Ruger 7-1/2" .44 mag hunter. . . .

[DJWright]

Anyone have experience with the hunter? Looking for a good 300 yard rock popper. Wondering how they shoot in general. We have one at the shop that i can't seem to leave alone. Would do an action job, spring change, checkered grips, etc. Input?

[flatgate]

I've not fired one but I've read rave reviews.   Try a 300 gr. cast, gas checked LBT syle of bullet over a stiff charge of WW-296/H-110 sparked by CCI-350 primers.  That load is wonderful in my 6-1/2" to 10-1/2" Ruger .44's.

Checkered Grips? Oh, my, they would turn my paws into bloody stumps.

JMHO,

flatgate

[myronman3]

i had one, it was nice. 

[chucky52]

I have one. I highly recommend a Bisley grip due to the recoil. Win white box shot nicely in it. I really want a plinking round and my feeling is that W231 min charge is a great load for hogs, etc;but, not a plinking load at all. I've tried with 180 gr., 240 gr and 300 gr. Above min powder charge this would be mule! I know some people shoot long distances and I do lighter rounds in other guns. After 50 yards with the 44 M Hunter, my groups break down; but, I'm working on it. It's a very pleasant handgun except with max charge and heavy projectiles. The Ruger cylinder bores are monstrous, you can beat a bullet up with a sledge hammer and it will still drop in and drop out. If you can reload and are not recoil shy, buy one. I do not regret this purchase it's a keeper.

[DJWright]

Went ahead and took it home a week or so ago. Shoots my hardcast LBTs just fine. In the process of smoothing off all the sharp edges and performing an action job now. Think I'm going to like it a lot! Now if I could just get my hands on a can of 2400 . . . . . . . .

[flatgate]

I really like the Hunter Grip Frame!  I installed one on a stainless .45 cal. Blackhawk along with a Super Blackhawk hammer. I simply
"bent" the trigger spring a wee bit to get a lighter pull.  I'll ALWAYS retain the original mainsprings, or, in the case of my "hot loaded" .44's and .45's, will often swap out the hammer spring for a slightly stronger Ruger Old Army version (which Ruger utilized on their .357 Maximum chambered Blackhawks in the early 1980's.)

flatgate