Author Topic: Almost ready to purchase a Ruger SRH, couple more questions! (Read 1183 times)

raynor · « **on:** December 08, 2004, 01:05:02 PM »

This will be my next hunting handgun, like I really need another one. :-D

What kind of accuracy can be expected from a Ruger SRH in 44 Mag ? 7 1/2" barrel and scoped at 50 yards.

I've had a bunch of 44's, Contenders, Encores, G2's, 29's, 629's, you name it. So far the 29 has been my favorite, but now I want a SRH.

Tell me I don't need one, tell me they don't shoot, anything.

RCL · « **Reply #1 on:** December 08, 2004, 01:37:34 PM »

My brother has one (which he is selling and I don't have the money to buy dang it!), it has the lomger 9 1/2" barrel and a 2x Leupold scope. When I was working up a load for it, I was able to get a best group @ 50 of 1" for six shots, off bags. Load was 22 grains of H110 under a Speer 300 grain soft point, CCI 350 primer (a near max book load). Great shooting gun with a variety of handloads, something like that would make a good in the woods stand gun.

Catfish · « **Reply #2 on:** December 08, 2004, 01:55:47 PM »

There is no way to tell what size groups you will get. To many variables, gun, sights, shooter, loads ect. Sounds like you have a good bit of experiance with handgun though and I would guess you`ll have pleanty of accuracy to take deer at 100 yrds., with a good rest, and maybe farther. I`ve only taken 1 deer so far this year and it was with a .357 max. on an Encore frame. Over the years I`ve killed more deer with the .44 mag. than anyother round, and like you I`m always looking for another gun. Next year I`ll be hunting with 2 handguns. A .500 S&W, scoped, for stands and a Ruger SRH in .454 for walking and driveing.

HappyHunter · « **Reply #3 on:** December 08, 2004, 03:14:28 PM »

I have a 7-1/2 SRH and like it very much...you have to overlook the ugly it will eventually grow on you.

I have shot 2-1/2 inch groups at 50 FEET off hand (one) with iron sights...I tried a red dot and removed it. If I scope it again in the future it will see a 2X leopold or similar.

You may want to consider a Wolff spring kit, this made a HUGE improvement on the trigger of mine.

HTH

Fred

TScottO · « **Reply #4 on:** December 08, 2004, 03:35:10 PM »

Raynor

In my opinion a hunting handgun, at the maximum, should shoot five inch groups at whatever range you are shooting at game. An over the counter hunting handgun should shoot 3-4 @ 50 yards in my opinion. The kill zone on a deer is smaller for handguns. Many people apply the pie plate rule with for a handgun but I fully disagree. This is just my standard and opinion.

My 629 will put 5 shots in the palm of your hand at 100 yards and the 6th shot is a slight flyer that spreads out to about the second joint of your index finger. I think this group should be common to other quality built guns in the same caliber.

Be Safe,
Scott

raynor · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2004, 10:33:10 AM »

The more I read thru old post, I've decided to go with the 454 instead of the 44. I do handload and there's a lot of mention about loading from mild to wild. I can find all kinds of data for good hunting loads, but what do you all use for target plinker loads. Like to stay with Casull brass and not shoot Colts in it. What's your favorite recipe ? Are there any good links on the web that you've found for plinker data ? Is Unique any good in the 454, works real well in the 45 Colt ?

Thanks ~~ Doug

RCL · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2004, 10:48:25 AM »

Freedom Arms web site has a bunch of .454 load data on it.

http://www.freedomarms.com/

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** December 11, 2004, 12:13:58 PM »

You don't need one. More importantly you don't really want one. Just Sooooo Ugly and heavy as a boat anchor. You can throw rocks more accurately. The .44 Mag in them kicks like a .454 Casull in the Raging Bull. By a Freedom Arms. Mine ships Monday.

safetysheriff · « **Reply #8 on:** December 11, 2004, 12:47:36 PM »

raynor,

hope your sponsorship is profitable to you, and thank you for the same. gb' is possibly right about the SRH'; but I bought the RedHawk, myself, in the 7 1/2" model (ss) and love it to death. it's the most beautiful thing made in stainless.....and it's as accurate as I can hold it.

buy a RedHawk and don't look back......because the RH' customers of Hamilton Bowen don't ! see his .454 Casull L-frame Redhawk, with its six-inch barrel and you'll be looking at art! www.bowenclassicarms.com/gallery5.html should get you there.

