Ruger Super Redhawk .44 Magnum
I've found Ruger wheelguns to be exceptionally well-built revolvers, as well as particularly good values as well. The tested gun is Ruger Model KSRH-7, the 7-1/2 in. barreled stainless .44 Rem Mag featuring comfortable rubber grips with rosewood inserts. The overall length is 13-1/8 inches, and the weight is called out at 53-1/2 ounces.
Out of the box, the single action trigger break was too heavy for my tastes, but use of a Wolff spring kit from Brownell's brought it right down where I wanted: 2 lbs., 10 oz., with no other modifications whatsoever. The supplied Ruger integral rings have done a fine job keeping the 2.5-7 x 28 mm scope mounted in place, with no hint of movement.
Ruger's Super Redhawk is an impressively strong framed revolver; that the same frame and action has been used for the .480 Ruger and the .454 Casull is testimony to that. To be sure, this is no whimpy wheelgun. The build quality clearly exceeds that of many of the other .44 Rem Mags that I've owned, including a few M44 Taurus examples. Having hunted hogs and similar successfully with .357's, there is little question that whatever a .357 can do-a .44 Rem Mag just makes them "deader better."
Recently, I've found Winchester Platinum Tip 250 grain factory ammo to shoot inside two inches @ 100 yards from this Ruger from a rest, while my regular "go-to" handload has been the 240 grain Hornady XTP's for years. XTP handloads have done as well as 1-1/2 in. @ 100 yards, with 2 inch five shot groups being realistic. This makes the Ruger Super Redhawk the most accurate hunting pistol I've ever owned, with its heft and weight helping to make it controllable to shoot. Hotter rounds such as the .454 Casull have been too much in the hand-slapper department for me to enjoy shooting them, much less do so accurately. Some folks do, of course, but for me the .44 Rem Mag is the limit of what I enjoy shooting out of a handgun.
I've never had a Ruger revolver that was less than well-made, including their GP100 .357, and their single action Blackhawk models. As far as I'm concerned, the Ruger Super Redhawk is the class of the field-and one of the best hunting revolvers you can buy today. It bear great testimony to the quality of Ruger's investment casting prowess-starting out with a massive block of metal, and chipping away quite precisely what is not needed. You might want a trigger job, though in my case just a spring kit did the trick. In .44 Rem Mag configuration, it is a reliable combination of power, accuracy, and manageability that is hard to beat-it remains my favorite hunting handgun. I can't recommend it highly enough.
Copyright 2006 by Randy Wakeman. All Rights Reserved.
