Redhawks?

[oregon45]

Picked up my first acquisition of the new year:



Ruger Redhawk 44 Magnum, made circa 1987 and apparently fired very little. The previous owner switched the factory sights out for Williams fiber optic sights; I will likely swap those for a plain Partridge front and Bowen rear as the budget allows.

I haven't had a Redhawk for about 8 years; the last one I had (a 5.5" stainless 44 Magnum) had been Magnaported by its previous owner, and, as a result, had vicious straight back recoil that battered by right thumb mercilessly. I did not regret parting with it. I expect this Redhawk to be a bit better behaved, given the comfortable Pachmayr grips, longer barrel, and lack of porting.

I bought this revolver because I'd recently been reading Brian Pearce's article "Handloading the +P .44 Magnum" in Handloader 265 and, just about that time, my local gun shop just happened to have this one come through the door. Coincidence?

This revolver has one purpose, for me, given that I own several 44 Magnums: it will be used for heavy bullets at high speeds, with loads drawn from Pearce's article. First up is the 310gr Oregon Trail True Shot WNFP-GC over 21.5gr of Lil' Gun, and I'll work up to Pearce's max of 23.0 grains if accuracy improves at half grain intervals. Those loads give between 1460 and 1495fps according to Pearce's data. Suffice it to say, I won't be doing all my testing in one range session

So, let's here some Redhawk stories, favorite loads, experiences, etc. I've never messed with light bullets at high speeds from revolvers before, but given the strength of the Redhawk I'm excited to see what I can get out of the 180 Hornady XTP and 220 Speer jacketed silhouette bullet. Any suggestions on that front?

[bradshaw]

oregon45.... stunning blued Redhawk you have there. Your impression of recoil with the double action Mag-na-Ported mirrors mine----by hold down th muzzle, recoil feels like it drives straight back into the base of the thumb.

Bill Ruger copied the M-29 grip profile for the Redhawk, while raising the backstrap hump about a 1/4-inch. In shooting the original 7-1/2" Redhawk with factory wood behind the.44 magnum, recoil was perfectly sustainable. The impression instantly changed with the 5-1/2" Redhawk, which viciously bit the base of my thumb. Rubber shock absorbers became the norm for taking advantage of the heavy weight proclivities of the Redhawk.

When you mention the Speer .44 silhouette bullet, you mean 240 grain TMJ (Total Metal Jacket). This bullet cruises accurately, propelled by 24/H110. 24 grains/296 likewise, since H110 is Hodgdon's label for Winchester 296. The short wheelbase 240 TMJ crimps on cannelure with a slice of airspace between powder and bullet in the mag case. I use LP magnum primers.

The famous .44 220-grain silhouette bullet is made by Sierra and called 220 FPJ (Full Profile Jacket). While I never found them any more accurate than the grand Sierra 240 JHC or Federal's own look-alike 240 JHP, the Sierra 220 FPJ enjoys astounding predictability. Seated over 22 to 25 grains of 296/H110, My shooting partner of years ago, the late Ed Verge, killed deer and livestock with the Sierra 220 FPJ. I haven't killed anything but steel and rocks and an automobile or two with either Speer 240 TMJ, or the Sierra 220 FPJ. The one chance I had to kill a huge black bear with my 5-1/2" Redhawk,----loaded as I recall with the Sierra 250 FPJ over 23 or 24 grains of 296 or H110----I did not squeeze the trigger.

For the record, literally, the Sierra 240 JHC steps out super accurate, seated over 21/Hercules 2400, or 23-to-24/IMR or Hodgdon 4227, or 23-to-24 grains of 296/H110.

With a proper forcing cone the Redhawk handles light bullets with aplomb. The Federal 44B 180 JHP factory load, and the Sierra 180 JHC seated over 28-to-31 grains 296/H110 will excavate deer lungs proper. Just as well as, maybe better than, the excellent and extinct Hornady 200 JHP. To find out what the old Hornady JHP was like, try the Nosler .44 240 JHP and 200 JHP.

The Redhawk was introduced as a stainless revolver. Recognize your blued Redhawk as a find. To blue, polishing is unforgiving. Brushed stainless is beautiful. To brush & blue carbon steel yields a battlefield finish. Blued Rugers cost more to make.
David Bradshaw

[okie44]

I think you will like your Redhawk. If driving heavy bullets at Max velocity is what you are planning, try some of the bullets that will allow you to take advantage of the cylinder length. I have not tried Lilgun so I won't comment. W296 loaded at 95% of available space under base of bullet will achieve what you are looking for. I do not use Magnum primers with my loads, use neck tension to achieve good powder burn. Super Redhawk with the Mihec 300 gr courtesy of Tek.

[paul105]

Very nice gun.

Bought one of the first stainless Redhawks w/integral scope mounts in the early 80s. It was always a very accurate gun, but over the years, the factory grips proved to be a problem – absolutely killing the bone at the base of my thumb. Finally sold the gun and replaced it with a Super Redhawk with the Hogue Tamers. With a Bushnell 2x-6x and the Hogues, the SRH is a pussy cat. Never tried the +P loads that Brian Pearce tested, but ran some 325gr Bear Tooth LFNGC 22.0gr H110 and 355gr Bear Tooth LFNGC w/ 18.8gr H110 (both Hodgdon Standard Pressure loads). Chrono results show the 325gr 1,279 fps and the 355gr at 1,164 fps respectively. I suspect Brian’s +P stuff would generate some higher numbers.

For looks, I prefer the Redhawk – comfort wise, it’s the SRH hands down.

Paul

[mtnbkr]

Jan 3, 2014 22:32:17 GMT -5 paul105 said:

Very nice gun.
the factory grips proved to be a problem – absolutely killing the bone at the base of my thumb.

I had the same problem. I tried multiple different grips, finally settling on a set of Nill grips (posted about them on this board when I found them on ebay). When I shoot the really heavy stuff, I also wear a shooting glove, which is taped around the base of the thumb. I hate that I have to resort to a glove, but it'll peel the skin off that spot after 30-40 heavy rounds if I don't.

Chris

[bud]

I have used a scoped RH 44 for many years. It has 1 large bull elk and 2 cows to its record. I only use a 310 gr large flat nose CB at 1325 fps for elk. H4227 does the trick. Also have taken a few muleys with a 275 gr H&G CB right at 1400 fps w/W296. My grips are Bear Hugs made special for me by Deacon Deason.

[TERRY MURBACH]

Jan 20, 2014 15:38:18 GMT -5 bud said:

I have used a scoped RH 44 for many years. It has 1 large bull elk and 2 cows to its record. I only use a 310 gr large flat nose CB at 1325 fps for elk. H4227 does the trick. Also have taken a few muleys with a 275 gr H&G CB right at 1400 fps w/W296. My grips are Bear Hugs made special for me by Deacon Deason.

BUD, WHAT DID YOU DO with the 357 Redhawk that shot like a million bucks with the high steppin' 225gr SWC bullets ??