[porschedog]

It actually shoots sweet… there is a Ruger Alaskan 2.5” in 454 casull that’ll rock your fillings.

Mine only sees 45 Colt.

 

[tomrkba]

Buddy brought his new S&W 629 6 1/2" barrel 44 Magnum to the range today. He had 44 Special and full house JHP Magnums. Since he was coming off of surgery, he asked me to take the first shots with each type of ammo. He basically wanted to see my reaction before he tried. I had never shot a 44 magnum previously.

The Special was very light in recoil and easy to control and make accurate shots in both single action and double action. The Magnum rounds were a bit different. The recoil wasn't terrible or unmanageable, but the push back into the palm (just below my thumb) was significant. It was a hard slam into that area of my palm and I could feel it rising up into my thumb afterwards. It seemed as if shooting the whole box would leave your hand bruised.

He will be replacing the wood grips with a rubber grip prior to his next range session.

Hehe...it was blasting your nerve! Rubber grips with an open backstrap will not help. This is the problem with most grips. Herretts Stocks Jordan Troopers solve this problem. Unfortunately, these stocks are no longer made, but you may be able to find some on ebay. These grips allow you to speed shoot light or hot 240's or target shoot 300+ grain bullets.

The specification for these stocks is Chapter 7 of "No Second Place Winner" by William Jordan. I recommend you read that chapter to understand why they are designed that way.

 

[tomrkba]

I have a 44 Alaskan 2.5”.. the hogue tamer grip works wonders… I would never want to try wood.

Herretts Stocks Jordan Troopers solves the problem. See Chapter 7 of "No Second Place Winner" by William Jordan.

 

[Folkvangr]

I find the Colt Anaconda to be pleasant with magnum loads. Stiff but manageable. Shooting a box of magnums doesn’t leave my hand regretting it the next day. My wallet is another story.

I need to break out my anaconda and super redhawk 7.5 again and see. I see a lot of folks saying the anaconda is a manageable 44, however I've found the anaconda batters my hand so much harder. It's 6 inch, so similar size to the ruger as well, but the super redhawk seems more comfortable, from what I remember. It's been a year or so now since I've shot my 44s.

 

[happie2shoot]

Hope this question is not out of place here,

Has any of you ever used any Acc no.11fs powder in your
mag revovlvers or rifle rounds?

Hodgdon says it's like 110/296.

Accurate_load_data_11FS-1.pdf (hodgdonpowderco.com)

 

[akpls]

Didn’t even know they made a 2.5”, learn something new every day.
Has to boom a little bit, eh?

Here ya go. It is also chambered in 454 Casull.

 

[Supersquatch]

First time I shot one was when I was 15.
One handed of course. Dirty Harry style.
It was...surprising to say the least.
But after the initial adrenaline rush and tightening of my grip I quite enjoyed it.
I had only fired a .38 snub up until then.

 

[Lee C.]

I really like the .44mag/spl.
Seems to be a very versatile and effective round.
If I wasn't so invested in .357mag, I would seriously consider making the .44 my go to cartridge.
I do miss my Blackhawk in .44 I foolishly sold years ago. Great firearm.

 

[agtman]

I once had a blued 6" 29-2. I was the second owner ... The first owner had put a half box of magnum rounds through it before it went in his safe as a "collector's item." It sat there for about 25 years or so before he consigned it to the LGS. I happened to be in the shop when the gunsmith, who knew both the seller and me, was recording the consignment in the shop's books. He let me look it over. Mint condition, with the original wood box, cleaning items, factory papers, etc. The price was really good so I "preempted it" from reaching the used shelf.

I shot it over the years but, despite the gun's film-acquired mystique, never really got into it for any use other than as an occasional range toy, mainly due to the size and weight. A 6” N-frame wheelgun is what they now call a "low-capacity boat anchor" - plus I was into shooting my semi-autos more.

About 12 years ago I sold it for a lot more than I paid for it.

All that said, the S&W .44 Mag revolver is, without question, an American firearms classic.

No relation ....

 

[DirectDrive]

Buddy brought his new S&W 629 6 1/2" barrel 44 Magnum to the range today. He had 44 Special and full house JHP Magnums. Since he was coming off of surgery, he asked me to take the first shots with each type of ammo. He basically wanted to see my reaction before he tried. I had never shot a 44 magnum previously.

The Special was very light in recoil and easy to control and make accurate shots in both single action and double action. The Magnum rounds were a bit different. The recoil wasn't terrible or unmanageable, but the push back into the palm (just below my thumb) was significant. It was a hard slam into that area of my palm and I could feel it rising up into my thumb afterwards. It seemed as if shooting the whole box would leave your hand bruised.

