Replies

Just what I had planned, but now you have outlined the procedure for me perfectly. Your choices are what I have settled upon, too...as well as seeing just how far I can push a .357 with heavy bullets, as our friend Paco recommends. He even hunts boar with it...but advised me to be very careful with critters with teeth and tusks that could kill me! Sounds right. I am even considering a SAA in .357 Maximum (Supermag) if I can find one...just to try, and always be able to chamber normal rounds, as discussed earlier. A cylinder in 9mm too would make an astounding "survival" tool. But really, for the actual purpose, not just getting dual-use out of my defense piece (HP), the .44 suits my needs, including ammo availability, and I will get a tougher one than the flimsy but beautiful Uberti I have, for proper use. They no longer make them in .44 Mag...and I can see why. It was a special run for a firearms industry friend. I ended up with it, instead of an Abilene which we were manufacturing...to meet backorders. What a fine revolver that was...ahead of its time. I only wish the .45 Colt were more widely used/distributed...but will go that way again some day...because it really is the best hammer.

Why the off-center aiming point...though I think I know...

Handgun ammo from a handgun has the trajectory of an old cannon ball pretty much when used for extream range plinking. With the 115gr 9MM ball plinking stuff (winchester white box) I will aim about 40 yards high and about 40 Yards to the right (from the target) with adjustments for local windage . With that hold I can hit a gong on our range that is exactly 360 meters from the line. I can hit it after extensive practice about 6 out of 10 with the rest close enough to make a critter or criminal think twice about sticking around and bothering "me". Now that is from a handgun (BHP) barrel and not such as a rifle barrel. Friends of mine have the Lever guns in 357 Mag that make such shots really easy. Thus that is also a good combination caliber for trekking in the bushes unless of course your local food chain dictates a greater need for stopping bigger critters.

As of late I'm facsinated by by Randy Garretts hammerhead line of dangerous game ammo for the 44 mag. I have a 500 linebaugh Ruger Bisley that IMHO would and could be adapted to a lever gun to make a perfect lightweight combo for regions that host such critters.

But the Garrett 44 mag ammo is on the outter edge of what is possible with that round IMHO and the only handgun I'd use it in is my Ruger redhawk or a Bisley Super Blackhawk. He says the Dan Wesson and I beleive the Taurus raging bull will handle it also but clearly says do not use a S&W Mod 29 for his ammo.

I still think a 5 inch Ruger Redhawk, stainless with hogue soft rubber monogrips in 44 mag with that ammo and a Ruger bolt gun , "stainless" Model 77-44 in 44 magnum would be a perfect woods/ranch rig where a 400 yard shot on a varmint is needed but a close stopping round for defense is required.

One other experiment I'm trying to think thru is using my cut down 45-70 brass for a 45 handgun caliber. I think 475 linebaugh handgun and the 45-70 could use the same bullet. Thus my reloading for plinking or hunting will give me the caliber that begins with 4 that I strive to keep with most of my handguns and rifles.

Lots of rambling but thats just some of my ideas. BTW that Umberti is a keeper. Colt has taken to outsourcing to umberti for their super expensive SAA line parts.......alledgedly to date it's just parts........but I have taken to buying either the Ruger vaquero line or the US Patent Firearms which resides in the old colt factory. I have a pair of USPF Bisley Colt clones that goes to cowboy shoots with my original Winchester 92 takedown sporting rifle in 44-40 calibers. Real accurate and very fine handguns from USPF.

Stay Safe Muttly !