Ruger Alaskan.
- Thread starter Com 45acp
- Start date
Chuck 100 yd
Hunter
Plenty enough gun IF you are CONSISTENTLY accurate enough to hit the kill zone at your personal limit for distance.
I can hit a pop can every shot with my Security Six 2 1/4" shorty at 25 yd. I can't do much better with most longer barreled handguns. Most states have a minimum on barrel length for handgun hunting.
I can hit a pop can every shot with my Security Six 2 1/4" shorty at 25 yd. I can't do much better with most longer barreled handguns. Most states have a minimum on barrel length for handgun hunting.
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/general.asp
Can't see a bbl length restriction...... but it could be buried in there someplace.
Like the man said.......if you can consistently hit a soda can at the distances you mention, that gun will put them (and probably the one standing beside them) in the dirt. 8)
Can't see a bbl length restriction...... but it could be buried in there someplace.
Like the man said.......if you can consistently hit a soda can at the distances you mention, that gun will put them (and probably the one standing beside them) in the dirt. 8)
trapperon
Blackhawk
Agreed--it should be fine. Just practice practice practice to remain consistent on accuracy---and recoil on the 44 Alaskan is quite mild in my opinion. Nice revolver and should serve you well
Ron
Ron
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JLarsson
Single-Sixer
Works for me.... 
JLarsson
Single-Sixer
The story isn't as good as the picture, lol.
The first shot was about 25 yards. I feel confident with this revolver out to about 40. The load was H110 and a Montana Gold 240 grain SP. I hit him just about exactly where I was aiming, and had he not been angled away more than I perceived and more downhill than I perceived, no follow up shot would have been necessary.
As it was, the bullet entered the chest cavity, passed forward of the heart and just above the brisket, and broke the offside leg. His reaction to the shot made me think I HAD heart-shot him, but he turned and ran, so my second shot at about 40 yards broke his near-side back leg, so either I didn't lead him enough or I stopped the gun as it went off. A finishing shot in the neck was required.
The gun performed exactly as it should have. Me, not so much. The Montana Gold bullet didn't expand, acting more like a hard cast bullet, but I'm okay with that. I think I should work up some Hornady XTP loads and see what kind of performance I get with them.
Forgot to mention that no trees were significantly harmed in the harvesting of this animal.
The first shot was about 25 yards. I feel confident with this revolver out to about 40. The load was H110 and a Montana Gold 240 grain SP. I hit him just about exactly where I was aiming, and had he not been angled away more than I perceived and more downhill than I perceived, no follow up shot would have been necessary.
As it was, the bullet entered the chest cavity, passed forward of the heart and just above the brisket, and broke the offside leg. His reaction to the shot made me think I HAD heart-shot him, but he turned and ran, so my second shot at about 40 yards broke his near-side back leg, so either I didn't lead him enough or I stopped the gun as it went off. A finishing shot in the neck was required.
The gun performed exactly as it should have. Me, not so much. The Montana Gold bullet didn't expand, acting more like a hard cast bullet, but I'm okay with that. I think I should work up some Hornady XTP loads and see what kind of performance I get with them.
Forgot to mention that no trees were significantly harmed in the harvesting of this animal.
I recently purchased an Alaskan in 44 Mag and its a very comfortable gun to shoot. I am not a hunter however, this is just my bear protection while hiking piece. To that end I just picked up a 20 round box of Buffalo Bore Heavy +P+ 340 gr. LFN Gas Check. Should be very interesting to see what the recoil is with this load. I'm hoping I can be accurate enough to make it my go to ammo for hiking. At this level it probably is pretty close to 454 Casull levels...we'll see!
flyerdoc, you don't say where you are located. That 340 grain is a load I've carried and it has a substantial recoil in a short barreled gun like that. They are for the absolute biggest animals. The recoil being what it is, it also slows down your second shot. If you aren't in Alaska or one of the Northern states with grizzlies, I'd consider the 305 grain load, that Buffalo Bore loads. But it depends on where you are located.
Actually I also have a 454 Casull and I never felt the need to carry the hottest loads. I carried the 325 grain HC loads from Buffalo Bore, for the same reason.
Actually I also have a 454 Casull and I never felt the need to carry the hottest loads. I carried the 325 grain HC loads from Buffalo Bore, for the same reason.
