Which revolver/caliber

[omt223]

Not new to revolvers but I am finally giving up on trying to load for my 454 Alaskan and letting it hit the road for something else. I am between 45LC and keeping the dies and moving to 44 magnum.

For the gun, I am thinking a 3.75" or 4.6" bisley flat top or a 629 4 inch for 44 mag
OR
Looking for a 25/625 and similar single action for 45LC.

It will come with me on whitetail hunts for the near future but will eventually tag along for elk, moose, and bear in the future. The main thing is I want something relatively short with decent sights; otherwise I would just buy another cimmaron model P and move on with life. I know they make a Bad boy but they are too long for me.
What say you?

 

[hittman]

Welcome to the forum

 

[peachhead]

I certainly don't have anything against 45LC but once "bear" entered the conversation, that pushed me over to 44. The Bisley or the 629 would be great, or even a Redhawk.

 

[dobegrant.45]

Might think about a 4 5/8" Blackhawk in .45 colt, they make a good gun to pack

 

[bergmen]

I have had a Blackhawk or Blackhawk Bisley in .45 Colt since the mid 1990s. Gave away my Blackhawk but kept the Bisley which is one fantastic SA revolver. Strong enough for "Blackhawk Only" loads it can easily outshine the hottest .44 Magnum load and still be very comfortable to shoot.

 

[bergmen]

Another consideration is the Ruger Super Blackhawk Bisley in 454 Casull but just stick with hot .45 Colt loads in it. This is likely what I plan to do with mine since I'm not into 454 Casull anymore.

 

[omt223]

I certainly don't have anything against 45LC but once "bear" entered the conversation, that pushed me over to 44. The Bisley or the 629 would be great, or even a Redhawk.

Yea I have read a few examples of relatively slow rounds not penetrating the skull of big bears so 44 is the likely go to; just have that sweet spot for 45 cal stuff, you know?

I am defititely thinking the 4.6 or so as being the hard cutoff on barrel length; one of my carry guns is a 686+ 3" and its about right; I know they make a 629 deluxe that is 3" but figure the extra inch will make the magnum worth having over something else.

 

[omt223]

Welcome to the forum

Thanks; Im, on several forums under the same name; just what I need , one more set of classifieds to check.

 

[omt223]

I have had a Blackhawk or Blackhawk Bisley in .45 Colt since the mid 1990s. Gave away my Blackhawk but kept the Bisley which is one fantastic SA revolver. Strong enough for "Blackhawk Only" loads it can easily outshine the hottest .44 Magnum load and still be very comfortable to shoot.

View attachment 75640

The bisley grip and trigger combo make me not want to even look at the regular blackhawks

 

[bergmen]

The bisley grip and trigger combo make me not want to even look at the regular blackhawks

I agree which is one reason I gave away my Blackhawk. Sadly, Ruger only makes the Bisley (except the Super Blackhawk Bisley) in .44 Special and .41 Mag these days, gotta look for a used one (and no, mine are definitely not for sale ).

Dan

 

[omt223]

I agree which is one reason I gave away my Blackhawk. Sadly, Ruger only makes the Bisley (except the Super Blackhawk Bisley) in .44 Special these days, gotta look for a used one (and no, mine are definitely not for sale ).

Dan

Yea I am going to post a WTB once my account has matured as well as put my alaskan on the chopping block with its components. Guns.com has the 3.75" for 1k but I saw someone let one with super nice grips go recently so I may hold out for one on here.

 

[s4s4u]

I am finally giving up on trying to load for my 454 Alaskan and letting it hit the road for something else.

Wondering why? Is it the gun or the cartridge? Short barrel?

If going single action, Bisley is the way. But that DA Ruger action is about the most comfortable handle I have held on stuff that kicks.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

It will come with me on whitetail hunts for the near future but will eventually tag along for elk, moose, and bear in the future

For the gun, I am thinking a 3.75" or 4.6"

So you want a hunting revolver.....I don't know where you hunt but a lot of state will require 6" barrel length. For good reason.

Again I don't know where you hunt but I know there ain't many elk, moose and bear in AL. Check the game laws to see what is legal, that's my 2 cents.....not to mention I would not hunt with a 3" or 4" for obvious reasons.

 

[hittman]

I'd go with a 44 mag Redhawk but I'm not much of a single action guy.
Think you can get those in both 4 inch and 5.5

 

[Rclark]

Sounds like you want two guns ... one for carry protection (shorter barrel) and one for hunting (longer barrel). Two distinct uses in my mind. But you can compromise with a revolver with 5 1/2" barrel. Of course I will lean to .45 Colt and Single Actions as the .45 Colt will do everything and more than the lowly little brother .429. Just read up on those that hunted with .45 Colt like Brian Pearce, Max Prasac, and others. Brian's son took a blackbear with the .45 Colt medium frame flattop (so no ROLs) no problem. Of course you can read "Dissolving the Myth" by Linebaugh too. Another Article Hot rodding the .45 Colt by Max Prasac. That said, if you don't reload, then probably stick with the little .429 as you'll have more options.

 

[deac45]

For the tag along aspect of your query, I say the 629...especially one of the newly reintroduced Mt Guns. No lock on those I might add.

 

[omt223]

So you want a hunting revolver.....I don't know where you hunt but a lot of state will require 6" barrel length. For good reason.

Again I don't know where you hunt but I know there ain't many elk, moose and bear in AL. Check the game laws to see what is legal, that's my 2 cents.....not to mention I would not hunt with a 3" or 4" for obvious reasons.

No, I will be hunting with rifles mostly; I have a TRE8 if I decide I want to hunt whitetail with a pistol.

 

[omt223]

Wondering why? Is it the gun or the cartridge? Short barrel?

If going single action, Bisley is the way. But that DA Ruger action is about the most comfortable handle I have held on stuff that kicks.

It's the face that it is super finicky to get proper ignition with SR mag primers. Had they used any large primer it would have solved it.

 

[omt223]

I'd go with a 44 mag Redhawk but I'm not much of a single action guy.
Think you can get those in both 4 inch and 5.5

I am also but with a 44; it's unlikely I would shoot it double action anyway.

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!


"Yea I have read a few examples of relatively slow rounds not penetrating the skull of big bears so 44 is the likely go to; just have that sweet spot for 45 cal stuff, you know?

I live in WNC,, where we have some big bears. 400+ pounds is not uncommon. And I carry & hunt with a .45 Colt appropriately loaded with a SWC design, cast bullet, powder coated,, and never feel like I need anything else. Plus,, a good friend,, (sixshot) took a pair of handguns to hunt Africa a few years ago. Using his .45 Colt he took a few animals,, including a Cape Buffalo. It went down with the first shot,, and a follow up shot anchored it. The PH required a 3rd "insurance" brain shot,, but it wasn't necessary. He too was using his hand cast LSWC bullets.

Your comment about a skull shot,, and in general,,, that's not the preferred shot placement.

The 454 can be used with .45 Colt ammo & be quite nice too.

And you can find Ruger Bisley .45 Colt guns out there. A 5-1/2" convertible lives here.

Lots of choices,, and all it takes is to make the decision.