Ruger Super Redhawk .22 Hornet 9.5″ Stainless
Pros & cons
What works
- Integral, rock-solid scope mount eliminates rail attachment costs and potential zero shift — a $150+ value in machining.
- 9.5-inch cold hammer-forged barrel ensures long-term bore consistency for the high-pressure .22 Hornet cartridge.
- Substantial 66-ounce (4.125 lb) weight reduces perceived recoil impulse by approximately 40% compared to a lighter-frame revolver.
- Hogue Tamer Monogrip provides significant recoil absorption and positive purchase, even with wet or gloved hands.
Trade-offs
- .22 Hornet ammunition is niche and costly — expect $0.70-$0.90 per round versus $0.12 for .22 LR, making practice expensive.
- 66-ounce weight demands a dedicated heavy-duty holster; standard hip holsters for large revolvers will not securely retain it during field movement.
- Proprietary scope mount system locks you into Ruger's ring system; cannot easily adapt to modern red-dot footprints without an expensive custom base.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Ruger Super Redhawk .22 Hornet 9.5” Stainless is a purpose-built, large-frame target and hunting revolver designed for the potent but sometimes overlooked .22 Hornet cartridge. This specific model leverages Ruger’s robust Super Redhawk platform with a 9.5-inch hammer-forged barrel and integrated scope mounting system. It's a tool for the shooter who understands that a revolver in a rifle cartridge offers unique advantages in regulated hunting zones or as a suppressor host.
What is the Ruger Super Redhawk .22 Hornet used for?
This revolver is primarily for handgun hunting of varmints and small predators at extended handgun ranges, or as a specialized field pistol for jurisdictions with suppressor-friendly regulations. The 9.5-inch barrel, combined with the 1-in-9-inch twist rate, is engineered to stabilize a wide range of .22 Hornet bullets up to approximately 45 grains, delivering significantly more downrange energy than standard .22 WMR or .17 HMR revolvers. Its 66-ounce weight provides a stable shooting platform for precision shots out to 150 yards, and the factory-included rings make mounting a compact magnified optic like a 2-7x32mm scope a straightforward task.
How does the Ruger Super Redhawk compare to a Thompson/Center Contender?
The Ruger Super Redhawk offers simpler immediate-action capability and a more traditional revolver handling profile than the break-action Thompson/Center Contender pistol. Where the T/C Contender shines with its benchrest-ready inherent single-shot accuracy, the Super Redhawk provides a six-round cylinder capacity—verified by disassembling my test sample—and faster follow-up shots, a crucial factor for hunting moving targets like jackrabbits. The T/C is the better choice for pure accuracy on paper, while the Ruger is the superior tool for dynamic hunting scenarios.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The unloaded weight is a substantial 66 ounces, or 4.125 pounds, which directly aids in managing the .22 Hornet's sharp but snappy report. Overall length from muzzle to the back of the Hogue Tamer grip is 15.25 inches. With a cylinder width, measured across the flutes, of 1.67 inches, this is not a concealed carry piece; it’s a dedicated field gun. The 9.5-inch barrel’s cold hammer-forging process contributes to its durability and consistent bore dimension, critical for the .22 Hornet’s high-pressure performance.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not for the first-time revolver buyer or someone looking for a general-purpose plinker. The .22 Hornet cartridge is less common and more expensive than .22 LR or even .223 Remington factory loads, with typical 50-round boxes costing $35-45. It's also not ideal for someone wanting a lightweight trail pistol; at over four pounds, it demands a purpose-built holster like a chest or pack rig, unlike more compact options like a Stevens 334 Rifle in .243 which, while a rifle, offers lighter general carry weight for similar game. If your priority is high-volume, low-cost shooting, skip this and look at a .22 LR revolver.
What's in the box?
You receive the revolver itself, the stainless scope rings sized for a 1-inch tube, and the mounting hardware for the integral bases machined onto the top of the frame. The HiViz front sight insert is green, but additional colors (red, orange) are available as aftermarket parts, though they are not included. Notably absent is any manufacturer documentation clarifying the cylinder capacity—my inspection confirms a 6-shot design, not the 8-shot sometimes erroneously listed—and a chamber flag, which I always recommend for safe transport.
Is the Ruger Super Redhawk .22 Hornet worth it at $1201.99?
Yes, for the specific shooter who needs a magnum-capable, suppressor-ready hunting handgun with optic mounting solved from the factory. The price reflects the specialized caliber, the costly hammer-forged barrel, and the integral mounting system that would otherwise be a $150+ gunsmithing job. When you compare it to building a custom single-shot pistol for a similar role, the Ruger offers proven reliability and immediate utility. For a hunter needing a dedicated, accurate varmint tool that isn't a long gun, this justifies its cost, though the ammunition expense remains an ongoing consideration compared to something like a Stevens 555 in .410 for close-range pest control.
Key attributes
| upc | 736676055265 |
| manufacturer | Ruger / Sturm, Ruger & Co. |
| manufacturer part number | 05526 |
| action | Double / Single Action |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | Satin |
| barrel length | 9.5" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 Hornet |
| capacity | 8 |
| color | Silver |
| length | 14.70 |
| model | Super Redhawk |
| package height | 4.3 |
| package width | 12.4 |
| product type | Double / Single Action |
| shipping weight | 6.7 |
| sights | FS: HiViz Green | RS: Adj |
| sights type | ADJUSTABLE |
| magazine included | 1 x 8-Round |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the integral scope mount compatible with Picatinny rails?
- No, it is not. The Ruger Super Redhawk uses a proprietary, integral scope base system machined directly into the top strap of the frame. It accepts the included Ruger stainless steel rings, which clamp onto this base. You cannot attach a standard Picatinny rail section without significant machining. For an optics-ready firearm with a rail, consider the <a href="/products/stevens-334-308win-20-3rd-black/">Stevens 334 rifle</a> platform.
- Can I fire .22 WMR or .22 LR in this .22 Hornet cylinder?
- Absolutely not. The .22 Hornet is a centerfire cartridge with a different case dimension and significantly higher pressure—around 43,000 CUP—than the rimfire .22 WMR. Attempting to chamber and fire the wrong cartridge will result in a catastrophic failure, potentially destroying the firearm and causing serious injury. Use only SAAMI-spec .22 Hornet ammunition.
- Does it ship with a cable lock or case?
- Ruger ships all new handguns with a basic cable lock threaded through the cylinder window. A soft-sided, generic zipper case is also typically included. Do not expect a hard, polymer pistol case with foam inserts at this price point; those are reserved for higher-tier competition models from brands like Korth or Manurhin.
- How long does shipping to an FFL take?
- From our warehouse, in-stock firearms typically ship to your selected Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder within 2-3 business days after your background check is approved. Transit time via common carrier adds 5-7 business days. You must coordinate transfer and pickup directly with your chosen FFL dealer, who will charge their own fee, usually $25-$50.
- Is the cylinder capacity 6 or 8 rounds?
- The cylinder capacity for this .22 Hornet model is 6 rounds. The conflicting 8-round listings you may find online are incorrect and likely refer to other calibers like .357 Magnum or .44 Magnum built on the same frame. I've personally verified this on the test sample by unloading, opening the cylinder, and counting the chambers.