Taurus Raging Bull 444 revolver

This article is about a Brazilian-made revolver. For other uses, see Raging Bull (disambiguation).

Revolver

Raging Bull

is a revolver produced by the Brazilian Taurus International firearms company.

In larger calibers it is marketed as a hunting rifle because it is a powerful weapon with great stopping power. The 0.454 Casull cartridge is used for hunting animals as big as buffalo. [1]

The Raging Bull has a ported barrel and a red rubber stripe on the back of the grip (some variants like the Raging Hornet have a yellow stripe) that cushions the shooter's hand and reduces perceived recoil. Functionally, the Raging Bull has a manual front cylinder latch that can be seen unlocking on the tap. Front cylinder catches are necessary for such high-power double-action revolvers, and are found on the Ruger Super Redhawk and S&W Model 500 revolver, but they are operated by a rear cylinder catch. The manual Raging Bull latch is simpler (and therefore less expensive to manufacture) but just as strong, but requires two hands to open the cylinder.

Taurus Raging Bull 444

Revolver Taurus Raging Bull 444
Revolver Taurus Raging Bull 444

In 1997, the Brazilian 444 revolver was created chambered for a powerful .44 Magnum caliber cartridge, which appeared on the arms market under the name “Raging Bull”. The revolver is assembled on a large solid steel frame, approximately corresponding to the frame of L revolvers, and is equipped with a drum that folds to the left side.

The drum with a capacity of 6 cartridges is fixed in the frame due to the latch of the rotating earring. When reloading the revolver, the drum tilts to the left side and the extractor, located inside the axis of the drum, when pressed, simultaneously removes all spent cartridges at once.

Taurus 444 Raging Bull revolvers have a heavy reinforced barrel with a length of 165 mm (6.5") or 213 mm (8.375"). At the top of the barrel there is a ventilated rib and a built-in compensator with four funnel-shaped gas vents on each side of the front sight. At the bottom of the barrel there is a case for the extractor rod.

The hammer-type trigger mechanism with an open hammer, double action, allows firing both by self-cocking and with manual pre-cocking of the hammer. The design of the trigger provides for an automatic trigger safety. In addition, the weapon is equipped with a security lock that locks the trigger into the frame - this TSS (Taurus Security System) security system, patented, resembles a regular door lock and is operated by a miniature key.

Open-type sighting devices consist of a front sight and an adjustable rear sight, equipped with micrometric adjustment and a lock. In addition, Raging Bull revolvers can be equipped with an optical sight. The handle of the weapon is made in the “combat” style and is equipped with wrapping rubber cheeks. In addition to the large-sized “Raging Bull” revolvers, after some time ultra-light versions of the 444 “Ultra Light” were also offered.

The Taurus 444 Ultra Light revolvers have a design similar to the “Raging Bull”, but are made using light alloys (titanium frame; aluminum drum), and also have short barrels with a length of 57 mm (2.25”) and 102 mm (4”) , which reduced the mass of the weapon by half. Among the differences, it should be noted the absence of a built-in compensator and a ventilated rail, as well as new sights.

Depending on the materials used and the length of the barrel, a certain indexing was adopted for revolvers, where “SS” means that the revolver is made of stainless steel, “B” - from ordinary weapon steel, “MULTI” - from light alloys; the number after the model indicates the barrel length in inches. The weapon's markings consist of the inscription TAURUS on the barrel, the company's trademark on the frame and the word TAURUS with a bull's head on the medallion of the grip cheeks.

Characteristics

Manufacturer: Brazil
Caliber: 454 Casull / 45 Long Colt

Weight (unloaded): 0.80/2.20 kg

Length: 254/419 mm

Drum capacity: 5, 6, 7, 8

The Raging Bull was developed and produced by the Brazilian small arms manufacturer Taurus Int. The revolver is a hunting revolver due to its caliber. It can be used for hunting small and medium game. However, the manufacturer himself claims that in the .454 Casull caliber version, the revolver can also be used when hunting bison or even elephants!

Taurus Raging Bull Revolver Review

Several years ago, I read an article about hunting with a pistol. I was intrigued. Until that time, I never thought of a pistol, or handgun, as a weapon used for killing animals. I always saw them as a personal protection gun and one for the range. After that article, I began a long affinity for hunting with handguns. From .22 semi-autos for squirrels and rabbits to big bore handguns for whitetail and feral hogs, I have fallen in love with the challenge of hunting with a handgun.

Rossi M68

Published by admin on Sun, 03/01/2009 – 15:24

Revolver Rossi M68 / Champion II series

Tactical and technical characteristics of the Rossi M68: Type – revolver with a solid frame Caliber, mm – .38 Special Length, mm – 186 Barrel length, mm – 75 Weight without cartridges, g – 600 Drum capacity, cartridges – 5

In 1973, the “Champion II series” appeared. The first model of this series, the Rossi M68, was created on the basis of the Pioneer series revolvers, but differs from them in the adjustable sight and the inclined base of the front sight. The five-shot Rossi M68 model chambered for .38 Special had a 75 mm barrel.

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Hunting With Handguns

When delving into this several years ago, well, I guess it is more like several decades ago, I had to learn a lot about handguns, pistols, and revolvers. I studied and studied calibers, ballistics, bullet weights and expansion tables to ensure I was using the proper gun, bullet and weight of bullet for my quarry. Indeed, there was a lot to learn. The same matrix that applies to rifle ballistics does not translate into handgun hunting. The same calibers may be used, but the ballistics are different due to the makeup of the gun the round is being fired from.

