Pistol hunting for deer in the PNW

[KingFisher85]

Pistol hunting for deer in the PNW

Out of the two, that's the best?

Ruger Stainless Super Redhawk
Ruger Stainless Super Blackhawk

What might be the best barrel length?

7 1/2in
9 1/2in

[ 12-28-2003, 05:54 AM: Message edited by: KingFisher85 ]

[bllelk]

Kingfisher:
You seem set on a revolver. Have you considered a single shot like the TC Contender in .35 Remington? This is an excellent brush busting cartridge.
I am not going to tell you it is a pleasure to shoot however. :shocked:

[ 12-29-2003, 10:23 AM: Message edited by: bllelk ]

[TonTo]

I'ld say both would work just fine but I'ld go with the longer barrel givin the choice.The black hawk is a single and red hawk a double your choice how ever if you would want to use optics I'ld go with the red halk since it is already set with scope mounts and the red hawk is avalible in in larger calibers(.454,and .480)I don't know if you can get anymore than a .44 mag in the blackhawk but .44 is a very capable deer cartrage but marginal at best for elk.

[Ragnar]

Kingfisher85,
Hey man. Here's my two cents, for what it's worth....
I sometimes hunt with a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag. with a 10.5" barrel. It is a single action=lighter than double actions. The longer barrel makes for better distance and accuracy.
There's nothing wrong with these other suggestions. This is merely my opinion...
The single shots (Contenders) are fine and dandy. I'm not that great of a shot I guess. So, it's nice knowing that you have a few extra (5) shots to back you up with out reloading.
I bought a Super Redhawk 44 mag. w/ a 7.5" barrel (when I was younger and knew it all) and put scope on it and the whole enchilada. What club that was. Too dang heavy. Even with a full-on shoulder holster.
Plus with a single action revolver, you look like some sort of cowboy action hero or something. If that's what you're lookin' fer? Did I mention they are cheaper? You can probably pick one up for $200-$250 used.
simple=better IMHO.
Good luck out there,
Ragnar

[KingFisher85]

bllelk
I have a T/C Contender, 3 barrel set, all super 14s, 22lr/leupold 2x, 35rem/redfeild 2-7, and a sweet little 7mmTCU
Oh, and I LOVE shooting my 35rem. Gots me thinking I need a 45/70 barrel for her (super 14 30-30win barrel coming first when I find that good deal(hint hint anyone out there with one :grin: )

Why I want a revolver. Well, the Battle Ground/Yale units are both firearm restricted hunts. Shotguns, smoke poles, bows and "revolving type pistols" only. Can't use a single shot or auto pistol. That is a good law just cause we would get people with them Savage bolt action pistols shooting an 308 or an 30/06, or like me, 35rem out of the T/C :grin:

If I get a revolver, I think I would have to try out one of them nice red dot scopes. But that's another thing, them Ruger are heavy, 7 1/2in barrel to a 9-10in barrel. Have yet to put the two side by side and see how the feel.
Is the longer barrel really going to help me much? Yes, if I'm shooting a deer in a clear cut. No if I'm 30 yards away in the timber? Do I really hunt lots of clear cuts? No not really, just pass thu them.
Just kinda wondering how a 7 1/2in barrel compares to a 9-10in barrel at 50 yards.

I do believe that, both the Redhawk and Blackhawk have two different models. They are the super models that have the built on scope mounting deal.

[billc_sbio]

KingFisher,

I too have a Contender (and have hunted and taken Deer with it) with different barrels ranging from .357 Herrett down to .22LR. Before I bought my Contender, I went hunting with another fellow who had one in "Super 14" configuration in .30-30. I tried his pistol, and while I was amazed at the long range accuracy and firepower of the .30 W.C.F. "hot loaded" for a short barrel and using pointed bullets vs. the traditional lever action style flat points, I wasn't thrilled with the "carryability" (is that a word?) of the Contender w/14" barrel.

