{"id":908,"date":"2023-03-22T09:50:53","date_gmt":"2023-03-22T09:50:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=908"},"modified":"2023-03-22T09:50:53","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T09:50:53","slug":"gun-review-ruger-super-redhawk-alaskan-revolver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=908","title":{"rendered":"Gun Review: Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan Revolver"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"td-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4541.jpg\" data-caption=\"\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"696\" height=\"390\" class=\"entry-thumb td-modal-image\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4541.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4541.jpg 4000w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4541-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4541-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4541-700x392.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4541-770x431.jpg 770w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" alt=\"Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan\" title=\"Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><\/div>\n<p>Alaska is a place that many of us dream of visiting. I\u2019ve wanted to see the state ever since I can remember. The mountains and the wilderness call to me, but alas I\u2019m not in a place in life to make such a journey. Instead, I decided to live vicariously and review the simply awesome <a href=\"https:\/\/ruger.com\/products\/superRedhawkAlaskan\/models.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan<\/a>\u00a0double action revolver chambered in .454 Casull\/.45 Colt to get me through until I can make it up there.<\/p>\n<p>I will start by saying that this is an enormous, very substantial revolver. Everything on this gun is big and heavy, from the unfluted cylinder to the frame and the sights. This is a gun that\u2019s meant for the most rugged duty imaginable in the woods and the wilds.<\/p>\n<p>I quickly found that this isn\u2019t a gun you\u2019ll want to carry on your belt. Although it weighs about 50oz loaded, it feels much heavier. This revolver needs to be carried in some sort of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/vertx-parabellum-bandolier-chest-rig\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">chest rig<\/a> or harness. I tote it in a great <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/gear-review-hill-people-gear-kit-bag-umlindi-pack-system\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hill People Gear Heavy Recon Kit Bag<\/a> that I\u2019ve previously reviewed here that I\u2019d heartily recommend.<\/p>\n<p>Because of the wet, cold, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/it-should-have-been-a-defensive-gun-use-alaska-pipeline-worker-mauled-by-black-bear\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">gritty environments<\/a> that it\u2019s meant for, the Super Redhawk Alaskan is constructed almost entirely of stainless steel. That allows the gun to be easily cleaned and maintained even in harshest conditions. I\u2019m not always a fan of stainless guns, but the corrosion resistance is there and that scores it points in my book.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-476002\" alt=\"Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan\" width=\"770\" height=\"431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4544.jpg 4000w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4544-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4544-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4544-700x392.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4544-770x431.jpg 770w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4544.jpg\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-476002\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4544.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan\" width=\"770\" height=\"431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4544.jpg 4000w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4544-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4544-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4544-700x392.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4544-770x431.jpg 770w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\"\/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>When it comes to operation, the Alaskan is like a bank vault that launches bullets (and weighs almost as much). The cylinder features a triple-locking design that ensures positive function with the powerful cartridges the gun is chambered in. This also helps with accuracy, which is in no way lacking. All in all, this gun proved 100% reliable with all the ammo I tested it with.The trigger pull was smooth and the break was clean and easy.<\/p>\n<p>I tested the Super Redhawk Alaskan with two calibers of ammunition: .454 Casull and .45 Colt. The difference between these two is basically the same as the difference between .44 Mag and .44 Special or .357 Mag and .38 Special.<\/p>\n<p>The .454 Casull was designed as a wildcat round in the late 1950\u2019s and didn\u2019t see widespread acceptance until the late 1990\u2019s. It\u2019s an insanely powerful cartridge that can be loaded far beyond most other handgun cartridges. It displays what I could call savage recoil and blast. Firing it from a short 2.5 inch barrel like the Alaskan\u2019s is a hell of an experience.