Super Redhawk- Optics for hunting?

[WaywardSon]

Picked up a Super Redhawk in .44 Magnum the other day and am interested in mounting some sort of optics for deer hunting. For those of you with experience, what do you think is best...scope or red dot (tube only).

I am a woods hunter, and while I was fortunate enough to take two deer this year with my iron sighted SBH (both were under 40 yds.)...I want to carry something next year that I am comfortable taking a 100 yd. shot with. Are the red dot sights precise enough to allow that? I am thinking about a Millet with a 3 MOA dot as that is the smallest I am finding.

I currently have a red dot on a Ruger MkII and like it a lot. It has been 30 years since I had a scope on a handgun, so kinda out of the loop there.

TIA for your opinions.........John

 

[Patocazador]

I have scopes on most of my handguns but none on a DA revolver. I don't care for the red dot type sights because the ones I've seen don't magnify much. If I'm going to shoot at a longer distance (over 50 yards) I like at least 4x. If you are young and have good eyesight, it may not matter as much to you. I am 69 and need the extra help.

A note about the Redhawk: Double-action revolvers and the Redhawk in particular are very unforgiving when shooting. They hammer my hand and the Redhawk hurts so much that I turned down a friend who wanted to sell me his fully set up rig for $300. The Super Blackhawk is much easier on me and rolls up when fired and does not punish me.

 

[Hunterdad]

I have a Weaver 4x on my 14" .30-30 T/C Contender and love it.

 

[WaywardSon]

Thanks for your comments!

Other than a Ruger MkII that I currently have a red dot on, the only handgun I've scoped was a Contender, and I liked that set-up.

I have not fired the SRH yet...wanted to get out today but life interfered. I also have a 4 5/8" SBH that I am comfortable with firing heavy bullet full power loads. Perceived recoil with the SRH may be worse...if it is, I'll try one of the Hogue "Tamer" grips which seem to be well thought of. Given the weight, it's hard to imagine that the SRH will be any worse than a 629...we shall see...and soon I hope.

 

[gbran]

Burris 2x works great for me. 4x is too shaky, red dots are better than irons, but the 2x seems good to 100yd+. I've taken deer and hogs at pretty good distances.

[/IMG]

 

[WaywardSon]

Nice looking rig! I like the unfluted cylinder...what caliber? Also, are those the Hogue "Tamer" grips? If so, how do you like them?

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

guess I am an old timer, I cant even think of scoping a revolver. my .44mags, .45 colts and my one .357 mag will stay irons only....just cause I think that's the way they were meant to be.

 

[gbran]

It's a .454 Cassul. The grips are Hogue. It kicks pretty hard, very snappy. The factory grips split due to recoil, but with the new grips it's real managble and much less brutal. You'll find 44 mag hot loads pretty lively. I suggest getting the Hogues.

A friend I hunt with has the 44 mag SRH. He too takes deer, hogs and other game regularily. 100 yard deer is not out of question with a good rest (stump, rock, limb, etc.)

 

[Canuck-IL]

The Leupold is nice in a 2x ...
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/280774/leupold-fx-ii-pistol-scope-2x-20mm-duplex-reticle-silver

I haven't tried the Burris referenced above - it also has a lifetime warranty and is significantly cheaper.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/272175/burris-pistol-scope-2x-20mm-plex-reticle-matte

/Bryan

 

[Fred in Wisc]

I like the Weaver 2x, a 4x handgun scope has a really narrow field of view. The Leupold is better, but it's a lot more $$.

 

[SEE IT LIKE A NATIVE]

I have a Ruger srh in 454 and use a Millet red dot sight ! I haven't had the opportunity to take a 100 yard shot on game yet but have no problem with targets at 100 yards . With a 3 moa dot a decent load should keep all shots within that 3moa at 100 yards ! Kevin

 

[gbran]

You are right, a 3moa dot would work well for game at that distance, but my eyes are not real good. I have about 15 handguns. Any that see target work or huning have either dots or scopes, depending on target size and distance.

