I am completely new to the handgun hunting scene. I am looking to purchase my first gun but am not sure what to get. I have been really considering the Taurus Raging Bull 454 casull 8 3/8" barrel. I have also mulled over the 44 mag, the 357 mag and even toyed with the 500 S&W. I do not want to shoot hand cannons if not needed, but if that is what I need for the for the occasional longer yardage shot then so be it. I would like to stay with revolvers; The contenders are nice but not my taste. What is the best round to hunt mainly Whitetail? Do I need to get the longest barrel possible? Like the Ruger Super Blackhawk comes in a 10.5" barrel. Do I need that long or not.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

I would go with a Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in .44 mag. It has a 7 1/2" which I really like. You can put a scope on it if you want. The .44 mag is a great whitetail round and there is a hugh seletion of ammo if you don't load yourself.

What kind of distances are you wanting?

All I can say is 44 mag, GREAT all around cartridge. XP is right, if you want longer distances, over 100 yards, you will probably be looking at a 454 or 460.

There is a big difference inbetween the Singe Actions “Super Blackhawk” and Double Actions “S&W 460.” I don’t have a preference but I highly recommend going to someplace like Cabalas or a gun show and getting your hands on both styles and seeing what YOU like the best. If you don't like the way it handles you are not going to be as happy.

JMHO, but a 7.5 barrel should do everything you need to do in a Super Blackhawk. Just a great gun all togeather.

Duane

Oh Yes, Welcome to the sight!

I'm with MIHunter, im my opinion, the SBH Hunter is the ultimate "factory" hunting handgun. It would be a great choice for the beginner. It's very accurate and pleasant to shoot. It's manufactured in two different grip styles and built like a tank...KRal

First of all WELCOME to HH!!!!!

OK, if you are new to handgunning I'd go with a good 44 mag. The Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter is a good choice as well as the Ruger Super Redhawk. Both guns are scoped easily with factory rings. The 44 has the largest selection of factory ammo available and the price is reasonable for lots of practice. The 44 will do a fine job out to 100 yards on whitetail deer.

The 454 and 460 are expenxive to shoot and recoil can be heavy which will detract from lots of practice and could produce bad habits when shooting. It's better to start with a cartridge that you can handle and become proficent with. Then move up to the heavier cartridges as needed.

Do you reload?

I would go with the SBH Hunter or a 12" G2 Contender in 44 Mag. I dont think you could go wrong one of these and they both are easy to scope if you want to later.

I have to agree with the majority, the 44 magnum in the SBH Hunter. But I'd recommend one with the Bisley grip frame. It offers a better handle and IMO directs recoil more into the full hand. Like the one it the upper right:

I'd have to say a Ruger Super Blackhawk or if you like double actions the Redhawk or a S&W 629 with the 8 3/8 barrel but I think the 44 is definitely the way to start.

HandgunNewbie, I had asked the same questions as you when I first got on here last year. Took all the great advice and I went with the 44. It is an excellent caliber to start out with. I wanted to get something bigger too but after I started reloading the 44 has got a plenty of power for whitetail.

Adding my 2cents worth, I'd go with the .44mag,SBH, with the Bisley grip frame, and 7.5" barrel.

Nothing over 100yards, even rifle hunting most of my shots have only been 50 to 100 yards.

I currently do not reload but have given it a thought to get the best ammo for the job.

I want to thank you guys for the advice. You have reaffirmed my intuition that the 454 and 500 was just to much. This is good I have had my eye on a SBH 44 in the gun shop that my have just found a new home.

Do you guys perfer red dots or scopes?

I prefer a scope. I don't like anything that takes batteries on my guns. Just one more thing that can go wrong.

Thats a good choice on the .44 mag. Cheaper to shoot and one of the best rounds of all time IMHO.

