Stone Cold
New member
I believe the Desert Eagle is available in 44 mag. That would be a fine alternative to a revolver. I'd rather have an assault rifle, however.
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44 Magnum and approaching hostile human at 50 yards.
- Thread starter Firepower!
- Start date
Some exhaustive analysis and discussion of cartridge capabilities here. The numbers have been covered so I'll just throw out my hunting experience.
I regularly hunt whitetails with a scoped 7.5" Ruger SBH Hunter. I've taken a fifteen or so deer with it and the longest shot I've made was about 75 yards. The closest about 20. I zero at 50 yards and it drops another 8 inches at 100. More than good enough for "minute of bad guy". I shoot 240 gr JSPs. So far I've found the bullet still in the deer exactly once and that was about a 30 yard shot, lodged in one shoulder after breaking the other. None of the deer went much more than 100 yards after being hit and several dropped right there.
I would have no qualms about the effectiveness of your .44 SRH under 50 yards.
The best way I've found to carry it is a bandoleer holster kind of across the chest and under my arm.
I regularly hunt whitetails with a scoped 7.5" Ruger SBH Hunter. I've taken a fifteen or so deer with it and the longest shot I've made was about 75 yards. The closest about 20. I zero at 50 yards and it drops another 8 inches at 100. More than good enough for "minute of bad guy". I shoot 240 gr JSPs. So far I've found the bullet still in the deer exactly once and that was about a 30 yard shot, lodged in one shoulder after breaking the other. None of the deer went much more than 100 yards after being hit and several dropped right there.
I would have no qualms about the effectiveness of your .44 SRH under 50 yards.
The best way I've found to carry it is a bandoleer holster kind of across the chest and under my arm.
Deer don't shoot back....usually!
This is an interesting scenario that you find yourself in.....
First if you rely on a handgun for your protection you will find yourself outgunned, totally and completely. There is no other way to say it. They will find your riddled corpse still clutching your SRH. Your assasins will probablly take the Desert Eagle though. However I can appreciate the fact that you cannot always carry or unexplainably do not wish to carry a rifle/carbine. The two weapons that you mention however are quite heavy and of course cannot be aimed as accurately or easily without exposing more of yourself than would be prudent. Not to mention recoil and follow up shots.
If you insist on only a handgun then the correct caliber would be .357 magnum or a 10mm in a semi-auto. To concern yourself with the highest downrange energy is just spinning your wheels as you state the energy of the .44 mag at x meters is higher than a .223. Personally I would not want to be shot with a .223 at any meters. Practically any caliber is going to be effective at 100 meters.
In a personal defense situation you should be using a 6" medium frame .357 magnum with hollow point ammo. I think you would then practice with different weight bullets as to which you shoot the most accurately at longer range than normal. I would still think 125 grainers but just maybe a 180 grain hunting bullet might do it for you???
Now me personally. I would have a .45 pistol or .357 4" mag on my hip and something light weight like a short barrel M4, M1A1 or even a Winchester .347 or .44mag Trapper in my hand or always very close by.
Finally if I did (foolishly) only carry a handgun in this scenario I think it would be a 10mm semi-auto with a minimum of a 5" barrel....2nd 6" .357 (7 shot) revolver, 3rd 45acp longslide semi. Really far fetched scenerio though.
I bet it's fun to go deer hunting in your neck of the woods.
This is an interesting scenario that you find yourself in.....
First if you rely on a handgun for your protection you will find yourself outgunned, totally and completely. There is no other way to say it. They will find your riddled corpse still clutching your SRH. Your assasins will probablly take the Desert Eagle though. However I can appreciate the fact that you cannot always carry or unexplainably do not wish to carry a rifle/carbine. The two weapons that you mention however are quite heavy and of course cannot be aimed as accurately or easily without exposing more of yourself than would be prudent. Not to mention recoil and follow up shots.
If you insist on only a handgun then the correct caliber would be .357 magnum or a 10mm in a semi-auto. To concern yourself with the highest downrange energy is just spinning your wheels as you state the energy of the .44 mag at x meters is higher than a .223. Personally I would not want to be shot with a .223 at any meters. Practically any caliber is going to be effective at 100 meters.
In a personal defense situation you should be using a 6" medium frame .357 magnum with hollow point ammo. I think you would then practice with different weight bullets as to which you shoot the most accurately at longer range than normal. I would still think 125 grainers but just maybe a 180 grain hunting bullet might do it for you???
Now me personally. I would have a .45 pistol or .357 4" mag on my hip and something light weight like a short barrel M4, M1A1 or even a Winchester .347 or .44mag Trapper in my hand or always very close by.
Finally if I did (foolishly) only carry a handgun in this scenario I think it would be a 10mm semi-auto with a minimum of a 5" barrel....2nd 6" .357 (7 shot) revolver, 3rd 45acp longslide semi. Really far fetched scenerio though.
I bet it's fun to go deer hunting in your neck of the woods.
