Looking at a Super Redhalk for deer varmits

[whitedogone]

I have been looking for a deer varmint handgun. Question is what cal? They are available in .44mag, .480 ruger and, .454. I have no clue which cal would be better for deer. WDO


http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ga_handguns/ruger_041405/index.html

[papapaul]

Under what circumstances would you be hunting these deer? Woods, under 75 yds, 44 is fine. It is more versitile for off season shooting, lighter, and you can shoot 44 spl in it most of the time, and they are usually cheaper to buy. Otherwise, I personally would go with the .500 S&W.

[Catfish]

The .454 would be the most versital. With .454`s and factory grips it is a hand full, but with rubber grips and a scope it quite nice to shoot with .454`s. You can also shoot .45 colts in it, which are more than enough for deer.

[Markbo]

Personally I find the Super RH a little large and ungainly. Just not much fun to hump around all day. I am a big fan of the Redhawk though and they can be had in .44 mag, .45 Colt and .41 mag.

The .41 will kill any whitetail in North America with much less recoil and blast that the other two. If you want to expand on 'just' deer hunting the Redhawk has a huge cylinder which allows the use of very heavy for caliber loads. You can load 300gr+ .44's and 350gr+ .45's.

To my thinking, the RH is much more versatile and until the SRH came out, it was considered 'too large' by many purists. Now it's just large.

Now if you want to get crazy, get an S&W .460 mag. You can shoot .45 Colt for can popping and .454 for just playing around. :D

[outlaw from Idaho]

I in the past have taken Deer,ELK and Coyotes, with a handgun, 357 mag, 41 mag, 44 mag, 45 long colt. All with hand loads ,shoot stright and hit the kill area 150yds or under.Closer is always better. Outlaw

[T.Zimm]

That said; You better check your local game laws. It has been better than ten years since I hunted in IL. But at the time the only calibers you could use during handgun season were .357 Mag, .41 Mag, and .44Mag. The way they wrote the law you were limited by case length. That excluded the .357 Max and the .445 Super Mag. Now with all these new SOOPER DOOPER handgun cartridges out there they may have changed the law. Now, unless you are a proficient handgunner, anything bigger than a .44 Mag is a handful for most people. A good hot load in a .44 can be unpleasant to practice with. I would go with the .44mag. I am partial to that caliber and as stated before you can shoot .44 specials in it. It will kill a deer stone dead as will all the others. Plus if you ever decide to sell it, a .44 will sell pretty easily whereas the others are not as popular or common. The Super Redhawk is a superb pistol. They lock up like a bank vault and are usually very accurate. That extra weight helps tame the recoil too. I have shot a lot of them and they are really nice firearms. You can have a good pistol smith work that DA trigger and it will be unbelievable. .Good luck! and good Shooting

[whitedogone]

I'm not sure which is legal either. Here's what the regs. say:

Centerfire revolvers or centerfire single-shot
handguns of .30 caliber or larger with a minimum
barrel length of 4 inches.
Legal Ammunition
• For shotguns and muzzleloading firearms,
the minimum size of the projectile shall be
.44 caliber. A wad or sleeve is not considered
a projectile or a part of the projectile.
• For handguns, a bottleneck centerfire cartridge
of .30 caliber or larger with a case
length not exceeding 1.4 inches, or a
straight-walled centerfire cartridge of .30
caliber or larger, both of which must be
available as a factory load with the published
ballistic tables of the manufacturer
showing a capability of at least 500 foot
pounds of energy at the muzzle. Note:
There is no case length limit for straightwalled
cartridges.
• Non-expanding, military-style full metal
jacket bullets cannot be used to harvest
white-tailed deer; only soft point or expanding
bullets (including copper/ copper-alloy
rounds designed for hunting) are legal

You can hunt with a handgun instead of a shotgun during shotgun season. WDO

[7stw]

