My first Hunting Handgun 10.5" SBH Revolver

I am new to the site and have been impressed with how members on this forum really try to help out their fellow hunters. I have been shooting Berettas, Sigs and Glocks for the last 18 years as a LEO. I have just purchased my first hunting revolver off Gunbroker, a new Ruger Super Blackhawk with a 10.5 barrel. My question is for those that own or have shot this particular model 44 magnum. What should I expect/recommendations to ensure success on Whitetail Deer & Wild Hog hunts. I know that is a pretty broad question but thanks in advance.

Practice a lot, and from non-standard shooting positions. Off hand is great, but nothing builds confidence like shooting from a rest so that you know what the pistol will do. I practice shooting off of shooting sticks, packs, trees, and anything else I might run into in a hunting situation as I will always use a rest if it's available. While a .44 doesn't generate huge recoil, it's definitely more than a duty pistol and will quickly show you any weaknesses in your grip in terms of affecting accuracy which goes back to practice. Try a variety of ammo/projectiles including jacketed/cast to see what it likes as I've had 2 SRH .44s and one shot anything and everything well, while the other one had a specific load it liked and not much else. Luckily, Rugers in general seem to do well in the accuracy dept. especially at the ranges you'll be using it.

By far my favorite ruger! Super accurate and hits like a hammer. The RCBS SWC slug over a healthy dose of 296/110 always gives tiny groups at 100 yards and kills very well. A 240 XTP will do about 1540 from that gun with the standard 296 load and accuracy is great. Blows holes out about the size of the bottom of a coke can in deer. I have never had a complaint on the gun you have bought

Congrats on you new hunting handgun and welcome to the site. I've bid on a few 10'5"ers, but haven't got one yet. I see one in my arsenal at some point. I've got a few 44's; all 7.5" or less. Some prefer jacketed and some cast, but the common denominator in all is the full dose of H110/296. I have a few different big bore calibers, but 44 mag seems to get the node the most often.

Congratulations on the new gun you will really enjoy it and hunting with it adds a whole new definition to fun!Try the 270 gr Speer Deepcurl they perform well and seem to be easy to work up a load with.

I got one about when they first came out around 78 I think. It would take deer with any factory ammo made then. Had Larry Kelly put his sling on it,worked great. It also liked the JDJ 320gr HC bullets over a good amount of 296.

Guys I appreciate the above loading information, it will be some time before I get a chance to start handloading though. I will probably shoot alot of factory 44 special to really get comfortable with the gun. Any thoughts on the Factory loadings for Whitetails & Wild Hog? I thought about checking out the Speer Gold Dot in 270 grains for my Whitetail Hunting, but thought that it probably wouldn't be the best for penetration on hogs. I take the hog hunting seriously, having taken two young ones from the ground with archery and then being put up a tree by a 300 lb. sow defending them! All advice is welcome.

For poking hole in tuff stuff its hard to beat Buffalo Bore or Cor-Bon offerings in lead ammo.

welcome home! time to start thinking how your going to haul that this around. if it dont give the accuracy that you think it should, know that single actions with plow handles can be vary finicky about how they are held. as for the 44 mag. youll love it.

The Buffalo Bore loadings are definitately on my radar for my Hog Hunting and Whitetail Hunts. I am waiting for my gun to arrive from Colorado to my local shop but I have already gone ahead and purchased a Hogue Monogrip to prevent the finger smashing that I have heard is pretty common with the square trigger guard. I am pumped for the guns arrival!!

bluecow,

You bring up a good point about how am I going to haul this baby around? I am eventually going to put a scope on the gun and would like to have a comfortable rig to hike through the rugged mountains of Bankhead National Forest while chasing the abundant wild hogs. Currently, I have no idea which way to go with holsters as far as brands and models?

Frosty,

If you do a search in this forum and the "Shooters Bench" forum with the word "holster", you will get lots of good advice. That's a fair amount of real estate between the rear and front sight, and my guess is one of the chest style holsters that will adjust low and more crossdraw might be in order.

Craig

Craig,

Thanks for the advice alot of great information and experience shared.

Chris

Had Mag-Na-Port put studs and sling on one,worked great better than holster.Pic at bottom.
http://www.sixguns.com/BookOfThe44/bot44c36.htm

Hi Frosty; welcome! I'm also a LEO and while I'm not new to handgun hunting, it's become somewhat of an obsession for me after experiencing success over the last 6 seasons; this past one with a locally great whitetail buck. Some brief advice to share:

1. Practice. You'll need a to shoot on a consistent basis to maintain proficiency, much more so with a handgun as opposed to a long gun.

