I am getting back into handgun hunting after a longish absence, and I need some counsel as I move forward. Here is the scenario, I hunt in Arizona where there is no dedicated handgun season, so I will be competing against rifles. In addition, most of the country is very open, so I would anticipate the typical shot being ~100 yards. My plan is to purchase an accurate six shooter, in .44 magnum or .454 Casull…but I am trying to determine which gun and barrel length. In fact, if you think there is a better caliber, please let me know.

In the past I have had several hunting handguns, and I prefer a single action. I had a Ruger Blackhawk Hunter, and while it was accurate, the balance with a scope on the barrel just seemed wrong. That being said, I would not rule another out. My number 1 criteria is accuracy. If I have accuracy, I can make anything else work. So in no particular order, here are my choices:

1) BFR .44 Magnum Shorty 5” ($875)
2) BFR .454 6.5” or 7.5” ($875)
3) Super Blackhawk 10.5” ($715 includes cost of Wiegand scope mount and labor)
4) Blackhawk/Bisley Hunter ($675)

I am debating either a .44 magnum or a .454 Casull. I doubt I would ever load the .454 up to top levels, but it certainly gives better horsepower than the .44. However, the .44 has better BC lending itself to less wind drift and actually catching up to heavier loaded 454 loads once the ranges reach 100+ yards. Granted, the animal, with proper shot placement, will never know the difference.

I also want to find ONE load, and learn to use it. Right now I am leaning toward a 300 to 335 gr. hard cast bullet.

To summarize my situation:

Animals: Elk, black bear, deer, mountain lion, coyote, javelina
Terrain: Arizona, open spaces, longer shots (100+ yards)

Choices

Calibers: .44 magnum or .454 Casull or ???
Sights: Scope or Red dot
Handgun: BFR, Blackhawk (Super and Hunter), Freedom Arms
Barrel Length: ???

If your shots are to be mostly long, I wouldn't get a "shorty".

Not on your list but Ruger Bisley, 7-1/2" barrel with a Weigatinny. I prefer the 45 Colt, but the 429 magnum would giterdun.

My vote would be a 10" Super or a bisley hunter in 45 colt or as already mentioned, a standard bisley with a good scope mount. That will be easier to find than the hunter in 45 most likely. The standard colt will do most chores you would have it do. The 454 is very nice in a FA, I've never fooled with the BFR but I've seen folks have great accuracy from them. I wouldn't worry too much on BC and wind drift of the big slugs at 100 yards. I don't think you'd be able to tell the difference in the real world honestly. In the 10" Super, I've never had one that didn't shoot the RCBS 300SWCGC bullet incredibly well. In the 45, there are tons of choices in the weights you want to use. You really can't go wrong with any of your choices.

Just some thoughts in no particular order....

100 yards is a pretty long poke for a revolver. While I know there are plenty on this board that can do that on a regular basis they are the exceptions not the rule. I wouldn't count on hunting accuracy at 100 yards unless you plan on putting in quite a bit of range time....and have a good solid field rest like a Bog Pod or the similar.

Regarding the caliber, a 44mag is around a 120 yard gun. It certainly has the power to be deadly beyond that range but the trajectory starts to really fall off after 120.
The 454 will get you out to 200ish yards but that is running full tilt loads and probably jacketed bullets. Pushing lead at top end 454 velocities out of a revolver, it will be difficult not to get some leading, even in an unconstricted and tapered bore.

I think your leaning toward heavy for caliber bullets is on the right track for longer ranges. The heavy bullets carry energy downrange much better than the lighter bullets. In nearly every case I have found heavy bullets to be more accurate as well.

I commend you on your desire to shoot cast bullets, they are my preferred fodder as well. They can be made to shoot very accurately, however you really need to put in some work to make that happen. I wouldn't expect that any pistol you purchase (new or used) will shoot them particularly well from the git go. Find the correct bullet size as well as getting rid of any barrel constrictions and tool marks (firelapping) may be required to get the accuracy that you seek. Do a search on the forums, lots of good info on how to make cast bullets shoot accurately.