Com 45acp said:
I'd say that depends entirely on you. The 44 magnum will do it's job. My question is, if for stand hunting why not get something with a little more barrel? The longer sight radius will surely extend your range and the additional velocity can't hurt, except on the receiving end ;-)
Bear Paw Jack said:
Hawkeye, I am in rural Pennsylania. Biggest thing I'd run into here hiking the backwood is a big Blackie. So for that the 340 grain is probably overkill, but I do expect to be hiking out west and northwest and if I can take my revolver there I'd like to be prepared. But I will also look at that 305 grain load for local hiking. To be honest, I was just very curious to see what the recoil is like...I'm am closing in on 60, and am 6'/185lbs with large hands so I am hoping I can master it (to a point, not looking to go plinking with it) just want to get two shots off in a 8 inch circle at no more 2-5 yards. Thanks for your comments.
Flyerdoc, Check this out.
http://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2014/7/15/video-the-454-casull-challenge/
http://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2014/7/15/video-the-454-casull-challenge/
Jim Puke
Hunter
Chuck 100 yd said:
Same applies to rifles, right?
Bear Paw Jack said:
Very impressive, and I see he is no young'in...that's good for me
When I do get to shoot I'm going to load two 44 special rounds, two 44 mag rounds and then the two buffalo bore rounds. I want to film it and see what the heck it all looks like...i'll keep you posted
The reason I ask is because I just bought an Alaskan and not going to buy another with a longer barrel. I realize the .44 is capable of taking white tail just wanted to know your opinions of using the shorter barrel. As some will suggest absolutely not with anything less than 4" barrel.
Com 45acp said:
The advantage of a longer barrel SuperRedhawk would be a barrell "cut outs" for a scope mount. As you know the Alaskans with the shorter barrel does not have this feature. If you don't intend on using a scope you should be good to go for a short 25 yard shot I would think. Again, I'm not a hunter just using what's left of my common sense... My only dislike on the Alaskan I have is that the front sight is black. I would have preferred a red dot insert but I would think you could upgrade the sight. I took the simple way out and used a silver sharpie to highlight the sight ramp, its 100% better, I really don't know why they made it black, seems counter intuitive to me especially if you are shooting at something very dark (like a bear for crying out loud!).
Yes i totally agree with the sights. For what the gun cost you would think it would at least have a color insert. But I guess this is where the Ruger shop comes into play. Keeps their hands in your wallet. Was thinking of getting a red fiber optic if it will hold up.
Varminterror
Blackhawk
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2014
- Messages
- 513
Throw a JP Rifles JPoint sight mount in the rear sight slot and a Burris Fastfire III or Trijicon RMR on top and your Alaskan's accuracy/sight-ability and recovery time back on target will improve greatly (as long as you don't have an astigmatism that turns a red dot sight into a fireworks display).
I wouldn't spend much time chasing 340grn pills. Nothing wrong with them, but they don't do anything 300grn pills don't do, except rob you of powder capacity, and add recoil. 300grn pills out of a 44mag or 454C will kill a bear just as fast, on light bears, I'd even use a JSP, Barnes XPB, or A-frame and let it do a little expanding. 44mags are big medicine, 454 and 480 even moreso.
The fiber optics for the Ruger Alaskans do hold up, but for me, they're snag city with their blocky form. I did my carry alaskan with a shark fin type front and had Amerigun install trijicon tritium lamps.
I've killed deer and coyotes with Alaskans, started hunting with one in 2006 or 2007. It's one of my favorite firearms ever produced, largely because it lacks so much in inherent practicality. BUT!! If a guy can master it, it's incredibly formidable.
Snubbies will kill game too - my wife has taken a few doe with a 2.25" SP101, one as long as a lasered 43yrds.
I'm not intrigued enough to spend the time researching it, but after spending the last ~18yrs hunting around the nation with handguns, I'm prone to expect there are more states with no restriction on barrel length than states which do.
I wouldn't spend much time chasing 340grn pills. Nothing wrong with them, but they don't do anything 300grn pills don't do, except rob you of powder capacity, and add recoil. 300grn pills out of a 44mag or 454C will kill a bear just as fast, on light bears, I'd even use a JSP, Barnes XPB, or A-frame and let it do a little expanding. 44mags are big medicine, 454 and 480 even moreso.
