Coyote man050
New member
What is the best handgun for hunting out there for a good price? In your opinion at least.
Best handgun for hunting for the price?
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Varminterror
New member
Big game hunting: Ruger Super Blackhawk 44mag. Powerful, accurate, and budget friendly.
I love my 6 1/2 inch barreled Taurus raging bull in 454 casull. The 6 1/2 inch barrel can have a scope mounted. The ported barrel really helps keeps the barrel down and pushes the shot straight back into your hand. I had a super black hawk in 44 mag it was no where near as fun to shoot. And no where near as accurate. I can always shoot 45 l c to but never needed to. They would be perfect for deer and pigs though. I just like the 454's and they've done well for me on a few bears. You can find them used in good shape for around 700.
IAyoteHNTR
New member
Originally Posted By: VarminterrorBig game hunting: Ruger Super Blackhawk 44mag. Powerful, accurate, and budget friendly.
X2
I personally have the Super Redhawk.
X2
I personally have the Super Redhawk.
Dixiedog1
Active member
Originally Posted By: IAyoteHNTROriginally Posted By: VarminterrorBig game hunting: Ruger Super Blackhawk 44mag. Powerful, accurate, and budget friendly.
X2
I personally have the Super Redhawk.
I also have the Super Redhawk, to me the double action, swing out cylinder and scope mounting are worth the extra money over the Super Blackhawk
The Raging Bull is also a nice revolver in .44 mag...I traded mine off a few months ago but it was always a good shooter. The only thing I found at fault with mine was the cylinder gap was a bit too tight and if you didn't clean it regularly the cylinder would bind. In the end that is why I got fid of mine, it had happened several times and then it was just one time too many
X2
I personally have the Super Redhawk.
I also have the Super Redhawk, to me the double action, swing out cylinder and scope mounting are worth the extra money over the Super Blackhawk
The Raging Bull is also a nice revolver in .44 mag...I traded mine off a few months ago but it was always a good shooter. The only thing I found at fault with mine was the cylinder gap was a bit too tight and if you didn't clean it regularly the cylinder would bind. In the end that is why I got fid of mine, it had happened several times and then it was just one time too many
Kizmo
New member
I'm going to sound heretical even to myself, but you did mention price, so, in addition to the above recommendations, I'd throw in the T/C Encore. I spent yesterday afternoon shooting a friend's, and getting 1" groups at 100 yards was no biggie. Great trigger, and you can interchange barrels of different calibers. Only downside is it's a single shot, but for versatility of calibers it's unmatched.
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Steve_in_PA
New member
What type of hunting? Big game, small game, coyotes, fox?
I'm partial to Ruger revolvers and T/C Contenders.
If you want a revolver with a scope, then the Ruger Super Redhawk is the way to go. Like all Rugers, they are built like a tank. The balance is very nice with the scope.
For something without a scope, Ruger Super Blackhawk. The hunter model can mount a scope, but I don't like the balance.
If you want versatility, the Contender or Encore is the way to go. They are single shots, but you can swap out barrels for different calibers to cover everything from squirrels to elephants.
I'm partial to Ruger revolvers and T/C Contenders.
If you want a revolver with a scope, then the Ruger Super Redhawk is the way to go. Like all Rugers, they are built like a tank. The balance is very nice with the scope.
For something without a scope, Ruger Super Blackhawk. The hunter model can mount a scope, but I don't like the balance.
If you want versatility, the Contender or Encore is the way to go. They are single shots, but you can swap out barrels for different calibers to cover everything from squirrels to elephants.
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deaddogwalkin
Active member
I'll throw this out. Any S&W. They have some of the best single action triggers on the market. I have a 629 classic in 44mag. It will shoot 3in groups at 100yds off sticks. Looking at picking up a stealth hunter this summer and they are super easy to mount a scope on it. I also have a S&W 327 TRR8 in 357mag which is a dream to shoot.
