What are your comments on this Pistol?

[ChevellRCR]

I was just wondering what you guys thought of this pistol as a deer hunting pistol. Maybe even wild boar. This is a Ruger Super Redhawk 44 Mag with the 9 1/2 " barrel. I was thinking of picking up some Hornady 300gn HP bullets for deer hunting also. Are those any good or what do you recommend?

Ruger Super Redhawk

 

[Majic]

Unless you are after really monster deer then you don't need that much bullet. A lot of hunters today use way to much bullet with way to much power than is really needed to kill deer. They are just thin skinned animals and not armour coated. A 240 to 275 grain bullet driven at 1000 fps will do the trick nicely at handgunners range.
Also unless you are planning to just stand hunt that extra long barrel will start to be more in the way than be any advantage. A 7 1/2" barrel will pack much nicer and be handier.

 

[critter]

I use a Redhawk 7 1/2" .44 mag with the 300 gr bullets, both cast and jacketed. I agree that they are more than necessary, BUT that particular gun shoots better with the heavier bullets and LOTS H110 of powder. Give 'em a try for accuracy.

 

[ChevellRCR]

Thanks guys. I do nothing but stand hunting so the barrel length shouldnt be a problem there. I was just wondering about accuracy with that barrel. I do have a 44 mag desert eagle that is very accurate with the 10" barrel it has. I may end up using it also.

 

[ChevellRCR]

Critter,


What are some good loads that you have with H110 that I can use in that pistol. I bought some 240gr Hornady, 300 gr Hornady, and 300 gr Rainer Leadsafe bullets. I have a Dillion Square Deal B and the dies for 44 Mag. Just need to start loading now.

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

Majic is right. I popped a 125 pound (dressed) whitetail with a carefully handloaded 180 grain 44 mag. All components selected for maximum expansion.

The exit hole was same diameter as entrance. No expansion.

I've read that for thin skinned animals (humans included) a fast moving 125 grain 357 expands best. FWIW.

 

[bp_cowboy]

Friend of mine has one

and it is good medicine for like you mentioned deer and hogs. I would use the 300 bullet on hogs though due to shoulder plate.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Better to use too much gun than not enough. Learning to use a scoped handgun takes a LOT of practice.

 

[mec]

That gun should go a long way toward controlling any and all recoil. The 9.5 " barrel will get you some extra velocity with loads using 296/H110. 24 Grains of either and a 240 grain xtp /magnum primer will croak just about anything. Actually, any .44 magnum factory load will take out a deer so well that load choice is almost inconsequential.

 

[Jim March]

That's a GREAT hunting gun - lots of accuracy and enough barrel to get a REAL good head of steam going on decent loads.

You might try using a hardcast with a real wide flat nose ("meplat") to give a "splat" effect that doesn't screw up too much meat or leave lead fragments in it . A 300grain or so moving at a nice clip will do deer just fine and be good hog medicine too.

 

[ChevellRCR]

Just wanted to say thank you for all of your help.

 

[Jim March]

Oh, another thing:

They come with scope rings - 1" I think. Ruger will swap with you for 30mm rings if you need that. There's also a couple of sources for Weaver Rails but don't do that unless you're buying a sight that absolutely has to have Weaver, like the new Ziess red-dot sight.

If you don't have rings at all (lost 'em, or bought the gun used?) you'll need rings that are specific to the SuperRedHawk. Ruger's are good and available cheap.

 

[LAH]

We get SRH 44 through the shop. I load 23 grs. of H-110 and L-429421's. With scpoes mounted I've not seen on of these group over 3 inches @ 50 yards.

 

[MrMurphy]

Personally, I'd go with a 6" barrel. I've shot a couple 8 3/8 and 8.5" inchers, and from anything but a rest they were a pain. I did manage an 80 yard offhand (two handed) hit with a .445 Supermag Dan Wesson, but holding it up more than three seconds was no fun.


Against boar, you may HAVE to use it offhand. I had a friend who used a Redhawk against a charging wild pig double action. First shot bounced off the skull, second shot killed it but it didn't "know" it was dead yet, soaked up four more rounds all lethal before his backup gunner with a .30-30 knocked it off his feet. His first shot was rested, the others were shot quick and the last one was shot moving.