This past weekend I had some free time and great weather to do some shooting, so I did. I had some new loads I had conjured up and was anxious to see how they shot.
First, let me say what led me to this experiment. I've been exclusivly hunting with handguns since 1990 and I have never use cast bullets. After becoming a member of this site a few years ago I've noticed, cast bullets is the bullet of choice of many of you members. So, on we go....
I also combined another experiment in with my handload test. I've read a few post and have been asked personally about being able to remove a scope from a Ruger handgun with integral mounts and replace without loosing zero. Well, the pic's are posted judge for yourself.
This first photo is a 25yd, 5 shot group. I'm using the Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter (Stock out of box), well maybe a little trigger work. I'm using factory Ruger mounts and a 2X Burris scope. The load is a 300gr WFNGC LBT, Montana Bullet Works, cast bullet, max charge of H110 and federal mag primers. The second photo I removed the scope mounts for a iron sight shot group. This group is at 25yds, 3 shot group with iron sights. Ammo is Remington factory 180gr UMC. After shooting the iron sight group at 25yd, I move to 50yds and replace the scope and mounts. This photo is the results. As you can see, the zero was not effected and the 300gr Montana Bullet is true. I have found a new load for my 44mag. Thanks to you cast bullet shooters. The Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter didn't do bad either.

Excellent groups Kral! You've got a keeper there! Thats about the equivilant of having two guns since you can go from open sights to scoped without losing zero. The majority of the time I pack both a scoped gun for open country and an open sighted gun for hunting heavy cover. That weight adds up on long backpack hunts. This would be a great compromise.

Good shooting!

Looks like the POI dropped about an inch? At 25 or even 50yds this is not a big deal but longer than that it may become significant enough to cause issues.

Dan B., I was actually aiming a little low of center. With the 2X scope, my crosshairs was covering up the target. I aim low so I could have an aiming reference...KRal

Excellent shooting and shooter. Can't get much better than that!

I think what Dan is referring to is your group's center moved down an entire square (an inch?) on the 2nd scoped group, from where it was with the 1st group. Did you change point of aim between the 1st & 2nd scoped groups?
Nice shooting by the way!
I'd always wondered if they would returnt to -0-. A SBH Hunter in 45 Colt is on my wish list!

The point Dan B. brought up is correct. I should have explained the situation a little better. The zero did not change but, the point of impact did according to the pictures because, the first pic was at 25yds and the last was at 50yds. At 50yds, my 2X scope covers up the target's aiming point so I aimed low for a reference point to keep tighter shot groups. I had other photo's with a dead on hold, but due to the situation I've mentioned, the shot group was less desirable so, I didn't post it. Thanks for the comments fellows...KRal

Pab1, you are correct. That was one of the top reasons I got the Hunter. I use to have a Super Redhawk and you could do the same with it. I just didn't like the double action as well as I do a single action so, I adjusted fire...KRal

Thanks for the explanation KRal. I re-read your initial post & it makes sense now (I'm a little slow sometimes

). I would like that same capability (R@R scope) here in Alaska.
By the way, that's a really nice 50 yd group!

My dad owns a hunter, they really are great shooting handguns. Good shooting KRal.

Thanks Vance, sometimes I wish I had bought a 4x scope so I could see better at further distances. It would probably help with shot groups but, most critters don't have a bulls eye on them...LOL...and that was the reason I bought it, not target competition...KRal

Good lookin revolver.

Lars

nice groups, definitely a hunting load you got there.

Nice shooting Karl!!!!!!!!!!!!