[quote]ORIGINAL: akbound

Hi GOINHTN,



The Taurus is somewhere in between in frame weight. But also a good hunting revolver and comes ported standard.

. But what I like about it is that it is available in a 5" barrel...and the heavier calibers.


AKbound, The Redhawks are available with a 5 1/2" barrel.
Ruger Redhawk

Hi Ruger-Redhawk,

I know the standard Redhawk is available in 5 1/2" barrel....and I like it. (My brother has one in .41 Magnum....very sweet!) But the standard Redhawk does not come chambered in either the .454 Casull or the .480 Ruger. It comes in either the .41 or .44 Magnum. And these are both very good calibers. I have owned a number in either caliber in both single and double-action revolvers. But I am going to tell you the truth...when I was helping carry bait into black bear bait stands, (which also happens to be Brownie country), my 629 .44 Mag was "feeling awful small". Now you can call it silly if you like....but one's confidence (or lack thereof) in one's defensive armament makes a difference. And yes, in all honesty probably any handgun would have been feeling kind of small....(but the .454 Casull or .480 Ruger might not have felt as small).

By the way, you can't shoot Griz or Brownies over bait......but the bears don't know the bait ain't for them. And likely would take exception to your pointing that out to them!

The Super Redhawk comes in the heavier calibers...but only comes as short as 7 1/2". I know I could get a fairly short and light single-action in the heavier calibers....but I'd really prefer a good DA revolver.

It's a shame too......I really like the standard Redhawks. To me, at least, they feel better balanced than the Super Redhawks. That is part of my dilemma....I like the Redhawk but it doesn't come any bigger than the standard .44 Magnum. A very good cartridge...but I might opt for one of the heavier ones. (And yes, the new .500 S & W doesn't even come close for consideration in that monstrously big thing it currently is in! I want something portable!)

Howdy akbound....
Unfortunately Ruger discontinued the Redhawk in 41 mag some years back.I had one in 41 mag with a 7.5"bbl. Stupid me I traded it.I'm still cussing myself for that dumb move.I had fired it a few times and it was a shooter.I understand what you are saying about big medicine for bad critters.I would feel better having a cannon on my side too! The Redhawks are available in 44 mag & 45 Colt now instead of the 41 mag and 357 Mag. I still have a NIB Redhawk 5.5" S/S 357 Mag.It's awful heavy for a little old 357 mag. I do wish Ruger could or would chamber the Redhawks in the 454 or 480. Even if they had to drop it to 5 shots instead of the 6 shots.

Ruger Redhawk

Hi Ruger-Redhawk,

Shows you I haven't been completely been "staying up".....I wasn't aware that they discontinued the .41 Magnum....that's a shame. (Maybe now that some of the manufacturers..ie.Marlin....is bringing its carbine out in .41 Magnum there'll be a renewed interest?!?)

Yeah, I'd be glad to exchange that extra shot...and have a five shot .454 or .480 in a 5 1/2" Redhawk. (You listening Ruger?) The Taurus is only a five shot in those calibers as well. I applaud Ruger for insuring their firearms have an extra margin of safety, (as in the Super Redhawk). And I think it is one of the best revolvers for a "primary hunting arm". But it is just a little more gun than I want dangling on me all day, every day, walking....bouncing on the ATV....doing camp chores.....etc. Heck, I'll already have either a large caliber rifle, or a Brenneke slug loaded shotgun (or both) sitting around camp. I don't want something else with a lanyard. But 5" or 5 1/2" of barrel on a frame the size of the Redhawk or the Raging Bull......I can live with!

And like I said, if I decide to step back down to the .44 Magnum, I may as well have the lighter 629. Carry alot, shoot some, check screws frequently!

P.S. A "stiffly" loaded .45 Colt ain't to be sneezed at either......but then you're about back in the ball park with the .44 Magnum. (Just a thought though....a really light carry.....A Ruger Vaquero 4 5/8" in stoutly loaded .45 Colt....NICE!)