The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: Green Mountain Gringo on June 14, 2009, 04:41:16 PM

Title: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Green Mountain Gringo on June 14, 2009, 04:41:16 PM
Ok....

We stole 20 minutes today on the way to an appointment and fired off the newest acquisition.  I was glad to see that the recoil was VERY manageable and had fun punching a few holes.

I didn't take the time to do any real test groupings, as you can see in the video I only took a few seconds between rounds, just enough to get used to the recoil and see how many I could get on the paper.

The bullets ruined my little target stand and I resorted to killing a couple of milk jugs somebody had left around.

This gun is FUN and I'll take the necessary time next time I get to the range to see how accurate I can be with the 2 1/2 inches of barrel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xFzGPJx2tU  (Enjoy the video FQ13)  :D

Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: tombogan03884 on June 14, 2009, 04:47:20 PM
NICE  ;D
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: twyacht on June 14, 2009, 04:49:24 PM
Great looking area to shoot. Recoil didn't look too bad at all.

You got a good one there. What's up with the long sleeves? Chilly up there?

Global Warming and all, I was just curious,.... ;)
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Green Mountain Gringo on June 14, 2009, 05:00:00 PM
Great looking area to shoot. Recoil didn't look too bad at all.

You got a good one there. What's up with the long sleeves? Chilly up there?

Global Warming and all, I was just curious,.... ;)

It's a nice little range a couple of towns away from our house.  Free to use.  To the left is a 200 yard rifle range and skeet shooting.  They clay and steel shot was flying while we were there as you can hear in the video.


It was actually a bit cooler this morning and was raining on and off.  And the pullover conceals the LCP on my hip.  I always have a backup gun when I go to the range (just in case).
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: MAUSERMAN on June 14, 2009, 08:11:20 PM
Crap now i have to buy a new wheel gun thanks a lot Gringo. >:(
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Michael Bane on June 14, 2009, 08:31:29 PM
Alaskans are hoots! I have a .454 Casull version, which, with full bore CorBon hunting loads would make Zeus flinch. Still, a great carry gun for the back country. With .45 Colts, it's darn civilized. I carry mine in a Sourdough Pancake holster from Rob Leahy in Alaska.

Michael B
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: 1911 Junkie on June 14, 2009, 09:48:19 PM
That looked fun.

Did I see you cocking that hammer? A great revolver shooter once saw me do that. His comment,"Double action revolvers are meant to be shot double action. If I see you cock that hammer again, I'll get my Metabo and cut the spur off."
Since that day I've always shot double action (I mean I'm hard on my guns, but I couldn't stand to see my poor gun violated like that).  ;D

I've been looking for a 4" .44 but haven't found the right deal yet.
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Kid Shelleen on June 14, 2009, 11:53:57 PM
Great video. Looks like fun.

Thanks
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Green Mountain Gringo on June 15, 2009, 05:07:25 AM
That looked fun.

Did I see you cocking that hammer? A great revolver shooter once saw me do that. His comment,"Double action revolvers are meant to be shot double action. If I see you cock that hammer again, I'll get my Metabo and cut the spur off."
Since that day I've always shot double action (I mean I'm hard on my guns, but I couldn't stand to see my poor gun violated like that).  ;D

I've been looking for a 4" .44 but haven't found the right deal yet.

Now, now Junkie...if you go back you'll see I went double action the first round and then tried for a little accuracy with SA.  The double action was actually nice and smooth, I like this piece.

Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: jaybet on June 15, 2009, 03:07:50 PM
To quote Cartman, that looks like "Hella-fun"!!
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: fightingquaker13 on June 15, 2009, 03:15:14 PM
Gotta say, Gringo, I'm very pleasantly surprised by the small amount of muzzle flip. I know its built like a tank, but I still expected it to be a beast. Now, not only do you own the scariest looking snubbie ever made, it should be real nice for SD with .44 specials. Great buy!
FQ13, who often learns new things here
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Rob10ring on June 15, 2009, 03:38:42 PM
Alaskans are hoots! I have a .454 Casull version, which, with full bore CorBon hunting loads would make Zeus flinch. Still, a great carry gun for the back country. With .45 Colts, it's darn civilized. I carry mine in a Sourdough Pancake holster from Rob Leahy in Alaska.

Michael B
For back country, do you carry it with full throttle loads, or the more civilized loads?
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Green Mountain Gringo on June 15, 2009, 04:16:16 PM
For back country, do you carry it with full throttle loads, or the more civilized loads?

I don't know personally, so far all I've found are the 240 grain soft nose.

Suggestions????
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: fightingquaker13 on June 15, 2009, 04:28:05 PM
I don't know personally, so far all I've found are the 240 grain soft nose.

