, but also have Unique, Power Pistol and Longshot on hand.

Plinking recipes not requested for this bullet-I have other, more lead thrifty molds for that purpose.

Thanks.

Just curious why such a heavy solid bullet for a deer?

A plain 240HP is a far superior bullet to crumple a whitetail then those heavy bullets that will zip through like a Field tipped arrow.

The most lethal bullet I have seen on a deer from a 44 mag was a 180 grain HP driven fast. They expand and just fold a deer in it's tracks.

I just wanted to try the heavy, wide meplat theory out for myself. Lee's molds are the least costly way to do it and their 310 is the only mold they offer in 44 that has the wide meplat. I have a couple other 44 molds by Lee, but they lack the same nose shape.

Last year's buck fell to a Nosler 200 gr. JHP. It worked, but I wasn't impressed. Pushed by 28 grs. H110, penetration was nothing special, so I figured to try the heavies, though I've heard good things about Sierra's 180 JHP on deer.

Okay, cool, we need another thread for this. Don't wanna hijack this with loading info.

I was just thinking the same thing. Although a thread titled, 44 Magnum pic and discussion thread, seemed like agood place to ask my question, I definitely don't want to diminish this great thread with a sidebar like this.

Leo,

I cannot say that I have ever owned a simply rugged holster. That being said, I did examine one. The stitching seemed fair and the quality of leather overall seemed pretty good. It seemed like a good product and a decent buy for the dollar.

I cannot comment on wear durability, if the leather gets soft over time or any of those things. I can say that I have not heard much negative about the products. I think they are probably a pretty safe bet, money wise. I just don't have any "hard use" experience to relate.

The good and or bad thing about having what I consider a good and longtime friend in the holster business is that it does not take me long to figure out what to get, or for the wife to decide on gifts sometimes. She just calls the the shop and asks " what does he need?"

That is a FINE looking bullet. I really like the looks of those. I would say about 22 grains of H110 would be perfect. With that wide flat nose, that would be a Stomper of a handgun hunting round.

I would say with a 310 grain bullet and that charge, That should get you in the realm of 1200 fps realistically. That is plenty hot enough to knock the snot out of whatever needs thumped on.

You are right on track....

Pre-Model 29 Shipped 1957....all original....a dream to shoot with 44 specials....I got it a few months ago and Deer season is coming fast.

Sweet!

I like it alot.

Indeed. Old school.

Nice gun. I have one 4in 629. The only one out there that would make me pull out my checkbook would be one of those Classic Hunters with the un-fluted cylinder.

I would suggest that weight is 80% of the difference you seem to be observing.

Time to give the old thread back to life!!

That Bowen Bisley in the other thread is a hard core piece of machinery that would handle a lifetime of heavy use, unlike many of our hands and wrists.

Since this is a Picture thread, I can add these from another post here:


After the cosmetic surgery at FA to shorten the barrel to 4-3/4" and round the grip frame. Also added the green fiber optic sight.

The engraved cylinder on both sides with numbered chambers. Thanks to Troy Adams astonishing artistic skill!

I bought this 629-3 new back in the mid-nineties. A few difficult times caused me to sell it to a friend; another of those sales that I have regretted ever since. Well, over this past week-end, I re-aquired this sweet revolver from that same friend along with the Bear Hug "Skeeter Skelton" grips I had installed so many years ago. I also got most of the box of cartridges I sold with the gun. Welcome home old friend!

This is my 5" -4 with 280 grain WFNGC HCs that I load to 1235 fps. Very accurate. I carry it in Griz country (which is expanding rapidly).

44 mag SBH bisley customized by Bowen.

Id suggest 21 grains of H110, its what Ive used for decades, you can load hotter but I found that works the best in my revolver with both the lee 310 grain, the lyman 300 grain and the NEI 330 gc
all three bullet weights sized .430 and cast from 95% ww and 5% tin, and all three with the same 21 grain powder charge.
all seated out to just short of cylinder length, but I found the NEI 330 works better in my 445 DWSM as it takes up to much case volume in a 44 mag

bruinruin

18.5 H110 moves that bullet out of my 9.5 SRH at a bit over 1100 fps.

Loaded up to 21.5, but 18,5 was so danged accurate I went back to it.

