blackpowder revolver

[nmubowyer]

im thinkin of buying this http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_162_194&products_id=3530 as a first handgun because i come of legal age in a few days, anybody got any thoughts on it as a carry gun (backup for my muzzleloader) during regular rifle season or potentially as a way to kill a doe real close? thanks

 

[mykeal]

Looks like it would be a pain to carry - that barrel length is nice for accuracy but would not be fun to draw and shoot.

As a .44 it's probably capable of enough load to be useful as a coup de grace gun (short range, stationary target).

Carefully check your local hunting regulations for caliber and sidearm requirements, and be sure you aren't carrying concealed.

 

[torn moc]

First...be aware that Remington never produced a full size .44 with a Brass frame.
second....you will want to shoot mild loads in it since it is a brass frame.
If you want a pistol that is Historically correct...this aint it..( because it is brass framed)

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

If it is legal for you to carry a handgun in your state while hunting, a large bore single shot will serve your purpose better.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

some staes do not allow 'coup' pistols to be carried N.C. among them (seems nonsense to me as you could concievably take a wheelbarrow full of rifles to your stand).
if your state does however that brass-frame Remmy will do fine with hot loads just for hunting purposes, don't practice w/them.
I've had 3 of them and never had trouble with the 200-300 hot loads I shot in them but I practiced w/mild loads.

 

[scrat]

check out Cabelas i would go with either an 1851 or an 1860. 189.99 for the 1851 chambered in .36. the 1860 chambered in 44 for 209.99. Both are still framed. If your short on cash. They always have that pietta 1851 in brass frame in 44. It may not be historicaly correct but its a very good shooter.

 

[nmubowyer]

i see cabelas has one that looks alot like it and has a shorter barrel and is 20 bucks less, would the short barrel work on a 20 yd or less doe kill? so it sounds like you guys are more in favor of a single barrel .50 ish pistol. thanks for the input guys

 

[scrat]

20 yards. Heck i have loaded up my 1860 with 30 grains black. Bench rested and shot steel targets at 100 yards. So ya 20 yards is not a problem.

 

[mykeal]

i see cabelas has one that looks alot like it and has a shorter barrel and is 20 bucks less, would the short barrel work on a 20 yd or less doe kill? so it sounds like you guys are more in favor of a single barrel .50 ish pistol. thanks for the input guys

Time to split a few hairs here.

That .44 Remington is not a primary hunting weapon. By 'coup de grace' gun I meant that it would be acceptable to finish a downed, wounded animal from a short range. As a primary gun it's more likely to create a wounded animal than a clean, one shot kill. Unless you are an accomplished hunter with handguns this is not the weapon for you.

20 yards. Heck i have loaded up my 1860 with 30 grains black. Bench rested and shot steel targets at 100 yards. So ya 20 yards is not a problem.

It's one thing to ring a gong at 100 yards and quite another to accomplish a clean kill, even at 20 yards. The .44 Remington can do the job IF operated by an experienced, practiced, and very accurate hunter.

If you are really going to go hunting with a bp handgun I'd strongly agree that a single shot .50 or even .54 cal pistol is better, and then only after you've practiced with a couple of hundred rounds first.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I was suggesting the single shot pistol as a back up only. Most any .50 caliber pistol should do for this application. For states where hand guns are allowed as main hunting arms, the regs usually specify a minimum bore and and barrel length. I'd guess 12" or 14" would be a minimum barrel length for a dedicated hunting handgun and .50 to .54 caliber would be a good starting point for a patched ball shooter. And you'd still be better off with a good rifle or fowler and so would the game you are after.

 

[nmubowyer]

i mean it more as a backup gun and something else t plink with, but was more wondering if hunting with it would ever be a possibility

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Then I think I'd save up a little longer and get a steel framed Uberti revolver. It is better made and will hold up better. Like for a lifetime and more. Brass framed guns are pretty, but they are not as durable if used with stiff loads--in fact ultimately they aren't as durable period. The Colt Navy and Army models balance and handle nicer for most people and last well despite what some folks say. The Remington's main claim to fame is its top strap which is supposed to make it stronger. Since a steel framed Colt will last several lifetimes as has been shown by many originals, this is of little import. The Remington's spindly little cylinder arbor tends to foul more quickly than a Colt's will. In the end it is up to you, but a steel frame should be the main consideration. Personally, for everyday use and carry, a Colt '51 Navy is hard to beat. Excellent accuracy and balance and I don't believe a handsomer revolver has ever been made. You can target shoot or plink with it all day long with full loads and it won't break the bank. And Bill Hickok swore by them. And then there is the Walker....

