629 vs Super Redhawk vs ???

[justinvan]

Looking at a 44 revolver to put in the stable with the ultimate goal being to scope it and use it for deer hunting. What are the better options in the revolver world for big bore calibers. I am not a huge Ruger guy yet for some reason I own 3 ruger revolvers. Just curious what peoples views are on this subject.

[Shipyard]

i just had this debate with my buddy who wanted a hand cannon. i have a 629 calssic. love it love it love it love it. never liekd the feel of the rugers myself. my buddy shot my smith a bunch, and bought a long barrel redhawk. he loves the ruger platform and likes that he can load them nasty hot.

all in what works for you, but for 44's i wouldn't say there's another option between these two in my opinion. both are excellent weapons.

let us know how you come out

[justinvan]

I lean towards the 629... would like to find a 629 classic hunter. But just like most rugers everybody says there built like a friggin tank!

[Ironbear]

What? No Freedom Arms?

A .44 Mag on the Mdl 83 frame should eat anything you feed it!

[crbutler]

My experience is that while the ruger revolvers are more "clunky" and not as smooth as a S&W, they are able to take more abuse than a Smith. I've shot a smith and a colt loose, I've not managed that with a Ruger. They certainly lack the "Panache" of a S&W, but are really quite well built.

They both seem to be about the same accuracy wise.

The freedom arms gun is worlds better than either, but a lot more expensive. Its also a single action revolver.

[EJSG19]

Just do us all a favor and acquire both.








Then do me a favor and send me the one you put second. I would kick neither out of bed, and would use each for the same purposes. The only thing the ruger has for me is the strength advantage. Other than that I think the smith is a nicer gun and their is no longer much price difference the last I checked.

[rugersol]

I wouldn't overlook a Blackhawk ... ya really gonna shoot a Redhawk DA?

That said, even with proper instruction, it can take a while to get used to properly gripping a SAA-type revolver.

That said, I'd say a BFR's definitely in the hunt!

FWIW, I shoot in a "deer pistol" league ... 3rd year, now (two different guns, each year) ... I've shot my Bisley Hunter ... a 4in 629 ... 6in 27 (scoped) ... this year I'm shootin' a 6in 657 (stock post/notch sights) ... last week, I shot both guns very well ... and actually shot my 657 better 'n my 27. The Bisley Hunter'll take anything ya feed it ... but when I wanna get more 10pt hits than 8pt hits, I go fer the S&W's!

That said, 'less ya find a smokin' deal on an older S&W, yer gonna save $300 - $500 goin' with a new Blackhawk!

Only Redhawk I ever handled had a SA trigger worse 'n I ever seen. I wouldn't get one 'less I know a reputable 'smith to slick it up! Blackhawks, fer whatever reason, seem to come with purdy nice triggers, outta the box.

YMMV

[Geezer43]

I've owned a S&W Model 29 and a Super Redhawk. Liked them both.
It's true that the S&W looks better, handles better, and has a smmother action & trigger.
However, I was able to do some trigger tuning and a bit of action tuning on the Ruger. The result proved to be both lighter & smoother than the S&W.
The Ruger can digest Buffalo Bore's hottest load (the one rated as +P+) all day long. I don't think the S&W will withstand that for very long.
With standard loads, the rear sight of the S&W shot loose and almost fell off.

Accuracy was about the same for both. The Super Redhawk has integral scope bases for use with Ruger rings.
For deer hunting I think the Ruger is a better choice.

[Holland&Holland]

Guy at Oakdale yesterday was shooting a Super Redhawk .44 mag wit a scope at 50 yards and had a solid 3" group going all day long.

[rugersol]

... not to get into any big "Rugers are stronger than S&W" thing ... but it occurs to me, this seems to be a factor in some folks' decision making.

At which, I'm wondering why S&W don't simply lay down the trump card of a .44 X-frame?

Then again, with Ruger charging almost as much fer their Redhawks anymore, why don't they come with a trigger as nice as a S&W?

If it was me, I'd probly get the Redhawk and trade Geezer a case of beer fer a nice trigger-job!

[Geezer43]

... not to get into any big "Rugers are stronger than S&W" thing ... but it occurs to me, this seems to be a factor in some folks' decision making.

At which, I'm wondering why S&W don't simply lay down the trump card of a .44 X-frame?

Then again, with Ruger charging almost as much fer their Redhawks anymore, why don't they come with a trigger as nice as a S&W?

If it was me, I'd probly get the Redhawk and trade Geezer a case of beer fer a nice trigger-job!

I wuz wunderin the same thing.

As for a trigger job on a Ruger, all it takes is the right springs (available from Brownells) and a lot of careful polishing of the internal trigger parts.
If I could do it, anyone else could too.

[rugersol]

If it was me, I'd probly get the Redhawk and trade Geezer a case of beer fer a nice trigger-job!

If I could do it, anyone else could too.

Is that a dare?

[Hammer99...]

I also own a 629 classic. I love the gun. The double action trigger isn't the greatest thing ever but I only shoot 44 mag in single action and single is crisp and light.

[Eric Marleau]

I own a Smith 29-2 with a 4" barrel, and a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 mag.with a 7 1/2" barrel.
Both are great pistols. As already mentioned, I wouldn't shoot hunting loads all day with the Smith, but the Ruger will shoot anything without doing harm.
Both shoot great at 50yds, but in the woods hunting I carry my 29-2 because of it's size.

You can't go wrong with either gun.

Also for deer, my Ruger Blackhawk .41mag. is deadly. Just a thought. Many claim that the old .41Mag is better than the .44Mags for deer. I have had great success with both.

Eric

[justinvan]

Thanks for the input so far... but at this point I am still undecided. I like the rugged durability of the Ruger, but like the refinement of the S&W, this is in a nutshell what a lot of these posts are leading to. I wish there was something in between.