Getting into the handgun hunting game. 500 S&W

Bush Buck · Mar 21, 2026

@RLP
I don't hunt with a tripod but with the bench shooting I've done I have not found that resting the revolver butt works for me.
You might try lightly padding your tripod and resting the flat just in front of the trigger guard instead.
Of course, your way may work best for you but it's worth a try.

RLP · Mar 21, 2026

Bush Buck said:
@RLP
I don't hunt with a tripod but with the bench shooting I've done I have not found that resting the revolver butt works for me.
You might try lightly padding your tripod and resting the flat just in front of the trigger guard instead.
Of course, your way may work best for you but it's worth a try.

Thank you. I pad the tripod, then I have a 2nd small pad that I use between the butt and tripod- this allows for a steady shot, but ability to adjust. Thanks for your thoughts.

MauserDuff · Mar 21, 2026

I found with a scoped .44 and .454 I was more accurate sitting up against the base of the bench with my knees together and shooting over them than I was using a cheap MTM pistol rest. It's also a functional field position (where you don't have to worry about leopards sneaking up on you)--used it for pronghorn to about 120 yards, and could shoot 2" at 50 yards, 4" at 100 yards. I carried around a short (kneeling) bipod while elk hunting, buy never used it, getting my elk at 25 yards.

Bush Buck · Mar 21, 2026

@MauserDuff
I agree. I shoot best that way too and I have been able to use it as a field position on a few occasions now. It's tricky if the ground has thorns. If so, I bring a pad to sit on. I have a pad that hangs off the back of my belt so I keep my hands free.
I took a big doe in 2024 at 70 yards using an FA 44 mag with an RMR. I was leaning back against a tree with my knees pulled up to support my forearms - rock solid. I prefer this to a rest any day.

akrifleman · Mar 22, 2026

PRS style shooting bags, like the Armageddon Gear Game Changer or Schmedium, and the Bison Tactical Udder bags on top of sticks (or tripod) are very good. Underfill a little and they self mold themselves around expedient supports and your hand. Hard to beat on logs, shooting sticks, knees, etc... The lite fills are easy to field carry. Not a fan of any pistol rest I've ever seen or used.

Backyardsniper · Mar 26, 2026

Thought I would fill you all in with the latest update. I have borrowed from a friend of mine a 5.5" ruger new model blackhawk in 45lc and I also acquired from my dad a 7.5" of the same gun
I already owned a Redhawk 7.5" and while visiting my dad I also picked up a 4.25" Colt Kodiak 44mag. I can now do some side by side shooting with both styles and barrel length, which I'm about to go do a little later this morning.
After getting a few hundred through each of the Blackhawks I should know if the single action game is for me, and also if the longer or shorter barrel matters. This morning I have two 50 rd boxes of Underwood 250gr FMJ at 950fps. Standard 45LC rounds. I plan to shoot one box through each revolver and I will get some target pics, if they're not too embarrassing, and I will report back. I plan to run a few rounds through each 44 as well. I think that Kodiak is going to live in my truck console.

akrifleman · Mar 26, 2026

Backyardsniper said:
Thought I would fill you all in with the latest update. I have borrowed from a friend of mine a 5.5" ruger new model blackhawk in 45lc and I also acquired from my dad a 7.5" of the same gun
I already owned a Redhawk 7.5" and while visiting my dad I also picked up a 4.25" Colt Kodiak 44mag. I can now do some side by side shooting with both styles and barrel length, which I'm about to go do a little later this morning.
After getting a few hundred through each of the Blackhawks I should know if the single action game is for me, and also if the longer or shorter barrel matters. This morning I have two 50 rd boxes of Underwood 250gr FMJ at 950fps. Standard 45LC rounds. I plan to shoot one box through each revolver and I will get some target pics, if they're not too embarrassing, and I will report back. I plan to run a few rounds through each 44 as well. I think that Kodiak is going to live in my truck console.

Great fun!

My question would be... "Matters for what?"

Most factory revolvers are questionable. Accuracy is a product of how precisely the cylinders were cut, how tight they are, and how questionable was the barrel fit, and if the bullets match the bore (I've slugged many revolvers, and they vary wildly). I've seen more guns that "won't shoot" sold because the owner didn't slug them and discover they were shooting bullets that were undersized. It is more common than not, that chambers are not cut uniformly as well. That is why high end revolvers use counter bored cylinders that are perfectly symmetrical and squared.

Length goes to weight, balance, carry ability, and a minor contributor to recoil (grip styles are a larger factor). So, see what feels good to you. Just realize accuracy is a different problem entirely, and grips are even a bigger deal on a handgun than a properly fitted stock on an ill tempered rifle.

Just saying... don't mix up problems if you have them. Revolvers are notoriously twitchy creatures ;-)

Enjoy!

Backyardsniper · Mar 26, 2026

Today's set up. Everything was shot standing from sticks at 25yds, except a couple groups where I moved back to 40yds. First shot with the 7.5" was pretty much bullseye. Things then went downhill and then back uphill. Long and short of it was the 5.5" gun had a rougher trigger and the recoils did seem a bit sharper. I need to shoot it more. Groups improved greatly after the first few cylinders. I shot groups of 5 with everything. The Kodiak was a no go. My dad had installed some kind of ivory grip that had stippling and they shredded my palm like a cheese grater. I put the factory grips back on it. I will re shoot it later. The initial shots looked really good but after about two or three rounds it got real painful so I sidelined it.

