It starts with a challenge — a raised eyebrow at the sight of a Ruger single-action revolver on the bench, and the question of what it could really do. First published in the ROCS Digest, Larry Weishuhn’s account follows a handgun he knows inside out, paired with Hornady XTP ammunition, as it’s put to the test in the elk woods. What comes next is a hunt that relies on familiarity, confidence and careful shot placement, offering a clear picture of what a well-handled revolver is capable of.

“And pray tell, what are you going to do with that little thing?” Asked my grizzled elk guide, peering from under a sweat and dirt stained silver belly felt hat that made my brown felt look clean!

I smiled and stepped up to the shooting bench where others had been shooting rifles. I repositioned the sandbag. After loading the cylinder of my Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter with six Hornady 240-grain XTP Custom rounds, I settled it on the shooting bag making certain the “blowout” on the sides of the cylinder would not destroy the bag. Then I cocked the single-action’s hammer, held steady on the 100-yards bullseye target and pulled the trigger. The first shot nearly took out the center of the 1-inch diamond in the center of the target. My second shot cut the edge of the first shot, as did my third shot, creating a really pretty cloverleaf. My guide, rubbed his whiskered chin, “I guess you’ve shot that six-shooter before.” Followed by “Looks like you outshot those with rifles. Let’s go see how it does on an elk. You’re coming with me!” 

Sound a like a bit of bragging? Well maybe it was but I knew the capabilities of my Ruger topped with a Zeiss Long-Eye-Relief variable scope, shooting Hornady’s 240-grain XTP loads, and mine with it. Interestingly the Zeiss scope was one of three that were made. I had worked with Zeiss to create a long-eye relief scope for handgun hunting. Zeiss made three, but unfortunately no more. Truly unfortunate because over the years I had and have tried every handgun scope made that I could find. None come close to that particular scope in terms of eye-relief, clarity and ruggedness! I initially had two of the scopes, but was forced to send one of them back to Zeiss. The only handgun scopes that have come reasonably close are the old Simmons and Thompson/Center scope created in the past millennium.

I was hunting in central Colorado in an area that was not particularly known for big-antlered bull elk. My objective was to shoot a legal bull for meat. Little did I know what would happen when we headed into the dark timber surrounding what my guide called Elk Mountain.

We hunted for two days, slowly stalking bugles. Doing so, I caught glimpses of bull elk, mostly little, and young, 5x5s and smaller antlered bulls.

It was mid-morning before we heard a couple of bugles coming from the timber. We headed in their direction and soon spotted a young bull. Then fifty yards beyond him stood the biggest 6x6 bull elk I had or have ever seen. The guide asked, “How close do you need to get for a shot?” I told him with my Ruger and the Hornady load I felt comfortable taking shots at 125-yards and closer. We crept forward, taking advantage of every bit of possible cover.

When we got to where I though we were about 125-yards away, I set up my shooting sticks with my handgun rest. Unfortunately, when I did the ground cover between the bull and me was too tall for me to see over. I grabbed my revolver and found a limb I could rest it on. I cocked the hammer, then did my best to hold steady on the elk; behind his shoulder. When the crosshairs seemed planted, I pulled the trigger. The bull shuddered, just a little.

“You hit him!”, said the guide, almost sounding like he was surprised I had done so. Soon as I had pulled the trigger I again cocked the hammer, got on target and shot the bull a second time, holding for a slightly different shot placement, albeit in his vitals. Again, the bull shuddered, but like with the first shot, did not take a step. I cocked the hammer a third time and held once again for a slightly different shot placement within the vitals. 

My reason for doing so was to create three wound channels, rather than simply one, hitting my bull in the same spot again and again which would not do much damage, after that first shot.

I was about to shoot the bull a fourth time. But he fell before I could do so. When he did my guide slapped my back so hard, he nearly knocked me to the ground. Soon as I recovered he gave me a huge hug and let out an extremely loud “YEEEEEEHHHAAAAWWWW!

We cautiously approached my bull. As we got close, we could see he was down for good. Again hearty congratulations, followed by photos, then calling the rancher to bring a “come along” so we could winch my bull out of the dark timber where he could be loaded on the back of a pickup to be taken to the lodge and more photos.

Back at camp I really looked at my bull. I had taken several elk in the past, including some really nice bulls, 6x6s, 6x7s and 7x7s mostly with handguns! But this 6x6 was bigger than any I had ever shot, in terms of scores, grossing over 380 B&C. Unfortunately, I entrusted the antlers and cape to a local taxidermist who left Colorado along with my elk antlers, a couple of months after I left them with him. All efforts at trying to locate him have failed. Thankfully I got good photos.

I should mention we recovered two the 240-grain Hornady XTP bullets, beautifully mushroomed just under the skin on the opposite from which I had shot. The third had passed through after doing considerable damage to the bull’s vitals.

I need to also mention the big bull elk was not the only animal that particular Ruger handgun helped me take…I had previously taken elk, mule deer and black bear with it on the same hunt, have used it to take a lot of really good whitetail bucks, several mule deer and pronghorn antelope, javelinas and hogs, as well as coyotes and bobcats and several exotic species, including wart hogs and plains game in Africa.

More recently I have been using the same combination of Ruger, Zeiss and Hornady shooting at a 14-inch steel plate at 500-yards, using simple hold-over sighting. I am continually amazed the accuracy of this combination at 500-yards. Been wanting to try it at 600-yards, but the range where I get to shoot doesn’t quite go that far. Would I ever shoot at an animal at that distance with that combination? NO! But it certainly is fun hearing bullet hitting steel at that distance!

Like I said my favorite revolver! And for good reason!