Try a .41 magnum. It is plenty of gun for Elk, mule deer, black bear and moose so I guess it would be perfect for the largest whitetail deer.
I don't go in for paper ballistics such as energy levels much as no critter reads the books.
Not to cause any one heart burn but I would steer clear of any new Ruger hand gun in any caliber as I have found the quality control to be wanting.
The .41 load I shoot is a 250gr. LBT at 1500fps. I shoot them that fast just incase of an incounter with a grizzly as a last ditch.
I have owned several .44 mgnums which I like how ever the .41 is just as good in the field and I doubt any animal would ever know the difference.
I do think that the .454, .480, .460 are fine calibers but for even the largest whitetail are so much over kill.
Consider contolablity and first shot hits and any follow up shots needed I will take the .41 rem mag.
But no matter which one you choose as long as you are happy with it thats what counts.

[HEAD0001]

If you are going to be doing some varminting then I would pass on the Ruger's and go straight to a S&W in 44 magnum or the 460. The 460 is great, but full loads are brutal.

IMO the Ruger's will not shoot with the Smith's. Spend a little extra money and get a Performance Center Smith-you will not be sorry. Tom.

[Alan in GA]

but I'll post this response I had on another local forum about Redhawks vs Blackhawks and some of my experience with the 'older' cartridges for them.

"I've owned, reloaded, and shot several:
3 New Model Super Blackhawks.
1 Old Model Super Blackhawk [3 screw]
1 first year Redhawk.
All in .44 Rem Mag, all 7.5" barrels.
YES, the REDHAWK is stronger than any Super Blackhawk. The Blackhawk is one strong gun but the Redhawk has more steel around the cylinders, and especially at the bolt recess where most revolvers are at their weakest.
All those pistols are gone. I spent years casting Linotype 250 Keith SWCs [mixed w/some wheel weight metal] and really enjoyed the lot of them. I got to where I didn't shoot 22/2400/250 SWC as much as I used to [love those evening flames] and started loading a lot more 10 grain Unique loads,,,even dropping down to 6.5 gr Unique. Also shot a lot of Speer 225 HP and 250 SP '3/4' jacketed bullets. A few Sierra 180 JHP [over a bunch of 2400~!] and finally some 200 gr Speer JHPs.
Now,,those have been gone. Logged a total of about 5,500 rounds/reloads in those pistols.
NOW, I have just recently purchased a Blackhawk I've wanted to play with for a long time, a .45 Colt Blackhawk with 7.5" barrel. Purchased it used in a pawn shop [and customer of mine] for under $300 including box and all.
I got to where the .44 Rem Mag was just a bit 'much' for plinking. A year after the Redhawk first came out{ and right BEFORE the prices skyrocketed up}, I shot a nice 4 pt buck with the Redhawk and sold it.
I hope to get this 'new' [to me, it's a bit worn at bluing on corners] .45 Colt Blackhawk out and get some plinking done.
I've already got some cases [new nickle] and components ready to go.
I guess if your gonna shoot a big slug, it might as well be a
.452 instead of a .429.
I think this Blackhawk will do all I want it to. I know it's not as strong as the 44 [metal thickness at the bolt recesses in cylinder are THIN~!],,but I think it's going to be a lot of fun.
Even the .44 isn't anywhere near 'top contender' status these days with all the real hand cannons coming out from Smith and Wesson, and Freedom arms, so this old .45 might just be handy. Nope,,,no .45 ACP cylinder came with it,,always thought that might be fun, too."

I've had this Ruger .45 Colt Blackhawk 7.5" for a couple months now and STILL haven't gotten it out for some fun. I may have to make up some low power round lead ball loads [w/Unique] and take a walk in the woods behind the house!

[papapaul]

Have you seen that Tarus 45LC/410 five shot. They have one with a 6" barrel. That is a nice size and plenty gun for deer, plus, off season it would be a riot. Too bad S&W doesn't make one.

[T.Zimm]

Have you seen that Tarus 45LC/410 five shot. They have one with a 6" barrel. That is a nice size and plenty gun for deer, plus, off season it would be a riot. Too bad S&W doesn't make one.

