A .44 Magnum Conclusion

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  • august1410

    Marcas Registradas
    Apr 10, 2009
    22,561
    New Bern, NC
    I believe I have finally come to grips with the fact that .44 Magnum just is not for me. As I have gotten a little older, I have realized I have less to prove and don't need something big and bold to make a statement.

    I had owned a Taurus .44 Magnum and traded it because it was expensive to shoot. It was okay, but really didn't quench the thirst. The caliber was good, but the revolver felt cheap.

    Fast forward a couple of years and the .44 Magnum itch reappears. A buddy has a Ruger Redhawk with a 5.5 inch barrel he tells me I can borrow for as long as I want. Cool, I thought. A quality .44 that does not feel cheap. We meet up and I get the Redhawk. It's got hard Pachmayr grips in place of the wood grips that come from the factory. That's a plus. I don't want a big wheelgun slapping against my hand, anyway.

    A buddy of mine and I get out to the range today with the Redhawk and his .41 Magnum S&W Model 58. I have had plenty of range time with the Model .58 and figured it would be fun to compare it with the .44.

    He had some 210 grain Remington .41 Magnum and I had a box of Winchester White Box 240 grain .44 Magnum.

    We loaded our revolvers and put them head to head.

    The first thing I noticed was the Pachmayrs were no friend to my hand. Even with a firm grip, the checkering of the hard rubber bit into my hand. I have small hands and where my hand sat on the grip, the checkering bit into my palm. I manage to walk away with the target shooting equivalent of rug burn on my palm between my thumb and forefinger. I was all over the place with the .44 at about 10-15 yards. I hit the target, but without any consistency. I attribute this to being uncomfortable with the gun digging into my hand. I shoot hot .357 regularly am pretty accurate.

    While the Redhawk is a solidly made revolver, I am no fool and I know when it's time to throw in the towel. It's not really made for a guy with smallish hands. I did much better with the Smith and Wesson .41.

    29595488_10160108535785585_1489207890415664804_n.jpg


    29572914_10160108509255585_8214181939048483916_n.jpg
     

    3paul10

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Mar 6, 2012
    4,879
    Western Maryland
    Your are right my friend, I have 4 or 5 44 mags....they are NO fun to shoot....but they are beautiful to look at and fondle.
     

    AlanInSilverSpring

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Apr 25, 2017
    1,645
    First time I went skeet shooting I couldn't hit anything. The range officer notices I'm shaking and when I tell him my shoulder hurts like hell he says well no wonder you can't hit nothing. He then proceeds to show me how to properly hold the gun, which my buddy that took me out neglected to do, and things got much better. It's difficult to be accurate when you're in pain and know more is coming when you squeeze the trigger.
     

    august1410

    Marcas Registradas
    Apr 10, 2009
    22,561
    New Bern, NC
    First time I went skeet shooting I couldn't hit anything. The range officer notices I'm shaking and when I tell him my shoulder hurts like hell he says well no wonder you can't hit nothing. He then proceeds to show me how to properly hold the gun, which my buddy that took me out neglected to do, and things got much better. It's difficult to be accurate when you're in pain and know more is coming when you squeeze the trigger.

    You're absolutely right. Afterward, I shot the .41 and my 1911 for a while, and I was accurate as hell. My buddy told me to try a S&W .44 Magnum next time. I'm a Smith guy and the grip profile is very familiar to me.
     

    dist1646

    Ultimate Member
    May 1, 2012
    8,760
    Eldersburg
    I'm surprised the .41mag isn't more popular simply because it is easier to shoot, has a flatter trajectory and ballistics are pretty close to the .44mag.
     

    IronEye

    Active Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 10, 2018
    790
    Howard County
    Nobody says you have to shoot full power rounds all the time. If you reload a cast lead bullet to 750-1000FPS it is plenty powerful and is fun to shoot besides. I'm describing 44 Special level loadings.

    I use a bit of Red Dot under a swaged 240gr for a light load. A bit more Power Pistol under a hard cast Keith bullet for a hotter load.

    Costs me about 20 cents a pop (not including the brass).

    If you don't reload try looking for cowboy loads for the 44 Magnum. They'll turn it into a popgun.
     

    IronEye

    Active Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 10, 2018
    790
    Howard County
    A 41 Magnum is on my need to buy list.

    I have a 44 Special Cowboy gun. The hotter loads that I shoot are at the top end of what my Uberti can handle.

    A 41 Magnum Blackhawk is no larger and can handle much hotter loads. That safety margin appeals to me even if i end up shooting the same bullet weight at the same speed.
     

    j8064

    Garrett Co Hooligan #1
    Feb 23, 2008
    11,635
    Deep Creek
    Joe,

    Knowing you, I know you know what's best for you. What I'll say is my Dan Wesson 44 mag and I got to be great friends early. We are an accurate team. Then, when I got into BP, the 1847 Walker entered my life. It's like a 19th Century 44 mag. Both are very accurate for me. But they are both big heavy pistols. And I'm comfortable shooting them.

    As you should, you'll choose what's right for you. :thumbsup: And if we can ever get you to a Hooligan shoot - I'll bring these beasts and show you what they can do...

    ;)
     

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    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,737
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I load my .44 mags down for regular range practice. I use a 210 Lyman 430215 bullet and 7.5 grains of unique or 6.2 grains of Red Dot. Both give the same POI as my carry ammo at my practice range of 20 yards. Since my arthritis has progressed, I have decided to switch to a .357 Model 66 loaded with 200 grain Buffalo Bore bullets rather than use my .44 Magnum. It just isn't fun to shoot full bore ammo in that thing anymore.
     

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,667
    Not Far Enough from the City
    I'm surprised the .41mag isn't more popular simply because it is easier to shoot, has a flatter trajectory and ballistics are pretty close to the .44mag.