2. Search GB for a Ruger Single Six, which you can usually score for a very agreeable price. Mine serves as a great understudy for the few SBH's in my safe and totes along very pleasantly in the woods; it is a capable game-getter in its own right and much more fun/cheaper to shoot.

3. Those square guards are terrible in my hands. One of mine is a mint 1st production all-original New Model so I bite my lip and send the bullet on its way. Second one, a real beater, came with Pachmayer 1 pc. stocks that shield the TG to the point that it's OK to shoot for an afternoon.

4. Learn and practice field shooting positions after you sight in at the bench. There is an excellent article here for just that. This will be invaluable when a good shot on a good animal comes by.

5. .44 mag is a great choice. There are tons of factory loads out there. Buy a bunch in different bullet weights and see what your gun likes best.

RedSS,

Im going to pick up a Single Six for my Trapping and Coon Hunting. I am not picking up a bow or a rifle this upcoming season. I normally use 1 to 11/2 days of hunting for each buck I harvest to fill my 3 buck limit here in Alabama. I feel confidant that going to all handgun hunts will make my hunting even more challenging and fun.

SEAK,

Thanks for sharing, some great information and some beautiful handguns!! I like the added sling studs.

That it most certainly will!

Good practice will breed confidence, with it you will be ready for whatever situation you encounter, welcome to the forum,you can"t beat a Ruger.

I have a 10.5 and love it. It is made for 100 yard shots. Mine is stainless with bull barrel. Likes 240 and 300 grainers. I defanged mine by filing the sharp point off the sight. I painted the sight with bright red nail polish. This makes it easier to draw from the holster. I care it in a flap made for the big 460 mag. Or i have a leather holster made for the big dragoon. The tip hangs out approx 1 1/2. One day i will have a leather flapper made. I do not like the square trigger guard and would change it if i could. Please Ruger, change this!! Nobody likes it enjoy your cannon!

I will be so glad when this revolver arrives, lm ready too launch some lead down range!!

Frosty,

I hope that you enjoy yours as much as I do mine. I use mine for competition as well as for hunting. really likes the 240 gr, pills.
Make sure to post a pic when you get it.

Mike

Mike,

What brand sights are on your SBH?

The revolver arrived late yesterday afternoon. This afternoon as the sun was setting I launched 10 rounds of Remington 240 grain semi jacketed hollow points down range to a target at 30 yards. The overall group was outstanding, however the hits were approximately 6" low. I didn't have a screwdriver to adjust the rear sight to move the point of impact up but I'm going to try to squeeze in some more shooting tomorrow and adjust the poi. I am very pleased so far!!

Way to go.

Sounds like you are off to a great start!
Enjoy :-)
Oh & try some hot 320gr loads. Point of impact may be just right ;-)

I made my adjustments this afternoon and took 30 shots down range @ 50 yards. The results were very nice when I did my part. I was shooting at a standard size pie plate. Shots were from the sitting position shooting with my inner knees as a brace. I averaged 1 low miss for every 6 or 7 hits. It wasnt the gun though, I found myself anticipating the recoil and limp wristing the shot. Hopefully I will do better with more practice!

Thats great shooting for where you are at in hunting handgun life.

Thanks for the kind words, I have been falling back on all my LEO training. Funny thing is to me is that this revolver will show those short comings in your technique!!

I am going hiking/hog hunting in the morning. I plan on limiting my shots to 50 yards. I shot 20 rounds again this afternoon at 70 yards and did very well. I wish I could have had more days to practice but this special 15 day hunt opens tomorrow and I will only get to hunt 4 out of the 15 days. I will be lucky to find the Tuskers in Bankhead National Forest they are very nomadic there!!

I got faith. Bring home the bacon!

Good luck!

Thanks fellas, my game plan is to walk the ridges and scan the bottoms while keeping the wind in my face. Maybe lady luck will smile on me!!

Hopefully your new hogleg with harvest four hog legs

Well, didn't see any hogs today. I did see some quality sign though!!

Hang in there great shooter you got

Where is the sausage? If you get to the point you want it scoped etc. I had mine done by Mag-Na-Port in the "Stalker" conversion. It was my 2nd big bore hunting handgun. Well worth the money. But I also had a Bisley frame added. Sold it to get a Freedom Arms & wish I'd found a way to have both. Never liked the sling swivels & stopped using them. As for holsters I tried & blew some money on some expensive stuff. Ended up w/a $20 nylon chest rig from a gun show. Very generic in shape but my buddy's father was a master tailor. I showed him how I wanted it to hang in the holster, he traced it & stitched those lines. Turned out pretty well. Good luck.

Bingo,
I have only been to the timber twice with the SBH, haven't seen any piggies yet....
Hopefully I will get a shot opportunity tomorrow maybe!!