OK. So I was on the verge of getting a new pistol put together from Eds T\C, in OKC, OK. Then I found a sweet deal on a Ruger Bisley SBH Hunter and couldn't pass. Sorry Ed. I promise, I'll be back.
This gun is new and never worked on. I'm a poor man by worldly standards. So what can be done to improve and what Scope should a guy get for the range of a .44? I'm not completely ignorant, but just looking for some advice from experience.

You will love that gun, I have it in .41 mag. Mine was fine out of the box for me, but you could do a little spring work and/or polishing if you must. I put a 4x Simmons on mine, it fits between the rings so my irons are available when needed. I hunt with irons most of the time, with this gun, but with the Ruger system you can attach the scope at any time and retain zero. A 2x may be a little quicker to acquire the target, but 4x is nice when you get beyond 75 yards.

Enjoy!

Poor boy trigger job.

Belt Mt. base pin.

4X scope.

It might shoot very well right out of the box, try it first.

Drop 1 side of the trigger spring from the hook on the grip frame. It will make a big difference with the trigger pull. Im assuming this is the "poor boy job". It is free and takes a couple of minutes to do, no extra parts to buy!

By worldly standards, if you live in this great country, you are not poor.

You are very very rich.

And if you can post on this forum, you are even richer.

Don't feel sorry for youself! there are lots of people a whole lot worse.

I'd say just invest in the Wolff spring as I have at times seen trigger return problems with the "poor mans" joba and with shipping your only saving ten bucks for the right spring or the whole kit of three for under 20.00 which gives you the trigger (30oz) Hammer I normally run a special strut with a 17# spring but with no other work I'd run the 24# for a quicker lock time and a little extra insurance on ignition and then it comes with the extra power base pin spring which is very nice if your going to be shooting heavy loads like federals cast core or similiar. Every factory 44 I've shot with those loads has had the base pin jump out after a couple rounds. Like I said you get that for about 20.00 or less if I remember and you can buy them from midway, brownells and Wolff direct which is what I do since I normally order in bulk. For a scope I'd go with a fixed 2 or 4X in Weaver they run about 125.00-150.00 new and if you want variable I'd look at the Bushnell elite 2-6X. There are other scopes that are cheaper but these ones in my experiences give you best value for a low price. You should also watch the classifieds. If you find and older M8 or possibly even and FX Leupold I've seen them as low as 125.00 (which I bought) but you can find them between 150.00 and 200.00 pretty regular if your patient. I know that was long winded but I hope it helps

The Hunter only needs a trigger job and they are very accurate.
If you are going to hunt with it and are in poor light in the mornings and evenings, take a look at the Ultra Dots from Ultra Dot West.
I tried scopes but had to wait for full light before I could see the cross hairs or deer though them. By then the deer would be past me. That black hole was worse then open sights.

Welcome to the club I think everyone has hit on all the sweet spots enjoy this fine gun I own three 44,.41 and just bought a .45 LC You will not find a nicer pistol for the money. For a scope I also use the Bushnell Elite 3200 2-6x 32mm Multi-X Reticle on all my Pistols you learn to appreciate the scope after you see what a S&W .460 or 500 will do to a scope after a few rounds,the thing is bullet proof.

I have the Hunter in .45 Colt and love it. I did replace the cylinder pin with the Belt Mtn and also went with a Wolf replacement spring kit ($19.95).

As to the scope I recommend going with a fixed power. Once in the woods here in Viginia, I found that a 2x scope is all you need. But I must admit that a reddot is also a good buy for any hunting handgun. I ended up putting a Burris 2x handgun scope on mine:



I am very happy with my setup. good luck and happy hunting!

All sounds like sound advice! My trigger actually seems very nice. I may go with a red dot, as I do hunt in some dark woods. thanks for the input fellas!

I found that the trigger on my Hunter is much better than the trigger on my regular SBH and my RH. I tried the poor mans trigger job and it made it a hair trigger. I like mine just the way it is. I think the Hunters are better in that regard.

I agree with Snyd, always lean on the side of safety but on the other hand if you practice only put your finger on the trigger when you are ready to shoot that lighter trigger sure is nice. I went with the poormans until I get around to ordering the Wolf springs

i have a leupold 2x on my hunter and it works great in low light situations. i have had the scope for many years and it didn't cost that much new. if i had to scope one out now i would probably look at a dot scope. i'm spoiled with the leupold but i don't think i would pay for a new one at current prices.
wapitirod was spot on on his post. i just ordered the spring kit also.

Nice looking pistol. I really like the Hunter models. One is on my short list.

The Hunters are indeed great guns. Lots of gun for the money. For me, a 2x or red dot seem to work best. The dot is the ticket in dim light. Before I had a dot sight, I used irons in dim light of the morning, then as light improved, added the scope. Reverse in the evening. Gotta love Ruger's scope mounting system; best there is in a single action.

Weaver 2x28 on mine.

another thing i bought was a fiber optic front sight from brownells. if you use the sights these are great for low light.