Suggestions????
For hogs, shooting these out of a model 94 carbine, I got zero customer complaints. For SD, I would look at .44 special, due to overpenetration issues, but Michael B would be the go to guy.
FQ13
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Timothy on June 15, 2009, 04:39:50 PM
For back country, do you carry it with full throttle loads, or the more civilized loads?

Two words....

GRIZZLY BEAR!  (aka brown bear)

I'd carry the Zeus loads myself! ;)
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Green Mountain Gringo on June 15, 2009, 06:53:30 PM
For hogs, shooting these out of a model 94 carbine, I got zero customer complaints. For SD, I would look at .44 special, due to overpenetration issues, but Michael B would be the go to guy.
FQ13

After falling in love with the look and feel of this gun I decided I needed a reason to own it.  I don't hunt.  FRIG, let's take up hiking.  It's bear country up here, I felt silly hiking undergunned.....and there was my need!!!

I'd like a BIG BEAR load suggestion.  If I ever need it for defense against humans in the woods I'll just make sure there's forest behind them.
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Timothy on June 15, 2009, 07:03:19 PM
A .44 mag in 240 gr or 340 gr will drop a polar bear.  Our little black bear up here in the Northeast are no match for your Alaskan.  What you have is fine.
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Green Mountain Gringo on June 16, 2009, 07:24:47 AM
A .44 mag in 240 gr or 340 gr will drop a polar bear.  Our little black bear up here in the Northeast are no match for your Alaskan.  What you have is fine.

Thanks for the advice Timothy.  I was hoping I wouldn't have to go up to 300 grain, I can't seem to find much out there.
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Ping on June 16, 2009, 10:02:37 AM
Smoking video Gringo. Looked like alot of fun. Is that your personal range you were firing on? Nice set up.
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Green Mountain Gringo on June 16, 2009, 10:58:18 AM
Smoking video Gringo. Looked like alot of fun. Is that your personal range you were firing on? Nice set up.


Thanks Ping, it's not ours but about 20 minutes from our house.  We have on closer to home but this one 'feels nicer' and is free to the public.  The video was about 10 minutes long but I edited down all the junk nobody wants to see.
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: 2HOW on June 16, 2009, 02:15:13 PM
Nice report ,thanks, looks like a multiple duty revolver with the right loads. Excellent. ;D
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Green Mountain Gringo on June 16, 2009, 05:02:10 PM
Alaskans are hoots! I have a .454 Casull version, which, with full bore CorBon hunting loads would make Zeus flinch. Still, a great carry gun for the back country. With .45 Colts, it's darn civilized. I carry mine in a Sourdough Pancake holster from Rob Leahy in Alaska.

Michael B


Went out shopping today and picked up some 300 grain XTP from Hornady.  I've read it's a good all around hunting round.  Again, not a hunter but if Trail Safe teaches anything, it's to be prepared.

Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Ping on June 16, 2009, 05:52:33 PM
Looking forward to seeing the video of you shooting the Hornady rounds. Looks like alot of bang for the buck. One thing, you can always find .44 magnum on the shelves.
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: tombogan03884 on June 16, 2009, 05:54:15 PM
Looking forward to seeing the video of you shooting the Hornady rounds. Looks like alot of bang for the buck. One thing, you can always find .44 magnum on the shelves.

Around here 44 Mag is available but 44 Spec is not.
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Green Mountain Gringo on June 16, 2009, 06:03:11 PM
Around here 44 Mag is available but 44 Spec is not.

At a shop in Charleston NH today I found a box of 50 44 specials for $41 but passed on it.  Probably shoulda grabbed it but I'm too much into the magnum at this point and will wait to see.  My plan is not to use this as self defense unless you're a bear or wild dingo or tazmanian devil or domesticated chimpanzee who wants to tear my face and hands off.  :P


Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: 2HOW on June 16, 2009, 07:23:03 PM
The .44 spl is not a great round  IMO highly overrated, stick with the magnum.
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Green Mountain Gringo on June 16, 2009, 07:35:47 PM
Thanks 2HOW, Preaching to the choir.   ;D
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: fightingquaker13 on June 16, 2009, 08:09:23 PM
Thanks 2HOW, Preaching to the choir.   ;D
I concur, but still suggest it as an SD round for the .44 mag. Why? Because I live in a tightly built (zero property line) development in Fl. I can practically lean out my kitchen window and pass my neighbor a drink, so penetration issues are paramount for me in an SD round. If you're in the boonies, screw the special and stick with the mags.
FQ13
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Timothy on June 16, 2009, 08:24:47 PM
I concur, but still suggest it as an SD round for the .44 mag. Why? Because I live in a tightly built (zero property line) development in Fl. I can practically lean out my kitchen window and pass my neighbor a drink, so penetration issues are paramount for me in an SD round. If you're in the boonies, screw the special and stick with the mags.
FQ13

Move!
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Green Mountain Gringo on June 16, 2009, 08:38:56 PM
I concur, but still suggest it as an SD round for the .44 mag. Why? Because I live in a tightly built (zero property line) development in Fl. I can practically lean out my kitchen window and pass my neighbor a drink, so penetration issues are paramount for me in an SD round. If you're in the boonies, screw the special and stick with the mags.
FQ13

FQ,
If the walls are that thin....I'd be less inclined to go with 44 anything.  HOWEVER, they make a pretty cool Self Defense load that looks pretty cool.