I tend to partial to Rugers and so I think that a SRH or a SBH Bisley Hunter would be a fine choice. Both tend to exhibit better than average accuracy and are more than up to the task of digesting top end loads for their entire lives without negative effects. S&Ws are really nice guns, but I don't think I would subject any of their 44mags to a steady diet of top end, full boogie loads and expect it will not shoot loose.

First I would start thinking like a bow hunter there,http://bowhuntinginarizona.com/Home/photos.html

After that your choices look fine.

For 100 yards and under, I have two guns dedicated to this. Both are Rugers. One is a custom 500JRH from Jack Huntington. The second is a Bisley SBHH in 45 Colt with the 7.5" barrel. Either one of them can take the game you mentioned without even blinking. I shoot hardcast out of both, and if I had to give up one of them, I couldn't do it.

I'd sooner give ya my left arm than one of those two guns. Granted, it would be hell to shoot the 500JRH without my left arm, but I'd still give ya my arm first!!!

I also only shoot one load. I like to find what works, and I stay with it. I do have a backup load figured out for both guns, but it is for "just in case" scenarios, like not being able to get certain components or something.

I also had a Hunter and felt the same way, and soon sold it. That is why I prefer the original Ruger Bisley with a D&T'd scope rail on the backstrap. The SRH would also be a viable option.

McBain,

Given your terrain and with larger game such as elk and black bear on the target list, I'd nudge the Casull ahead of the .44. I've handled the BFR's, but have no firsthand knowledge of them myself other than some gun shop pawing. However, I can comment on the FA's. Since mine would wear optics, I'd go with a 10" as first choice, with 7.5" as a slightly more portable second.

My vote on optics would be a Bushnell Elite 2-6 or 2.5-8 Leupold in the variables, but a fixed 4X can be surprisingly versatile, even at distance.

Keep quality jacketed bullets such as Swift A-Frames (265/300/325), XTP Mags (300), Nosler Partitions (260/300) (discontinued, but can be found sparingly still) and the Barnes XPB's (250) in mind. These premium bullets have been used by members here to take Alaskan bears and African plains and dangerous game in the recent seasons, and would serve you well too.

Hard to beat a 10" scoped Freedom!!

I had simular questions but with caribou. I settled on a scoped Super Redhawk 480 Ruger. Just another option as its available in 44 Mag.

I'd go with a 7.5-10" 454C in Freedom Arms topped with one of the scopes mentioned above. If you want top notch accuracy out of the box, FA's the way to go. Not saying some Ruger's won't be, but all FA's will be. A FA will shoot just about any jacketed bullet you feed it, but may have to work a little with the cast.

I am partial to Rugers myself but have been using an FA for the last 10 years. I've shot a couple of deer beyond 100 yards w/a Ruger 44 & a 45 Colt. Not my 1st choice & all those cases were wide open shots w/lots of time. No long shots yet w/the FA. Were I hunting in your conditions (used to live in the mid west, very open) I'd take a hard look at a BFR 460. Otherwise it's a "hand rifle's" game. My favorite is the Magnum Research Lone Eagle no longer made, mid gripped XP's, & Contenders. With the exception of the 460, revolver shots (on game)much beyond 100 yards start to get unrealistic & maybe irresponsible. I won't quibble about how much further.

Let's keep in mind the price range here guys...

....but he mentioned Freedom Arms.

IMHO,,,,I would not consider the 5" .44 mag for ranges you described. The 10.5" scoped SBH with heavy cast will get enough energy to get the job done on elk and bear but, if you are comfortable with the .454 and longer barrels I would lean that way. All things considered I would have to chose a 14" contender if that is an option. Whatever you chose, good luck and good hunting

If you plan on putting an optic of some sort on the revolver, the barrel length is pretty irrelevant. A shorter sight radius is more difficult to shoot for most with open sights, but an optic takes all of that away. However, a higher velocity will extend your range a bit.

Can't go wrong with the FA as a choice, but budget alternatives exist that will shoot every bit as well, like BFR's offerings (in most cases). I know that a single-action is what you desire, but I wouldn't rule out a Super Redhawk. Every one I have had has shot well, the two new ones I have right now shoot lights-out.