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-476001\" alt=\"Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan\" width=\"770\" height=\"431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4543.jpg 4000w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4543-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4543-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4543-700x392.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4543-770x431.jpg 770w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4543.jpg\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-476001\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4543.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan\" width=\"770\" height=\"431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4543.jpg 4000w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4543-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4543-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4543-700x392.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4543-770x431.jpg 770w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\"\/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>I fired three types of .454 Casull and two types of .45 Colt in this gun totaling about 300 rounds. The .45 Colt loads were very pleasant and enjoyable, while the only \u2018easy\u2019 to shoot .454 generated just about three times the recoil of the former. I noted that, despite its massive recoil, the gun was still very accurate on paper.<\/p>\n<p>Testing was done on a 90 degree Fahrenheit day over an Oehler 35P chronograph, which was located five feet from the muzzle. Groups are the average result of three, five-shot five shot groups at 25 yards.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>HSM 325gr Lead WFN Gas Check Bear Load\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014-947fps, 3.7\u201d<\/strong><br \/><strong>Hornady 240gr XTP Mag\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u20131495fps, 3.4\u201d<\/strong><br \/><strong>Hornady 300gr XTP Mag\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u20131358fps, 4\u201d<\/strong><br \/><strong>HSM .45 Colt Cowboy 250gr RNFP\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014693fps, 3.5\u201d<\/strong><br \/><strong>SIG SAUER .45 Colt 230gr V CROWN\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014702fps, 2.5\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The variance in the power generated between the .454 Casull and .45 Colt should give you an idea of just how versatile this gun and its cartridges are. The nice thing about it is that shooting .45 Colt feels like shooting a much, much smaller cartridge. The beefy gun \u2014 especially with its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.avantlink.com\/click.php?tt=cl&amp;merchant_id=83c7c186-fb5f-42ca-a1a4-8e6e1a99ac2e&amp;website_id=4e8a62e5-c9f2-4169-947d-06856fc118da&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportsmans.com%2Fsearch%2F%3Ftext%3Dhogue%2Bgrips\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hoque rubber grips<\/a> \u2014 soaks up most of the .45\u2019s recoil and it\u2019s downright enjoyable.<\/p>\n<p>I was able to produce the best groups of the day with the SIG SAUER ammo, but I believe that gun was capable of better accuracy than I got with the other loads. It\u2019s still a very accurate piece, but the brutal recoil of the .454 makes it hard to focus on marksmanship.<\/p>\n<p>In keeping with that, I have a high opinion of the gun as a whole. It\u2019s rugged, large, powerful, and is designed to be used in difficult places. The only real downside is the amount of recoil you have to put up with to send a 300gr bullet from a 2.5 inch barrel at nearly 1400fps. This isn\u2019t so much a conversation about the gun as it is the ammo.<\/p>\n<p>The gun, loaded with light-recoiling <a href=\"https:\/\/www.avantlink.com\/click.php?tt=cl&amp;merchant_id=366d8fa6-2a72-4d59-bc31-583f74cfd91b&amp;website_id=4e8a62e5-c9f2-4169-947d-06856fc118da&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fpalmettostatearmory.com%2Fammo%2Fhandgun-ammo.html%3Fcaliber_multi%3D.45%2BLong%2BColt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">.45 Colt ammo<\/a>, is fast, accurate, and easy to put on target. The double-action pull is heavy but clean, as it should be, and follow-up shots are fast. The single action pull is, as you\u2019d expect, crisp and light.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-476000\" alt=\"Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan\" width=\"770\" height=\"431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4542.jpg 4000w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4542-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4542-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4542-700x392.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4542-770x431.jpg 770w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4542.jpg\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-476000\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4542.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan\" width=\"770\" height=\"431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4542.jpg 4000w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4542-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4542-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4542-700x392.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/4542-770x431.jpg 770w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\"\/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>The pinned ramp-style front sight and adjustable rear sight with its white outlined notch are excellent and provide a quick, sight picture.