Super Redhawk or 629 - which one??

R

rock_jock

New member
I have been seriously contemplating picking up a revolver in the very near future for hunting (probably won't be hunting with it anytime soon, but wanted to get used to it anyway). The make I have been focusing on is Ruger, both because of the whole S&W sellout thing but also because they are supposed to make a more rugged .44 Mag. The problem is I really like the look and feel of the S&W Model 629. I should also mention that I don't want a Taurus - I have just heard too many bad comments on their weight, triggers, and overall quality.

What do you guys suggest? Super Redhawk or 629? Please base your opinion solely on quality, shooting characteristics (balance, feel, accuracy) and suitability for hunting, not on politics. I'll have to decide that one for myself.
 
Either is a very good revolver for hunting.

However, if you really want to do FT&B (Full Tilt & Boogie) rounds, get the Ruger.

I have a friend who pushes 310-gr. hard cast bullets out of his Super Redhawk 7.5" right at 1,500 fps. :eek:

He won't tell me how he does it, but I suspect he's duplexing his loads.

He also won't let those loads anywhere near his 629.

Recoil on them is, to put it mildly, absolutely vicious.

I personally prefer the S&W action & feel, but were I do hunt with a .44, I'd probably go with the SR.

Don't, however, dismiss Taurus without taking a good look at them. 10-15 years ago I would have advised you to stay away from them, but the strides that Taurus has made in that time have been nothing short of extremely impressive.

As for the S&W sell-out, get a used revolver if you decide to go the S&W route. There are lots of them out there.

If you take your time to shop around, you can probably get a CD or a CDX (more time & attention paid to fitting, details, trigger, etc.) for not a lot of money.

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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
 
I've owned two Super Redhawks in the past and they are hell for stout guns. If you plan to reload some hot stuff for hunting I would go with the Super Redhawk. However I feel the 629 is better balanced and has a better trigger out of the box.

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Rick
 
Why not go for the SRH in .454? You can hunt anything with it. I don't know of any studies on this, but I suspect the spectrum of game you can take with long colt/casull is much broader than the spectrum you can take with .44 mag. Plus, it looks *really* cool with that target gray finish.
 
Perhaps I should mention that I am little recoil shy, and would probably just use the 686 I have now for hunting by adding on a scope, but with a 4" barrel, it is too short (legally). So, I'm thinking that I could get a .44 mag with some lightly loaded off-the-shelf ammo, and this would be more than enough for white-tail and such. I handled a SRH with 9.5" barrel this past weekend, and it felt great, but I have never even fired a .44 mag, so I would also like to know about difference in recoil between the SRH and the 629.

Thanks for all the input.
 
The Ruger is the stronger of the two without no aguments.However if you are recoil shy think about going to a 41 mag.Round is about as strong as a 44 mag and shoots a little flatter.It allso has less recoil.See if you can find one to shoot and see how you like it.You allso might think about the blackhawk rather then the red hawk.You will be shooting single action anyhow for hunting so why spend the extra money.Redhawk is as strong as they come.Something else to consider would be getting a 5 shot cylinder for the 45 LC blackhawk.You can get 454 ballistics out of the 45 LC that way.(the bisleys felt recoil is less because of the handle configuation so another thing to think about)
Just ideas.

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Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.
 
The Super Redhawk, is, IMO, ridiculously oversized. I got rid of mine. My Redhawk, however, is not for sale.
 
For hunting I think SRH will serve you better. They can handle any stout load you care to shoot but because of its large size and weight standard factory rounds feel like pussy cat (well almost). I use a 9 1/2" SRH with 2X scope and in a bandolier holster it is easy to tote aroundn the field.
 
Recommend 5.5" stainless Redhawk in 45 Colt.

With correct ammo (natch) it will hunt any game animal in North America.

Own 5.5" Redhawks in 41, 44, 45, and a 7.5" .357. Great for balance; shoot'em IPSC!
Thank you Milt Sparks.
Super Redhawk does not have the balance of the Redhawk.

S&W will NOT hold up under heavy loads (but otherwise decent guns).

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"
 
Rock, the Super Redhawks are fine guns, but unless you have a yen for hot handloading or just like the ease of mounting a scope, I think they are more gun than necessary (for carrying around all day). The plain old Redhawk worked fine for me, and was much more accurate than any Smith & Wesson .44 mag I have owned. However, I haven't owned any of the Classic-series heavy lugged-barrel ones, they are supposed to be better.

As far as durability, I'm thinking Smith has addressed this in the new lugged ones.

Also, legend has it that Smith's model 57 series is more accurate and holds up better than their .44's. In general, the .41's are just as good on deer but will not be as pricey.

Just some thoughts,

Grapeshot
 
I am with the other Jeff on this one. If you don't intend on shooting MONSTER handloads since you are recoil shy, then check out the Redhawk. Much more attractive gun. I have the 7.5" and it will handle any and all .44 factory loads. It also weighs more than a 29 so you get the added benefit of reduced recoil from the weight. Of course the Super Redhawk weighs even more. I have a 4" P&R mod 29, but rarely shoot full power factory loads through it, mostly .44 S&W Specials.
 
This thread brought up a question I have. Will my S&W 629 handle the Federal 300 grain cast-core hunting loads safely?
 
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