TECHNICAL DOPE BAG SHOOTING RESULTS (25 YDS.) SUPER REDHAWK ALASKAN .480 RUGER VELOCITY ENERGY GROUP SIZE IN INCHES MANUFACTURER: STURM RUGER & CO., CARTRIDGE (F.P.S.) (FT.-LBS.) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE INC. (DEPT. AR), 1 LACEY PLACE, SOUTHPORT, CT 06890; HORNADY NO. 9138 1107 AVG. 885 1.78 2.99 2.33 (203) 256-3860; WWW.RUGER.COM 325-GR. XTP HP 16 SD CALIBER: .454 CASULL, .480 RUGER HORNADY NO. 9144 1042 AVG. 964 2.77 5.01 3.82 (TESTED) 400-GR. XTP HP 7 SD ACTION TYPE: DOUBLE-ACTION, CENTER- FIRE REVOLVER SPEER NO. 23985 1135 AVG. 929 2.17 3.95 3.04 FRAME: INVESTMENT-casT STaiNLEss STEEL 1 325-GR. GDSP 16 SD BARREL: 2 ⁄2", STAINLESS STEEL RIFLING: 1:18", SIX-GROOVE, RH TWIST AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD 3.06 CYLINDER CAPACITY: SIX ROUNDS VELOciTIES REPRESENT AN AVERAGE OF 10 SHOTS FIRED OVER A CHRONOGRAPH AT 15 FEET. SIGHTS: RAMPED POST FRONT, REAR AccURacY RESULTS REPRESENT AN AVERAGE OF FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS FIRED WHITE-OUTLINE NOTCH ADJUSTABLE FOR WINDAGE AND ELEVATION OFF saNDBAGS AT 25 Yds. ABBREViaTIONS: GDSP (GOld DOT SOFT POINT), HP (HOllOW 3 POINT), SD (STANdaRD DEViaTION), XTP (EXTREME TERMINal PERFORMANCE). TRIGGER PULL: SINGLE-ACTION, 4 ⁄4 LBS.; DOUBLE-ACTION, 14 LBS. 1 OVERALL LENGTH: 7 ⁄2" 1 HEIGHT: 6 ⁄4" 3 WIDTH: 1 ⁄4" WEIGHT: 43 OZS. ACCESSORIES: BLACK PLASTIC CASE, INSTRUCTION MANUAL, HIP HOLSTER, SHOULDER HOLSTER, TRIGGER LOCK SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $860 The Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan is dis- tinguished by its short 2½" barrel, Hogue Monogrip rubber stocks and lack of scope- Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan mounting cuts on the top of the frame. ost shooters think of The idea of the Super Redhawk of frame cuts for scope mounts. sight radius. The average grouping with that cartridge out of longer snub-nose revolvers in Alaskan came to Ruger President The Super Redhawk’s rubber, was 2.33" at 25 yds. with the Hor- barrels. In fact, the ballistics of the Mthe context of diminu- Steven Sanetti while on a trip to wood-insert stocks were replaced nady 325-gr. load. All loads stayed .480 Ruger Alaskan are equaled or tive concealment guns. Thus, Alaska. There he heard repeated by a Hogue Monogrip having within a bear-size animal’s vitals exceeded by many .44 Mag. loads at first glance, the Ruger Super requests for a short-barreled, finger grooves and a Sorbothane at reasonable handgunning range. out of standard-length tubes. Those Redhawk Alaskan—a large- large-bore magnum handgun for cushion along the backstrap. No malfunctions were noted. wanting more power out of the frame, six-shot revolver with a handy field carry. Responding to Sighting is by way of a ramped, Though the recoil of the Hor- Alaskan could opt for the .454 Casull 2½" barrel, chambered in .454 this input, Sanetti and the Ruger serrated 0.12"-wide black post in nady and Speer 325-gr. loads was chambering, which would also allow Casull or .480 Ruger—may seem design team quickly made the front, and a rear unit adjustable tolerable for experienced big-bore the use of .45 Colt ammunition for like an anomaly. Actually, it is a idea a reality, and the Alaskan was for windage and elevation, with a handgunners, Hornady’s .400-gr. reduced-power practice. reasonable solution to a problem introduced in 2005. white-outline 0.135"-wide notch. We load crossed into the discomfort Comparing the Alaskan’s per- faced by those who live or play in The Alaskan is identical to the would have liked a front post with zone. Interestingly, that load also formance on paper with longer- America’s Western wilderness: the standard Super Redhawk (January a red or orange insert if we had to retained more of its nominal velocity barreled guns misses the point, The 1.79”-diameter, unfluted threat of an unexpected attack by 1988, p. 56), with the exception of suddenly take aim at a large, angry in the Alaskan than did the lighter- however. Handiness is the gun’s cylinder holds six rounds of .454 Casull or .480 Ruger (top). a bear or other dangerous animal. the shorter barrel and the absence critter with dark fur. bullet loads. While the short bar- raison d’etre. Unlike wheelguns Sights include a ramped, black We tested our Alaskan, cham- rel reduced the muzzle velocity of with 6" or longer barrels, it doesn’t serrated post in front, and a American Rifleman has used the phrase “Dope Bag” at least since 1921, when Col. Townsend bered for the .480 Ruger cartridge, Hornady’s 325-gr. load nearly 250 slap against the thigh or dig into white outline notch in a rear Whelen first titled his column with it. Even