    Lots of reasons why this cartridge never really caught on like it otherwise might have. And part of the challenge today in later years is almost certainly price. When you shoot any real volume of .41 nowadays, you either have some pretty deep pockets, or you're loading for it.

    If OP gets acquainted with it though, and sticks with it long enough, I'll bet it likely he'll make good friends with one or another make and model of .41 Magnum. It's an outstanding cartridge for many reasons IMO, not the least of which is that many find it just enough easier to handle than the .44. Of course, if you're loading your own, you've got lots of additional options with either cartridge.
     

    august1410

    Marcas Registradas
    Apr 10, 2009
    22,561
    New Bern, NC
    Lots of reasons why this cartridge never really caught on like it otherwise might have. And part of the challenge today in later years is almost certainly price. When you shoot any real volume of .41 nowadays, you either have some pretty deep pockets, or you're loading for it.

    If OP gets acquainted with it though, and sticks with it long enough, I'll bet it likely he'll make good friends with one or another make and model of .41 Magnum. It's an outstanding cartridge for many reasons IMO, not the least of which is that many find it just enough easier to handle than the .44. Of course, if you're loading your own, you've got lots of additional options with either cartridge.

    I am quite fond of my pal's Model 58. It's a first year model and with modern loads and a Hogue monogrip, it's a delight to shoot. I do reload, so if I were to get a .41 down the road, ammo wouldn't be such a problem. I think the issue with this particular .44 was the Pachmyer grip and the grip profile of the Redhawk. While the .44 Magnum Taurus felt flimsy, I never got rocked like I did with the Redhawk.
     

    Clifjr

    Active Member
    Feb 2, 2014
    966
    Germantown
    I still love shooting my 44 mags! Currently I have a Ruger Super Redhawk, S&W 629, Desert Eagle and a Marlin 1894. My first gun ever was a Ruger Redhawk in 44 mag. that I got used from the old Rockville Trading Post. I’ll admit it’s not as easy as it used to be. I’m 49 now and just had Carpal Tunnel surgery on my shooting hand so I do feel it more. That said, I’ve got big hands, 3-5xl glove size depending on glove manufacturer.
     

    august1410

    Marcas Registradas
    Apr 10, 2009
    22,561
    New Bern, NC
    I still love shooting my 44 mags! Currently I have a Ruger Super Redhawk, S&W 629, Desert Eagle and a Marlin 1894. My first gun ever was a Ruger Redhawk in 44 mag. that I got used from the old Rockville Trading Post. I’ll admit it’s not as easy as it used to be. I’m 49 now and just had Carpal Tunnel surgery on my shooting hand so I do feel it more. That said, I’ve got big hands, 3-5xl glove size depending on glove manufacturer.

    I'm 48 with smallish hands. I also have arthritis which doesn't help matters.
     

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,667
    Not Far Enough from the City
    I am quite fond of my pal's Model 58. It's a first year model and with modern loads and a Hogue monogrip, it's a delight to shoot. I do reload, so if I were to get a .41 down the road, ammo wouldn't be such a problem. I think the issue with this particular .44 was the Pachmyer grip and the grip profile of the Redhawk. While the .44 Magnum Taurus felt flimsy, I never got rocked like I did with the Redhawk.

    I'll bet you are indeed liking that SW58! One of those, plus a nice single action Blackhawk in .41 (if you're in to those, but that's another thread :)), and there's a whole lot to like!
     

    hobiecat590

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2016
    2,434
    Try it w/ 44 Special

    I believe I have finally come to grips with the fact that .44 Magnum just is not for me. As I have gotten a little older, I have realized I have less to prove and don't need something big and bold to make a statement.

    I had owned a Taurus .44 Magnum and traded it because it was expensive to shoot. It was okay, but really didn't quench the thirst. The caliber was good, but the revolver felt cheap.

    Fast forward a couple of years and the .44 Magnum itch reappears. A buddy has a Ruger Redhawk with a 5.5 inch barrel he tells me I can borrow for as long as I want. Cool, I thought. A quality .44 that does not feel cheap. We meet up and I get the Redhawk. It's got hard Pachmayr grips in place of the wood grips that come from the factory. That's a plus. I don't want a big wheelgun slapping against my hand, anyway.

    A buddy of mine and I get out to the range today with the Redhawk and his .41 Magnum S&W Model 58. I have had plenty of range time with the Model .58 and figured it would be fun to compare it with the .44.

    He had some 210 grain Remington .41 Magnum and I had a box of Winchester White Box 240 grain .44 Magnum.

    We loaded our revolvers and put them head to head.

    The first thing I noticed was the Pachmayrs were no friend to my hand. Even with a firm grip, the checkering of the hard rubber bit into my hand. I have small hands and where my hand sat on the grip, the checkering bit into my palm. I manage to walk away with the target shooting equivalent of rug burn on my palm between my thumb and forefinger. I was all over the place with the .44 at about 10-15 yards. I hit the target, but without any consistency. I attribute this to being uncomfortable with the gun digging into my hand. I shoot hot .357 regularly am pretty accurate.

    While the Redhawk is a solidly made revolver, I am no fool and I know when it's time to throw in the towel. It's not really made for a guy with smallish hands. I did much better with the Smith and Wesson .41.

    29595488_10160108535785585_1489207890415664804_n.jpg


    29572914_10160108509255585_8214181939048483916_n.jpg

    Try it w/ 44 Special. Save the 44 mag stuff for Bears. :-)
     

    Clifjr

    Active Member
    Feb 2, 2014
    966
    Germantown
    Also as nobody has mentioned it yet, what about 45 Long Colt? It can be loaded in a wide range from soft cowboy loads to hard hitting bear loads and there are plenty of options available.
     

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