Has one of those. It would make a great Andiron or Bookend!:D I am glad Illinois eased up on the regs. When they first started the "handgun only" season it was in the middle of January and after the Deer had been shot at for four months. Nice. The last time I went handgun hunting there it was an honest 18 below zero. Not fun. Good luck on your purchase whatever you decide.

[whitedogone]

Have you seen that Tarus 45LC/410 five shot. They have one with a 6" barrel. That is a nice size and plenty gun for deer, plus, off season it would be a riot. Too bad S&W doesn't make one.

I have heard that those things aren't very accurate at all.

[Markbo]

If you are going to be doing some varminting then I would pass on the Ruger's and go straight to a S&W in 44 magnum or the 460. The 460 is great, but full loads are brutal.

IMO the Ruger's will not shoot with the Smith's. Spend a little extra money and get a Performance Center Smith-you will not be sorry. Tom.

FWIW that has not been my experience at all - quite the opposite. All of my Ruger pistols are absolutely shooters! In all fairness a couple had to be tweaked a bit, but I am not talking about full on customs... I am talking about touching up the forcing cone, crown and trigger. Then again you are talking performance center S&W and I know (I have some) they are 2 to 3 times the cost of a typical Ruger sixgun.

Of the over a dozen Ruger Wheelguns I have ALL of them are extremely accurate.

[Steve in PA]

I've hunted deer with a handgun for many years, all with a Ruger SRH in .44magnum. I've taken several deer with it and even carry it for bear, depending on where I'm hunting. No real impressive racks, but several deer none the less.

As far as the Ruger's not "shooting" with the S&W's........hogwash. The Ruger's will out shoot and out last any S&W.

My first ever handgun kill. A small spike buck taken with the SRH.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d159/Steve_in_PA/Hunting/SRHdeer1-1.jpg

My hunting rig; Ruger SRH 9 1/2" with a Bushnell 2-6x scope, carried in an Uncle Mike's Bandoleer holster.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d159/Steve_in_PA/Guns/100_6331.jpg

My pet load for the SRH; Hornady 240gr HP-XTP and H110. Fired from a rest at 100yds. The orange circle is 3" in diameter.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d159/Steve_in_PA/Targets/240HP-XTP44mag-1.jpg

[HEAD0001]

Sorry guy's but I ain't buying it. I have owned a couple of dozen of both revolver's. And have probably sold over 10,000 units. I will put up good money that any out of the box S&W will outshoot any out of the box Ruger. Every day and twice on Sunday.

It really isn't fair to compare them to the Performance Center revolver's you are right about that. But the P.C. revolvers are not 3 times the price of the Super RedHawk.

The S&W also has a superior trigger out of the box. I have a hard time believing you guy's think an investment casting revolver will shoot with a S&W??

I will admit the Ruger is probably a more durable piece, that is if you draq your revolver on a chain behind your truck. Or if you use it for a club. S&W did have a problem with their earlier 29's and heavy loads, but the new one's will handle heavy loads with no problem.

I spent years training pistol shooter's at an indoor range in B.G., KY. I spent many hours with people and myself shooting Ruger's and S&W's. And as far as accuracy, workmanship, and trigger's the Ruger just does not stand up against the S&W.

Let the flames begin. Tom.

[Steve in PA]

In .44mag.........I'll take a Ruger SRH over a S&W.......anytime. There ain't nothing wrong with the SRH trigger.

My first handgun was a S&W 6" 686 and it was a very accurate revolver.

[whitedogone]

I'm thinking about tha 7.5" barrell with open sights. Will I be giving up a lot in groups going that route instead of a 9" with optics? WDO

[papapaul]

Once when I showed somebody my stock model 19 S&W, and told him it had a good trigger, he went to his truck and showed me a Colt Python with a (then) $500 clark rework. I had no idea a double action revolver could be so nice.

