Which Revolver for Hunting?

[harbinger_j]

I am getting another handgun permit and I want to get a handgun I could use to hunt or just shoot a bigger bore than my 4" GP100

What I plan on hunting are black bears in NY or deer in PA or NY.

I am leaning to the Ruger Super Redhawk because I like the GP100 so much

Which one should I choose:
Ruger Super Red Hawk .44 7.5" barrel
Ruger Super Red Hawk .44 9.5" barrel
Ruger Super Red Hawk .454 7.5" barrel
Ruger Super Red Hawk .454 9.5" barrel
Something else?

 

[Legionnaire]

I'm a Ruger fan. I've had a 9.5" SRH in .44 Mag (and took several deer with it). Sold it and bought a 7.5" SRH. It was okay, but I still found the barrel length unwieldy. So I sold that one, and now have a 5.5" Redhawk with a Leupold 2x mounted on a Weigand Combat no-drill mount. Perfect in my book.

You can't go wrong with the SRH. If you go that route, I'd give the edge to the 7.5" version. But I found that I prefer the Redhawk.

 

[gizamo]

I'd go with a Hunter model in Single Action. If needed, add a Belt Mountain base pin....

Giz

 

[harbinger_j]

If you want to suggest something else I am open to it, but give me a good reason for your suggestion.
I am pretty comfortable with the grip on the GP-100.
Is there really something about the single action revolver that makes it better for hunting?

 

[.38 Special]

Many folks, myself included, find the Bisley grip to be much more comfortable for heavy loads.

I personally would choose either the Ruger Bisley (if iron sights are the plan) or the Bisley Hunter (if you intend to use a scope.)

 

[PotatoJudge]

I picked 7.5 in 454. I'm not bothered by the barrel length, though I'll agree a 5.5 or 6 in would be better. 9.5 is tough to wear and draw while hunting. The 454 is my choice for versatility. If you're just shooting 44 mags, there are lighter guns that will do the job. If you're hauling around a SRH, you might as well get full use of it. For hunting, I'd look for a specimen that has a great SA trigger or plan to have it worked over.

There's always the option of a S&W 29 if you'd prefer the 44 mag.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

They're all good choices. Tough call. I might lean to the 9.5" for the extra sight radius. As for caliber, I dunno. They will both work. I'd run with a .44 mag, but the deer here are smaller than they are up there.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

I use a 9.5 in 44 mag myself. It's BIG and HEAVY, can get a little tiresome and cause a little trouble if you wear it all day and have it in a belt rig. Especially if you end up brushbusting at all. That's what I've done for the last several years. But it does work, and well. You just have to pick your hunt area carefully due to the range limitations(100 yards is pushing HARD, at least for most folks.) I also use a small backpack for my daypack/game care bag. That way my gun and gear don't interfere with each other.

Now If you're the type that uses one of those waist packs, like my bro-in-law, who carries a 9.5" SRH in 454, then a bandolier style holster would be the cats meow.

 

[Floppy_D]

Other; 44 Blackhawk Bisley Hunter. I picked one up in a trade, and it is by far my favorite revolver. The scope mount is awesome, it retains it's zero every time I take it on and off.

 

[Matt-J2]

I'd run with a .44 mag, but the deer here are smaller than they are up there.

The day that .44mag isn't enough for deer anywhere on this continent is the day we all need to cower in abject terror, because they're takin over!

 

[Legionnaire]

No matter what the option, I think the bandolier-type shoulder rig is the way to go when carrying a scoped revolver. They are easy on and easy off over hunting clothes.

Super Blackhawk is another good option, but I guessed from your initial post you favored a double action. That said, though I've taken several deer with a scoped DA revolver, I always hunt SA.

Truth be told, I regret selling my last 7.5" SRH. I should have just had a smith cut the barrel down to six inches.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

The day that .44mag isn't enough for deer anywhere on this continent is the day we all need to cower in abject terror, because they're takin over!

Good point! Go with .44 mag.

 

[Beskytte]

The Russian Nagant

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Russian_1895_7.62_Nagant_Revolver.html

Pick up a C&R FFL and get this and the the '44 Mosin, great hunting combo.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I would also recommend a Single Action revolver for hunting. I would also recommend something larger than a .44 Magnum for more than 1 reason. The .44 Magnum Might Be on the light side when hunting for Bear and very large deer. Unfortunately The Super Blackhawk doesn't come in anything larger than a .44 Magnum.

Since you said you are open to other choices I would suggest you take a look at the BFR Revolvers offered by Magnum Research. They are extremely strong revolver and made in many configurations. They are available in calibers ranging from 500 and 460 S&W Magnum down to the .22 Hornet. The barrels available are 6.5", 7.5" and 10". I think a 7.5" barrel revolver chambered in .454 Casull or .480 Ruger/.475 Linebaugh would be ideal for your purposes. One chambered in .460 S&W Magnum wouldn't be a bad idea either since you can not only shoot .460 Magnum rounds from it but the .454 Casull and .45 Colt rounds as well.

 

[TAB]

Archangel... look at buffalo bores "heavy 44 mag" or "+p+ 44 mag stuff"( only guns with long chambers/ cylinders can handle it)

 

[ArchAngelCD]

TAB,
I didn't say in any firm terms the .44 Magnum wouldn't do a good job. For a new hunter going after Bear I would think it's a better idea to use something slightly larger than a .44 Magnum

BTW, if you want a really good .44 Magnum hunting round take a look at the ammo produced by Grizzly Cartridge Company. They make some high quality hunting rounds. Buffalo Bore makes good ammo but they don't have the experiance with hunting rounds that Grizzly does. (IMO of course)

 

[TAB]

I don't have any exp with grizzly cartridge, but I do with BB... ( mainly in 357) and thier listed numbers have been spot.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Velocity isn't everything in a hunting bullet. Bullet design, bullet hardness and accuracy are very important too. I don't dislike BB rounds for SD but I would rather stick with Grizzly or even Garrett Ammo for the times I don't load my own ammo. (which is very rare now) I use Cast Performance Bullets in my reloads and get better performance from my ammo than anything I can buy. (BTW, Cast Performance bullets are used in Grizzly Ammo, they are both part of the same company)

 

[harbinger_j]

Thanks for all of the comments, I am leaning toward the Super Red Hawk in .454 with a 7.5" barrel.
Any other suggestions keep them coming.

 

[Colt46]

Bisley works quite well

They are easier to carry than the Superredhawk series. They are accurate, and well balanced. .44 mag or .45 colt with handloads or some factory from double tap, cor-bon or buffalo bore should make it quite easy to take game.

 

[BlkHawk73]

I'd go single action myself. Preferrably a Ruger Bisley in .41 mag or 45 Colt is usually my choice. have NEVER felt the need for double action while hunting.