Author Topic: Thanks to Members from new SBH Hunter Owner (Read 655 times)

Mawgie · « **on:** September 06, 2004, 03:09:16 AM »

Folks -

I purchased a SBH Hunter in .44 Magnum after much deliberation earlier this year. My first hand gun. My first trips to the range were pretty depressing, but after posting here I got great tips nad encouragement.

The gun now wears a Nikon 1.5-4.5x pistol scope, and I handload for it using Dillon equipment. My standard load is large pistol primer + 24.0 Grains of H110 + 240 XTP.

Yesterday I shot my best group ever: 6 rounds at 25 yards into .63 inches. I covered the hole with a dime!! Here's a link to a picture of the group and gun:

http://img78.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img78&image=RugerTightGroup09-04-04.jpg

As you can imageine, I am really liking my Ruger now. It will be my primary weapon for any treestands I have with sub 60 yard shots.

Thanks to everyone for their help.

Good shooting - Mawgie[/url]

myronman3 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 06, 2004, 03:32:50 AM »

outstanding! i know mine is very accurate with 240 gr. noslers. i shot a cylinder threw it at 75 yards and shot a two inch group. i havent had the chance to try hornady xtp's as i switched to cast bullets for their price (i get lots of free lead and decided to cast my own-i get them REAL cheap now). although i get good accuracy with cast, i havent been able to duplicate that group at that distance yet.
i am glad things have come together for you, and wish you the best of luck hunting this year (we do expect pictures :wink: ).

bigjeepman · « **Reply #2 on:** September 06, 2004, 06:04:08 AM »

Mawgie ...

Awesome group with your .44 mag. I am searching now for a similar setup in .45 lc though it was not offered in a Bisley in that caliber. I shoot XTP's in .45 lc and .357 mag and really like the results though they are pretty expensive to shoot compared to cast. The XTP's almost doubles the cost per round in my .357 mag reloads.

Thanks for the picture.

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #3 on:** September 06, 2004, 07:33:44 AM »

thank you very much Mawgie ive been looking for a picture of the nikon in stainless with the ruger never seen one except in blue now after i decided to go with the bushnell elite for my 41 ruger im haveing second thoughts about it lmmfao looks like im going back to the maken up my mind lol so how is the eye releif & the finish working out for you?
all so dose it looks like it will take full house loads an smile?
thanks
dave

oso45-70 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2004, 08:05:28 AM »

Mawgie.
WOW, Looks like you hit one out of the park. Thats Great Shooting. Nice looking rig. I know where to find you now. Just listen for the pistol shots
and there you will be. Awsome looking rig. Good luck and stay safe.........
..Joe............

TScottO · « **Reply #5 on:** September 06, 2004, 08:17:45 AM »

I havent seen many stock revolvers that will group as well as yours at 25yards. That ones a keeper for sure. With this being your first handgun and in 44 magnum you have made marked improvements as well to be shooting one holers in such a short period of time. I guess its time to change your avatar? Congrats.

Be Safe,
Scott

Mawgie · « **Reply #6 on:** September 06, 2004, 08:41:53 AM »

Guys -

Thanks for all the positive feedback. I gotta tell you, I really stunk up the range when I first got the gun last winter. I am left handed and promptly developed a helluva flinch that had me pulling every shot about six inches to the right. I initially incorrectly compensated for that by adjusting the sight to shoot left, then smartened up and posted here to get some advice, after I couldn't adjust the sight to shoot left any further!!

I have since gotten my rangework down to a more precise routine. My grip is much more consistent, as is my sight picture and my squeeze. It's funny, when I shot that group, after the third round I knew I had a potential best string going, and stayed in the groove to finish off the other three smoothly enough to set a personal best. I'm pleased with my progress, and am ready to move out to 50 yards to see how close I can put them.

SLAVAGE: I bought that Nikon scope used. I don't think they make them any more. All of my other scopes are Leupolds, on long guns, and I freely admit to being an optics elitist. I first mounted the Nikon without lapping the Ruger rings, and after 200 rounds noticed that the scope had slipped a 1/2", leaving a nice digger in the pretty scope finish to remind me forever. I bought a lapping kit from Midway USA, lapped the rings, reinstalled them, and everything has been finest kind ever since.

The Nikon scope is nice and bright, and I am very pleased with it. It has a slight gold luster, but overall matches the SBH Hunter very well. With scope, the SBH weighs 4.5 pounds unloaded, whjich is heavy. Everyone who picks it up says so. I like the extra weight, come full house load time, though.

I do think the 4.5x on the high range of the zoom is overkill. I shoot 1.5 - 3x, and that's about it. At those powers, it's easy to acquire the target with a nice bright sight picture. Eye relief is excellent. I shoot it just about straight armed, and plan to hunt with it from a Summit Viper treestand, with a gun rest.

Anyways, thanks again guys. I wanted to share some success with you, because you were all very supportive when I limped onto the forum, knowing a whole lot was wrong with my form and not knowing how to get it squared away. I'm shooting beeter because of you.

Regards-Mawgie