As far as caliber is concerned, I prefer the flexibility offered by the .454 over the .44. You will not be limited by any means -- not that the .44 is a poor choice, the .454 just offers a lot more up top.

+1

Barrel length is irrelevant, seen to many shooters some from this forum, be very proficient with short barrels at long ranges even with iron sights.
Offhand with a 3 1/2 Bisley at 100-yards ringing steel reminds me of a few people.....

I also live in open country. 100 yds is not a "long shot" here. I recommend a 454. Mine are FAs with 4X Leupold scopes. I shoot 300 gr jacketed bullets and have no problem with shots 100-150 yds --- but I practice at that distance and my revolvers are sighted in @ 100 yds.

If I expect a shot much over 100 yds, I use a single shot.

McBain, if you want a good, yet affordable scope, I recommend the Nikon Force XR 2.5-8x28 power. I have one on my 460, and in spite of shooting countless loads ranging from light 45 Colts to my hottest, most brutally recoiling 460 handloads, it hasn't changed its zero yet.

Nikon Force XR Handgun Scope

True that. Nevermind.

Lower price, incredible value: Ruger SBH Bisley Hunter 44. You get a phenomenally capable machine at reasonable cost, and its ready for optics right out of the box should you wish to do that.

Higher price-Best quality: Freedom Arms M83 in either 44mag or 454Casull. Good deals can be found on a used Field Grade gun!

IC

Hands down S&W 460 XVR with quality optics.

It will and has reached out there many times. Do not have a clue why they are double action.

I went with the 454 SRH when it came to choices. Reloading makes it capable to move up and down the scale easily. Price is right and built like a tank.

Thank you for all of the help, gentleman! Unfortunately, I am still undecided.

Here are the top contenders in no particular order:

1) Blackhawk/Bisley Hunter .44
2) SRH .44
3) 10.5" Blackhawk .44
4) BFR .454

Kinda of looks the same, doesn't it.

I have had the opportunity to handle all four of the guns, and I have owned #1 and #2. The two best feeling in the hand were #2 and #4, the bisley and blackhawk grips just feel really, really small and don't fit my hand all that well. I actually liked how the BFR fit my hand.

If I could find one, my first choice would be a Magnaport Stalker w/ a Pachmayr grip...kind of like this one:



I have been lusting over one since I read "Hunting for Handgunners" as an impressionable teenager. That Gary is one lucky dude!

You can have that done to ANY of the revolvers on your list. I had one like Gary's but w/a Bisley grip frame. My buddy had it done to his Blackhawk Hunter that I sold him. Not sure what the differences are in grip frames between BFR & Blackhawk? But I do know Blackhawk panels fit them. Can't be that much external difference. Felt the same to me.

Can't go wrong with the BFR if that is the way you are leaning. I think they offer the best bang-for-the-buck as far as single actions are concerned.

I think the reason I liked the feel of the BFR grip so much was due to the rubber grips, they filled my hand much better than the wood panels used on the Super Blackhawk and Bisley grips.

At this point I think I will hold out for a BFR in .454 with either a 6.5 or 7.5 inch barrel. Recessed case heads, free spin cylinder, good tolerances, great accuracy and relatively low cost of entry...what's not to like!

Exactly!

I'd also have it sent to Jack Huntington so he can perform his magic with the girp frame. The BFR has the most uncomfortable handle that I have ever shot, but it was in 475.



Oversized grip panels are available from Hogue and they do make a world of difference, to me at least.

If you ever decide you'd like a good looking wood grip. Try Herrett. He makes a "Single Action Trooper" that fills in behind the trigger guard like Pachmyers. He uses a tracing of your hand so it really is a custom fit. Hogue probably has something "off the shelf" too.

having seen the accuracy of the bfr, and it being what you like, that is probably the road to take, however to do extensive research buy all of them, put them through the ringer and let us know in a few years which you like best.

Def the 454. If ya cant swig a freedom the id suggest the bfr. Accuracy is a notch above the rugers, ive seen some good, seen some bad but havent seen a bfr that wont shoot., we have 3 of them. Used my fa in africa. Wouldnt have thought teice about the bfr instead. They are great. That said i know ya said sa but theres distinct advantages to a sr 454.