I say, let that big ol flat nose and momentum take over for velocity.

My Redhawk or Super Blackhawk have never seen a load they really like.

Here's my latest 44 Magnum: A well used but not abused Ruger Super Blackhawk with a 10.5" barrel made circa 1985. It came with a cheezy B-square "no gunsmithing" scope mount that I quickly discarded. An evening's dig through my parts boxes turned up a rear sight from another Super Blackhawk and a proper front sight whose presence in my parts box I can't quite explain. One reason never to get rid of anything, I guess

Took it to the range today and got it sighted in. With the rear sight cranked all the way down I shot a 4" group at 50 yards off the bench with my standard 44 Magnum light load of a 240gr Oregon Trail bullet over Trail Boss powder. Next step is to load up some 220gr Sierra's over H110 or Lil' Gun. I've been wanting to try out silhouette shooting and I think this gun is just the ticket. Should be fun.

My buddy uses that mold and then a .430 forming die i believe. I just put in another order for "more bullets!"
He settled on 17gr 2400 and 17.5 for me, heavy crimp on top groove col 1.590 and 1.600 is absolute max length for my cylinder with that taper. 1.605 wont close,as a FYI,something to be careful of.



3 bullets on left are 240XTP and 3 on rt are 310's

Purty good companion gun...



DMc

Lets bring this back from the depths. I started working with mine again and felt like finally snapping a pic and contributing.

5.5" Redhawk with a Simply Rugged Sourdough and my cheapy version of a Chesty Puller harness (thanks Alukban for the idea). Loads are an RCBS 44-250K over 10.0gr of Unique.

Nice rig you've got there, War Eagle!

Nice looking rig!

COOL looking .44 there.

Out of rifles, .44s become a whole 'nuther animal.

My dad ended up with my 5.5" Redhawk. For me, I did not care for the balance, which is odd since I really think around 5"s is an ideal barrel length.

They are excellent guns, and built the way they are, a guy could spend a lifetime shooting one with no issues.

Nice looking setup Friend.

Thanks for the compliments. There definitely isn't anything fancy about it though...especially compared to some of the rigs shown over the years on this thread.

When I first got it, I was running a 7.5" Redhawk so for balance, this 5.5" model was a dream when I came across it. I sold the 7.5" model but looking back I wish I had kept it and just had it cut down to 4"...hindsight ya know

Still thinking of picking up a 4" model...or another 7.5" to have chopped...maybe even let Bowen do the work.

Bowen is one of the best for the work you describe, just be prepared to wait six months or more.

I know all about hindsight!!! I have excellent HS vision.

I have considered more than once picking up a 7.5" version, but since I have others in the stable that don't see enough range or field time, I have yet to do so.

As far as the 4" guns go, I LOVE mine. Probably the most practical all around outdoorsman's gun for long term use far away from a gunsmith or spare parts.

I like to look at mine as the perfect SHTF revolver (for where I live)since they are darn near impossible to break.

Ugh...you and that dang pic!

Makes me want to go shoot bunnies in the Idaho countryside.

I have family in Troy and Lewiston so I may have to make it happen this year!

Most of my .44's are Smiths.. Given that, what would your favorite loads be for:

1. plinking, rocks, cans etc..

2. general shooting- some rocks, also varmints, maybe game up to and including deer.. Big game would be under 100 yards..

3. your grizzly load.. we don't have them here, but I often fish in grizzly country..

These have been addressed before.. I just wanted to add the notes to my loading book.

I mostly load 20.8 grs of 2400 behind a 240 gr Keith type wad cutter great all around load!

For my heavy loads I use H110 and a 240 Nosler Soft point or HP!

#1 = 8.5 grains Unique with 240/250 grain cast SWC loads for light loads.

#2 = 10 grains Unique with 240/250 grain cast SWC loads for mid level/everyday loads. These will work perfect for Idaho Mule deer.

#3 = 22.5 grains H110 with 300 to 320 grain cast SWC loads for anything heavy, such as elk or dinosaurs.


Those three loads will do pretty much everything you will ever need to do with a .44.

In reality, 95% of all your needs can be met with the mid level, 10 grain Unique load.

The 8.5 grain load is a good one to work on pure marksmanship fundamentals without worrying too much about recoil.