[T.Zimm]

I'm thinking about tha 7.5" barrell with open sights. Will I be giving up a lot in groups going that route instead of a 9" with optics? WDO
Hey Guys! You have turned his post into a Ruger VS. S&W thread....He asked about calibers. I think you would be MUCH better off with a 7.5" barrel and here is why; Handyness...Those long barrels look cool, but are hard to pack around and carry in a holster. I dont think you would give up very much in velocity or accuracy. If you were planning on shooting Sillhouette I would recommend the long barrel. But carrying it through the wood lines and fences and timber of Illinois; I would definetly want the shorter barrel. I was born and raised in Pike co....So I know what the terrain is like. My personal weapon of choice is a worked over Colt Anaconda with a Ported barrel. You will get a longer sight radius with the longer barrel but you would be giving up ease of carry. Do you have any buddies with a long barrel pistol you could try? See if you prefer it? Good luck.:)

[Markbo]

Sorry guy's but I ain't buying it. I have owned a couple of dozen of both revolver's. And have probably sold over 10,000 units. I will put up good money that any out of the box S&W will outshoot any out of the box Ruger. Every day and twice on Sunday.

It really isn't fair to compare them to the Performance Center revolver's you are right about that. But the P.C. revolvers are not 3 times the price of the Super RedHawk.

The S&W also has a superior trigger out of the box. I have a hard time believing you guy's think an investment casting revolver will shoot with a S&W??

I will admit the Ruger is probably a more durable piece, that is if you draq your revolver on a chain behind your truck. Or if you use it for a club. S&W did have a problem with their earlier 29's and heavy loads, but the new one's will handle heavy loads with no problem.

I spent years training pistol shooter's at an indoor range in B.G., KY. I spent many hours with people and myself shooting Ruger's and S&W's. And as far as accuracy, workmanship, and trigger's the Ruger just does not stand up against the S&W.

Let the flames begin. Tom.

So Tom, you saying you shot all 10,000 of those guns you sold? if not, so what? I tell you what...you bring any out of the box, non PC S&W and I will bring any one of my out of the box Redhawks and we can just shoot 'em for group. How's that? I will shoot mine with 320gr loads jacked up to HERE for as long as I live and I am willing to bet my Redhawk will never shoot loose.

You willing to bet the same on any out of the box model 29? And I will be damned if PC revolvers don't cost 2 to 3 times the price of a Ruger! I can buy a brand new SBH .44 any day for $500. Do you have a line on a brand new PC for less than $1000?

'Cause I can sure buy a used SBH for nearer $400 and that is close to 3 times. Note I never said 3 times... I said "2 to 3 times the price of a typical Ruger sixgun". Never said SRH specifically either.

So out of the box does an S&W have a better trigger. Sure... 99 times out of 100 I'll give you that even if it isn't true. Spend less than $50 on the Ruger and you can surpass it and still have spent a heckuva lot less money on a gun that will shoot any load you ever want to into little bitty groups and not shoot loose.

If this were not true, the entire handgun hunting world would be hunting with S&W's and for the most part, this is not true. They are hunting with single and double action Rugers.

And the best thing? NO LOCK!!!!!

[CJ in Wy]

My experience is limited to a couple of revolvers and calibers so take it for what its worth. I tryed the pistol thing for deer hunting but went back to the 12 guage shotgun because it was more natural and faster handling.
Dads got a couple of S&W 357s and to my surprise the 3-4"? barreled one outshoots the 6-8" barrel and handles a lot better. Both are a little lite for deer if I was using them but Dad gets along just fine. The father-in-law has a S&W in 44mag that shoots great but when he offered me a deal on it I turned it down as I was really looking for a 45lc.
I've had the hot trots for a SRH since I handled one a few years ago. I got lucky and found one on one of the boards in 454Casull that had been sent to Magna-port(porting, forcing cone, trigger and cylinder indexing) for a very fair price. The 7½" barrel is more than I want to carry everyday but not at all cumbersome while hunting...I would not want any more barrel as the 15" TC I have is a pain to carry.
The 454Casull is more than enough for deer and me for that matter. The 45lc fits right in, is fun to shoot and to me is a great deer round. I like the 45lc but doubt a deer could tell the difference between a 44mag and the 45lc. Bigger is better but it comes at the cost of brass, bullets and recoil. I got my SRH used for a great price cause the guy that had it didn't like the recoil, the porting helps a little but full house 454 loads are a real hand full...
As for accuracy??? All I have shot in it so far are loads worked up in the 15" TC barrel but they seam to work OK :D
http://photos.imageevent.com/cjnmn/prairiedogs/websize/Casual%20012.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/cjnmn/prairiedogs/websize/Casual%20020.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/cjnmn/prairiedogs/websize/Casual%20017.jpg

