I recently purchased a Ruger Super Redhawk with a 9 1/2 inch barrel in 44 Mag. It will be used primarily as a hunting gun in the woods of PA. I was wondering what kind of accuracy should I expect from this gun at 75 and 100 yards (1 in groups, 1 1/2 inch groups, 3 inch groups)? I am new to the big bore revolvers and need some baseline in which to begin. Right now I am shooting factory loads, but will begin to roll my own in the very near future. Any suggestions on bullets and powder would be appreciated. Thanks for your help!!!
44 Mag accuracy
- Thread starter 38spl
- Start date
accuracy
A lot depends on how you anticipate the recoil. I have a Taurus .44 mag ported and with very little recoil it is a hoot to shoot!
Some people hit all over a target with a 44 mag and some do very well. Main part is to go through the motions and take your time and do not flinch the barrel.
A lot depends on how you anticipate the recoil. I have a Taurus .44 mag ported and with very little recoil it is a hoot to shoot!
Some people hit all over a target with a 44 mag and some do very well. Main part is to go through the motions and take your time and do not flinch the barrel.
Accuracy of gun.
Each gun is different, even from others of same lot. Need to bench or machine rest the gun to determine what loads it likes.
Accuracy of shooter.
From non bench positions. That is up to you. Once you have a known gun/ammo accuracy established......practice one shot at a time. Forget shots fired. Forget shots to be fired. Concentrate only on the shot being fired.
For a few folks, a 4" group at 100yds from standing is quite doable with a .44. For others, that is the stuff of dreams.
Hunting skills, decision on whether to take a shot, gun and shooter accuracy........all come into play.
Sam
Each gun is different, even from others of same lot. Need to bench or machine rest the gun to determine what loads it likes.
Accuracy of shooter.
From non bench positions. That is up to you. Once you have a known gun/ammo accuracy established......practice one shot at a time. Forget shots fired. Forget shots to be fired. Concentrate only on the shot being fired.
For a few folks, a 4" group at 100yds from standing is quite doable with a .44. For others, that is the stuff of dreams.
Hunting skills, decision on whether to take a shot, gun and shooter accuracy........all come into play.
Sam
I have a Ruger Super Redhawk and can shoot 1/2 inch groups off a bench but off hand its more like 3-4 inch groups at 50 yards. I suggest finding a load that works for your particular gun and shoot off the bench for a while to get use to the gun.
I have been practicing solely off hand and will all summer long to find out where I'm accurate enough to take a deer and get use to shooting the revolver off hand. Practice....practice....practice is what it takes.
Ron
I have been practicing solely off hand and will all summer long to find out where I'm accurate enough to take a deer and get use to shooting the revolver off hand. Practice....practice....practice is what it takes.
Ron
Steve in PA
New member
After lots of range time in anticipation of hunting season, by the time PA bear and deer season rolls around I can keep all my shots inside the diameter of a soda can (3"?) at 100 yds. Provided I do my part, since the gun is more accurate than I am. But I usually put alot of rounds downrange prior to the season. This from a scoped 9 1/2" SRH with H-110 and Hornady 240 or 300 grain bullets.
KEN CHAVEZ
New member
I agree with ccfromsc and PALongbow
Work at not anticipateing the recoil, and Practice, Practice, Practice, etc, etc.
Good Luck
Work at not anticipateing the recoil, and Practice, Practice, Practice, etc, etc.
Good Luck
Thanks for the responses guys! My goal is to keep groups at 3" or less from a kneeling position at 100 yards. From what you have said, this is attainable as long as I practice, practice, practice, which is what I plan on doing. My original question really wanted to know if the gun was capable of these types of groups. Since it is, I will just have to do my part. Thanks again and shoot safely!
Most 44’s (Smith, Ruger, etc.) are not capable of getting under 1-2 inches at 100 yards. They are lucky to do this at 50 yards. There are a few exceptions to this like the Freedom Arms. If you can get a 3”group at 100 off of a bench you are doing very good. Don’t try and live up to group sizes that people make up. I can do around 1-1.5” with my FA 357 at 100. My Smith 44’s are around 2.75 - 3.5” at 100. I use my FA 357 for Sihlouette and have really tuned it in through different bullets and loads. I cant get my 44’s to that accuracy no matter what I have tried.