I do not shoot too many of the heavy loads through my Smiths. That being said, they are not nearly as fragile as the internet has given them a reputation for being.

While I would not pound many thousands of hot 320 grain loads through my Smiths, practicing and then regulating the sights for big game season should be no issue.

Most of the time I shoot the mid level loads, with 10 grains Unique through my Smiths.

MacKay, thanks for your response.. I have been watching for these loads.. We are on a short trip, and access to the net was limited.. I must locate some 44 300 grain bullets. Have all the other stuff.. Must try a few loads before the summer season is up on us.. Again thanks..

Go here. You won't find better bullets. I've been using them for about ten years and have never had anything but satisfaction with Beartooth Bullets.

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm

L.W.

McKAy,

Interesting and rewarding to me to find that your mid range load and mine are the exact same load. Since my only 44 is an uberlight 329PD, that is going to be my always, do it all load.

Leanwolf, thanks, I will check these out..

H, had I known you wanted some heavies for your 44s I could have cast some 310 grainers from my Lee mold. Not sure if I can swing it this week during the evenings.

I do have maybe a dozen of them left from my last casting session and you're welcome to them.

Bruin, I am looking a some for grizzly country.. I spend a bit of time trout fishing in good bear country... Came around the corner, and found an elk carcass the grizzly had just been working over.. Beat a hasty retreat for the truck and .375, but sure felt undressed til I got there.. Thanks for the offer.. We can maybe visit about it later this week in the eve. after work..

I think I have some loaded with 21 grs H110 and some bullets, not loaded up. You're welcome to what I have.

A few 44s I've had over the years, most have come and gone.

Today I won an auction for one of those I have one with a lock, but I'm looking forward to getting the "pristine" version That model is about the smallest one where I still enjoy shooting full-house .44's.

I'd also love to find a DX Classic, either a 629 or 29 but they are not common, and bring stupid prices

tex n cal,

Add "The Plug" and your 5 inch Model 29 becomes pristine again. One has to know where to look, and look pretty hard, to see where the lock USED to be on my 329PD.

Jim Hackwicz has and often carries a S&W Mountain gun in 44 MAgnum, and that is about the heaviest handgun of any kind that I could see myself packing around very much. And it is, to my mind, pretty shootable.

That 5 inch full lug barrel model is sure a looker, but I am afraid that if it were mine I would find too many excuses to NOT carry it "just this once" or "Just over to that little creek right there" etc. due to its weight.

I am SO glad we live in a time and place, though,where we HAVE so many great choices! Never before in the history of the world have there been so many capable guns and even handguns available to common men!

I like my lighter, leaner unlugged 5" M29's but my lugged 5" M29-2 is the most accurate 44 Mag I own and is pretty darn, well, pretty. Scoped I have shot many 3" groups with it at 100 yards.

Have to admit, that one is might beautiful. I would be proud to own such a piece. Gorgeous. And 3 inches at 100 yards, lots of carbine length rifles will barely do that! Pretty spectacular.

...ok...so I have a .44...one....

Bought this several years ago off GunBroker "used" and when it arrived it looked like it had never been fired. Called the Seller and asked him about it and he said that he had bought the gun new, fired SIX rounds of 240 grain real .44 Magnums through it and that was enough for him...

Since I have owned it one 20 round box of Speer 200 grain Gold Dot HP Short Barrel load and 24 rounds of a practice load of 10.0/231/200 Berry's plated have fired through it...50 rounds total...









Bob

I like.



Travis

That's about perfection right there.

Bob, shame on you for neglecting this fine revolver. Shoot more.

I agree with TJM,

That puppy needs shot a bunch!

Regardless of the caliber I think the Mountain Gun series is the best 4" N-Frame S&W ever produced.

The round butt frame can accommodate grips for everyone's hands and the tapered barrel just makes the balance perfect....

Bob

It should be "agin the law" to not shoot that pistola more.

It looks neglected, send it south and I will sling some lead through it like it was manufactured to do!.

The 5" Classic and Classic DX versions are becoming crazy in my opinion, price wise. That said, I think they are one of the finest .44s that Smith, or anyone else ever produced.

I have both a Classic, as well as the DX model and they are some of the very last arms I will part with. 5" N frames are pure Magic!