Thus, when I got mine, all my "hunting" barrels, with the exception of a 14" 7-30 Waters, are in 10" "bull" barrels. BTW, my favorites are my .22 Hornet barrel and also one in .256 Win Mag.

Because of the 10" barrel's limitations on what powders will work, .30-30 was out of the question. I dropped back to the original solution, the .30 Herrett. It was with my .30 Herrett that I shot my Deer with my Contender. I used the then new Nosler Ballistic Tip .30 cal. in 130g, which actually was designed to be fired in 7.62x39 ammo. BTW, if flat dropped that Mulie, stone dead, just like that from about 90 yards!

But back to the Ruger "Hawks". I had a friend who started shooting silouette, in the mid-80s. He bought himself a Redhawk .44 Mag when they were pretty new on the market. Now his wasn't the "Super" Redhawk. His had a barrel that screwed into the front of the frame in the "conventional" manner, NOT the very strong but very UGLY Super Redhawk with the round tube barrel that screws in 2" out.

One thing I remember about the Redhawk (that I believe is unchanged in the "Super" version) was the fact that my friend was trying to "tune up" his trigger to make it more "shootable" for this very competitive sport he was embarking into. If I recall correctly one of the main drawbacks he encountered was the Redhawk used what might be called a "trigger group/firing mechanism". That's to say that the Trigger and (hammer) Mainspring were all in one unit and in fact one spring! I don't think he was ever able to resolve the "tuning" aspect to his liking, and after a year of dabbling with it, he ended up selling it to another friend of mine, who uses it to decorate the inside of a drawer somewhere.

So...If I were in your shoes (and I like your idea about the Dot sight...MUCH easier to use than the 3X Burris I have on the .30 Herrett barrel) I don't think that ballistically you'd be gaining that much with the .44 Mag cartridge and the longer barrel. From the carrying aspect, having owned most available barrel lengths, I'd go (in the Ruger, 7-1/2") tho I have come to favor 5"-6" barrels for "hunting" revolvers, and 3"-6" barrels for "carry" revolvers. The longer barrelled version isn't going to do anything sight radius wise, assuming you're putting "optics" on it.

So I think given the choice between the Super Redhawk and the Super Blackhawk, I'd jump at the Super BLACKHAWK in and instant.

Given ANY revolver choice, I think I'd go for a Freedom Arms in either .44 Mag or .454 Casull, simply because Freedom Arms' revolvers are some of the inherently most ACCURATE handguns made by anyone anywhere! Their big 5-shooter in .454 wouldn't be giving up anything to a Contender in .35 Rem. I'm guessing!

[KingFisher85]

Them Freedom Arms are real nice handguns, but the price, just a little to much.

I've heard good things about the Super 14 30-30win barrel for the T/C if you can reload yourself some kinda pointed bullet.
Don't have me a hand loader just yet, but I know someone that does :grin:

[KingFisher85]

Well, got to talking with mom, showed her one like this one....

I gotta green light :grin:

Was down at the local gun shop today looking at a few Rugers BlackHawk models. The guy had a real nice Ruger BlackHawk 44mag with a blued barrel goin for $350...was really thinking on it but if I'm gonna be getting one its gonna be a Stainless steel Super BlackHawk 7 1/2in barrel.

I also looked at a few S&W but did not like there grips. The grips on them just seemed to skinny and I did not like the way they felt. The Rugers just felt better. I also like the idea how handloaders love the Rugers. They are built to take more hot loads.

What the idea is, I'm gonna sell this new 3.5in 12ga shotgun I just got to pay for bout 3/4 of the total cost of the pistol. But I'm still waiting for that right deal.

He also had a nice Super 14 T/C Contender barrel chambered for the 44mag going for $150 and it was perfect blue/bore. Was trying to talk him into a trade for a Super 14 7mmTCU barrel :grin:

[ 01-22-2004, 10:32 PM: Message edited by: KingFisher85 ]

[Swamp Puppy]

i've got a super redhawk with a 7.5" barrel that is chambered in the .454 Casull. i imagine that should be adequate for hunting with...

