i have not shot the Thompson or the raging bull but i own a black hawk in 357 and like u have put after market hogue grips on it. i know the Thompsons are good hunting guns but i don't know if i would rather have an actual hunting revolver. i agree with you about the rugers though so i think my choices are between the Thompson and the raging bull. do you handgun hunt at all?
No, I don't handgun hunt, but have considered it. I have shot the Thompson in .308 at steel silhouettes up to 300 yards (and hit a couple!), but it was heavily comped out by the guy who owned it. He was a top-level competitor and could hit the gopher target at 300 yards 10 for 10. And that's with open sights! I shot a "stock" one in 7mm that belonged to another friend when I lived in Vegas. It was scoped, and he had taken elk and mule deer in Idaho with it. He also carried a 1911 .45 auto as a backup/snakekiller.
As for revolvers, the best feeling big frames I've shot were the Taurus and Rossi, which are pretty similar. You'll just need to get closer with a revolver, but you have multiple shots if needed. So it depends on where you hunt and what you hunt.
I have just started in handgun hunting a couple years ago. I started with a Taurus 44 mag.I was not crazy about the scope mount. I have a friend that has the Taurus in 454. It shoots well. Very balanced. It has advantages that you can shoot 45 LC's thru it. I upgraded to the Smith 500mag this year. I used to have the 243 pistol barrel for the Encore. I got tired of changing the stocks all the time. I shoot a 308 Encore Pro-Hunter rifle. I also have an original Encore and was thinking about getting a 308 pistol barrel and trying that. This was I can carry one caliber, I can bring the rifle and have the pistol on my chest for the shorter shots.
I dont know where you are located but if you would like to try my 500, I can meet you at the range. I shoot at Dade City.
Jay
i bought a older smith and wesson mod 29 classic 44mag two years ago and i bought it for a hog gun this will be my frist year using it. couldnt find a holster that i liked. open sights im good out to 40 yards.