Congrats of your fine addition of a 5" 629. Hard to beat that one as a perfect all around outdoorsmans sidearm

Some good looking guns here. Does anyone have an opinion on S&Ws new M69 on the L frame?

Yep.

The DX's came with a few more accessories - grips and sight inserts, but in particular they were hand selected for accuracy, and factory test targets were included. The price on them won't be going down, anytime soon.

The 5" pre-lock 629 I just bought was slightly used, without a box, and was reasonable in price - not much more than the street price of a new one. I plan to shoot the heck out of it, so it's not a collector gun to me. The 5" blued Classics (not DX) seem to bring a little more money than the 629's

The 5" full lug 29/629 is an awfully well balanced gun. It is tolerable with full-power loads, reasonable to carry, and easy to shoot well. There are plenty of revos that have more power, but they are usually a lot bigger and heavier, or they are single actions

My opinion is you should buy one.



Travis

Model 69 -- yes, by all means buy one!

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Family Portrait - 629 Mtn Gun, M696, New M69:
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Mounted a 4x Leupold on the M69 to do some load development. It was windy, and even though I had a good rest, it was not perfectly stable.

Loads are marked on the targets. The 265 SWCGC crimped over the front drive band chronoed 1,142 fps and the 310gr Lee FPGC chronoed 1,141 fps (not a typo) seated and crimped in the top grove (short OAL). Both at 50 - 60 deg F and 5 long paces from the muzzle.

The 240gr/6.5gr HP38 is seated deep (1.502 OAL) and runs 883 fps on the chrono.

As most know and the targets show, it pays to test various loads to determine best potential accuracy.
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.

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Stil have other stuff to test, but thought those following this thread would be interested in the accuracy potential of the M69.

FWIW,

Paul

Damn Paul! That thing is kickin' ass!



Travis

There's one new one in the house, so it was time to take a group photo...



top left, 5" 629-6 (current model with MIM and lock)
top right, 5" 629-4, pre-lock
bottom right 6.5" 629-3
bottom left 5" 610 no dash

There's also a 1950's pre-27 in the safe, but it needs grips and was embarrassed to come out

Thanks Paul, that's very useful information. I just wish they had made it as a 5".
Nice collection Tex, I like shooting just about anything, but N frames are my favorite.

Thanks. I have started loading Enforcer under hard cast, it will be interesting to see how it does in the .44.

Stayclean,

That pig has some massive hooves dude! Wowza!


Travis

I sold my 629-"with a lock" some time ago. My idea was to replace it with an older 4" 29. Shrapnel located one for me and my finder's fee was only $300.00!

Score!

Little sight adjusting and I was in business.

DA @ 25yds.




Travis

Ha Travis. I'm going to take a wild guess you weren't a Zoology major.

Nah. Zoos are stupid. They don't even let you shoot at the animals.

Here's a little 100yd work with the big Two-Nine this afternoon.



I can't get enough of this [bleep]' thing.


Travis

Nice pistola. I love 29s.

Travis, that's some pretty good shooting at 100 yards...who was doing the shootin for you??


Yea, I know....GFM

Colt Anaconda ,8" barrel

The old Smiths shoot themselves.

And yes, GFY.


Travis

Travis, what load in that Smith made such fine groups for you????

Those are actually Specials. I've been out of the .44 Magnum business for so long, I didn't even know where all my Magnum stuff was.

That load should be 7.5gr of Unique and the 240gr. Laser Cast SWC. My Flattop loves them as well.

When I find my Magnum brass I'll bump it to 9.5 or 10 and I'm sure they'll shoot tight.

Travis

The .44Mag is probably my favorite cartridge, I have one or two.

Couple of Rugers that I'm fond of:




One destined to become a .500 Bisley:


A couple of S&W's:


And two Marlin 1894's but no pics.

Nice.

Beautiful.

Nice 29. I have wanted one forever. In a old Flattop I used 10 grains of Unique with a 250 K and found it to be a pretty good load that would be easy on the N frame lock work. Your idea of 9.5 grains may actually be a better load.

CraigC, Who built the Bisley with the case hardened frame?

David Clements.

I've tried the 10 and the 9 and the 9.5 and settled on the 9.5. Happy medium in my opinion.



Travis

Here are all of mine...




























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