Not cheap but sure makes me wanna try it.  http://www.extremeshockusa.com/cgistore/store.cgi?page=/new/product_info.html&setup=1&cart_id=

Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: tombogan03884 on June 16, 2009, 08:59:46 PM
I concur, but still suggest it as an SD round for the .44 mag. Why? Because I live in a tightly built (zero property line) development in Fl. I can practically lean out my kitchen window and pass my neighbor a drink, so penetration issues are paramount for me in an SD round. If you're in the boonies, screw the special and stick with the mags.
FQ13

Use the shot gun loaded with bird shot, Brutal at close range but individual pellets lack the mass for major over penetration of walls.
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: fightingquaker13 on June 16, 2009, 09:16:58 PM
Use the shot gun loaded with bird shot, Brutal at close range but individual pellets lack the mass for major over penetration of walls.
I say nay to bird shot. I don't know if you have been to the Box O'truth or not http://www.theboxotruth.com. But if you haven't its a must. Very informative and entertaining site where a frustrated engineer tests stuff like penetration of walls, body armor, car doors etc out, in jerry rigged simulators. Very cool, very funny, very informative. Bird shot won't cut it unless its point blank. I rely on low recoil #4 buck or 147 grain TAP 9mm and hope that two layers of cinder block, drywall, and hopefully BG, will do the job of stopping the round. No slugs or 00 for me, but if I have to shoot someone, using enough gun is priority one.
FQ13
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: tombogan03884 on June 16, 2009, 09:21:53 PM
" two layers of cinder block, drywall, "

Go with whatever you want, I've got 2 layers of plaster and Lathe, with my longest shot being about 5 yards, I use #6
There was a video on here, one of the Best defense threads, shows that as being plenty.
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: tommy tornado on June 17, 2009, 08:32:50 AM
I have a full-size Redhawk and now you have me thinking, boy an Alaskan would by a good ankle holster gun.
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Hazcat on June 17, 2009, 08:45:19 AM
I have a full-size Redhawk and now you have me thinking, boy an Alaskan would by a good ankle holster gun.

You must be Hillarys' brother if yer ankles are that big!




;D
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Green Mountain Gringo on June 17, 2009, 08:50:08 AM
cankles
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Green Mountain Gringo on June 17, 2009, 04:11:12 PM
Ping, here's some video of the 300 gr Hornady.

...and YES 1911Junkie, I cocked the hammer back for this one too.  ;)

A bit more FIRE flying on the second one.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYheny63EZE
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Ping on June 17, 2009, 04:16:03 PM
Hell yeah, you da man Gringo!!!  ;) Looks like a ton of fun.
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Kid Shelleen on June 17, 2009, 04:37:21 PM
Now that's what I call muzzle flash. If you're not carefull you could change the Green Mountains to the Smokey Mountains.
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: shooter32 on June 17, 2009, 04:45:25 PM
 Good stuff Gringo ;D
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Hazcat on June 17, 2009, 05:41:12 PM
That'll make a believer out of ya!  ;D
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: 1911 Junkie on June 17, 2009, 09:38:23 PM
...and YES 1911Junkie, I cocked the hammer back for this one too.  ;)

Some people will do anything for "art".  ;D
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: jaybet on June 21, 2009, 01:23:40 PM
LOVE the slo mo!
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Green Mountain Gringo on June 30, 2009, 11:38:22 AM
Alaskans are hoots! I have a .454 Casull version, which, with full bore CorBon hunting loads would make Zeus flinch. Still, a great carry gun for the back country. With .45 Colts, it's darn civilized. I carry mine in a Sourdough Pancake holster from Rob Leahy in Alaska.

Michael B


Just ordered a box of CorBon Hunter from Ammunition to Go.  I'll give those a try...


(http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/images/CorbonHunterBox.jpg)
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Badgersmilk on June 30, 2009, 03:09:16 PM
.44 mag.,  Its all about versatility!  Load it for just about any velocity / application you want!
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/P1010023.jpg?t=1246392113)

I think I poo'ed a little when I saw the comment about using an Alaskan for an ankle gun, and needing to being Hillary's brother!   ;D ;D
Title: Re: Ruger Alaskan Range Report (Kinda)
Post by: Nulheron on July 01, 2009, 08:51:36 AM
Wow :D Cool!