then, it had been in use for years, referring to a sack at 25 yds. off sandbags with a f.p.s. from its nominal 1350 f.p.s. the waist when holstered on the hip, used by target shooters to hold ammunition and accessories on the firing line. “Sight dope” also blade adjustable for windage was a traditional marksman’s term for sight adjustment information, while judging wind speed 325-gr. Gold Dot soft-point load value generated out of a 7½" barrel, and when carried in Ruger’s shoul- and elevation (above). and direction was called “doping the wind.” from Speer and two Hornady loads the company’s 400-gr. load dropped der holster, it is readily accessible WARNING: Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide informa- featuring 325- and 400-gr. XTP only 58 f.p.s. from its published in just about any position. Its com- river or gathering firewood in the tion based on the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. hollow-point bullets. Accuracy and muzzle velocity of 1100 f.p.s. pact size affords every outdoors- nearby forest, you probably won’t They do not detail the comprehensive training procedures, techniques and safety precautions velocity results are contained in The muzzle velocity and energy person in bear country the ability have a rifle in your hands. At such absolutely necessary to properly carry on similar activity. Read the notice and disclaimer on the contents page. Always consult comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of the accompanying table. generated by the .480 Ruger in to be well armed at all times. times, the Super Redhawk Alaskan proper training requirements, procedures, techniques and safety precautions before attempting Accuracy was good for a sharp- the snubby Alaskan are consider- When you’re walking around is one of the best insurance poli- any similar activity. recoiling revolver having a short ably less than could be achieved the camp, fishing for lunch at the cies you can buy. 54 AR APRIL 2006 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN AMERICAN RIFLEMAN APRIL 2006 AR 55 DOPE BAG The gas-operated, 12-ga., 3½" Xtrema2 borrows from the Urika 391, the Benelli Black Eagle and Franchi semi-automatics in its internal design and self-contained trigger unit (r.). Beretta’s Gel-Tek other designs. The full vent rib is recoil pad system is standard crosshatched to reduce glare and equipment (far r.). The pad is topped by a gold bead at its front. made of a soft gel-type material The barrel extension is a separate that effectively reduces perceived piece firmly screwed to the barrel recoil. The pads are easily inter- and left in the white. changeable, and Beretta advises Extraction is via a hook on the that different lengths are bolt’s right side, and the ejector currently available. is pinned into the receiver’s left. The ejector is a tapered rectan- position, a red annular ring around are interchangeable, and different increased spring tension in the gular stud that rides in a channel the shaft of the safety is exposed. lengths are offered. To detach the ejector. It cycles extremely fast in the wall of the barrel extension The bolt release is on the receiv- unit, simply withdraw the U-shaped for a gas-operated autoloader; as it is pushed forward along with er’s right front. Depressing the wire bar at the stock’s toe and lift it and recoil, thanks to the overbor- its guide under spring tension. smooth, rounded button frees the off the stock. The stock and fore- ing, weight and efficiency of the Depending on the force of the bolt to move forward. There is also a end also have soft rubber panels gas system and recoil pad, was recoiling shell, the extractor will magazine cut-off on the left front of over-molded on both sides that more than manageable—even with travel rearward as much as is nec- the receiver. On top of the receiver aid in gripping the gun, especially heavy 3½" Federal goose loads. essary to clear the ejection port are two sets of recesses that allow when it is wet. The panels are Beretta has trimmed the wrist before kicking the case free. for Weaver-style scope bases to be stippled and of a medium gray hue. and fore-end to improve handling The Xtrema2 employs a gas attached, which is welcome news to The ejection system earned and response, and in recognition system with two ports. Gas turkey hunters who prefer optics. high marks by kicking out 2¾", of the fact that this gun is intended drives a piston rearward that, The buttstock incorporates 3" and 3½" shells with aplomb. for cold-weather shooting where in turn, drives the operating Beretta’s Gel-Tek recoil pad system In fact, the big 3½" shells were hunters are forced to wear bulky rod rearward.