Redhawk Hunter needs a scope.

[crstrode]

I've had a Redhawk Hunter (.44 mag, 7.5 inch, stainless) for over 20 years. Bought it new.

Now, as an old geezer, I've decided to finally put those rings to use and add a scope.

What advice will all of you experts offer? Any sage advice?

None of my Blackhawks have ever had anything other than iron sights.

FYI - I do have a first-place unlimited category IHMSA trophy that I won long long ago and far far away shooting a 30-30 contender - so the very idea of putting a scope on a handgun still feels a little gay

I'm gonna do it anyway.

 

[Nowata]

The .44mag. revolver is (in general) a short range gun(less tha 100yrs.). A short range sighting system is in order. I use an ADCO 1 moa dot. on my SBHH Bisley

 

[contender]

There are plenty of choices,, but I'd suggest quality in whatever you choose.
A red dot is pretty good for aging eyes, and a scope will magnify things. You need to decide which works best for YOUR eyes. I use both types, and for different purposes.

 

[Iron Mike Golf]

I have the same gun. I shot full house loads and that gun has eaten cheaper red dots. It also at a Bushnell Trophy zoom. The ends of the zoom cam slot failed and the crack propagated from both ends around the tube towards each other. I discovered that before the eyepiece went flying.

I also tried using a Weigand no-drill mount. I now use Ruger rings. Got a Swift 2x on there now (bought used). I have Leupold 2x I need to send in for repair. That worked great until it fell off the shelf onto the floor. The Swift is holding up fine. Optics are not a good as the Leupold.

Depending on scope, you will need medium or high rings for the eyepiece to clear the rear sight. That is one of the reasons I tried the Weigand mount. It also put the scope eyepiece a tad closer to my eye. I have long arms and with some the eye relief of the scope was not enough to prevent "tunnel vision" in the scope.

One of these days, I'll get with an UltraDot.

edited to add:

Here a post I did here with photos of why I hesitate to recommend the Weigand mount:
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=163812&p=1646765#p1646765

 

[crstrode]

Jeff - thanks for the great post - Answers like this are what we all really need when talking about scopes on powerful guns. I've ground up several scopes on Contenders - and I've discovered the "lifetime Warranty" offered by some makers is a load of hooey!

I've not yet heard of an Ultradot pooping out from recoil.

I have the same gun. I shot full house loads and that gun has eaten cheaper red dots. It also at a Bushnell Trophy zoom. The ends of the zoom cam slot failed and the crack propagated from both ends around the tube towards each other. I discovered that before the eyepiece went flying.

I also tried using a Weigand no-drill mount. I now use Ruger rings. Got a Swift 2x on there now (bought used). I have Leupold 2x I need to send in for repair. That worked great until it fell off the shelf onto the floor. The Swift is holding up fine. Optics are not a good as the Leupold.

Depending on scope, you will need medium or high rings for the eyepiece to clear the rear sight. That is one of the reasons I tried the Weigand mount. It also put the scope eyepiece a tad closer to my eye. I have long arms and with some the eye relief of the scope was not enough to prevent "tunnel vision" in the scope.

One of these days, I'll get with an UltraDot.

edited to add:

Here a post I did here with photos of why I hesitate to recommend the Weigand mount:
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=163812&p=1646765#p1646765

 

[betterlate111]

I can't use a Red Dot, when I look thru the frame I see multiple dots due to age related astigmatism. My entry level Simmons Pro Hunter gives me good light and holds up well against weather and Buf Bore. And it was only $69 with long eye relief. Make sure you get a pistol scope.

PS: if you need the Weigand solid scope base that adapts your Redhawk Hunter Ruger Ring cuts to allow you to use Weaver Rings, PM me. I have one NIP in silver matte finish. It was $50 last year plus shipping when I bought it. RugerForum folks can have it for $40 shipped. PayPal is OK. MO is better.

http://www.jackweigand.com/Redhawk_Blackhawk_Bisley_Hunter.html

 

[don44]

I use a Leupold 2X on mine, it has been on my Redhawk since 1999 !

 

[Iron Mike Golf]

I use a Leupold 2X on mine, it has been on my Redhawk since 1999 !

Yep, mine is going back on after I get it repaired.

 

[GaryVA]

Nothing sage, but I own the same Redhawk Hunter and use a Leupold fxII 2x20 which works very well.

Been toying around with the idea of an Aimpoint Micro red dot, but haven't pulled the trigger because of not wanting to fix what aint broken. A good friend of mine has a bunch of experience with red dot sights used in competition as well as hunting situations. He makes them sound very attractive, like maybe if I made the switch I'd not go back. But like you, I'm a fixed sight guy and it was a big step for me to scope my handgun. For whatever reason, it's been harder for me to take the next step with a red dot.

The 2x20 Leu sits well on top of the Redhawk Hunter without sticking way out the back like on a Super Redhawk. It handles well without hanging up, is easy to pickup a sight picture without much issue of scope blackout, is actually a tad bit brighter than my naked eye at low light, and is easy to swing onto target with both eyes open which gives you full field of view when hunting. My opinion is they hold up well, but if anything goes askew, Leupold will make it right.

Best