 

[oronocova]

I have a BSA "Edge" 2-7x32 on my SBH in .44 magnum. It appears to hold its adjustment well even with the heavy recoil. I'm pretty new to hunting with a handgun and have not been able to reliably shoot a good enough group at 50-75yds to make me comfortable taking all but a closer shot. That's my fault though, the scope seems fine. I will say it is the only BSA scope I have had good luck with though.

 

[41 Mag]

I also put thins in another post, but since your asking I figured you might as well get in on it as well.

The only thing that I have scoped are contender and encore barrels
My SBH still has Oppen sights on it if I were to scope it I wouldn't
Use over a 4X on it and ofcorse EER with the glass.

Years ago I put a Leupold 4X on my Ruger Redhawk in 44mag. It was awesome to sit at the range and shoot 2" or so groups with it from a rest at 100yds. In the woods it sucked pond water. I finally took it off when we got into hog hunting hard and heavy because it was more or less useless.

A few years later I found a need to mount it on a TC barrel chambered in 30-30AI. Again it came to life on the range and even out in the wide open pastures. This past Monday I sat on a 10 acre plot my wife and purchased more or less to have a small place to haul the grandsons to try and get them a deer. Sure nuff, I had 5 shooter bucks come by within 40yd or less, and with that 4X mounted on that 30 30AI barrel, all I could do was watch them go.

There was no way I could get it up and find the deer in the brushy area we were both in. The eye relief is plenty good, but getting the full view in the ocular lens simply is too critical for hunting up close and personal. I knew this ahead of time and it is why it wasn't on the 44 anymore. I had simply mounted it on the Contender to enable some shooting and load work ups. I grabbed it up when we headed out simply to do some fireforming and it shot so well I figured I would take it out again.

Trust me when I say stick with 2x or even lower if you can find a variable with a 1.5 to 4 you will be way ahead.

 

[WaywardSon]

I also put thins in another post, but since your asking I figured you might as well get in on it as well.



Years ago I put a Leupold 4X on my Ruger Redhawk in 44mag. It was awesome to sit at the range and shoot 2" or so groups with it from a rest at 100yds. In the woods it sucked pond water. I finally took it off when we got into hog hunting hard and heavy because it was more or less useless.

A few years later I found a need to mount it on a TC barrel chambered in 30-30AI. Again it came to life on the range and even out in the wide open pastures. This past Monday I sat on a 10 acre plot my wife and purchased more or less to have a small place to haul the grandsons to try and get them a deer. Sure nuff, I had 5 shooter bucks come by within 40yd or less, and with that 4X mounted on that 30 30AI barrel, all I could do was watch them go.

There was no way I could get it up and find the deer in the brushy area we were both in. The eye relief is plenty good, but getting the full view in the ocular lens simply is too critical for hunting up close and personal. I knew this ahead of time and it is why it wasn't on the 44 anymore. I had simply mounted it on the Contender to enable some shooting and load work ups. I grabbed it up when we headed out simply to do some fireforming and it shot so well I figured I would take it out again.

Trust me when I say stick with 2x or even lower if you can find a variable with a 1.5 to 4 you will be way ahead.

My admittedly limited experience with scoping handguns tells me you are absolutely correct. Scope or red dot, I would be happy with no magnification and would not buy anything more than 2X...just looking to get everything on the same plane to accommodate my aging eyes.

Right now I am thinking either the Weaver Classic 2X or a Millet Red Dot with a 3 MOA dot. Maybe Santa will hook me up

Thanks to everyone for the responses....and have a great Christmas!

John

 

[Manny]

I have a Weaver 2x on my SRH and think it's as good as it gets for scopes. That being said, I do like a dot sight better and feel that no magnification is no handicap within the range I'll be using the weapon at.

 

[Steve in PA]

Bushnell 2-6x scope. Very happy with it.