Shooting at 50 yards?

H

Henry Baker

New member
I am looking for a good revolver for shooting everything from racoons to dear at distances of about 50 yards. What caliber do you suggest? I've been looking mainly at 44mag, 357mag, and 38 spl. What make or model do you suggest? I've been thinking about a Smith 29, Colt Anaconda, and Ruger Red Hawk. Also, What barrel length do you suggest? Has anyone ever scoped a revolver if so what kind did you use, and how well did it work? Would a 4 to 6inch do it or should I get an 8in or so barrel. Any information is appreciated.

Thanks Alot,
Henry Baker
 
44 All The Way

Hey,
Man if I were you I would get a Super Red Hawk,in the 44 Mag.
That's what I did just last week.
I feel you can't go wrong with a 44Mag.You can load it light with 44 spl's,or you can load it hot with some 300 grain HP and hunt big game.
But with the smaller hand guns like the 38,your not in the hunting game.
 
I have a Ruger Super Black Hawk SS .44 mag. with 71/2". I sent it out to Magnaport Arms and had it Magnaported and they did a complete action job and springs etc. I load my own ammo and it shoots very very well. I would use it for your needs and it would be better than the others IMO...Now if I were shooting a factory stock same gun with factory ammo, I think different. I would then look at the .357 with a long barrel. A Contender with 14' barrel or maybe an 8" revolver in .41 mag. may do you well, but I have no experience with the last two.

Not much help to you, but I guess my point would be the Magna Porting and working up handloads was the best thing I ever did. It's a sweet gun and I hunt well with it.

I have thought about scoping it, but I like wearing it in my side belt holster for hunting and wearing around camp. :D
 
Henry,
For the last several years my hunting "rifle" for distances out to 100 yds has been a S&W M629 Classic in .44 Mag with 6.5" barrel and Leupold 2X EER scope. Results are two deer and two wild hogs. Go for it.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

ps: I strongly dislike porting on my pistols and totally avoid it. For carry, I designed and made a shoulder holster for the scoped gun.
 
You can't go wrong with a 44 Mag. in the Redhawk. It's a good set up. It's a little larger and tougher than the S&W. Go for it.
 
So far I am hearing get a Smith 29 or varient, in 44mag, with a 6 to 8 inch barrel, and after i've had it a while get a 2x scope and take it off and on as wanted. I'm liking that a http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5003&return=Y with a SS, 2x, Leupold scope might be good too, though.

LHB1, sounds like were into the same things. I hunt hogs and deer at about 75 yards on the family ranch.

If anybody has a picture of their scoped revolver I'de love to see it. Thanks for your help.

Henry Baker
 
Henry,
Suggestions:
1) Either shoot the gun with open sights or mount the scope permanently. Get used to the gun in one configuration. I have made killing shots with my scoped guns on running game at distances from 25 yds to 95 yds.

2) I tried S&W 629's with barrel lengths of 4", 5", 6", 6.5", and 8 3/8". For hunting, I strongly prefer the 6.5" as the best compromise on power, accuracy, and portability. Less than 6.5" loses power and the 8+" barrel is too long for me, clumsy to carry, and I tend to let it droop when shooting.

3) The S&W grip frame shoulder hits a bone at the base of my thumb and brings tears to my eyes when shooting .44 Mags. All four of my S&W M629's wear Jordan Trooper stocks by Steve Herrett. The closed, smooth back of these grips TOTALLY eliminate the pain of std grips and allow me to shoot the mag's in relative comfort.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

ps: All the above are just my opinions and experience. Have deleted all current photos of my scoped guns and will have to take some more before posting one.
 
If anybody has a picture of their scoped revolver I'de love to see it. Thanks for your help.

Henry Baker

Here is my 629 - it has proven to be very accurate. The scope is a 2X Leupold.

SW44MAG.jpg
 
now I'm hearing get the 6inch bbl. thanks alot, and of course I will try some out before I buy. 629 Shooter that's an awesome gun, but what kind of mounts are those, does it have to be drilled and tapped, and where did you get them?.
 
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629 Shooter hat's an awesome gun, but what kind of mounts are those, does it have to be drilled and tapped, and where did you get them?.

Thanks! The mount is a Millett base which utilizes dual dovetail rings. I think I ordered them from Midsouth. The 629 Classics like the one in the pic come drilled and tapped right from the factory. Staring somewhere in the early 90s? All the Smith K , L and N frames with adjustable sights were drilled and tapped. You remove the rear sight which exposes the mounting screw holes.
 
Just a plain old Blackhawk in .41 mag will do it. But if you're going to limit yourself to 50 yds., a SAA in .45 Colt wil do it all as well. Without a scope it's a lot easier to have it with you more often.

Just my preference.
 
Redhawk

I bought a Redhawk a few weeks back, .44 mag 7 1/2 in . I will use it out to 50 or 60 yrds. I live in the northern forests of Pa. so long shots are limited thus no need for a scope. Love the hand cannon, what is next hum a Lee reloading setup.
 
I've heard from hunters that you shouldn't shoot what you don't eat but I guess I can forgive racoon shooting. But to shoot my dear is just unthinkable. And you guys give the man advice on how to do it? Uuugh! :)
 
I eat everything I shoot except for racoons, targets, intruders, and other pests. I only shoot them because they tear our stough up. If we could coexist we would, but they won't have it. :mad:
 
For a 50yd or less gun I'd go with a .357 with adjustable Iron sights. A .357 with 180 or 200grn loads is very formidable and ammunition will be significantly less expensive than a .44. It is also very versatile as it can be loaded with lighter .38 Specials if you wish. Finally, at distances of 25yd or less I think a scope might be more of a burden than an advantage. Besides, I have no trouble a 50yd with my iron sighted 4-inch S&W Mod 28 so a scope would just be extra weight and money.
 
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