Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter advice

[lockflow26]

I recently bought a Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter and was looking for any advice anyone was willing to give about optic, holster and ammunition to make this an effective hunting weapon. Thanks!

[carpsniperg2]

I would look into a good leupold or burris handgun scope to start with. I have 2 burris scopes on 2 of my hunting handguns and one leupold. I have used red dots but am not a huge fan on them when setting up a handgun just for hunting. I really like the gold dots for a hunting bullet. I have also shot more then a few animals with the xtp bullets with pretty good results. I do prefer the sleet gold dot HP for big game.

[brokenvet]

What caliber, .44 mag or .45LC?  For the LC I would go Buffalo bore 325grains @ 1325fps

[jager]

I've got a Super Redhawk in .454 casull. I have a Leupold 2.5 x 8 x 32 vari-x extended eye relief scope for it. I like the scope but I currently have it off.
I like open sights for the handgun sometimes....I find target acquisition easier at close range w/o optics.
I have a shoulder holster that I use for hunting. 
Good luck!

[lockflow26]

It's a .44 mag. Thanks for the advice!

[Huntbear]

lockflow....

If you want something for bear and elk.. try Sierra's 300 gr. jacketed soft point bullet  (designed for bear and boar) for the .44 mag.  Loaded up with H110.  The Ruger cylnders are long enough to seat these out where they belong, so you get full use of powder space. 

I can also give you some other advice.. get a spring kit and have a trigger job done on it.  I have done many of them, and it makes a world of difference.  I would also get a set of Hogue or similar type rubber grips if not already on the gun... they make shooting a lot more fun.

[lockflow26]

I'll look into al that huntbear. I appreciate it.

[hillbilli]

I use a shorter barreled super blackhawk, I've had good results on critters with the 300gr xtp, but I do think the gold dot is a better bullet based only the testing (including deer) that i've done with it in .357. For the .44 magnum I load 200gr lead at about 1200 for a practice load, and use 200-240gr for everything but really big stuff. get to where you can hit good, know your effective range, and use a bullet that will penetrate enough. 

[Sportfury]

lowflock26 do you have any updates on your setup. I am planning to buy one right after the new year.

HuntBear can a non-gunsmith do the springs themselves?

Also I want the bisley model hunter. Will the Hogue grips help on that?

[RadSav]

Had a Buris 2-7 on mine.  Would probably go 1.5-4 if I were to do it again.

Tip:  Don't use your jacket to soften your rest.  Had a new hunting jacket I purchased at the same time as the gun.  After shooting six shots I went to check out the target close up.  Looked back and my jacket was on fire.  That was $100.00 down the drain in a quick hurry.

[Biggerhammer]

I would look into a good leupold or burris handgun scope to start with. I have 2 burris scopes on 2 of my hunting handguns and one leupold. I have used red dots but am not a huge fan on them when setting up a handgun just for hunting. I really like the gold dots for a hunting bullet. I have also shot more then a few animals with the xtp bullets with pretty good results. I do prefer the sleet gold dot HP for big game.

Right on the money, I like Leupold pistol scopes but have found the eye relief with the Burris pistol scopes to be more forgiving for me, the eye alignment isn't as critical. XTP's really get the job done!

[JackOfAllTrades]

44 mag killing efficiency from a 7 1/2" barrel is out to 75 yds on most deer and should be less for Elk and Bear. (not that it can't be done at longer ranges from skilled shooters. -please don't start that argument in this thread.) But I would recommend becoming efficient with iron sights, or even installing a rear peep sight and practicing out to 50yds with target loads then work up to shooting 50-75yds with hunting loads. All you're looking to do is pepper a 6" plate at those ranges off hand. Better from a rest. I think a short barreled hunting arm should not be scoped. (My god I hate to see scopes on lever action carbines!) That's the whole idea, quick aquiring Iron sights for short distances in brushy limited sight conditions. If you're interested in an unscoped very comfortable shoulder holster made in the northwest, send me a pm and I'll dig up the contact information. Personally, if you're getting the Bisley grip frame, then you don't need rubber grips. It is already more comfortable to shoot than a standard framed SBH. Just don't fight the recoil.

Loads:
Although 18.8gns of AA #9 pushing a 250gn Sierra FPJ will print better than 2" groups from my 7 1/2" SBH Bisley at 50yds, For a hunting load I run a little hotter at 19.5gns of AA #9, or 23.2gns of Win296.  Work up to these loads looking for pressure signs.

I am also quite fond of 18.7gns of AA #9 or 20.8gns of Win296 pushing a Sierra 300gn JSP as hunting loads.  Work up to these loads looking for pressure signs.

For a little less recoil and good Yote medicine (Or close Blacktail), the 240gn Sierra JHP pushed by 21.5gns of AA #9 is devistating.

A nice practice load I like is one of my own Lee 260gn hard lead cast (water quenched) bullets, pushed by 7.5gns of Win231.

All barrels are different. If you're a hand loader, experament a lot to find what works best for your gun.

-Steve

[RadSav]

I too recommend the XTP bullet for hunting.  Results on bear and pigs has been devastating.  Never used the gold dot HP so I do not know how they compare.

[ing]

I have that exact gun and it shoots great with 300gr xtp's backed with 19gr of H110.  Makes one hell of a grouse gun lol.

[Seabeckian]

I have the exact same gun, I went with the leupold after doing some research and have been very happy with it. If your looking for a great hunting holster, I love my "Kodiak Shoulder Holster" by Galco. It's beautifully made and I like having the weight in front of my chest rather than on my hip (even with my heavy Galco holster belt, that much weight is very torque-ing on the waist ). My only complaint about it, other than the $200 cost, is that for my 6' 180lb frame, it didn't cinch up quite tight enough for my liking, so I ended up having the over the shoulder strap altered to fit better (chest strap was fine).