Super Redhawk -- scope or iron sights

[revo]

Hi all. I have a new Ruger Super Redhawk 45/454 7.5" and I'm on the fence as to whether to scope it or not.

For kicks, I installed a cheapie 2X that I had laying around. It was OK, but the rings kept coming loose from the frame when using light 45 cowboy loads. I tightened it hard a few times, but the rings don't want to stay put.

Short of using locktite, this is leading me to think "get over it and don't scope it". Plus, I found the scope on a handgun to be in the way (the 2X mentioned above was removed from my small game 22 because I found it annoying).

My primary purpose will be whitetail @ 65 yards max (only after I can perform at said yardage, that is).

Interested in your thoughts as to leaving it iron sighted for 60-ish yard deer work. Anyone have any opinions on max yardage with iron sights? Am I off base thinking I can practice enough to be proficient with iron sights at that distance?

 

[Steve in PA]

SRH and Bushnell 2-6x. Scope has not moved one bit since I put it on several years ago. I shoot heavy 240gr-300gr bullets out of the gun. Dead solid. If your scope is moving your either doing something wrong or there is a problem with the mounts, although the Ruger scope mounts are one of the best out there.

 

[22-rimfire]

I have the 9.5" 480 SRH and have been shooting it for a couple of years now. I put a Leupold 2x ER scope on it using the Ruger mounts. At first, the recoil kept loosening the screws. I would tighten it down as much as I could and it would still loosen up after a cylinder full. This was frustrating since it was my first experience with a scope on a revolver.

Used Locktite (the kind that is not permanent, or that you can remove the screws if you choose too). There are two grades sold. Anyway, put locktite on each screw and tightened it down as much as I am able. Scope has not moved since.

You might want to try a laser bore sight on it when you first install the scope to build you confidence a bit. I shot poorly at first and didn't know if it was me, the gun, or the scope. Hint > it was me.

I am slow to get on target with the scope. No running shots at game for me with this beast. No double action either. But, I feel better having a scope on it than not. I never really planned to shot it without some kind of a rest anyway, so it does okay for me.

The other thing that I noticed is that you have to grip it low so that the hammer does not come back and rip up the web between you thumb and fingers. The hammer is sharp and should be more rounded. I was pretty bloody the first time out until I figured out how to hold the thing where it would not damage my hand.

I shot a buck last year with it at about 50 yds-one shot. I was quite pleased since it was my first handgun buck. I would suggest you practice to 100 yds to determine your limitations. Many claim they can shoot well enough at 100 yds, but I'm not there yet. My groups spread out quite a bit at 50 yds relative to 25 yds. Very nice groups at 25 yds, so I figure the spreading out is all my fault due to the recoil.

I use a bandoleer type holster for hunting. The one sold in Cabela's is cheap and is very adjustable. In fact, I frequently adjusted it several times a day as the weather warmed and cooled. I carry it like a rifle though, nestled in front of me as I walk. Don't carry a rifle with you when you deer hunt... you'll find that the SRH is just too heavy and is always in the way. You will almost always choose the rifle unless you have shot so many deer that it doesn't matter to you. So, just carry the revolver and you'll be fine.

I would shoot it with full power loads such as you would use hunting. The 45LC loads (I suspect) are nothing like shooting full house 454's. You might as well get used to it and tame the beast.

I have a 41 mag that I would use without a scope should I decide that the scope is not appropriate for a particular hunting scenario. I'm pretty good at 50 yds with the 41, so I'm sure you could practice with your SRH at that range and get acceptable results.

 

[Dr.Doug]

I own a 7.5" SRH in 454 too. I'm to that age that iron sights are becoming harder to see, so I replaced the factory front sight with a fiber optic model made by Marble's. Now I can see the front sight, but not well enough to use the cartrige to it's potential. About 2 weeks ago I mounted a Bushnell Holosight on Big Bertha using a Weigand mount. I've just begun to use this combination (so far only with stiff 45 colt loads), but I think it has potential. I like the zero magnification and the wide field of view as opposed to conventional scopes. I may even try it at the bowling pin shoot this weekend!

Doug

 

[eastwood44mag]

Never scoped a handgun yet. Course, I can only shoot accurately at under 50 yards, so it's not much of an issue.

 

[adaman04]

Scope that bad boy.