Smaug: "There's no way you'll hit a moving target with a handgun at 50 yards."
I know three people (and undoubtedly there are more)that would blast holes in your theory. I wouldn't hesitate to take that shot. I would refrain from saying that simply cause, someone, somewhere, could undoubtedly perform it, and some of the people I know...I wouldn't wanna be that other guy.
I know three people (and undoubtedly there are more)that would blast holes in your theory. I wouldn't hesitate to take that shot. I would refrain from saying that simply cause, someone, somewhere, could undoubtedly perform it, and some of the people I know...I wouldn't wanna be that other guy.
Firepower!
New member
A1A... Funny you mentioned M4. I just shot M4A1 US military issue yesterday. It JAMMED on the second magzine in full auto mode. It failed to eject while it tried to feed a fresh round. Not something you want to deal with when under stress. That said, if any rifle at this range it would be Krinkov. Ultimate reliable little bastard.
Back to topic. I have my 44 SRH carried in a Galco kodiak holster. Its big and heavy so a gurad carries it who walks next to me. If started carrying weapons myself, it would be somewhat wierd in my circumstances, however, I have a G or some sort concealed always.
I have 2 king cobras 4 and 6'' but I am certain that 44 out does 357 when concerned about knocking down hostile at 50yd above range.
44 has superior ballistics. The only other choice, which is not available in PK, would be 460 or 500SW. I am leaning towards revolvers because there is not jamming or FTE FTF issues.
Back to topic. I have my 44 SRH carried in a Galco kodiak holster. Its big and heavy so a gurad carries it who walks next to me. If started carrying weapons myself, it would be somewhat wierd in my circumstances, however, I have a G or some sort concealed always.
I have 2 king cobras 4 and 6'' but I am certain that 44 out does 357 when concerned about knocking down hostile at 50yd above range.
44 has superior ballistics. The only other choice, which is not available in PK, would be 460 or 500SW. I am leaning towards revolvers because there is not jamming or FTE FTF issues.
Below not to be taken to seriously, just chat'n.
So you say your M4 jammed on the second magazine. Well being one who always looks at the glass as being half full. That would mean that you were at least able to send 30 high velocity slugs downrange before having to clear a malfunction. Which I would assume takes about the same time as it does to tactically reload a 6 shot SRH. I would also assume that you were able to fire the 30 rounds in about the same time as you would have been able to fire 6 .44 magnums.
So class in which example did you actually send more terminal energy downrange....a) 30 .223's or b) 6 .44 magnums. #2 How many more opportunities to hit something existed by firing the .223's.....a) 0, b) 1, c) 6, d) 24
The point of a .357 over a .44 mag is recoil recovery time, weight of weapon, easier ability to fire accurately one handed while peering out from behind a tree or boulder or security guard while still retaining excessive knock-down energy of a proven man stopping handgun caliber as I have already pointed out. You do not need overkill but a high probability accurate hit.
The 6" KC should be on your person not the guards. You need to now pace off 100 meters (or have the guard or one of the wives do it) uphill, downhill etc..., tack up some targets and see what you can hit from various shooting positions with the SRH and KC in rapid fire exercises.
I think you will soon discover why you should be shooting the 6" .357 with a full powered 125 - 140 grain load. Keeping in mind that only hits count.
This whole ideal of terminal energy needing to be the maximum available is wrong as your adversaries are not Elk but skinny little Patel's.
Homework - http://www.hornady.com/story.php?s=760
A Hornady flextip 140grain .357 @ 100yds hits with 406 ft/lbs of energy @ 1143 fps. I think that will more than get the job done. Also note 100 yd/meter zeroed sites
Last comment/opinion..... The S&W 500 or even 460 is not a personal defense weapon. Its a toy (great toy) for people with more money than brains (count me in) or as Freud would ask do you think you are over compensating due to the lack of something else? You need to fight light and fast and be able to hit hard and often.
So you say your M4 jammed on the second magazine. Well being one who always looks at the glass as being half full. That would mean that you were at least able to send 30 high velocity slugs downrange before having to clear a malfunction. Which I would assume takes about the same time as it does to tactically reload a 6 shot SRH. I would also assume that you were able to fire the 30 rounds in about the same time as you would have been able to fire 6 .44 magnums.
So class in which example did you actually send more terminal energy downrange....a) 30 .223's or b) 6 .44 magnums. #2 How many more opportunities to hit something existed by firing the .223's.....a) 0, b) 1, c) 6, d) 24
The point of a .357 over a .44 mag is recoil recovery time, weight of weapon, easier ability to fire accurately one handed while peering out from behind a tree or boulder or security guard while still retaining excessive knock-down energy of a proven man stopping handgun caliber as I have already pointed out. You do not need overkill but a high probability accurate hit.
The 6" KC should be on your person not the guards. You need to now pace off 100 meters (or have the guard or one of the wives do it) uphill, downhill etc..., tack up some targets and see what you can hit from various shooting positions with the SRH and KC in rapid fire exercises.
