Budget .44 mag

Whilst I am not very experienced in guns, and own one of the models you've eliminated (4" Ruger Redhawk), I would echo what some have said:

Settle on a model that will meet your needs, then look around for a used model at the price you want to pay, rather than get an inferior design/model purely because it is new.

Personally, I have a real penchant for the "tankness" of a Super Redhawk in .44 Mag, but those don't come up used around here so my "little" Redhawk will have to do!!

Good luck (and definitely get into reloading: after the initial bite and learning stage, it is a hoot!!)
 
For a 500 budget you could get a brand new Ruger New Model Convertible. It's 45 Colt but new, can handle BB loads, and has a 45 ACP cylinder. A good deal no matter how you look at it.
 
You can get a used Taurus Raging Bull 44mag very cheap. Its a big tough hunting gun that will hold up to hot loads. Taurus makes a pretty good money for the money. If your not gonna shoot it a lot and want a easier carry gun then get a Tracker. If money isnt a object and you want the toughest gun then the Ruger Super Redhawk is the king. Its so overbuilt, its used a lot as a platform for wildcat calibers.
 
I would definitely go with a Ruger vs a Taurus. I've never owned a Taurus but why go with something that is hit or miss when you can have a top quality firearm?

I've seen 44mag Blackhawks $500 or less on a fairly frequent basis. Also if you reload consider a 45 Colt Blackhawk. From what I hear they can be loaded quite hot. Very hot actually.
 
One important factor not directly addressed is whether the gun is Single or Double action. The Taurus and Smith's are generally double action while the Rugers except for the redhawk are single action. That can be a big difference depending on your shooting style and reloading speed???

With the budget limits you are looking at I would focus on a Taurus Raging Bull SS ported or one of the other Stainless ported Trackers. But I favor the double-action revolvers.

if you want a Single action for less money, get a Virginia Dragoon, JP Saur & Sohns, or other Import...for under $400 on the net.
 
mavracer said:
The "New Vaquero" are built on a medium frame, have fixed sights, seem ideally suited for the CASS (Cowboy Action Shooting Sports) and are not suitable for the heavy loads, in Colt 45 or in 44 Magnum, or probably even 44 Special.
There is no new vaquero 44 mag.
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Oops! My mistake (post #14). New Vaquero doesn't come in 44 Magnum.

I'm kind of disappointed it doesn't come in 44 Special or 44 Russian. But them's the breaks.

Lost Sheep
 
{New Vaquero} I'm kind of disappointed it doesn't come in 44 Special
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I have one. I got one from Lipseys.

Lipseys .44Spec New Vaquero

{New Vaquero} are not suitable for the heavy loads
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Only thing you can't shoot in them is .45 Colt Ruger Only Loads. Not a big deal. In .45 Colt they are perfectly capabily of handling tier 2 loads (20,000psi) as defined by Brian Pearce. In .44Spec they will easy handle the Keith load 17g of 2400 under 240g SWC for around 1200fps.... And of course is .357 ... it will handle the hottest loads you want to put in it.... Not weak by no means in any caliber!
 
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Thanks everyone for your input and great advise. Do they make any bear loads for the 45lc or is that going to be suicide in black bear country? Stick with a 44m?
 
Thanks everyone for your input and great advise. Do they make any bear loads for the 45lc or is that going to be suicide in black bear country? Stick with a 44m?
 
Bear Load 45 Colt is fine for grizzly imo. You'll be in good shape for blackbear. I know plenty of people who take hot loaded .357 or .45 ACP for just blackbear, and the hot .45 Colt rounds pack quite a lot more punch.

If you aren't comfortable with .45 Colt for bear, but are comfortable with quite a lot of recoil get a .454 Casull. It's to .45 Colt what .44 Magnum is to .44 Special. You can shoot .45 Colt out of it when you're at the range, and load up with some wrist crackers for when you're out in the back country.
 
rclark said:
Quote:
{New Vaquero} I'm kind of disappointed it doesn't come in 44 Special

I have one. I got one from Lipseys
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Amusingly enough Ruger is again confusing with the use or not using the word "new"
the 44 special mid frame sized Vaquero's are not marked new, They are just marked Vaquero.:confused::confused::confused:
 
Yep, go figure .... So now we just have to think of it as "all .44Spec revolvers from Ruger are on the medium frame" whether BHs or {new} Vaqueros. At least until Ruger changes the 'rules' again :rolleyes: .
 
Stick with the .44mag. All of them will handle .44mag loads just fine and you can find potent ammo just about anywhere.

The "Ruger Only" stuff really only applies to guns chambered in .45 Colt and there are lots of guns out there (even some Rugers) that can't take that kind of pressure.
 
Keep an eye out for a good used Astra. They are very nice revolvers, and can be found much cheaper than some. A real sleeper IMHO. I have a blue one in .357 and SS one in .44 Mag. If I run into one in .45 Colt, I'll get it too.

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