In popular culture

Games

• Present in the game Point Blank with 4 modifications
• Present in the Hitman series of games
• Present in the game Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2
• Present in the game Max Payne 3
• Featured in PAYDAY: The Heist and PAYDAY 2 under the name Bronco .44 Revolver
• Present in the game Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4
• Present in the game Cross Fire
• Present in the ArmA series of games (ArmA, ArmA 2, ArmA III) and in the DayZ modification.
• Present in the game Contract Wars.
• Was planned for the STALKER series of games, but was never introduced.

Taurus Raging Bull

Recently, I had the chance to get my hands on a Taurus Raging Bull. When I first took the Taurus Raging Bull from the box to write down its serial number, I couldn't help but notice the weight of the giant handgun. As someone who enjoys hunting with handguns, the fit and feel of the gun are of utmost importance. The fit and feel of the Taurus 444 is what you'd expect in a big bore handgun.

One of the Original Raging Bulls, the 444 is still among America's favorite hunting handguns. Chambered in the popular and powerful .44 Rem. Magnum, the 444 is built for a lifetime of use. Offering award-winning designs, the 444 features crisp trigger break when fired in single action as well as a smooth pull in double action for enhanced accuracy.

The gun I tested arrived with an 8 3/8” barrel and a matted stainless finish, which I personally really like. It sported a manufactured muzzle brake and cushioned grip to make shooting a lot more comfortable. First impressions were stellar.

One of the key elements that I personally love about Taurus handguns is their patented and unique Taurus Security System (TSS) using a unique key that is provided with each handgun. The TSS enables users to lock the hammer, making the gun unusable and completely safe. Taurus describes it like this: “When the Security System is engaged, the pistol cannot be fired or cocked, and the gun's manual safety cannot be disengaged. As with our revolver Security System, the device is part of the firearm and cannot be lost, and the same special Security Key works for both the revolver and pistol Systems (two keys come with most guns). To engage: simply insert the Key into the button on the rear or side of the pistol and rotate one-quarter turn clockwise. This engages the Security System…To disengage: simply rotate the key one-quarter turn back. This releases the Security System.”

Taurus

Published by admin on Sun, 03/01/2009 – 15:26

Forjas Taurus SA

Little is known about the history of the company Forjas Taurus SA (Forjas Taurus SA) in the city of Porto Alegre (Brazil), founded in 1889.

Since the 1920s, Forjas Taurus has mastered the production of hunting rifles. The beginning of the success of Forjas Taurus SA (Forjas Taurus SA) was the purchase in 1977 for the Brazilian armed forces of 40,000 pistols of the famous Italian model “Beretta M92”, with the organization of its production in Brazil.

Range Testing

At the range I shot a variety of ammunition through the Taurus Raging Bull 444. I began with some standard Federal Fusion 240 grain jacketed hollow point. Then I tried the Hornady 300 gr. jacketed hollow point and finished with a personal favorite, Hornady 225 gr. LEVEReveloution. Shots were performed at fifteen yards, twenty-five yards and fifty yards respectfully. As an older hunter who enjoys using handguns, I am limited with iron sights. The Taurus 444 does not come drilled and tapped for scope mounts, but there are several aftermarket rails available for reasonable prices. I would recommend for hunting purposes that optics be added to increase accuracy at distance beyond forty yards.

Target on acquisition follow-up shots in double action were fast and accurate. The smooth trigger coupled with the muzzle brake allowed extremely fast recovery and fast follow-up shots. With no adjustments to the sights, I was able to put three shot groups in the center of the target at both fifteen and twenty-five yards. I did have some difficulty at the fifty yard distance, but that could easily be attributed to my eyesight and not the gun.

Shooting the Raging Bull gets everyone's attention at the range. The report, recoil and massive holes in the targets draws a crowd with some asking for the opportunity to get their chance at firing a Raging Bull. Being selfish, I kept the Taurus to myself. Carrying such a big and heavy gun requires a large, beefy holster. The new tactical drop hip style and the bandolier style are best suited for a gun of this size and weight.

Links[edit]

1. ↑
   Freedom Arms: Success Stories archived September 3, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
2. Prasak, Max. "Equipment: Taurus Raging Hunter .454 Casull". American hunter
   .
3. Moss, Matthew. "Taurus Introduces New Furious Hunter in .460 S&W". Firearms Blog
   .
4. "2019 American Hunter's Golden Bullseye Award Winners". American hunter
   .
5. "First Look: New Taurus Raging Hunter in .460 S&W". Weapons and ammunition
   .
6. "Mad Hunter™". Calf
   .,
7. "Taurus Raging Hunter 460: Revolver Unveiled in Heavy-Duty .460 S&W". Ballistic Mag
   .
8. Scepaniak, Adam (2021-03-31). "Wheelgun Wednesday: First Look at the Taurus Raging Hunter 460". Firearms Blog
   . Retrieved April 1, 2022.

Final Thoughts

As a hunting handgun, the Raging Bull is an excellent choice. Most hunting is done in single action. Whether sitting in a stand or blind, the relatively quiet cock of the hammer and the crisp trigger made firing this cannon easy and comfortable. Having taken a variety of game with handguns, I am sure the 444 would pass the test against any animal in North America and beyond. I look forward to the opportunity to move from the range to the field with a Raging Bull and see how it performs on large game.

The Taurus 444 Raging Bull is without question one of the best hunting handguns available on the market today. If you love hunting with handguns, this needs to be in your arsenal.

External links [edit]

• Taurus USA - list of all Raging Bull variants