[billc_sbio]

Hey Kingfisher 85,

That is a SWEET lookin Ruger Super Blackhawk you're looking at there!

Knowing your constraints on having to go with a revolver vs. a single shot, I think your choice there is the best bang for the buck!

Go for it!

Don't forget to let us know when you've got it and shot it!

[Gus Orviston]

I have both the FA and the Ruger Super RH. The FA is an awesome gun, it oozes quality. I carry both and enjoy shooting both. Initially I wasn't happy with the Ruger trigger pull,, it is 5-1/2 to 7 pounds for single action- not good for hunting. The Freedom Arms came at a scootch under 3 and smooth as silk. I then installed a Wolff Spring kit and did some polish work on the Ruger trigger and got it down to 3 pounds. A smith will charge about 100 to do it, and it is well worth it IMO. If you want to feel the results come on by.

7 1/2 versus 9 1/2 is moot. The additional length is mostly getting you an increased radius, but if you are using a scope or red dot which I use both, the extra two inches couldn't be measured down field by the average guy. I am grouping 3 1/2 inches at 100 yards with the FA and just over with the SRH. But the Super I am shooting Elmer Keith style loads...they are fun and don't abuse the hand at all.

gus

[KingFisher85]

"the extra two inches couldn't be measured down field by the average guy"

I don't really get what your saying, but what it sounds to me is that its different for everyone?

[The Overfishin Condition]

KF- I think he's saying, that unless you're a crackshot, the gun without the extra two inches will still be more accurate then you, and you won't be able to outshoot the pistol. I think.

[Gus Orviston]

YEP. I think a person shooting an open sight will enjoy/benefit the extra radius, but the accuracy in the bullet is going to be a wash due to lenght. The extra 2" isn't going to make much difference down field.

Elmer Keith was shooting tight groups at 100 yards shooting a 4" barrel w/ SW29. Open sights to boot.. most of us will never ever get there.

curious what others have experience.

gus

[Fish Hawg]

Does anyone have the new S&W .500, or have you shot one. I would like to get one....Ross

[KingFisher85]

I'm most likely gonna keep it with open sights, but you never know. I like the idea of putting a scope on it if I really get into it. Only reason why I want a scope is for low light, early morning or right before sun down.
So will just have to see what happens.

Most my shooting will most likely be done at 50-60 yards. But a few spots that I sit and wait for the deer (apple trees :grin: ) most my shooting is 10-30 yards.
So what I'm looking at is how a 7 1/2in barrel shoots at 50 yards.

Heck if I know.........................Guess I'll just see what happens when I buy my own :grin:

I was looking at a bunch of S&Ws but I just did not like there grips.

[Degner]

Des. Eagle .44

[billc_sbio]

Back in the days when they were "impossible to get", I (thought I) wanted an 8-3/8" S&W Model 29.

I had my name on the "waiting list" at a gunshop for over 2 yr.s!

In the interim, I ended up buying a really nice Model 27 (.357 Mag.), its' little brother, with an 8-3/8" barrel.

What I discovered was I ended up not LIKING the long barrel that much! Oh sure, it had a nice, long, sight radius, but the balance felt "odd".

I ended up buying an excellent Used Model 29 w/6-1/2" barrel, a real "Dirty Harry" model...before they had "Mod. 29" stamped on 'em! (Had "SXXXX").

That barrel length was just right for me! Eventually, a friend of mine out of state talked me out of it and in its place is a 6" 629 "Magnum Hunter" with the heavy underlug and unfluted cylinder to add as much weight to the revolver as possible.

I can shoot the ~6" barrelled models about as well as I can shoot the longer ones. Having the shorter barrel is also a lot more convenient when packing it around too.

[ 01-30-2004, 03:55 PM: Message edited by: billc_sbio ]

[Gus Orviston]

with a 7 1/2 barrel w/open sights, and practice you should be able to master some good groups at 50 yard. Sticks might be of some use too.

gus