I have never owned a big bore revolver, but I am considering a SBH hunter or SRH in a .41 or .44. What kind of groups can I expect out of the options above shooting off a bench/bags with hand loads? I would probably do some minor gunsmithing to the action and trigger but nothing major. I also plan to mount a scope (undecided on which one). I'm mainly curious in long ranges (100yrds +).
Thanks!

I would suggest the 44 rather than 41 since ammo and components are more available for the 44.Hand loading can make a big difference .You should not use , for hunting ,a load that can't get 1 1/2" @ 25 yds or better.Either round should be capable of that accuracy.Though extra heavy bullets are the latest rage there is no need for anything over 240 gr for deer.Practice,practice , practice !

I would say a good revolver will print a 5 shot 25 yd group of 1", and at 100 yds, that group will be ~4". A very good revolver will print groups half that size, ie 1/2" 25 yd groups and 2" 100 yds groups. An exceptional few revolvers will print 1" groups at 100 yds.

The accuracy will be based on the individual gun more than the round it is chambered in. I have a Ruger SRH 480 that is in the very good gun catagory, I've found that I could get a load that would print a 5 shot 1" group at 50 yds with every one of the nearly dozen cast bullets I've tried in it. I slicked up the trigger a touch and installed an overtravel screw, but other then that the gun is factory stock.

The best groups I've shot have been off sandbags and using a 2.5-7 scope, set on 7X. Honestly I think the gun may be capable of better accuracy and that I am the weak link. It does take a bit of effort to shoot really tight groups with a magnum revolver.

IMO 3-4" will be a good load in most guns for a hunting load at 100 yds .

IMO if you are going to mount a scope .
The Ruger SBH Hunter or Bisley hunter in 44 mag is a good way to go .
You can't mount a scope better

Johnch

Thanks guys.
I appreciate the break down you gave, Paul. Being new to the revolver world, I am sure I will be the weak link for a while. But, I like to know what the gun is capable of so I can know just how bad I am. I too have been looking that power range on scopes (2~7). Burris to be exact... any thoughts?

quote:

I too have been looking that power range on scopes (2~7). Burris to be exact... any thoughts?

When not relying on iron sights I've hunted deer with a 2x Burris (357 and 44 magnums) and small game and pests with the original Aimpoint (22 rimfire). I'm not sure any more magnification is needed when hunting big game at 44 magnum ranges. Still a variable might allow a fella to do load development at high power from the bench but crank the power down for hunting. As for Burris, mine has served honorably but from now on I'll buy Leupold. Good hunting!

Wolff Springs makes spring kits for the Rugers that work very well. A lighter hammer spring and trigger spring goes a long way to more accurate shooting. I think the stock spring is in the range of 20lbs. A 17 or 18lb spring lightens things up considerably and I haven't had any trouble with ignition. That big hammer falls with lots of authority. The springs come individually and in kits. The prices are pretty good too. I use 25gr 2400 behind a 180gr Remington hollowpoint for Iowa deer in my 44. Again, no ignition problems and a bonus of lessened recoil. I get 2" groups at 50yds. Also, lots of dry firing helps to smooth the action. Helps you to get used to the gun too. I drilled and tapped the trigger for a stop screw and it works nicely. No overtravel.

Something I forgot to add. I have a 2X Tasco on my 44. If you get much more magnification than that, you will find it very difficult to hold still. I know someone who got a good price in a 4X for his 44 SBH. He ended up changing it out for a 2X.

That is funny how changing to a lower power scope will make one hold more steady I wonder how that works? Must be somekind of mystery drug I guess that the scope secretes through the gun through ones arm then up to their brain that makes that happen.
If we could find out the drug maybe we could get some drug company to market it and that would help us all.

I'm with you there, Me_Plat. I am not considering this to be used much for hunting. With game as scarce as it is around my hunting grounds, I will stick to my 300wsm. I really just want something different to shoot at the range and maybe some Pdogs in the future. That is why I ask of their accuracy potential. I will be shooting off of bags 99% of the time so I hope to be able to hold steady... even on 7x .

It's not that it's any steadier, just not magnified as much. I don't know about you, but I don't need my movements magnified any more than age will do. By the way, Wolff Gun Springs is at http://www.gunsprings.com/ It's something you can do to improve accuracy by only changing a couple of parts. Just be careful and use your parts diagram that came with the gun. I read about the trigger stop in a gunzine somewhere and decided to try it. I used a small hex head set screw and the trigger is plenty large enough for it. I had changed out the trigger several years ago from a .357 Blackhawk I have. The grooved trigger on the SBH was tearing my finger up and the .357 had a smooth one. My finger loves it. Like I said, works good. Remember, do only what you are comfortable with and be carful.

quote:

Originally posted by BrandonB:
I have never owned a big bore revolver, but I am considering a SBH hunter or SRH in a .41 or .44. What kind of groups can I expect out of the options above shooting off a bench/bags with hand loads? I would probably do some minor gunsmithing to the action and trigger but nothing major. I also plan to mount a scope (undecided on which one). I'm mainly curious in long ranges (100yrds +).
Thanks!

The 41 with the 255 cast performance bullet is all you need - it puts 6 into an 1.25" or so at 50 yds from by Ruger Bisley hunter and a bit better from my 657 PC. An excellent bullet for hunting deer with.

For bigger game, I prefer a 45 Colt with the 335 Cast performance bullet - extremely accurate and a huge meplat.

A fixed 2x or 4x will be plenty out to 100 yds, even a bit more. I have never like the variable power EER scopes much - eye relief changes quite a bit as power varies. Just my preference.

