Redhawk

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I am looking for a 44 mag. I like the Ruger Redhawk and am wondering what your opionions on it are. This gun will be on my hip while hunting for and Oh S. moment, but I would like to shoot a doe with it one day. What barrel lenght would be good for what I want? I am thinking the 5.5 will be good as it is not way to big to carry, but I am slightly worried it will be too short if I decided to hunt with it. Any other 44s you all suggest I look at? I would really like to get a cylinder without flutes...anyone know of a good 44 without flutes?
 
I have almost exactly this gun. Mine has the 7.5 inch barrel.

First while not impossible to carry in a hip holster I would say it would take a very good holster, belt set up to pull it off. You can check the actual weight via a Ruger site but I would liken the carry to that of a Colt Walker replica. It is definitely big and definitely heavy. I think most often people carry this in a chest holster.
As far as the length is concerned, obviuosly the longer length would help the shooter given the longer sight plane but it would not be impossible to hit with the shorter barrel. Like many things you would simply be increasing the practice requirements proportionately. Also you would experience a drop in bullet performance. At the ranges most people handgun hunt I have doubts whether any of this would matter if you truly wanted the shorter barrel and were willing to practice a bit more. After all you only use the gun to hunt with one or twice per year but can take it to the range or afield many times per year. If short floats your boat I say do it.
My cylinder is fluted. It is stock original. I do not know if unfluted cylinders were ever made.
Finally this is a fine robust handgun. It will last you several lifetimes with moderate care. It will outshoot the shooter for accuracy and take all the powerful loads you can stand. They are also not very expensive in the used market so you needed sell your first born to pay for one.

Good luck.
 
Nice gun. Perfect for your needs.

Mine is on my hip as I sit and write this. Of course, mine is the 4" model, which is fine for hunting or daily carry on the hip. If you choose the 5.5, you will need to go to a shoulder rig for concealment and comfort.

Great guns and a great value, IMHO.

Shooter429
 
For hip carry with the Redhawk the 4" is best. The 5 1/2" might work with a good holster and belt, otherwise you'll want a chest or shoulder rig. You'll wear out before the gun does.

If you go the Blackhawk route, get one with the Bisley grip. Even with the hottest loads, they're easy on the hand.
 
yes sir'ee

30-06 lover: Sir; a carry Redhawk in .44:) 5" just small enough and just big enough. I have the others SBH, BH, SS6, and will have a Redhawk:)
 
I have a new 5.5" .44 Rem Mag RedHawk (not super) in stainless. Plenty of sight radius for hunting out to 50 yards or so. Excellent balance. The front strap is cut 'just right' so the gun hangs on the middle finger with a good firing grip.
The bore on mine is rather rough, and is going to be fire lapped with some abrasive bullets because it leads so badly. Even jacketed bullets are leaving a lot of fouling.
But it is a rugged design, and leaves you with a sense of confidence in it. It won my last 'winter shootoff' where I pit my pistols against each other under cold snowy conditions at the range. It's easy to load and shoot well 'out there'.
It's a keeper.
 
I've got the 4" and 5.5" redhawks.

Both carry well, strong side, in a hip holster. The 4" rides in a modern pancake on a regular belt or ballistic nylon holster with a "utility" belt, while the 5.5" revolver rides in a Hunter-brand leather holster and cartridge belt.

If your primary plan with this revolver is "Oh ****, I just got jumped by a toothy-critter", go with the 4" gun. It's lighter, it balances into the hand more readily and is more nimble. It still has sufficient accuracy and sight radius to make a hunting shot out to 50-75 yards though.

I bought the 5.5" model before the 4" one came out, and I probably would not have the 5.5" one today if the 4" offering had been available several years ago.
 
Stick with the 4" Obviously, the SRH comes in 21/2, but not good for hunting

I carried my 4" on my right hip all day yesterday. It was comfortable both mounted and walking. I have waited 20 years for Ruger to bring out this "just right" model, and I am sooo glad they did. I just had the action tuned. Now for some Trijicons for darkened woods. Very sweet indeed!

But really you cannot go wrong. I customized my 5.5, and it made a great testbed for load development and carried nice in a shoulder rig.

Shooter429
 
I have a 7.5 blue with rings and a 5.5 stainless model. Dad has the first 7.5 models that hit my local shop when they came first out and I worked there - well he used to as it resides here with mine for some reason ;) The 5.5 was added as soon as they were available in the 80's... I added the 7.5 when it was marked close out for 289.00 a few years later. I use both and like the 5.5 for all around. The 7.5 makes a great hunter plinker too but takes more to carry her around...

those redhawks shoot pretty darn good. I like em alot! I just picked up a 4 inch M29 thinkin they were alot smaller but I don't see a big difference off the bat Although I have not weighed them yet.

As far as "flutes" go- if its a looks thing fine but for a ruger the strength is a plenty!
 
Thank you all for the replies. The 4" will probably be better for I will use it as a SHTF gun as well as a finisher, but one day I would really like to give handgun hunting a try. I am thinking that I will go with the 4" now and use it as a backup, then when I am really ready to go after deer with a handgun, I'll buy a longer barrel, maybe a 7.5.

The flutes are 100% cosmetic for me. Preference is all.

Thanks!!!
 
Mainsail, I just bought the Super Redhawk Alaskan in .454 Casull / .45 Colt. I hope you're as happy with yours as I am with mine... what an excellent piece. Looks fantastic, fits great it my hand, shoots great, and of course I can load mine with ridiculous.
 
tallpaul...

I love the SS Redhawk with those Pachmayr Presentation Grips. Just beautiful:).

actionflies - Nice picture and gun as well ;).
 
magnum.35744 Thanks! She was my first .44 mag and is butter smooth double action and nice in single. I have a set of herret wood grips that look real good on it/them also ;)
 
I bought the redhawk 4",I do a lot of handgun hunting I feel just as capable with it as I do my 6.5" taurus.I do need to get the trigger reworked because it has lots of travel.It is heavier than most 44s but can handle hotter loads with ease,although wrist wrenching loads are not needed for deer.A 250 cast at around 1100 to 1200fps is plenty to punch clean through a deer.Take a look at beartoothbullets.com they changed my outlook on handgun hunting.For handgun hunting I carry the ruger but for a hiking side arm or hunting I carry a glock 20 10mm with warm handloads.More comfort in a lighter package.I paid $530 for the redhawk.
 
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