2muchgun
New member
IMO, when you throw in the word "price", all signs point to Ruger. Built like tanks, solid values. You really have to spend a lot more to get better.
As others have noted, I like my (480) Super Redhawk very much.
However, without question, it has been said MANY, MANY, times over by guys like Ross Seyfried, John Linebaugh, Hamilton Bowen, (and more) that the Bisley Blackhawk in 45 Colt, is the single best factory hunting revolver in existence. After owning one for well over a decade now, I happen to agree 110%.
I much prefer the old Colt, as do they, but a 44 mag isn't a bad thing either. Especially if you don't handload.
That said, if I could own only 1 factory made revolver for big game hunting, it would have to be this one (with a few slight modifications). Simply because it is the best of both worlds. Bisley Blackhawk Hunter:
For smaller game I am not as picky, and have 3 that I like. The Ruger Single 6 (sold mine) is still probably the best choice. I can like my 22/45 (above next to 480 SBH)) as well. And the Mark IIs and Buckmarks are fun as well. But I fell in love with this little Colt .22 Peacemaker:
The other is a 32 H&R Single Six that I tote around in the woods. It's LOTS of fun, and more potent that one may think. IIRC, my handloads hit 1100+ fps with 100 gr. bullets, and 1150 fps with 85 gr. pills........
As others have noted, I like my (480) Super Redhawk very much.
However, without question, it has been said MANY, MANY, times over by guys like Ross Seyfried, John Linebaugh, Hamilton Bowen, (and more) that the Bisley Blackhawk in 45 Colt, is the single best factory hunting revolver in existence. After owning one for well over a decade now, I happen to agree 110%.
I much prefer the old Colt, as do they, but a 44 mag isn't a bad thing either. Especially if you don't handload.
That said, if I could own only 1 factory made revolver for big game hunting, it would have to be this one (with a few slight modifications). Simply because it is the best of both worlds. Bisley Blackhawk Hunter:
For smaller game I am not as picky, and have 3 that I like. The Ruger Single 6 (sold mine) is still probably the best choice. I can like my 22/45 (above next to 480 SBH)) as well. And the Mark IIs and Buckmarks are fun as well. But I fell in love with this little Colt .22 Peacemaker:
The other is a 32 H&R Single Six that I tote around in the woods. It's LOTS of fun, and more potent that one may think. IIRC, my handloads hit 1100+ fps with 100 gr. bullets, and 1150 fps with 85 gr. pills........
Orneryolfart357
New member
I have a Contender but use it mostly for varmint shooting, so I sold all of the other barrels that I didn't use much, and kept the 14" .223. Here is my Super Redhawk in 44 Mag It came scoped when I got it. I never shot it with the scope as I prefer the open sights.
Its fun for shooting ground squirrels too!
Its fun for shooting ground squirrels too!
Varminterror
New member
I'll jump back in here and comment that I've started to find myself preferring the Ruger Super Redhawk over the Super Blackhawk, but since the question was "best for the price," my first response was in that frame of mind. The SBH does everything in the hunting field that the SRH does, but at a lower price.
I don't like decisions. I committed to one woman, but I refuse to commit to one revolver!!
I don't like decisions. I committed to one woman, but I refuse to commit to one revolver!!
I would have to chime in on the .480 Ruger in a SRH.
I traded my 9.5" .44 mag SRH off for a 7.5" in the 480 a couple of years ago ..... I went down to just 2 .44s but raised a .480!
Considering what I paid for the SRH in .44 mag ...... I think I done alright ..... especially when you consider I got dies, brass, ammo and bullets along with it and traded only my revolver and some ammo.
Now, you can factor in ammo ........ and then the "best economy" probably lines up with the .44 mag. The ammo is everywhere as are components.
For me, moving up to the .480 was no brainer as I am a confirmed caster and handloader.
If I was going to grab a handgun just to have along ...... it would be back to my .44s ...... either a Smith MG or a 7.5" Redhawk .......
