Quote:
Originally Posted by flipper35
If I were to buy a hand spoon for white tail here I would get a S&W .460.
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IMHO, that would be a mistake. That is far more gun than needed for any kind of hunting in the Lower 48. Those things are absolutely huge - somewhere around, or over 70 ounces, where something like a Model 29 .44 mag might go 50 ounces, for one with a really long barrel.
I fell into this "bigger is better" magnum revolver trap many years ago. Started with a Freedom Arms .454 Casull, then went up to a Hamilton Bowen modified Ruger Bisley in .475 Linebaugh. I eventually sold both. The blast and recoil were simply unbearable, even with proper hearing protection. Shooting them at game, while out hunting without ear protection, permanently damaged my hearing, I'm sure of it.
The .460 and .500 Smiths, on that ridiculously huge X frame, bring all of that blast and recoil to bear. And they add one more component to deal with - their weight. Both the Casull and Bisley were pretty normal sized large frame single actions, perhaps 40 to 50 ounces in weight. Easy to carry in a holster while hunting. That monstrous X frame is anything but, and a lot of guys sling them, just like a rifle. I actually do have a couple of hunting rifles that are lighter than those things...
And, in the end, we just don't need that kind of power. Any .44 or .45 caliber bullet of 240-255 grains driven at around 1,000 fps or so will shoot lengthwise through the biggest white tail you will ever see. I know - I've done it many times. You will note that this is even below what the .44 mag will do with full power loads - it will top 1,300 fps with a 250 grain bullet. But there is really no need to do even that. Interestingly, even Elmer Keith himself was entirely satisfied with his heavy .44 Special loads, driving 250 grain bullets to 1,100 fps. That was all he asked for out of S&W and Remington for the .44 mag, but they "knew better" and produced the more powerful load. He continued to use his heavy .44 Special loads, or a relatively "light" .44 mag load (by today's standards). He knew better.
So, again, just my opinion. I think you would get far more use and enjoyment out of a Model 29. Over a pound lighter, far, far cheaper ammo, and the versatility of using .44 Specials when you want. And all of the power you will ever need for white tails. Hell, I've killed elk with those "lighter" loads I described, and every single bullet has exited. More power only digs a deeper divot in the hillside behind them...