Welcome to a great sport.If you are just starting to handgun hunt and want to hunt this fall. I would get alot of ammo and do alot of shooting to get familier with what you choose. But if you can afford it get a small cal.like a 22 and practice with it so you can get the fill of a handgun without the kick.then I would get a 44 of your choice.Ithink if you get to big of a gun you might get a little shy of it and miss out on a great sport.The guys here will not give you bad advice, they have been there done that

Newbie,
Being a beginner, a .44 Mag would be a good place to start if you are recoil sensitive or of smaller build. If you can handle slightly more recoil (still not bad) and price of the components, the .454 or .460 is hard to beat in a wheel gun. Depending on how much you want to spend, Smith and Wesson's Performance Center makes a model 629 Stealth Hunter chambered in .44 Mag that is all black stainless that you can probably bring home for 1100-1200. Although it is ported, and you will loose some velocity out of the already short 7.5" barrel, it is really a sweet shooting custom gun at a not so custom price. Good luck with your choice.

Another vote for the SBH Hunter. Unless you like double action. Redhawk or Super Redhawk. All in 44. For $1100 you could have the Ruger, a scope, & part of an action job. All the other stuff everybody covered. That is if your already a hand gun user. Shoot a ported gun before you buy one. You may not like it. Velocity loss is negligable. Short or long is a relative term for barrel length. Use what you like. Another poster said it before. You'll like it & buy more guns anyway.

Iron sights and scopes for me. I'm partially color blind red/green so the glow of a red dot just does not work for me. I even have trouble with the hi-vis orange inserts in the front site. I prefer a black patridge style front iron sight.

Hi Newbie, welcome to Handgun Hunter. As long-range handgun shooter (since I've start to shoot, I was 17 yo), but with no experience at handgun hunting (prohibed in Italy), I can say you that Ruger's revolvers (I'm a big revolver fan, especially I prefer single action revolvers) are excellent handgun, very well made, strong, very accurate, so built to be durable with all kinds of charges. First Ruger I've shot was a 10.5" SBH, I was 19 yo and I've continued to shoot it since last year. First Ruger I've owned was a .454 SRH, marvellous gun, I had to sell it because "the other people firing at the range was annoyed by muzzle flame and 'kaboom' when I shot it": second was another SRH, but in .480 Ruger, sold not long time ago 'cause of economic problems. The last is my fovourite .44 Magnum revolver (among those I've shot, I mean), a 5.5" Old Model Vaquero. Without doubts for hunting SBH is a lot more suitable (I think) than Vaquero, but for 25 or 50 yards shooting I assure you that Vaquero is great.
So, my advice is: go with .44 Magnum, SRH or SBH (double or single action), in my opinion the best choices to start with. But I'm also great fan of big bore revolvers, so I say you: don't stop at .44 mag; after you will experience with it, look at big bores (all .45 and .50 calibers, .475, .480, etc.): should be really a great excitament.
Have a nice day... of hunting!

Scope or iron sights; batteries tend to go bad when you least expect it.

BOYS"BOYS..let us not forget one of the best 6 guns for mid size game... THE 41mag..speed of 357 nockdown of the 44..the best of both worlds...

What else can I add. I would start with the .44mag SBH Hunter. But I would shoot a box or 2 of .44spl. through it first sense you aren't experanced with handguns. Then move up to the .44mag ammo. Oh, by the way Welcome to the forum.

I will clarify a little, I have shot handguns all my life, especially in the military, 1911 is a gun that is hard to beat, but have never hunted with a handgun.

I really appreciate the advice and it is nice to come to a board and get information from those that are willing to share it. It shows how passionate people are about this sport.

I would still start out with .44 spl ammo first. The .44mag does kick and I'm a big believer in getting to know your handgun before you start shooting the mags. I watch a guy almost bust his head open because he thought he could shoot a .44mag like a semi. Not trying to disrespect your shooting expereance or anything, just my opinion. Better safe then sorry.

No disrespect taken, it is good advice. It is always a good thing to start small and work your way up.