Post by paul105 on Aug 27, 2014 20:37:36 GMT -5
I have been intrigued by the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan since it first came out. Well, I finally broke down and ordered one. I had a partial box (9 remaining) of Hornady .480R factory 325gr XTPs that came with my orig FA83 .475. I Loaded the 11 empties -- 5 ea 420gr WFNGC; and the remaining six with a 370gr RNFP. Following are my loads compared to Hodgdon’s manual.
420gr WFNGC
19.3gr H110 (LD#20)
Federal 155 Mag Match
Hornady 1x .480 Ruger
Ref: Hodgdon (7 1/2” test barrel).
19.0gr 1,145 fps 34,200 psi
20.0gr 1,203 fps 38,700 psi
370gr RNFP
12.2gr Longshot (LD#16)
Win Large Pistol Primer
Hornady 1x .480 Ruger
Ref: Hodgdon (7 1/2” test barrel).
12.0gr 1,162 fps 36,300 psi
13.8gr 1,272 fps 46,800 psi
For the sake of comparison, following are some velocities from Jeff Quinn’s Gunblast article on the 5 Shot 2 ½” SRH Alaskan
www.gunblast.com/Ruger-480Alaskan.htm
Buffalo Bore 410 grain WFN 1041
Buffalo Bore 370 WFN 1078
Hornady 325 XTP 1092
Grizzly Cartridge 375 LFNGC 1041
Grizzly Cartridge 400 Hawk 951
Grizzly Cartridge 425 WFNGC 876
I’ll break out the chronograph over the weekend when it’s supposed to be overcast (better chrono results for me, YMMV). I’m guessing the 420gr load at 975 to 1,025 fps and the 370 gr load at 1,025fps or better.
Went to the range with the new Alaskan and above ammo. Here’s the first 6 shots – 2 ea of 325gr Factory, 370gr 12.2gr LS, and 420 WFNGC 19.3gr H110 – intentionally shot at 9 yards just to see POI vs POA with rear sight bottomed out.
.
.
Shot the remaining 14 both single and double action at plates and a spinner. Recoil was surprisingly tolerable. It’s certainly more than a 37oz M69 .44 mag, but doesn’t seem as fast/snappy – more of a big push and the Hogue Tamers are very comfortable. The gun is actually pretty easy to shoot single action – good trigger, and enough weight for stability. Had bit more trouble getting used to the double action – it’s just enough longer vs the M69 to throw me off a bit, although I’m sure I’ll get used to it.
So far, I’m not disappointed and wish I had more ammo, but finished up with the M69 and a newly acquired 4” M617 (another story). Once I get some more brass, I’ll see what combos actual work best in the “little” Ruger.
Just thought I’d share my first impression -- more to follow over time.
It weighs 42.6 oz (unloaded) on the kitchen food scale.
Paul
For anyone interested, Davidson's galleryofguns.com has a bunch of .480s - both Alaskans and longer barrels.
420gr WFNGC
19.3gr H110 (LD#20)
Federal 155 Mag Match
Hornady 1x .480 Ruger
Ref: Hodgdon (7 1/2” test barrel).
19.0gr 1,145 fps 34,200 psi
20.0gr 1,203 fps 38,700 psi
370gr RNFP
12.2gr Longshot (LD#16)
Win Large Pistol Primer
Hornady 1x .480 Ruger
Ref: Hodgdon (7 1/2” test barrel).
12.0gr 1,162 fps 36,300 psi
13.8gr 1,272 fps 46,800 psi
For the sake of comparison, following are some velocities from Jeff Quinn’s Gunblast article on the 5 Shot 2 ½” SRH Alaskan
www.gunblast.com/Ruger-480Alaskan.htm
Buffalo Bore 410 grain WFN 1041
Buffalo Bore 370 WFN 1078
Hornady 325 XTP 1092
Grizzly Cartridge 375 LFNGC 1041
Grizzly Cartridge 400 Hawk 951
Grizzly Cartridge 425 WFNGC 876
I’ll break out the chronograph over the weekend when it’s supposed to be overcast (better chrono results for me, YMMV). I’m guessing the 420gr load at 975 to 1,025 fps and the 370 gr load at 1,025fps or better.
Went to the range with the new Alaskan and above ammo. Here’s the first 6 shots – 2 ea of 325gr Factory, 370gr 12.2gr LS, and 420 WFNGC 19.3gr H110 – intentionally shot at 9 yards just to see POI vs POA with rear sight bottomed out.
.
.
Shot the remaining 14 both single and double action at plates and a spinner. Recoil was surprisingly tolerable. It’s certainly more than a 37oz M69 .44 mag, but doesn’t seem as fast/snappy – more of a big push and the Hogue Tamers are very comfortable. The gun is actually pretty easy to shoot single action – good trigger, and enough weight for stability. Had bit more trouble getting used to the double action – it’s just enough longer vs the M69 to throw me off a bit, although I’m sure I’ll get used to it.
So far, I’m not disappointed and wish I had more ammo, but finished up with the M69 and a newly acquired 4” M617 (another story). Once I get some more brass, I’ll see what combos actual work best in the “little” Ruger.
Just thought I’d share my first impression -- more to follow over time.
It weighs 42.6 oz (unloaded) on the kitchen food scale.
Paul
For anyone interested, Davidson's galleryofguns.com has a bunch of .480s - both Alaskans and longer barrels.