629 vs Super Redhawk vs ???

[EJSG19]

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.

You are every bit as decisive as the stereotypical mnguntalk member and gun enthusiast. Well done sir, you will do just fine here. Thank you for letting us take part in having no affect on your answerless problem.

[justinvan]

Maybe I should add that I am not set on the .44, I do believe there a few other good options. I do however want something with a respectable amount of factory ammo (I am just getting set up for reloading brass).
Thanks again...

[justinvan]

What? No Freedom Arms?

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

Hell ya I would like a Freedom Arms.... but unless your buyin its gonna take a couple years!

[SIGP240]

Many facets upon which to ponder in the thread. S&W will have higher resale than Ruger. Used Rugers are a perpetual bargain compared to S&W. SRH is an under the pickup seat gun; Smith, an illuminated spot in the Gun Case. I got my SRH'44 @ GougerMountain for $450 cash, and it looked newish; shot maybe 50 times. Ruger's factory grips better than Smith's. The neoprene panels grip the hand and eat recoil. The classic S&W grip panels look good and function POORLY. The Smith panels belong in your sock drawer. The SRH is more muzzle heavy and ameliorates recoil. The sights on both are fine, but I like SRH's pop out-pop-in front system! The rings on the SRH are forever; I am still waiting to see a set of scope rings and base for the Smith that doesn't look cobbled and half-baked. The trigger is paramount on the Smith's, but not as nice as when they first came out. The Ruger trigger can be tweaked with the Wilson Kit, 1-800-955-4856. you get 5 new springs to play with. Ruger's massive design allows you to step up beyond what S&W can handle for reloads. Currently, the .431" 292-300gr RFNGC lubed with premium hi-speed rifle lube pushed with 21.5 gr H110 seems popular. With no chrono, I can't declare a speed, but claims are 1500fps in the carbine. Magnaport can vent the SRH to tame muzzle flip, and they can trick out the weapon nicely for a handsome price. The Smith, as a rule, needs little tricking out. When they are, the resale value is compromised. I would go with the Ruger any day, as you will have money left over for and Utlra-Dot. Mine shoots sub 2" groups with full house loads at 25 yards, and that's all you need when you consider that so many of my deer kills average only 50 feet. Happy huntin!

[Eric Marleau]

Hey Justin,

I see that you are quite a drive from Forest Lake, but you are more than welcome to drive up here and try out some different pistols at the FLSC.
Just let me know, and along with my guns, I can get some of my shooters to bring over theirs also.
It might be worth the drive for you.

Eric

[Payne]

Go S&W, and go .460 instead. You are able to shoot .45 Long Colt, .454 Casull, and the .460 S&W rounds.

[1911fan]

if you can't do it with a .45 Colt, you probably don't want to do it with a handgun..... right gun, right loads, from 185 grain poppers for plinking up to buffalo loads. use Lil' gun with 310 grainers from LBT /Leadheads. 1300 FPS is easy to do in a blackhawk. at the right angle, if you shoot a nice big feral hog in the nose, it will blow its tail off.....case capacity is king in the handgun world, using the 25% or so more capacity of the 45 Colt case is wise.

[rugersol]

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.

There ain't nothin' in between!

Ruger's are tough ... but S&W's (manufactured in the 21st century) are also tough ... 'less yer gonna load **** up hotter 'n factory, it's simply not an issue. And, from what I seen at the range, if there's someone doin' it, they're awfully shy 'bout shootin' it!

S&W's got nice triggers, outta the box! Ya pay more fer the name ... and not havin' to F with the trigger ... go to the range, and shoot! If ya wanna mount a scope, jest get one of these and these and yer GTG!

If the Ruger ya want is within $100 of the S&W ya want, I'd get the S&W ... otherwise, I'd get the Ruger!

As to ammo ... fer factory, .41's outta the question ... and .45 Colt (deer) loads are gonna be few 'n far 'tween! ... .44 grows on trees! But if ya can handload, get whatever ya want! Ya can load .41 'er .44 as soft as cowboy .45's ... 'er load .45 as hot as any .41 ... and either of them's gonna be very close to most any factory .44 on the shelves.

Someone invited ya to try a few ... ya'd be a fool not to take him up on it! I'd join in ... but I'd bring my 657 ... and then ya'd go insane tryin' find somethin' half as good ... so I'll spare ya the agony!

[speedy396]

I've had both and kept the SW. The Smith's trigger and fit just felt better in my hands. The weight and grips on the Ruger do a better job on recoil than the SW though. Might be something to consider if you think you will be shooting it a lot. If you go with the Ruger, hold out for a used one since resale is not too good. Finally, remember you can't be Dirty Harry with the Ruger.

[Eric Marleau]

I do put many rounds through my 29-2 at the Range. 6.5gr of W231 using 240gr cast bullets. This load also works well for my 1894 Marlin Lever also. Nice light load and very accurate.
No sense beating up myself or my guns just putting holes into paper.

Eric

[justinvan]

So whats the opinion on the S&W 460xvr? I like the ability to shoot multiple loads and the factory ported barrel....

[rugersol]

So whats the opinion on the S&W 460xvr? I like the ability to shoot multiple loads and the factory ported barrel....

Well, Payne said (in another thread) it's a 200yd gun. Don't mean yer a 200yd shooter ... yet.

It's bigger and heavier ... that and the porting will help tame the more powerful loads.

As to the loads, I'd say that's a handloading-only deal. Ya won't find too many jacketed .45 Colt loads around. And my guess is, they wouldn't be the most accurate outta that gun, anyhow ... but that's jest a guess.

If all that, and the price, suits ya ... I'd say ya'd never be left wantin'.

[Livngr8ful]

If you are looking for a big caliber gun for hunting, try this. It's my second S&W 500. This is the 10.5" performance center model. I had the standard S&W 500 in 8.5 and loved it. This is a bit longer but not difficult to aim. With the muzzle break/ compensator and the length, this is not as harsh as the 8.5" and that was not bad at all.

[Vlad]

This is my old Red Hawk w/ a 2 power scope on it.

It is magna ported and is sturdy as a boat anchor.


My standard load is a 240 Speer SP at 1450ft/s that will group for me at 50 yards under 2inches. Between the porting and the weight of the gun, I can shoot full house rounds one handed easily. Do I go through 200 rounds in an afternoon, No. But with practice I can hit what I aim at out to 100 yards with confidence.

[Angel Eyes]

For Hunting I'd go with the Super Redhawk, for collecting and occaisional shooting the 629 !
Then again the 44 mag is one of those calibers where folks who like it have more than one gun chambered for it.
Just like the 45 acp, why not get both ? At one time I had 4- 44 Magnums. I have since downsised however down to 2.
A model 29 and Super Blackhawk. I love them both but differently. I would love to have the 329 Nightguard. With medium velocity 44 Mag loads or 44 special it makes for an awesome defensive gun !