What to get...Super Red hawk? : Steelheader.net- Steelhead, Salmon and trout fishing

KF85 I've been hunting deer with a Smith and Wesson 629 .44 Mag for years. It's barrel length is 7.5 inches, which I've read is about optimum for a hunting handgun. I hunt with only handloads, mine being of a heavy quality hardcast bullets loaded on top of a full charge of Hodgon H110 powder. My heavy "elk" load is a 320 gr. WFN hardcast gas checked bullet with a muzzle velocity of close to 1300 fps, it has nearly 900 ft pounds of energy at 100 yards. My light "deer" load is a gas checked 250 gr WFN hard cast with a muzzle velocity of nearly 1400 fps and appx 680 ft pnds of energy at 100 yards.

I've shot a Super Redhawk many times, it is a good gun. Built to take years of heavy shooting. The only drawback I could point out is it's size and weight. They are big handguns. I think the main factor in gun choice is how well it fits your hand and how well it naturally points in your hand. All of the major manufactures are building quality guns that when properly cared for should last a lifetime. I'll admit that I'm partial to the Smiths. They fit me, are way more accurate than I am and are tough. I have well over 5000 rounds through mine and it's still tight. That being said it's still a personal choice. Just as long as it's not a Colt or a Taurus...

As far as scope go I have a Leopold M8 fixed 2 power scope that I've used on about half the deer I've shot. A scope really helps for shot placement buy it is slower to use. In recent years I've been hunting with just the iron sights. When your in the woods most of your shots will be close, close enough that you won't need a scope. I think it comes down to a confidense issue then. If you can get a scope, preferably a high quality one like a Leopold or Burris as a .44 will kill a cheap one fast, and shoot it with and without a scope and see what you like.

The main thing to keep in mind with handgun hunting is to practice a lot and to keep the range at which you shoot as short as possible. Those big slow bullets drop fast, really fast. The game that we chase deserve our respect and our competent application of our chosen weapons. I would recogmend getting involved in metallic silouette competetions as I found this a great way to hone my skills. If not then practice as much as you can, handloading really helps the pocket book here.

Handgun hunting is fun. Your first animal taken with one, no matter what size, will be a trophy to you. Just remember to keep your shots short, I've never taken a deer past 60 yards, and practice, practice, practice...

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Semi-Pro Staff

Edited by Drifterat (11/03/03 07:45 PM)