I think you will soon discover why you should be shooting the 6" .357 with a full powered 125 - 140 grain load. Keeping in mind that only hits count.
This whole ideal of terminal energy needing to be the maximum available is wrong as your adversaries are not Elk but skinny little Patel's.
Homework - http://www.hornady.com/story.php?s=760
A Hornady flextip 140grain .357 @ 100yds hits with 406 ft/lbs of energy @ 1143 fps. I think that will more than get the job done. Also note 100 yd/meter zeroed sites
Last comment/opinion..... The S&W 500 or even 460 is not a personal defense weapon. Its a toy (great toy) for people with more money than brains (count me in) or as Freud would ask do you think you are over compensating due to the lack of something else? You need to fight light and fast and be able to hit hard and often.
Firepower!
New member
interesting comment A1A.
I, agree with you, should have one of the wives run up and down the hill placing targets for my KC.
The idea of using automatic rifle is when I am enterring combat not when I walking about on my farms and taking it easy. This not a combat zone. Just potential scenarios. Btw as far as automatic weapons are concerned there is no match for AK.
'over compensating' for my 'lack of' paranoia wont do here. I want to be prepared not ridiculous.
I, agree with you, should have one of the wives run up and down the hill placing targets for my KC.
The idea of using automatic rifle is when I am enterring combat not when I walking about on my farms and taking it easy. This not a combat zone. Just potential scenarios. Btw as far as automatic weapons are concerned there is no match for AK.
'over compensating' for my 'lack of' paranoia wont do here. I want to be prepared not ridiculous.
Firepower!
New member
does anyone know how good are the imi hps?
Also which 44 bullet hits the flattest at 50 yard range?
Also which 44 bullet hits the flattest at 50 yard range?
A 44Mag will do the job out to 50yds no problem as long as you do your part. I would ditch the scope on it for SD though. If you like the idea of having some kind of optic on the gun put a Red Dot sight on it. It will be much faster and still give you a single focal plane. If I was in your shoes I would think about maybe a 10mm Auto with a high capacity mag and a Holo sight. Maybe a Glock G20 with an aftermarket 6" bbl, 3.5# connector and a holosight. That would be a good rig for fast accurate SD shooting at longer ranges. Sight it in at 75yds and you would be in a 10" kill zone all the way out to 150 yds. But your gun will do the job.
Trajectory will be a non-issue to 50 yards. Pick any full-power .44 mag ammo, sight it for 25 yards and you'll still be just fine at 50.
IMI has a good reputation for firearms and ammunition but I don't have any specific information on what HP bullets they're using in their .44 ammo nor on how they perform.
Sam06 is correct about red dot sights. A good one can really extend your capability, particularly in low light situations, but also in normal light.
IMI has a good reputation for firearms and ammunition but I don't have any specific information on what HP bullets they're using in their .44 ammo nor on how they perform.
Sam06 is correct about red dot sights. A good one can really extend your capability, particularly in low light situations, but also in normal light.
Firepower!
New member
Do you recommend which red dot to place on the revolver? I do like the scope since gives very accurate picture of target.
There's no way you'll hit a moving target with a handgun at 50 yards.
That's a truly absurd statement. I guarantee you I can drop you, with you running as fast as you can, @ 50 yds., with any handgun that I own.
Regular Joe
New member
I once had a 9" SRH, used with both the Burris 2 x 7 and a Burris 5x. VERY hard to hold that hogleg out there, esp. in double action. For what you're doing, I would just consider the SRH to be non-viable. Better to go with a 10mm Glock. 165 gr. Gold dots @ 1,300 fps will feel just like .44 mag. to the guy getting hit.
Firepower!
New member
Also, a handgun would be the absolute least of my options. I'd keep a loaded AK or AR-15 variant at close hand.
I do have Ak47 and others. However, my inquiry is specifically about the 44 Magnum's ability and use at that range.
troy_mclure
New member
truglo makes some decent, low priced red dot scopes.
my sbh has killed a 400lb cow elk at 100m, it went thru both lungs.
i think its funny how so many people read the op then immediately slam it, with out bothering to read it.
my sbh has killed a 400lb cow elk at 100m, it went thru both lungs.
i think its funny how so many people read the op then immediately slam it, with out bothering to read it.
.351winchester
Moderator
Hook686
Thanks for the book reccomendation that was cherry to read
FP!-
Rock with your
HK91/G3 up to and including contact wounds. You saw the back of private piles skull in full metal jacket cling to the tile wall. No handgun does it better
Better yet get the f out of pakistan, seriously bro things are about to go down there. it's a peice of earth. be where you can see your children grow and flourish.
Thanks for the book reccomendation that was cherry to read
FP!-
Rock with your
HK91/G3 up to and including contact wounds. You saw the back of private piles skull in full metal jacket cling to the tile wall. No handgun does it better
Better yet get the f out of pakistan, seriously bro things are about to go down there. it's a peice of earth. be where you can see your children grow and flourish.