I am new to handgun hunting but have shot several different handguns in the past and have been hunting my entire life. I am looking to buy a Ruger Super Redhawk .454 Casull / .45 Colt. It's a new gun but it's second hand - so it's a great deal at $520 I would think. Question is: would I be better off with the 9 1/2" barrel version for long range whitetail and black bear or would the benefits of
the 7 1/2" outweigh the 9 1/2" while considering portability, recoil, accuracy, and PRICE(I would have to buy the 9 1/2" new).

Plus, I'm not sure how my hands (and my nerves) are going to respond to the large calibre since I've never shot anything larger than a 357. Will I even be able to handle this gun without extensive practice? Maby I should just settle with a .44? But I really don't want to pass up the deal on the .454.

Thanks for any responses.

I don't think your going to notice a huge difference in performance between the two barrel lengths, my personal preference in standard size revolvers is 4" to 7.5". If you have never shot anything bigger than a 357 then I would put alot of factory 45 colt loads down range to get used to the gun and then move up to heavy 45 colt loads or if you reload mild 454 stuff and just work up slowly. everybody is different but the 454 can be intimidating and you don't want to start off your handgun hunting with a major flinch.
just my 2 cents for what it's worth.

I'd also stay with the 7.5" gun and shoot a LOT of .45 Colt loads. Recoil is perceived differently by all shooters...for some the .454 is a monster recoiler. The extra 2" of barrel is not going to make it a 200yd deer gun...either way you are looking at a 100yd gun if it is scoped and less if shooting iron sights.

You asked if you'd be able to handle the gun w/o extensive pratice...my question to you is, what do you consider extensive practice?? To me...it's several thousand rounds per year in my .22's and at least several hundred rounds per year in my hunting handguns. To me this is "maintenance shooting" to retain the level of proficiency that I have already achieved. If you wanted to hunt with that handgun before next season then you had better plan on shooting at least several hundred rounds over next few months.

Let us know how you make out!

Welcome to Handgun Hunt!!

I have 2 Super Redhawks with 9.5" barrels. I like the long barrel. The extra 2" will not increase performance any. When shooting the gun with open sights the longer barrel gives you a little longer sight radius and a little more barrel to put on a rest. If you are going to scope it the longer barrel tends to make the revolver muzzle heavy with the added weight of the scope.

The 454 can be a real thumper. Like suggested I would start out with 45 colt loads and work up slowly. The Super Redhawk has a mono grip and does help to tame recoil well. Like Dan said practice is vital to being sucessful with a handgun.

You were wondering about the 44. I have SRH in 44 mag with the 9.5" barrel. Recoil is perceived differently by everyone. To me the SRH in 44 with 240gr pills recoils like a 357 mag with 180gr bullets. Some of that might be because of the extra weight of the SRH. Also my job requires alot of heavy lifting and working with my hands. So recoil doesn't bother me much.

$520 is an OK for price for a used gun. My dealer can get me a 9.5" 454 for $585 new.

I have a Ruger SRH .44 mag with a 7.5" barrel and it's very accurate. I personally think the 9.5 " is a little long. With 200 grain XTPs it's a pleasure to shoot, recoil is not bad because of the lighter load and it's rather heavy gun. I may go to 240 or 250 grain loads later, but want more practice with the 200s.

The .454 is a beast! I'd follow the advice these other folks offer...start out light.

Carter, for what it's worth, I think it's over priced by quite a bit. I see them all the time here in SE Pa for $450 and I know the guy deals even more.