Never let Reed out of your sight. If he is by himself and you cannot see him, he gains life.

This is very difficult at first. Before you start the mission, go back to Empire City and Dodge City and get as many weapon upgrades as possible. Do about 60 to 70 percent of the side missions beforehand. Use the upgrades for mostly the rifle and bow, and the health upgrade for your horse. Once you bring these stats up, go to the mission and defeat Hollister again. Then, defeat Magruder's riders. Once that is done, open the safe and Reed will show up. You will start behind a rock. Take out the newly acquired rifle obtained from Hollister, get on the horse to the left, and chase after him. Keep shooting him. It will take about three minutes to kill him. Do not lose sight of him, or his health will go up.

Use the bow and arrows. Make sure you are full up on whiskey. When you hit him with the first arrow, he will not run. He will continue to fire at you, though not nearly as often. Just launch one arrow after another (several are required) until you drain his life and he falls off the horse.

Corner Reed while he is on his horse. Quickly get of your horse, then run up and start using the melee. Make sure to heal and he will die quickly.

Make sure that you are full on whisky and shotgun ammunition. Stay behind Reed and aim for his head with the double-barreled shotgun.