Double action pistol for hunting

[matts]

Hello

i was just wanting a couple of opinions. I'm looking at getting either a S&w 500 or a Ruger super redhawk in 480 ruger. I'm looking for something to put a small reddot on. I tend to like shorter barrels so was thinking the 4" smith with a rmr, just not sure if such a short barrel and a comp would be annoying even with muffs. I have a few different big single actions, just no big double actions. I already handload for both calibers so that's not a big decider. Mostly will be for hogs and deer in Oklahoma and Texas. Would love to go hunt a buff someday with one, but not sure that will happen. 

Thanks for the help. 

[bradshaw]

"I'm looking at getting either a S&w 500 or a Ruger super redhawk in 480 ruger. I'm looking for something to put a small reddot on. I tend to like shorter barrels so was thinking the 4" smith with a rmr, just not sure if such a short barrel and a comp would be annoying even with muffs... Mostly... for hogs and deer in Oklahoma and Texas. Would love to go hunt a buff...”
----matts
*****

As to a “double action pistol for hunting,” the answer is YES. A good double action enjoys every bit the validity of a good single action. I saw in the title to this thread a question as to the value of double action trigger work to fell a deer, of hog. The answer here, very few marksmen have any business shooting a deer double action. Thankfully, that doesn’t seem the issue here. If noise is the criteria, get the Ruger SRH .480. The Super Redhawk is big, but the S&W .500 is a behemoth. A keg of powder at a touch of the trigger, with muzzle brake, spells beaucoup concussion. I like the S&W .500; just don’t have a use for it. It’s a roll-around gun, not a walk-around gun. Download the .500 and it remains a cannon. The decision must always be personal when packing BIG IRON. Best to decide on the firing line. If you shoot the two revolvers equally well, try to be pragmatic. If you shoot one better than the other, there is no choice.
David Bradshaw

[contender]

David has offered some excellent wisdom in his post.

[jeffer]

David always offers excellent wisdom in his posts. 😉

[dougader]

I'm really partial to the 480 Ruger. I have a SRH in 480 that I want to have cut down to 4.8" (or 5", lol). I think it'll be perfect with a good red dot sight. And really, within usual handgun hunting ranges, is the 500 S&W needed for anything less than Alaskan Brownies or Cape Buffalo???

[jfs]

As Mr. Bradshaw said.... a good double action is as good a hunting handgun as a SA..... my first deer fell to my Python and 158 gr. JHP`s....my Redhawkk 44..S&W 41....DW 44.... S&W 460....S&W 29 Classic...to name a few have all cleanly taken game..... Oh what a sweet single action trigger pull on those Smith`s....go for it Matt.............