The fiber optics for the Ruger Alaskans do hold up, but for me, they're snag city with their blocky form. I did my carry alaskan with a shark fin type front and had Amerigun install trijicon tritium lamps.
I've killed deer and coyotes with Alaskans, started hunting with one in 2006 or 2007. It's one of my favorite firearms ever produced, largely because it lacks so much in inherent practicality. BUT!! If a guy can master it, it's incredibly formidable.
Snubbies will kill game too - my wife has taken a few doe with a 2.25" SP101, one as long as a lasered 43yrds.
I'm not intrigued enough to spend the time researching it, but after spending the last ~18yrs hunting around the nation with handguns, I'm prone to expect there are more states with no restriction on barrel length than states which do.
GhosT
Blackhawk
Just one guys opinion,
If that barrel length is legal point is #2...
Point #1
As that gun is limited on range,
Ya gotta do what other "good hunters do"
Don't fire unless a sure kill shot.
Not every shot kills fast, but has to hit vital organs.
Over a few decades,found too many rotting deer shot in the ass,legs,etc.
Knew they suffered for days.
Using a gun that restricts its distance, respect that distance.
If that barrel length is legal point is #2...
Point #1
As that gun is limited on range,
Ya gotta do what other "good hunters do"
Don't fire unless a sure kill shot.
Not every shot kills fast, but has to hit vital organs.
Over a few decades,found too many rotting deer shot in the ass,legs,etc.
Knew they suffered for days.
Using a gun that restricts its distance, respect that distance.
Varminterror
Blackhawk
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2014
- Messages
- 513
What about a 44mag Alaskan restricts distance?
Guys kill game every year with standard length 45colt revolvers at 0-100yrds which have less power coming out of the muzzle than the 44mag Alaskan. Guys kill game at 0-75yrds every year with 357mag revolvers every year which have less power at the muzzle than the 44mag Alaskan does at impact!
The only limiting factor for the Alaskan is its shootability. A short barrel can be just as accurate as a long barrel for hunting, it's just not as fast as a long barrel, and doesn't have as forgiving of sight radius. If it's fast enough, the former doesn't apply, and if you're able to reliably place the shots, the latter is covered.
Guys who have never hunted with a snubby or shot mid to long range with one get this irrationally biased idea snubbies are all horribly crippled and underpowered, and terribly inaccurate. It's still a 36kpsi cartridge throwing a 240 or 300grn pill out of the muzzle over 1,000fps... Put it where it needs to go and whatever it runs into in the morning won't be having a good afternoon...
Guys kill game every year with standard length 45colt revolvers at 0-100yrds which have less power coming out of the muzzle than the 44mag Alaskan. Guys kill game at 0-75yrds every year with 357mag revolvers every year which have less power at the muzzle than the 44mag Alaskan does at impact!
The only limiting factor for the Alaskan is its shootability. A short barrel can be just as accurate as a long barrel for hunting, it's just not as fast as a long barrel, and doesn't have as forgiving of sight radius. If it's fast enough, the former doesn't apply, and if you're able to reliably place the shots, the latter is covered.
Guys who have never hunted with a snubby or shot mid to long range with one get this irrationally biased idea snubbies are all horribly crippled and underpowered, and terribly inaccurate. It's still a 36kpsi cartridge throwing a 240 or 300grn pill out of the muzzle over 1,000fps... Put it where it needs to go and whatever it runs into in the morning won't be having a good afternoon...
Yermo
Single-Sixer
Not the same caliber, but today I fired 20 rounds of .480 Ruger (my reloads, 325 gr. XTP at about 900 fps) from my Alaskan. 2" groups from 15 yards out is nothing to complain about. Short sight radius is challenging but it can be handled with practice.
Update, I did go out and shoot that Buffalo Bore Heavy 44 Mag. +P+ (340gr hard cast LFN-GC) today, man, quite the kick, but hit a 12 inch target at 10 yards consistently with two hands. I tried a couple of rounds one handed, not surprisingly, neither hit the target. I will attempt one handed at closer ranges 10-15 FEET next time to see what I can manage. After all, I might see that Grizzly at 10 yards but not be able to get off a shot till he is at 10 feet 
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