California Revolver Hunting: .357 v .44

[TheGDog]

You would need a front blade that is ridiculously high. With a revolver the front blade shouldn’t really be a factor with field of view. At least not on my blackhawks I have owned.

I presume that means where the dot is, is noticeably a plane above where the line-of-sight would be for the irons? Enough so that the front sight blade becomes not distracting in the FOV?

 

[Crcusmonky]

I presume that means where the dot is, is noticeably a plane above where the line-of-sight would be for the irons? Enough so that the front sight blade becomes not distracting in the FOV?

That is correct. Your probably 1/4-1/2” from it becoming visible in the red dot field of view.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jpsmith1]

Hrmm... so Question, I presume the front blade just remains on, so how does that look in the FOV of the Red Dot's glass? Where does the red dot end up showing up in the glass, in relation to top of the iron site's front blade?

Sorry if this sounds dvmb, but I've never personally owned a red dot yet. Er.. at least never installed one on a firearm, yet. There was one on the AR I'd bought, but I immediately took it off, to put on a scope for my needs.

I had never noticed the front blade in the sight picture but I went and checked.

Nope. No blade.

 

[Jpsmith1]

Sorry if this sounds dvmb, but I've never personally owned a red dot yet. Er.. at least never installed one on a firearm, yet. There was one on the AR I'd bought, but I immediately took it off, to put on a scope for my needs.

I was hesitant to put the dot on my revolver. First, because the security six is kind of this weird "orphan" revolver, right? We're not one of the cool kids shooting a 'normal' or popular revolver. So, just finding the mounting system took a minute. Then finding a dot that was within the budget I was willing to allot to the project...

But when steel at 50, offhand, became a "no biggie" thing, just "ding" until you get bored of watching, I became a believer.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

I like the 44mag..I picked up a raging bull 10 or so years ago for next to nothing. 44mag is easy to reload. I like 240gr jhp..use it for deer and hogs...Also use the same bullet in my marlin lever action.

 

[Pilsner]

Side Question?

Parameters: 4"bbl .357Mag Ruger Security Six. using either Barnes XPB or LeHigh Xtreme Penetrators in either 125gr or 140gr.

Besides the challenge of "staying in the black" with all your shots at 25yds+ w/ irons. For those that have taken deer or black bear with handguns... with a combo like mentioned here, 4-inch, just irons, what would be the most yardage distance you'd be trying that shot at?

Everything I've read states it's basically same as bow hunting yardages. That sound about right? Or no?

I've got a Kimber 357 revolver with great sights and a 4" barrel. Off a rest I can easily keep 6 out of 6 on an 8" steel plate at 100 yards shooting single action. So out of my tree stands where I am shooting off of a gun rail (wrapped in pool noodles and green duct tape) my max is about 60-75 yards under perfect conditions. Shooting off of sticks or my pack I prefer to keep it under 50 yards or so. Offhand is 25 yards or less.
Bear in mind this is private land, and I can preset my stands and/or feeders for expected situations. Shooting our small Ozark deer and hogs mostly which aren't big heavy boned critters but are pretty analogous to your blacktails deer and hogs. Limited experience with monometal ammo in it thus far but the revolver seems to like some of the Barnes offerings. I would have to do some ballistic app checking to see what my velocity window looks like before I would decide what the max range would be a mono projectile out of that little 4 inch barrel. Hope this info is helpful to you.
-Doc

 

[cal30_sniper]

This is the one I carry in CA for hunting, Smith 657. I much prefer it to my Ruger 41 and Smith 357 (4"). I have a red dot on it now and it hammers with Barnes factory 180s, I think they are. 10mms are fun for hunting too. In a 6" barrel, they can do some work for sure. For the stated, purpose I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Find what you like best; go forth and have fun.

My 610 has the cylinder bored for 10mm Auto Mag, and I've got Starline brass for it. Someday I'll get around to load dev for it. I bet they'll zip along pretty good out of that 6" barrel. The 200gr A-frame is the bullet I want to try with that.

 

[RolandofGilead]

Hi again, all. I'm following up for anyone interested.

Thanks for all the feedback; it was helpful. I ended up going in a very different direction than I initially thought I wanted to and bought a 8" Anaconda. Rather than smaller/lighter for hip carry and to do double-duty as a woods gun, I committed to a large designated hunting revolver and I'm happy with the decision.

Weighing damn near 4 pounds loaded, .44 mag recoil has not been an issue at all. I'll be hunting with Barnes VOR-TX (225g @ 1275 fps) and it's quite comfortable. I've shot some hotter 240g loads and they feel fine as well.

I mounted a red dot (2.5 MOA SRO) and that's made a huge difference in my range (as others have said). From a rest, hitting beer cans out at 75 yards is no problem, and with my abilities I can keep it within a vitals-size target out to 40 yards or so without a rest.

Sadly, I didn't harvest anything with it last season. I had a perfect broadside shot at a big old round bear within 35 yards, but I was just out hiking the evening before opening day and could take a shot. I wasn't able to get out a ton last season, so I hedged my bets and carried the rifle instead. Oddly enough, I got a bear and he was only 40 or so yards out. Next season, I'm committing to leaving the rifle home and accepting my fate with the .44.

Thanks again for the feedback, all.

 

[RolandofGilead]