.44 mag - what barrel length?

View · by **INOR** on Wed Feb 20, 2019 4:50 pm

Looking at .44 magnum revolvers. What barrel length do people like in that platform? Looking at redhawks currently. Will be 95% range use. But maybe carried in bear country too. May look at a 629 as well.

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View · by **Jackpine Savage** on Wed Feb 20, 2019 5:46 pm

I did have a Ruger Redhawk with a 5 1/2" barrel that I really liked. It was stolen years ago and I replaced it with a S&W 4" mountain gun. I really should trade back for a Redhawk.

View · by **mmcnx2** on Wed Feb 20, 2019 6:18 pm

I'd recommend around 6, can go a 1/2 inch either way but 4 gets kind short and 8 is beast.

View · by **Ghost** on Wed Feb 20, 2019 6:24 pm

The benefit of short is if you are gonna carry it. My 460 is 5” and it’s about right for carrying in bear country. I’d say 5-6” is good.

View · by **OldmanFCSA** on Wed Feb 20, 2019 6:29 pm

My Ruger Super Blackhawk with a 10.5" barrel was extremely deadly on Rams at 200 meters using a NEI cast truncated cone 300 grain projectile. 10.5" is too long to carry easily, I would recommend the 7.5" version.

IF anyone needs a holster for a 10.5" Ruger SBH, I have a like new one made by guy in Maple Plain. It was the first one he ever made.

View · by **Holland&Holland** on Wed Feb 20, 2019 8:13 pm

Jackpine Savage wrote:I did have a Ruger Redhawk with a 5 1/2" barrel that I really liked. It was stolen years ago and I replaced it with a S&W 4" mountain gun. I really should trade back for a Redhawk.

I can 2nd this. I have this same length and find it nice for woods carry and range work.

View · by **Bearcatrp** on Wed Feb 20, 2019 9:53 pm

I have had two. A 5 1/2 Ruger Redhawk and a Ruger Alaskan. Regret selling the Alaskan. Been eying the Ruger Redhawk Lipsey special. Can’t find one to handle to see how it feels. Like the full lug.
https://www.ruger.com/products/redhawk/ ... /5058.html

View · by **BigDog58** on Wed Feb 20, 2019 11:00 pm

I had a Ruger 9.5" 44. Mag Super Red Hawk. I used it for deer hunting in GA. It was stolen, after my house fire in 2009. It shot really well, and I carried it in a bandoleer type holster while walking to and from my tree stands, or when still hunting.
The only thing I didn't particularly like about it, was the trigger guard rubbed against my "birdie finger" knuckle, and was irritating.

If I ever buy another Big Pistol, I will check out a S&W to see if it's trigger guard causes the same issue.

BTW: That Super Red Hawk, took the deer in the picture below. He's proof, that "nookie" will kill you. I had dropped a doe with my rifle, at only 17 yards. As I was getting ready to climb down out of my stand, he came in and was sniffing her. I had already lowered my rifle to the ground, so I used the Ruger, and hit him in the neck. Dropping him on top of the doe. Dragging both nearly 300 yards to a power line clearing, wasn't as fun..lol

: 12 Pt 178 B&C

: Jim & Deer.JPG (41.29 KB) Viewed 5052 times

View · by **Ghost** on Thu Feb 21, 2019 6:04 am

Nice buck!!!

View · by **INOR** on Thu Feb 21, 2019 6:41 am

Nice deer! I can’t imagine having to drag two deer out. That had to have sucked!

GAG is advertising a 7.5 redhawk for $699 (btw....wasn’t I just complaining how I never see sales or deals on bigger revolvers?) Great deal, but that seems a bit long for one that won’t get hunting use.

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View · by **Holland&Holland** on Thu Feb 21, 2019 9:16 am

BigDog58 wrote:I had a Ruger 9.5" 44. Mag Super Red Hawk. I used it for deer hunting in GA. It was stolen, after my house fire in 2009. It shot really well, and I carried it in a bandoleer type holster while walking to and from my tree stands, or when still hunting.
The only thing I didn't particularly like about it, was the trigger guard rubbed against my "birdie finger" knuckle, and was irritating.

If I ever buy another Big Pistol, I will check out a S&W to see if it's trigger guard causes the same issue.

BTW: That Super Red Hawk, took the deer in the picture below. He's proof, that "nookie" will kill you. I had dropped a doe with my rifle, at only 17 yards. As I was getting ready to climb down out of my stand, he came in and was sniffing her. I had already lowered my rifle to the ground, so I used the Ruger, and hit him in the neck. Dropping him on top of the doe. Dragging both nearly 300 yards to a power line clearing, wasn't as fun..lol

12 Pt Buck.jpg

Jim & Deer.JPG

Very nice deer!

View · by **OldmanFCSA** on Thu Feb 21, 2019 10:01 am

I went the Economy Route - shot two deer with one shot from my Contender pistol - 44Mag re-chambered to 444 Marlin shooting 300 grain XTP's.

View · by **Holland&Holland** on Thu Feb 21, 2019 10:29 am

OldmanFCSA wrote:I went the Economy Route - shot two deer with one shot from my Contender pistol - 44Mag re-chambered to 444 Marlin shooting 300 grain XTP's.

Need to hear more of this story :shock:

View · by **INOR** on Thu Feb 21, 2019 1:33 pm

Bearcatrp wrote:I have had two. A 5 1/2 Ruger Redhawk and a Ruger Alaskan. Regret selling the Alaskan. Been eying the Ruger Redhawk Lipsey special. Can’t find one to handle to see how it feels. Like the full lug.
https://www.ruger.com/products/redhawk/ ... /5058.html

That is a nice gun. I'd probably change the grips out, but otherwise that thing looks perfect. I also like the full lug (as I've long been a fan of the SP101 with the full lug).

View · by **Bearcatrp** on Thu Feb 21, 2019 5:39 pm

INOR wrote:
Bearcatrp wrote:I have had two. A 5 1/2 Ruger Redhawk and a Ruger Alaskan. Regret selling the Alaskan. Been eying the Ruger Redhawk Lipsey special. Can’t find one to handle to see how it feels. Like the full lug.
https://www.ruger.com/products/redhawk/ ... /5058.html

That is a nice gun. I'd probably change the grips out, but otherwise that thing looks perfect. I also like the full lug (as I've long been a fan of the SP101 with the full lug).

Looks sweet to me. If you find one locally, let me know. I want to handle it before buying it. I contacted houge about grips for this pistol. They have one. Think this is the perfect size 44 mag.