SS'

raynor · « **Reply #9 on:** December 11, 2004, 01:08:18 PM »

Graybeard,

You told me exactly what I asked for, that I don't need one and that they don't shoot.

The SRH's, either you love the look or hate it. Seem that their are more people that don't like their looks. I'm one that does!

Heavy as a boat anchor: That's a plus in by book, helps some with recoil. Can't be much heavier than a fully rigged T/C Encore with 15" barrel.

But seriously, throw rocks more accurately. Come on, truthfully! Are the 454's in a SRH really that horrible as far as accuracy. I'll be happy with 2" at 50 from bags, is that possible. Let me know here before it's to late and I have another post in the classifieds for a like new SRH 454.

For some reason I'm a Ruger fan, always have been. I sell a ton of Taurus, just not for me.

Curious to see some review from you on the Freedom Arms. ~~ Doug

raynor · « **Reply #10 on:** December 11, 2004, 01:12:51 PM »

Thanks SS,

Man, that is sweet. :eek:

Graybeard · « **Reply #11 on:** December 11, 2004, 01:22:39 PM »

Quote

But seriously, throw rocks more accurately. Come on, truthfully! Are the 454's in a SRH really that horrible as far as accuracy. I'll be happy with 2" at 50 from bags, is that possible. Let me know here before it's to late and I have another post in the classifieds for a like new SRH 454.

They won't shoot with a S&W, Dan Wesson or Taurus but yeah they should do 2" at 50 yards at least some of the time. I'd take the RH over the SRH if I were gonna get a Ruger DA but to each his own. The SRH doesn't do recoil all that well in spite of the weight. Pretty much everyone I know of who has both it and the RB say the SRH44 kicks like an RB454. I've shot both and I have to agree.

safetysheriff · « **Reply #12 on:** December 11, 2004, 04:13:33 PM »

Quote from: raynor

Thanks SS,

Man, that is sweet. :eek:

A Redhawk will make your eyes pop out, won't it? Did you notice the part about this is his "premiere big-bore, double-action revolver...."

A Ruger shot the first couple of perfect scores, I believe, in the IHMSA matches years ago. Mickey Fowler couldn't get enough of them....from some of the reading I've done and the pictures I've seen of those days.

Today the Freedom Arms and Dan Wessons are outscoring them......if that's the kind of game you're interested in. For me, however, with the hunting application I see the Redhawk as more practical.

Dollar for dollar I'll take a Redhawk.

SS'

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 12, 2004, 04:05:54 AM »

Quote from: Graybeard

Quote
But seriously, throw rocks more accurately. Come on, truthfully! Are the 454's in a SRH really that horrible as far as accuracy. I'll be happy with 2" at 50 from bags, is that possible. Let me know here before it's to late and I have another post in the classifieds for a like new SRH 454.

They won't shoot with a S&W, Dan Wesson or Taurus but yeah they should do 2" at 50 yards at least some of the time. I'd take the RH over the SRH if I were gonna get a Ruger DA but to each his own. The SRH doesn't do recoil all that well in spite of the weight. Pretty much everyone I know of who has both it and the RB say the SRH44 kicks like an RB454. I've shot both and I have to agree.

