Revolver long range?

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IMO, you first need to determine at what distance you can maintain a 10" group with iron sites. That's non-trivial with a handgun. I'm not a pro, but I have some very accurate handguns, and off a solid bag rest, I'm tickled to get a 2" group at 25 yards with most of them. That's 8 MOA...Offhand, or with a hasty rest on a fence post or tree, I'd be surprised if I could go 9/10 on a 10" plate at 75 yards, let alone 100.

As for accuracy, I'd say ≤120 yards is the effective hunting range with a 44 Mag pistol without a range finder. At that distance, it's a surprisingly flat shooting round, with only ± 2" or so of rise/drop. Much past that, and you'll need precise ballistics solutions to stay on target, even if you can shoot tiny groups.

As for lethality, the XTP bullets should reliably expand at 1000 fps, and even if they don't, they will leave a 0.43" hole, and penetrate the width of a whitetail I'd think. Regardless, the bullet is likely lethal well past the distance you could hit the vitals on a deer.

It should also be noted that there's about 4" of wind drift at 100 yards in a 10 mph crosswind.

wilkup said:

Just picked up a 44 mag and am curious what people consider long range with an open sight revolver. I'm looking forward to having another option when it gets thick and I can't get my rifle into action quick enough.

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What is your barrel length? My son-in-law has the Ruger RedHawk. I told him that it sad that the barrel is only 7.50! I reload for him and just did a few hundred Sierra 240 gr. With the max of Silhouette powder,and CCI regular large pistol primers.

I'm getting older and I just don't enjoy shoot mags like I once did. Max loaded stuff hurts my thumb after a cylinder or two. But he is a good shot. He practises a lot free hand out to 200 shooting pie plates. I've seen him set out steel on the side of a local steep enbankment and hit all around them and a few hits with me spotting. He's 30 years old

entoptics said:

Here you go...

Drop...
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Velocity...
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Energy...
View attachment 591785

Windage (10 mph crosswind)...
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IMO, you first need to determine at what distance you can maintain a 10" group with iron sites. That's non-trivial with a handgun. I'm not a pro, but I have some very accurate handguns, and off a solid bag rest, I'm tickled to get a 2" group at 25 yards with most of them. That's 8 MOA...Offhand, or with a hasty rest on a fence post or tree, I'd be surprised if I could go 9/10 on a 10" plate at 75 yards, let alone 100.

As for accuracy, I'd say ≤120 yards is the effective hunting range with a 44 Mag pistol without a range finder. At that distance, it's a surprisingly flat shooting round, with only ± 2" or so of rise/drop. Much past that, and you'll need precise ballistics solutions to stay on target, even if you can shoot tiny groups.

As for lethality, the XTP bullets should reliably expand at 1000 fps, and even if they don't, they will leave a 0.43" hole, and penetrate the width of a whitetail I'd think. Regardless, the bullet is likely lethal well past the distance you could hit the vitals on a deer.

It should also be noted that there's about 4" of wind drift at 100 yards in a 10 mph crosswind.

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I've got a red dot on my Glock but I can regularly get a mag full on a paper plate at 100 yards. We'll see how difficult it gets with this open sight revolver, but I expect I should be close.

budlight said:

What is your barrel length? My son-in-law has the Ruger RedHawk. I told him that it sad that the barrel is only 7.50! I reload for him and just did a few hundred Sierra 240 gr. With the max of Silhouette powder,and CCI regular large pistol primers.

I'm getting older and I just don't enjoy shoot mags like I once did. Max loaded stuff hurts my thumb after a cylinder or two. But he is a good shot. He practises a lot free hand out to 200 shooting pie plates. I've seen him set out steel on the side of a local steep enbankment and hit all around them and a few hits with me spotting. He's 30 years old

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It's a 6" factory barrel, but I'm planning to shorten it at least an inch, if not even with the ejector housing. I want it to be compact and convenient as possible, otherwise I'd just use a 16" levergun instead.
My plan is to shoot the 325gr WFN from Matt's Bullets around 1100'. Something subsonic that's big and heavy.
I guess 100 yards is more realistic at that point…?
I'm also kicking around the 200gr Lehigh Raptor or 205gr Jack Hammer at 1600+ fps as a legit hunting round.