I didn't have a holster to carry it while antelope hunting so I just tucked in my boot (it blends in quite nicely), it worked alright but am looking into getting a shoulder holster.
If I could have gotten closer than 200 yards I would have used the pistol.... Maybe next year?
http://photos.imageevent.com/cjnmn/deer/websize/Paulsonhunt07%20084.jpg

[whitedogone]

"I can buy a brand new SBH .44 any day for $500"

I sure would like to find a NIB SBH for $500. It seems they are closer to $700 here. WDO

[HEAD0001]

I knew I was going to get flamed. And you are correct I did not shoot a lot of the revolver's I sold. But I do know how many I got back. And I got a lot of Ruger's back because of inaccuracy. I had to tell the customer it was their responsibilty. Ruger does not have an accuracy guarantee. But I will admit their service is fantastic. I sent a Super BlackHawk Hunter back for inaccuracy(personal revolver), they sent me a pistol with a replaced barrel, and it was a shooter. Please notice I am not saying S&W has an accuracy guarantee either-but I did not have to send S&W's back because of inaccuracy. As a matter of fact I do not remember ever sendig a S&W back-but I am sure it happened.

I really believe what I am saying. I would definitely be willing to bet that if you take a regular Model 29 and a SRH out of the box and shoot them both-the S&W will win almost every time. I have done it too many times. We had range guns that customers could shoot. I remember when the SRH came out. We could not decide whether to shoot it or use it as a club. Way overbuilt. But that is necessary when you build with investment casting.

I do not doubt your word about being able to buy a new SRH for $500-that is a little cheap in my area, but I do believe you. And I apologize the "3 times" was a cheap shot. Please accept my apology. I did not mean for it to be a cheap shot. But when I reread my post I think it came out that way.

And as far as SRH's there is a reason they are available cheap on the used market. People want to get rid of them. You do not see used 29's that often, and they definitely are not selling them cheap to get rid of them.

Ask your gun dealer what he would rather have for resale. A used SRH or a used 629. No need to ask-I already know the answer. He wants the Smith.

The comment about the Colt Python is spot on. I have a pair of 38 Secial Target models(nickel plated). They are the finest shooting revolver's I have ever shot. The trigger and timing on those two pistols is second to none. I did have a Model 10 custom pin gun one time that shot as well as the Python's, but I spent a good bit of money to have that revolver built.

Now to address the post(SORRY), I would purchase a 6 inch S&W in 41 magnum or 44 magnum. The 44 will be cheaper to shoot. Stainless is nice, but there is nothing wrong with the blued pistol. Not to start another argument but a lot of people believe the blued steel model's shoot slightly better than the stainless. This is not my opinion, but I have heard it before. Tom.

[Markbo]

... And as far as SRH's there is a reason they are available cheap on the used market. People want to get rid of them. You do not see used 29's that often, and they definitely are not selling them cheap to get rid of them.

Ask your gun dealer what he would rather have for resale. A used SRH or a used 629. No need to ask-I already know the answer. He wants the Smith.
...


heh heh heh... I don't know people wanting to get rid of them is true, but the price part sure is!

[mwatson]

I think from 41mag to the 454 is quality all the way. Depending what range you are attempting to kill. 150 yds and closer.
Mike

[Oleman]

I own several Rugers and more S&W's I like them all. But before you make a decision on a hunting handgun shoot a Freedom Arms gun. I like the .475 Limbaugh.