Graybeard with all respect that is a bunch of BS. S&W, Dan Wesson or Taurus out shooting a Redhawk. :roll: I glad I was going hunting when I read this, I had my hip waders on. :grin:

Graybeard · « **Reply #14 on:** December 12, 2004, 07:21:41 AM »

Quote

Graybeard with all respect that is a bunch of BS. S&W, Dan Wesson or Taurus out shooting a Redhawk. I glad I was going hunting when I read this, I had my hip waders on.

You ever done any competition shooting? I have. Lots of it. Also shot money games where the only rules were you took everyone else's money IF and only IF you hit more targets than them. Sure weren't any Ruger's taking home the money. In the NRA competition it was S&W and DW taking home the trophies in revolvers but eventually TCs beat them all out.

I've yet to see a Ruger outshoot a Raging Bull.

MH WASH · « **Reply #15 on:** December 12, 2004, 12:05:13 PM »

The .44 Mag in them kicks like a .454 Casull in the Raging Bull.

I take two issues with this. First, lots of guys will say a Blackhawk will recoil less than a SRH because of the grip angle. For me the SBH was way worse on recoil than the SRH, I was ready to give up on the 44mag until I shot the SRH and sold my SBH.
Second the Raging Bull is ported, now I have never shot the Raging Bull, But this is comparing apples to oranges.

Matt

Graybeard · « **Reply #16 on:** December 12, 2004, 12:38:54 PM »

No it's comparing a Ruger Double action to a Taurus Double action. Not apples to oranges it's Ruger to Taurus. Sadly Taurus wins that one hands down.

mr.frosty · « **Reply #17 on:** December 12, 2004, 02:01:59 PM »

I have a 480 SRH and love it! I plan on putting a reddot on soon and try that set up for awhile. So far I,m getting 1.5 inch groups at 25 yards
but plan on doing better. Maybe its just me dunno but I can shoot it
single hand in double action and hit a 4 inch post.As I said I love it
and will be using it next deer season.

safetysheriff · « **Reply #18 on:** December 12, 2004, 07:42:24 PM »

I'd rather clean a Ruger than shoot a Taurus.....and believe that's because of the beefy design of the Ruger and the ability to cheaply tune a good one.

I had rough chambers in the Ruger Bisley that I sold, but the finish of the firearm was absolutely beautiful. I've seen Taurus that just look cheap and undernourished. My present 5 1/2" Super Blackhawk came out of the box with a damned-near perfect trigger. And it will hold the groups as tight as I can shoot at 50 or 100 yds'. It's amazing. It does not pick up copper from jacketed bullets, and it barely picks up lead from the hardcast that I drive fast

(from National Bullet). I like to load 21+ gr's of wc-820 (-10% type), a 265 gr RNFP by NBC, in Rem' brass with Win' primers.

I would no longer buy a Taurus on a bet. I'd buy a Smith or a Ruger and never look back.

Just my opinion,

SS'

Graybeard · « **Reply #19 on:** December 12, 2004, 08:27:13 PM »

Guys it certainly makes me no difference what any of you spend your money on. Just relating personal experience from a 40+ year career of shooting handguns and being around others who do same.

I totally agree with the last comment on the Taurus guns. If you've looked much at the Taurus Forum here you'd see I too have given up on buying them. But to be honest I've no complaints on the RBs and know of few who do, none of them do I know personally.

My last Ruger to come home with me was an Accusport SS 5.5" Bisley in .45 Colt. It really is a keeper. Very accurate, more so than me I think. Has a good clean trigger and with one leg of spring off is entirely light enough and fine for all shooting I do with it. Fit and finish are all I'd expect from a mass produced gun. If Ruger did them all as well as they did this one I'd be a lot more likely to totally get off their case. :eek: But since getting this one I have several times actually suggested Rugers to folks and yeah over the Taurus when one other than the RB was in question. The RB is the ONLY Taurus I still owe or recommend to anyone.

Old Griz · « **Reply #20 on:** December 22, 2004, 07:32:44 AM »

:cb2: I finally sold the last Taurus I will ever own. It took a year, but at last, it's gone!