I turned and threaded a 13 1/4" Barrel from a 14" Shilen Blank for my Ruger SRH 44 Mag. I have a Burris 2-7 scope on it. It shoots 295 grain Cast Gas Checked HP @ just over 1600 fps and is still above super sonic at 200 yards. Off a rest I can break clay pigeons 4 to 5 out of 6 shots at 200 yards. I carry it across my chest in a Bandolier holster while hunting.
I drew a anterless Moose permit here in Vermont for this October and will be letting my 40 year old daughter shoot it as she is second shooter on permit. I will carry my Super Redhawk for back up incase she misses.

Dirtrax said:

Ol' Red ain't kidding when he speaks about different ranges, the .44 mag has a trajectory of a rainbow.

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Even with a scoped rifle mid ranges can be tough. Good groups at specific ranges aren't the same thing. Get yourself some lifesize targets they'll answer your question better than I can.

HARPERC said:

Even with a scoped rifle mid ranges can be tough. Good groups at specific ranges aren't the same thing. Get yourself some lifesize targets they'll answer your question better than I can.

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I'll keep you posted. I just need the waiting period to end so I can bring the darn thing home. Washington is the worst with this stuff. Before I moved to Texas you could show your CCW permit and walk out with your new gun. Something happened while I was away and that is no longer an option. And there's another government bribery fee of $18 required for purchase too. MFers!

I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 Mag with 10.5" barrel, I shoot it at 100yds, killed a cotton tail using a fence post as a rest at 90yds. The reloads I found to be the most accurate is 300gr HP Hornady XTP with Hodgdon H110 19.2gr with a CCI Large Pistol Magnum primers. I would have no problems shooting a Whitetail or Hog up to 100yds, it is that accurate.

200 at a game animal is a long shot unless you are a very accomplished pistol shooter. I am very confident with a rifle to 800. Even a 308. I know the mechanics of shooting. Practicing for self defense at 10 yards with a pistol is one thing. I went to 50 yards not long ago and was humbled. I'd have a lot of work to do before attempting to shoot a deer at 100 yards with an iron sighted pistol. More than I'd be willing to do lol. But maybe you'll have a knack for it.

wilkup said:

I was thinking maybe 200, just cuz that's what I limit myself to with my leverguns. I'll have to look into what sort of drop the big 44 has between 100-200 yards. Adding optics defeats the purpose I have for it as a conveniently packable light backup.

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Keep it to 100 yards and with ALOT of practice you should be able to make consistent hits on deer sized game.

Shortening the barrel makes things more difficult, not because of ballistics, but reducing the sight radius. Just makes aiming much more critical.

Used to shoot IHMSA. Usually shot 2500 plus rounds per gun, per season just to maintain the skill. When first starting out, it was humbling but I had some wonderful and encouraging mentors.

It takes a lot of practice to get proficient with a 44 Mag along with some load development. Also, not all pistols are created equal.

Some tools can be utilized to measure the run out between each cylinder and the bore. This is an incredible aid in helping accuracy using the chambers with the best alignment.

Replacing the trigger spring is critical because it is difficult to shoot a hard trigger.
'
Pacmayer makes a nice rubber grip for the super black hawk, and I would not shoot one without it.

wilkup said:

My plan is to shoot the 325gr WFN from Matt's Bullets around 1100'. Something subsonic that's big and heavy.

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If that is the same as the LBT WFN (hard cast), make sure it's legal. Many states require expanding bullets for big game hunting.

My deer killing load:

240g Sierra HC
Win brass
Win Mag primer
22.6g of H110

Amazing accuracy in Black and Red hawks, and Dan Wesson

Mastering the crimp is a critical issue.

Tiny Tim said:

If that is the same as the LBT WFN (hard cast), make sure it's legal. Many states require expanding bullets for big game hunting.

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I've never heard of any sort of bullet requirements, only caliber minimums for big game. I'll have to check it out.