<\/p>\n<p>The problems for me come when coupled with the max-power loads. People say that\u2019s what you need for bears and, having never seen a grizzly except at the zoo, I don\u2019t have a leg to stand on for argument\u2019s sake.<\/p>\n<p>What I did find out is that the 300gr XTP Mag load was downright painful to shoot in a gun this small and it was difficult for me to shoot accurately under various drills. Follow-up shots were difficult to master and my palm was aching after a couple double-tap drills. This is an incredibly powerful cartridge, but it\u2019s not one for everyone.<\/p>\n<p>Overall I liked the HSM Bear Load the best. It\u2019s a heavy, non-expanding bullet that isn\u2019t exactly screaming at just under 1000fps, but is far more powerful than .45 Colt and doesn\u2019t snap like the XTP loads. I like the Hornady offerings, but I\u2019d much prefer them in a longer-barreled revolver or a rifle. The rubber Hogue grip helps a lot, but it can only do so much with loads as powerful as the XTP Mag.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.avantlink.com\/click.php?tt=cl&amp;merchant_id=83c7c186-fb5f-42ca-a1a4-8e6e1a99ac2e&amp;website_id=4e8a62e5-c9f2-4169-947d-06856fc118da&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportsmans.com%2Fsearch%2F%3Ftext%3Druger%2Bsuper%2Bredhawk%2Balaskan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Super Redhawk Alaskan<\/a> is an attractive, rugged gun. My time with it gave me a glimpse into what these authoritative and compact revolvers offer the modern adventurer and I have to say that I\u2019m impressed. Ruger managed to harness a truly powerful cartridge in this gun and it was a literal blast to shoot it as much as I did. I suggest you pay <a href=\"https:\/\/ruger.com\/products\/superRedhawkAlaskan\/specSheets\/5301.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.ruger.com<\/a> a visit while I go ice my palm for a while.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Specifications: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.avantlink.com\/click.php?tt=cl&amp;merchant_id=83c7c186-fb5f-42ca-a1a4-8e6e1a99ac2e&amp;website_id=4e8a62e5-c9f2-4169-947d-06856fc118da&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportsmans.com%2Fsearch%2F%3Ftext%3Druger%2Bsuper%2Bredhawk%2Balaskan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ruger Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan Revolver<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Caliber:<\/strong> .454 Casull\/.45 Colt (also available in .480 Ruger and .44 Magnum)<br \/><strong>Capacity:<\/strong> 6 rounds<br \/><strong>Weight:<\/strong> 44 oz. empty<br \/><strong>Barrel Length:<\/strong> 2.5 inches<br \/><strong>Overall Length:<\/strong> 7.62 inches<br \/><strong>MSRP:<\/strong> $1,509 (about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.avantlink.com\/click.php?tt=cl&amp;merchant_id=83c7c186-fb5f-42ca-a1a4-8e6e1a99ac2e&amp;website_id=4e8a62e5-c9f2-4169-947d-06856fc118da&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportsmans.com%2Fsearch%2F%3Ftext%3Druger%2Bsuper%2Bredhawk%2Balaskan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">$1249 retail<\/a>)<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Ratings (out of five stars):<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Aesthetics * * * * *<\/strong><br \/>Some people like \u2018em thick, and Ruger dressed this baby up to kill. The gun has attractive roll marks on the cylinder, tasteful engraving, and no out-of-place gimmicks.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Reliability * * * * *<\/strong><br \/>It\u2019s a Ruger. It\u2019s a revolver. It shoots when you need it to. Every time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Accuracy * * * * *<\/strong><br \/>Despite my poor marksmanship, this gun shoots very well. With light loads, the accuracy is excellent. With heavy, powerful rounds? You had best work up to them. This is a very accurate gun and does exactly what it\u2019s supposed to regardless of your flinch. Bears beware.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Handling * * * *<\/strong><br \/>A beast with full-house loads. I want to give it five stars, but the recoil is so great shooting .454 ammo that most people will only fire half a box of XTP Mag before they quit. That\u2019s no fault of the gun (or the ammo). That\u2019s the Super Redhawk Alaskan doing exactly what it\u2019s supposed to do.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Carry * * *<\/strong><br \/>This revolver is huge on the handgun scale. It\u2019s physically smaller than many others, but far more massive. Because of the shape and size, a special means of carry (a chest rig) is necessary and will take some planning.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Overall * * * * \u00bd<\/strong><br \/>This gun is what it is. It doesn\u2019t pretend to be a daily carry gun or a dedicated hunting tool. It\u2019s a reliable, accurate, and powerful firearm for use in the woods to protect you from some of nature\u2019s biggest beasts. And it will do the job quite well.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/gun-review-ruger-super-redhawk-alaskan-454-casull-45-colt-revolver\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Alaska is a place that many of us dream of visiting. I\u2019ve wanted to see the state ever since I can remember. The mountains and the wilderness call to me, but alas I\u2019m not in a place in life to make such a journey. Instead, I decided to live vicariously and review the simply awesome [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":909,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=908"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/908\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}