I find the .41 with full loads much easier on the nerves and body than a fully loaded .44...have no idea why as most of the .41 loads I use have a bullet weighing just as much as a .44 at about the same velocity.

If you reload I would give the .41 a try...if not you would probably be better off with the .44. Much easier to find ammo for as well as commercially reloaded target rounds.

For a cheap, fun target try out of date empty propane cylinders at 75-200 yards..challanging and makes a nice "ding" when you hit them.

Bob

BrandonB I shoot a SRH in 44 mag and get 3 inch groups @ 200 yards with my 320 gr cast bullets. This is done with 6 shot groups. I like the 2 power Burris. It works great on all big game.

Factory ammo only: .44 Magnum

Handloader: .41 Magnum, .45 Long Colt.

Since several posters are discussing scoped handguns, I'll yell you, with an open sighted revolver, if you are able to shoot 5 shot groups under 1.5" at 25 yards, you're better than most. Get 'em down to 1" or under and you probaly have a gun that works well for you.

BTW, the Ruger SBH in .41 and .44 Magnum is also available with a Bisley grip frame. This would be a great hunting revolver for you in either caliber!

.45 Long Colt is worth a look also, but anything bigger, unless like Paul H. you live in Alaska, or hunt there, is mostly hype. It can be worthwile though to buy some magnum revolvers in .454 Casull that you can easily shoot the hot .45 LC loads in. The Ruger Super Redhawk is a good example.

I am a died in the wool .44, .45, 45-70 and .475 man. But you will not go wrong with the .41. It is a fine caliber. But you almost have to handload for it. There are now some good bullets and boolits for it but factory loads are sometimes hard to find.
With the right loads you can expect as small as 1" groups at 50 yd's with any of them. Recoil is very mild.

quote:

A fixed 2x or 4x will be plenty out to 100 yds, even a bit more. I have never like the variable power EER scopes much - eye relief changes quite a bit as power varies. Just my preference.

I also use a fixed scope on my Ruger Redhawk 44 mag, a Leupold 4X. However if you want a variable that doesn't change its eye relief, a Bushnell Elite 3200 2x6 fits the bill nicely. I have one on an Encore tube in 22-250. All the magnification I need out to 200 yards or so for prairie dogs and yotes.

Paul

[QUOTE]Originally posted by KLN357:
BTW, the Ruger SBH in .41 and .44 Magnum is also available with a Bisley grip frame.
QUOTE]

The Bisley grip frame is the way to go - no doubt, IMO.

Also, the Ruger Bisley Hunter is available in 45 colt this year - yes, BISLEY. I already snapped one up. They are only making 250 of them (I'm told) for Lipsey's (IIRC). It has already established itself as the most accurate Ruger revolver I have ever owned. Last weekend I shot five, 6-shot groups using the Hornady 250 and 25 gr IMR4227. The AVERAGE of the five groups was under 0.5", the best being 0.41" (CTC) - 25 yds. It did mighty well too with the 335 gr CP, my personal favorite hunting bullet for the 45 Colt.

I've owned Bisley Hunters in 44 mag and 41 as well - all were excellent shooters, though none quite as good as the 45 colt above. Not going to be selling that one...

quote:

Originally posted by KLN357:
BTW, the Ruger SBH in .41 and .44 Magnum is also available with a Bisley grip frame.

The Bisley grip frame is the way to go - no doubt, IMO.

Also, the Ruger Bisley Hunter is available in 45 colt this year - yes, BISLEY. I already snapped one up. They are only making 250 of them (I'm told) for Lipsey's (IIRC). It has already established itself as the most accurate Ruger revolver I have ever owned. Last weekend I shot five, 6-shot groups using the Hornady 250 and 25 gr IMR4227. The AVERAGE of the five groups was under 0.5", the best being 0.41" (CTC) - 25 yds. It did mighty well too with the 335 gr CP, my personal favorite hunting bullet for the 45 Colt.

I've owned Bisley Hunters in 44 mag and 41 as well - all were excellent shooters, though none quite as good as the 45 colt above. Not going to be selling that one...[/QUOTE]

quote:

Originally posted by 9.3x62:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by KLN357:
BTW, the Ruger SBH in .41 and .44 Magnum is also available with a Bisley grip frame.

The Bisley grip frame is the way to go - no doubt, IMO.

Also, the Ruger Bisley Hunter is available in 45 colt this year - yes, BISLEY. I already snapped one up. They are only making 250 of them (I'm told) for Lipsey's (IIRC). It has already established itself as the most accurate Ruger revolver I have ever owned. Last weekend I shot five, 6-shot groups using the Hornady 250 and 25 gr IMR4227. The AVERAGE of the five groups was under 0.5", the best being 0.41" (CTC) - 25 yds. It did mighty well too with the 335 gr CP...

I've owned Bisley Hunters in 44 mag and 41 as well - all were excellent shooters, though none quite as good as the 45 colt above. Not going to be selling that one...

quote:

BTW, the Ruger SBH in .41 and .44 Magnum is also available with a Bisley grip frame.

The Bisley grip frame is the way to go - no doubt, IMO.

Also, the Ruger Bisley Hunter is available in 45 colt this year - yes, BISLEY. I already snapped one up. They are only making 250 of them (I'm told) for Lipsey's (IIRC). It has already established itself as the most accurate Ruger revolver I have ever owned. Last weekend I shot five, 6-shot groups using the Hornady 250 and 25 gr IMR4227. The AVERAGE of the five groups was under 0.5", the best being 0.41" (CTC) - 25 yds. It did mighty well too with the 335 gr CP...

I've owned Bisley Hunters in 44 mag and 41 as well - all were excellent shooters, though none quite as good as the 45 colt above. Not going to be selling that one...