I also like the .41 mag and I have a Dan in 6" and a Smith in 8 3/8" ....... for me .... casting and handloading present no issues .... but if you are searching for and buying .41 mag ammo ......... you'll often get hung out to dry ....... unfortunately and if you find it .... a lot poorer!!
Contenders get honorable mention as well. If you are not wanting or requiring more than what a single shot has to offer ........ you can't beat the versatility. My fav's out of all the barrels I have in them are the 7mm TCU and the .30 Herret. The first choice is a breeze to make and the second .... well, you'll earn them but the Herret is a sweet ride!
Three 44s
I traded my 9.5" .44 mag SRH off for a 7.5" in the 480 a couple of years ago ..... I went down to just 2 .44s but raised a .480!
Considering what I paid for the SRH in .44 mag ...... I think I done alright ..... especially when you consider I got dies, brass, ammo and bullets along with it and traded only my revolver and some ammo.
Now, you can factor in ammo ........ and then the "best economy" probably lines up with the .44 mag. The ammo is everywhere as are components.
For me, moving up to the .480 was no brainer as I am a confirmed caster and handloader.
If I was going to grab a handgun just to have along ...... it would be back to my .44s ...... either a Smith MG or a 7.5" Redhawk .......
I also like the .41 mag and I have a Dan in 6" and a Smith in 8 3/8" ....... for me .... casting and handloading present no issues .... but if you are searching for and buying .41 mag ammo ......... you'll often get hung out to dry ....... unfortunately and if you find it .... a lot poorer!!
Contenders get honorable mention as well. If you are not wanting or requiring more than what a single shot has to offer ........ you can't beat the versatility. My fav's out of all the barrels I have in them are the 7mm TCU and the .30 Herret. The first choice is a breeze to make and the second .... well, you'll earn them but the Herret is a sweet ride!
Three 44s
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Im a BIG BORE revolver nut also! I just sold my 9 1/2" SRH .44 mag to gain a Super Blackhawk Bisley Hunter in .41 magnum. That completes my three gun set.
I really enjoy my 9 1/2" SRH in .480 also, i cast a 420gr pill that really shines!
I plan to try coyote hunting with my Ruger Black Flat top Bisley in .44 spl. I casted some nice boolits for it last night. Ill take some to work today and hollow point them to see what they look like.
But, if you handload .45 colt (not the flattop) is the way to go. If you dont handload .44mag is the answer.
I really enjoy my 9 1/2" SRH in .480 also, i cast a 420gr pill that really shines!
I plan to try coyote hunting with my Ruger Black Flat top Bisley in .44 spl. I casted some nice boolits for it last night. Ill take some to work today and hollow point them to see what they look like.
But, if you handload .45 colt (not the flattop) is the way to go. If you dont handload .44mag is the answer.
longrange454
Member
Buy a Freedom Arms and don't look back. I'm glad I did years ago.
My Premier Grade 454 new was only 900.00 then, and my 475 wasn't much more than that when I bought it.
My Premier Grade 454 new was only 900.00 then, and my 475 wasn't much more than that when I bought it.
Kizmo
New member
Originally Posted By: longrange454Buy a Freedom Arms and don't look back. I'm glad I did years ago.
My Premier Grade 454 new was only 900.00 then, and my 475 wasn't much more than that when I bought it.
You did notice he said "for the price"? You must've bought that FA a long time ago. I'm lusting after one, but they're in the $2600 ballpark now. I agree with you though. If I could have only one handgun for hunting, it would be a FA Model 83 Premier Grade in .454.
My Premier Grade 454 new was only 900.00 then, and my 475 wasn't much more than that when I bought it.
You did notice he said "for the price"? You must've bought that FA a long time ago. I'm lusting after one, but they're in the $2600 ballpark now. I agree with you though. If I could have only one handgun for hunting, it would be a FA Model 83 Premier Grade in .454.