REVOLVER INDECISION: SBH Hunter v. Redhawk... HELP!

[Mawgie]

Folks -

I am 99% home. It's either a .44 Mag stainless Ruger Super Blackhawk Bisley Hunter in .44 Mag (model # KS47NHB), or a .44 Mag stainless Ruger Redhawk with the same 7.5" barrel length and the same integral scope mounts (model # KRH-44R+).

I am paralyzed with indecision because I love both guns. Can some people intervene here and give me some pros and cons?

By way of background, I live in the northeast, and this gun will be used extensively at the range, handloaded for accuracy; and for whitetail deer hunting, mostly from a treestand. The long shot where I live and hunt is 100 yards, much more often than not 80 yards or significantly less.

I know that the Redhawk has slightly longer barrel chambers, and will, for example, take the Garret's 330 grain 44Mag broad meplat ammunition. A plus, but not at all necessary for deer. Also, the Garrett 310 grain rounds are acceptable in the SBH.

On the other hand, the Redhawk double action has an obvious feature that the single action Super Blackhawk does not. No deal breaker to me. I don't plan to do much double action shooting.

Many have posted that double action recoil is softer and more manageable than single action recoil. I've always had a hard time believing that from a load transfer standpoint. Can someone who believes this clarify the point with some technical explanation?

What I'd like to know about are the pros and cons re: handling; packing; trigger pull; reliability; the "nooks and crannies", so to speak. In short, which is more pleasant to live with at the range or in the field?

I suspect that it will boil down to apples and oranges. I believe they are both graeat choices.

Thanks for any input.
Regards- Mawgie

[Bob C]

I suggest you choose the one which seems to you to have the best balance and feel.

FWIW, the Bisley is my favorite of the Ruger large caliber revolvers.

[Lawdog]

Mawgie,

I have both the Super Blackhawk and a Redhawk and I find the controlling the recoil of the Blackhawk somewhat easier than the Redhawk.  I believe it is due to the grip on the single action lets them "roll back".  Most likely just me But for what you stated it is to be used for I would go with the Super Blackhawk Hunter.  Lawdog
 

[Tom W.]

I dunno... I sold a 10inch SBH to a friend of mine,and he put a scope on it. It changed the point of balance tremendously, and the recoil was not the same as it was beforehand. using the same loads, it was rather ugly. However, my son's scoped SRH in .480 Ruger was easy to shoot, with felt recoil seemingly less than that of the scoped SBH.  Go figure. But keep it in Stainless steel.

[dpastor]

Mawgie

My single action mag experience is from many years ago.  As I remember, the pistol rolled in my hand while at the same time climbing high.

My Redhawk .44 Mag (7.5" with scope rib) with pachmeyer "rubber" grips is comfortable during a 50-60 round full power day at the range.  This is not to say that the 60 shocks to the body won't be felt later that day, but this would be true for either gun.

Visually, nothing can best a classic single action, however, a swing out cylinder beats a loading gate and ejector rod any day.

Still having trouble, try to find two good USED guns so you have one of each.

[Lawdog]

Bama Boy,

I sold a 10inch SBH to a friend of mine,and he put a scope on it. It changed the point of balance tremendously, and the recoil was not the same as it was beforehand.

I would like to know if your friend mounted that scope too far forward?  Or did he keep the center of the weight of the scope over the cylinder?  I have found it really makes a difference how/where the scope is mounted.  Lawdog