He will be replacing the wood grips with a rubber grip prior to his next range session.

I have the same gun.
The trigger break and accuracy is top shelf out of the box.
I put the S&W rubber monogrips on it (I think they're by Hogue).

 

[bruscifer]

I've owned four or five .44 magnums and hand loaded for them too. I have always thought recoil was a bit exaggerated. Sure some are a bit stiff, but still not that bad. Now something like a .454 I can't say. I've never shot one but I bet it's like.....'kick? Now THAT'S a kick!'

 

[DirectDrive]

I've owned four or five .44 magnums and hand loaded for them too. I have always thought recoil was a bit exaggerated. Sure some are a bit stiff, but still not that bad. Now something like a .454 I can't say. I've never shot one but I bet it's like.....'kick? Now THAT'S a kick!'

Shoot a 329PD and you won't say that.

 

[fredj338]

I started shooting 44mag back in 1976, nothing but full loads because hey, its why i bought a 44mag right. Easily my fav do everything cartridge you handload for it. 250gr softlhp at 1000fps s very shootable for SD. Go 275gr lfp at 1300, a bit more in 7-8”, not much you cant take game wise. I used to shoot rubber grips but prefer good fitting wood grips like Hogue.

 

[Alex Smith]

It actually shoots sweet… there is a Ruger Alaskan 2.5” in 454 casull that’ll rock your fillings.

How does the .44 Alaskan shoot? I’ve always thought those were pretty cool but haven’t ever bought one.

 

[Lockback]

Back in the day, I owned several .44 Magnums and a .41 Magnum and I reloaded for both. Kind of fun to feel the recoil and watch water jugs blow up but completely impractical unless you're doing some hunting.
But fun nonetheless.

 

[8X8]

I have a 629 3” Trail Boss. Big 3 240 gr. 44 mag are perfect. They recoil but I enjoy the characteristics of the recoil. 180 and 200 are insanely loud and hurt my teeth mostly and bother my ears (plugs and muffs) slightly less. They recoil more violently and make the muzzle rise sharply and make follow up shots take slightly longer to get back on target. 240’s FTW though I hunt with Winchester 250 gr. Sliver Bonded - (WW Super) is marked on the case head.

I feel the same with 357 mag. I prefer to shoot 140-180 gr. 110 and 125’s have a nasty crack to them despite recoil being manageable. 158’s FTW overall but the most accurate load from all of my many 357 mags are all copper 140 gr. made by Federal.

Not a fan of light for caliber projectiles in Magnum cases.

 

[fredj338]

I once had a blued 6" 29-2. I was the second owner ... The first owner had put a half box of magnum rounds through it before it went in his safe as a "collector's item." It sat there for about 25 years or so before he consigned it to the LGS. I happened to be in the shop when the gunsmith, who knew the seller and me, was recording the consignment in the shop's books. He let me look it over. Mint condition, with the original wood box, cleaning items, factory papers, etc. The price was really good so I "preempted it" from reaching the used shelf. I shot it over the years but, despite the gun's film-acquired mystique, never really got into it for any use other than an occasional range toy, mainly due to size and weight. It was what they now call a "low-capacity boat anchor" - plus I was into shooting my semi-autos more.

About 12 years ago I sold it for a lot more than I paid for it.

All that said, the S&W .44 Mag revolver is, without question, an American firearms classic.

No relation ....

View attachment 1269645

Most “used” 44 for sale are pretty mint because they are bought, shot 1-2 cyl, tjen sold or safe until the owner dies. I have a m29 4”-2 that was mint, paid $300 at estate action about 10y ago. Also got a 629 3” for $25 more a year later, both no boxes.

 

[RGP]

Most “used” 44 for sale are pretty mint because they are bought, shot 1-2 cyl, tjen sold or safe until the owner dies. I have a m29 4”-2 that was mint, paid $300 at estate action about 10y ago. Also got a 629 3” for $25 more a year later, both no boxes.

When I shot a lot of .44 Magnum ammunition I preferred Super Blackhawks and it seemed like most used Super Blackhawks had a rubber Pachmayr grip installed. The first thing I did on the two I bought that were like that was to take them off and put smooth wood grips on the guns.

 

[bykerhd]

30 years ago my then 19 year old daughter use to shoot my 10" bull barrel Contender .44 Magnum at the range.
The guys got a kick out of watching her in action. She had more fun at a machine gun shoot though.

 

[prairieviper]

Rubber grips with an open backstrap will not help

That is correct. At least, they have never helped me. I have Pachmayr grips on mine that cover the entire backstrap.