Backyardsniper · Mar 26, 2026

First shot with the 7.5" it has a really good trigger which once I developed a pre shot routine and got used to it, made it pretty easy to shoot

Backyardsniper · Mar 26, 2026

First five shot group, definitely had some fliers.

Backyardsniper · Mar 26, 2026

This was the best 5 sh

ot I produced today along with a 5 shot at 40yds the high shot on the 40yd group was a sight alignment issue.

Backyardsniper · Mar 26, 2026

I am really liking the single action. That was my first go with one of those and I can definitely see what the alure is. I have everything set up to start producing some reloads so hopefully I can work up a load that the pistol likes and we will see what happens. Once I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on shooting it consistently I will be very interested to shoot it side by side with an FA and see what the difference is.

RLP · Mar 27, 2026

Backyardsniper said:
I am really liking the single action. That was my first go with one of those and I can definitely see what the alure is. I have everything set up to start producing some reloads so hopefully I can work up a load that the pistol likes and we will see what happens. Once I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on shooting it consistently I will be very interested to shoot it side by side with an FA and see what the difference is.

Good morning. I hope you are enjoying the ride. I add .22 & 38 handguns to my shooting routine. It will assist in improving solid marksmanship before noise and recoil give me bad habits. I start every shooting session with either the 22 or 38 before moving to the hunting calibers. RLP

Backyardsniper · Mar 27, 2026

That's probably a good idea. I have a 22wmr revolver and a full sized 357 that I could run 38's through, or work up a powder puff 357 load to warm up with. I used to shoot a lot of long range type stuff and I'm really enjoying starting from scratch in a new discipline so to speak. I think it will be a lot of fun.
I have a friend that runs an excavating company.
I may have him bring a couple loads of dirt and drop them in my back yard to make a nice berm. I can easily get 50 yds from my retaining wall to the corner of my yard. The neighbors may not love it but I can do a lot of practice right in the ole backyard!

samson7x · Mar 27, 2026

What's the largest game you all would attempt with a 44mag, limiting range to <30yds? May try the 280gr swift federal load on my next safari.

Backyardsniper · Mar 27, 2026

samson7x said:
What's the largest game you all would attempt with a 44mag, limiting range to <30yds? May try the 280gr swift federal load on my next safari.

I'm interested in the answer to this as well. The 44 loaded hot in the large from revolvers like the FA or the redhawk and suck is a pretty potent rig. Buffalo bore has a 340 grain had cast at 1400fps. That is a lot of penetrating power!

Wyatt Smith · Mar 27, 2026

Backyardsniper said:
I'm interested in the answer to this as well. The 44 loaded hot in the large from revolvers like the FA or the redhawk and suck is a pretty potent rig. Buffalo bore has a 340 grain had cast at 1400fps. That is a lot of penetrating power!

John linebaugh recommends 300 grains as the max bullet weight for the 44 magnum. That said 300 grain cast 44 will shoot into the vitals of almost any mammal that lives.

MauserDuff · Mar 27, 2026

samson7x said:
What's the largest game you all would attempt with a 44mag, limiting range to <30yds? May try the 280gr swift federal load on my next safari.

I've used 270 hard cast for a spike elk at 25 yards (SBH). Dropped on the spot, bullet was underneath the skin on far side of shoulder shot. I think 245 gr remaining (Cast Performance WFN).

samson7x · Mar 27, 2026

Backyardsniper said:
I'm interested in the answer to this as well. The 44 loaded hot in the large from revolvers like the FA or the redhawk and suck is a pretty potent rig. Buffalo bore has a 340 grain had cast at 1400fps. That is a lot of penetrating power!

Can’t imagine 340gr @ 1400fps. That’s a handful. These 280gr are advertised at 1170fps although I haven’t taken actual data from my smith 629.

Bush Buck · Mar 28, 2026

The standard Blackhawk grip manages recoil well up to 45 Colt or light 44 mag level. After that I am MUCH happier with the Ruger Bisley grip frame. It handles full power 44 mag and heavy Ruger Only 45 Colt loads nicely.

Working on revolver marksmanship is the key to successful hunting. Even a load your revolver doesn't really like is typically capable of 3" at 25 yards.
A good load can do under 2" - I'm talking Rugers here.
Master 25 yards first then move to 50. My Ruger Bisley 44 magnum is capable of 3" at 50 yards when I'm shooting well.

I recommend using a simpler target so you can see your sights well and follow through on your sight picture. White paper with a black dot works well.
You can learn a lot by dry firing at the dot too. You want to strive to hold the sight picture through the hammer fall.

Regarding powerful loads - these can be much harder to shoot consistently - your ability to consistently manage recoil is key to avoiding flyers.

It's MUCH better to put a 250g @ 1200fps through the heart and lungs than to put 300g @ 1400 through the back the lungs.

Getting into the handgun hunting game. 500 S&W

Bush Buck

RLP

MauserDuff

Bush Buck

akrifleman

Backyardsniper

akrifleman

Backyardsniper

Backyardsniper

Backyardsniper

Backyardsniper

Backyardsniper

RLP

Backyardsniper

samson7x

Backyardsniper

Wyatt Smith

MauserDuff

samson7x

Bush Buck

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