Ruger Hunter Single Actions, a new rabbit hole to go down!

Bullthrower338

Bullthrower338

Buckeye
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I have always found the Blackhawk Hunter Models intriguing, very far from from the lines of Sam Colt and Bill Ruger’s classic Single Actions, but always thought the hunters were beautiful nonetheless. I’m not sure why I’ve never bought one, not like I have ever felt the need to justify a new gun! I was reading this forum several weeks ago and there was a discussion on the hunters. I had to have one to play with, I found one in 45 Colt, one of my favorite cartridges, especially in a Ruger SA. I was quite smitten with the gun and decided I needed a rimfire model to scratch the itch a little deeper. I found this NIB 22lr/22mag at a good price and snapped it up.
IMG_8229.jpeg

What a wonderful little revolver! Made me glad that I completely lack self control when it comes to this kind of stuff. I didn’t know what I was missing by passing by these neat revolvers! I have a sneaking suspicion that there are a 41, 44 and 17 HMR in my future, I need to find my back scratcher quick!
 
Very nice pair to START with. And realize,, that there are also Bisley versions,, and you missed the elusive .17 convertible! :D
 
Bullthrower338 said:
I bid on a 17 convertible a couple weeks ago! It brought plenty of money!
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I was able to get the 44, 41 and the 22 models. I love them too! I am always looking for the 45 and 17 dual cylinder model. I would like to get a duplicate in 44 or 41 and have the barrel reduced to 5 1/2" . I definitely think that would be fine revolver.
 
I bought a Redhawk with the 7 1/2" barrel and integral scope rings, just like the Hunter above. It was to be my deer gun. Worked wonderful on the bench, but the balance with that scope was awful.

I ended up removing the rear sight and installing a Weigand mount and a reflex sight. Perfect combination.
 
Nice. Good start for a collection!

Only problem I have with them is weight, scope, and holstering. I see them as a special use only (or just a safe queen) so never popped for one.
 
I bought a 5.5” SBH with the shorter grip frame with rounded trigger guard.
Didn’t care for that very much on a .44 magnum, so had a longer Hunter grip frame installed which gives a better hold for me.
Sold the original grip frame to a member here who used it to make his BH a two-tone (bottom pic).

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386$$IMG_1672.jpeg
 
That's what I was afraid of hearing you say. I bought the one I had used but would have passed for new for around $375. Of course that has been probably 12 years ago or so. It had box, papers, both cylinders and I sold it for about the same money several months later as it was too heavy and expensive to shoot for me.
 
Rclark said:
Only problem I have with them is weight, scope, and holstering. I see them as a special use only (or just a safe queen) so never popped for one.
Click to expand...
I scoped my first Blackhawk for deer hunting. Back then holsters for scoped handguns were few and far between.

I got some cloth fabric from my wife and designed a perfect holster. Using that as a pattern I made my own out of leather. A fun job.
 
Ruger Hunter Single Actions, a new rabbit hole to go down!

Can't hardly get more model-specific than that. Problem is that thread creep takes over and ya can't have a moderator sit on a thread full-time to stop this. It's an issue in any thread that only the members can control by sticking to the thread issue. :rolleyes:

Trying Ruger Hunter ONLY thread would only draw the creepers. ;)
 
Specificity of the OP and two of 18+ contributors does not make a "Hunter only" thread. I'm pressing it because the thread drift did happen.
 
I have the plow handled Hunters in the three center fire cartridges (41, 44, & .45) but missed the rim fires. I do have a Single Six .22LR/.22 Mag with a 6 1/2 inch barrel and a 'in the rough' Hunter SS grip frame and grips, so I could make myself a facsimile without too much effort. I would need to find a suitable scope mount to be in business.
 
I have the Hunters in 41, 44, and 45C. The 41 is a plow handle and the others are Bisley. I have a couple of scopes that I rotate between them when using as a deer rifle. Several Alabama sized does have been taken with the three. The longest shot I have taken is around 50yrds.
 
The Hunter models may not be everyone's cup of tea, but the brilliance on Ruger's part to gen up an out of the box "one of a kind" single action revolver suitable for hunting or longer range shooting is to me profound. The Hunter is ready to go afield or punch holes in paper at distance more than any revolver I own, have owned or am likely to own. In other single action brands these attributes were an afterthought where scope options or longer barrel length selections are optional.

Are the Hunters sub 1 Minute of angle (MOA) ready at 100+ yards? Do they have glass breaking 3 pound triggers? Maybe, maybe not but for anyone who wants those abilities the Hunter can serve them well with minor modifications if needed.

The Hunter discussion in the article below is a good one written by John Taffin.

https://gunsmagazine.com/guns/return-of-the-ruger-hunter-model/
 
gnappi said:
The Hunter models may not be everyone's cup of tea, but the brilliance on Ruger's part to gen up an out of the box "one of a kind" single action revolver suitable for hunting or longer range shooting is to me profound. The Hunter is ready to go afield or punch holes in paper at distance more than any revolver I own, have owned or am likely to own. In other single action brands these attributes were an afterthought where scope options or longer barrel length selections are optional.

Are the Hunters sub 1 Minute of angle (MOA) ready at 100+ yards? Do they have glass breaking 3 pound triggers? Maybe, maybe not but for anyone who wants those abilities the Hunter can serve them well with minor modifications if needed.

The Hunter discussion in the article below is a good one written by John Taffin.

https://gunsmagazine.com/guns/return-of-the-ruger-hunter-model/
Click to expand...
I can consistently do 3 at 100 with the 45. The gun will probably do better. I limit myself to 60yds on game. The 41 has done 2 at 100 but 4-5 most days. I normally use the irons on the 44. Most days I can do minute of paper plate at 100 with it.
 
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