Ben Shepherd
New member
Free-standing at 100 yards factory sights, 9.5" SRH.
6" at 100 yards 95 percent of the time. Never got dead serious off a bench, as I can't shoot that way on a hunt.
6" at 100 yards 95 percent of the time. Never got dead serious off a bench, as I can't shoot that way on a hunt.
Ben Shepherd
New member
My last post was a little mis-leading. I have shot a couple three inch groups off a rest with a 2x scope on the SRH. Hunted with it scoped a few times. But these occasions were deer hunting on open grassland, where a longer shot was usually the rule of the day.
(Any questions on the subject of the potential accuracy of this caliber deserves a thourough reading of some Elmer Kieth books.)
(Any questions on the subject of the potential accuracy of this caliber deserves a thourough reading of some Elmer Kieth books.)
.44 mag & decent shooter (gun & person) capable of <3" at 100 yards.
The cartridge is & most firearms are.
You likely will have to find a loading that your firearm "likes" & one that you can with.
Mostly, the "problem" is the person.
.44 mag seems to be a very decent long-range cartridge all told, so are the platforms.
Heavy hard cast bullet for long range. Some have tagged deer-size game to distances "not possible."
The cartridge is & most firearms are.
You likely will have to find a loading that your firearm "likes" & one that you can with.
Mostly, the "problem" is the person.
.44 mag seems to be a very decent long-range cartridge all told, so are the platforms.
Heavy hard cast bullet for long range. Some have tagged deer-size game to distances "not possible."
Edward429451
Moderator
So far the best I've been able to do with my 7.5" Redhawk is 3 to 4" at 50 yds, with some really warm loads.
This with cast bullets in the 300 to 320 gr range. GC Lyman mould.
Still looking. Still practicing.
This with cast bullets in the 300 to 320 gr range. GC Lyman mould.
Still looking. Still practicing.
38spl
Have a 1 yr old Taurus Raging Bull in .44 mag, topped with a Tasco Propoint red dot sight.
Best, by far, factory ammo for accuracy is Black Hills...but pricey!!
Have used various Win, Fiocchi, BH is just suberb for consistency.
From a PVC built table w/ sand bags can put rnds into nice 1 1/2 to 2' group at 50 yds. 60 year old eys and probably a few too many martinis prevent that kind of hand held accuracy.
Enjoy shooting 4/5 milk jugs at 50 - 75 yrs to see bullet expansion in water.
Have a 1 yr old Taurus Raging Bull in .44 mag, topped with a Tasco Propoint red dot sight.
Best, by far, factory ammo for accuracy is Black Hills...but pricey!!
Have used various Win, Fiocchi, BH is just suberb for consistency.
From a PVC built table w/ sand bags can put rnds into nice 1 1/2 to 2' group at 50 yds. 60 year old eys and probably a few too many martinis prevent that kind of hand held accuracy.
Enjoy shooting 4/5 milk jugs at 50 - 75 yrs to see bullet expansion in water.
4" or LESS
Starline cases, mag primers (CCI or Federal), H110/W296, 300-320g from Cast Performance.
Or 300g Swift A-Frame (really pricey, but unreal on non-dangerous game).
To recap: W296, Starline case, Fed 155, Cast Performance 320g WLNGC, Redding Profile Crimp die.
Ammo IS MORE THAN components........gotta have serious mojo workin.
And love.
Your results may vary.
Mine don't.
Starline cases, mag primers (CCI or Federal), H110/W296, 300-320g from Cast Performance.
Or 300g Swift A-Frame (really pricey, but unreal on non-dangerous game).
To recap: W296, Starline case, Fed 155, Cast Performance 320g WLNGC, Redding Profile Crimp die.
Ammo IS MORE THAN components........gotta have serious mojo workin.
And love.
Your results may vary.
Mine don't.