 

[renovato]

i mean it more as a backup gun and something else t plink with, but was more wondering if hunting with it would ever be a possibility

It would make a good backup and plinking gun, and with enough practice you could easily hunt with it. But hunting level loads are going to batter that brass frame pretty quick. I'd go for steel if possible.

If it was going to be a dedicated hunting gun, I'd say take a look at Lyman's Great Plains Pistol in .54, Pedersoli's Bounty pistol in .50, or perhaps a Walker revolver. I have a great love of the 1858 design myself. I carry one as a backup when I hunt. I chose Uberti's steel frame 8 inch barrel model. It's a little heavy, but it's a familiar, comforting feeling and I really don't mind. I have never taken a deer with it, but I have no doubt that it's up to the task.

 

[mykeal]

Russ T Frizzen and Plink are right on the mark here. Well said.
:thumbsup:

 

nmubowyer,

My first gun was an FIE brass frame '51 navy.
Shot it to a point where it was a wall hanger, over time. If like me you want a revolver to carry get a steel frame .44 of your liken. Yeah, it's more pricier and cost is an issue for me, but you'll get more years of joy from it.Just my 2 cents worth.

James Taylor

 

[huntman58]

I have an 1860 steel colt army. It is in 44 cal and I would never even think about hunting any thing bigger then a bunny with it. I say this as a hunter but I am not as good of a shoot with a pistol as a rifle. The only two pistols in the black powder field I would even think of using are some thing like a big bore single shot as has been said already or a colt walker. The walker was the most powerful hand gun tells the 357 mag came out in the 1930’s. It also is a very big gun and a heavy one to boot about 4 1/2 lbs not some thing easy to carry on your hip. now as a coup gun yes your chouse would work but then again I would save a bit more get a steel frame gun and go from there .why limit your self now when a few more dollars can get you what I believe is so so much more. Get a steel framed one and with it there are lots of things you can do like cylinders for cartridge cowboy shooting /plinking/ and such and there also historically correct still as many were converted in the 1870”s. the brass framed one is a what ya gots is what ya gots no add on toys and careful if ya want it to be historically correct as a lot sold to day never were made back when. .

 

[tg]

As stated check your regs for hunting, it will be an akward gun to carry, my dad has had one for years, they are more of a novelty thing but do shoot well, if leagal the range need be close as they don't pack a lot of punch compared to modern large bore revolvers.Even with tyhe bigger bore single shot pistols useing 30-40 gr, of powder is on the light side, folks argue that a rifle loaded in the 50-60 gr range is light for deer, that short barrel pistol is not much of a deer gun unless you load it hot and are real close IMHO

" a Colt '51 Navy is hard to beat. Excellent accuracy and balance and I don't believe a handsomer revolver has ever been made"

I second that, in the correct .36 cal those are the nicest handgun I have ever shot it becomes part of the hand when shooting, I carried one in a shoulder holster for years when Trapping, more for personal protection from two legged critters, but I took a squirrel, Nutria or Grouse now and then, I used to fire it every 3-4 months depending on use just to clean and fresh load it.

 

[nmubowyer]

thanks for the info guys i was kinda thinkin about a .36 also so maybe i will go with that idea and stick with a longrifle for big game, hunting grouse and bunnies sounds like fun and could be put to use on my trapline as well like someone said, and im sure id get more use doing that than hunting deer with a handgun

 

[crockett]

Elmer Keith thought a handgun was sort of an "opportunity" weapon. That idea of loading it for rabbits, etc is a good one. You may however decide after a while that toting a hogleg around is more trouble than it's worth.

 

[nmubowyer]

why do you say that it may be more trouble than it is worth?