Redhawk Range Report

[mmattockx]

So, I got out today to test drive my new Redhawk in .44 Mag. I loaded up some light magnum loads, starting about at a max .44 Special load and working up from that to around 1000fps with a 245gr. cast SWC. It functioned flawlessly, aside from one round that had the primer seated out a bit that bound up the cylinder. My fault, not the gun's. I pulled that round and had no other issues.

Even with light loads, this thing is a serious boomer, with way more muzzle blast and recoil than a .45ACP (the previous largest handgun calibre I have fired). Recoil is not snappy, but was significant. Full house loads should be quite an experience when I get some loaded up.

Targets were shot at 7yds, SA slow fire. The trigger is a bit heavy, but some more use and a lighter spring kit should sort that out nicely. SA is very crisp with no creep and DA is smooth and controllable with a nice predictable break.

The gun:

A couple of today's targets. The gun is now wearing Hogue grips:

All in all, it was lots of fun to shoot and is going to be one of my favourite pistols to take to the range. Lots of noise, recoil and big holes in the targets. What's not to like?

Mark

 

[pageophile]

Congrates

Nice targets and a great wheel gun.

I'm finding the 44MAG a rather addictive round myself. You can load mild for plinking and first time shooters or wild for playing with fire

Try out the Remington 180gr 44MAG rounds, WOW they are fun out of a short barrel.

Good luck and enjoy

 

[mmattockx]

Nice targets and a great wheel gun.

I'm finding the 44MAG a rather addictive round myself. You can load mild for plinking and first time shooters or wild for playing with fire

Try out the Remington 180gr 44MAG rounds, WOW they are fun out of a short barrel.

Good luck and enjoy

Thanks, I will be loading some full house rounds as soon as I can get some powder for it. I am expecting some serious booming and flames along the way.

I forgot to mention a thanks to H4831 for his help with the load info and advice and a couple of questions I had when doing the first batch of ammo.

Mark

 

[smalltown_russ]

Hey Guys

I'm new to the site and this is my first post, and lucky for me you're talking about Redhawks. I'm considering buying one, but I'd like to know what owners think of them, some guys say the trigger is horrible and other don't mind it. Also, what difference does the 7.5" barrel make compared to the 5.5" barrel? Better velosity/energy?

 

[mmattockx]

I'm new to the site and this is my first post, and lucky for me you're talking about Redhawks. I'm considering buying one, but I'd like to know what owners think of them, some guys say the trigger is horrible and other don't mind it. Also, what difference does the 7.5" barrel make compared to the 5.5" barrel? Better velosity/energy?

Welcome. Search this forum for "redhawk" and you will find a number of threads on them.

1) I wouldn't say the trigger is horrible at all. Single action is a bit heavy, but very crisp with no creep at all. Double action is quite smooth (for a new gun) and very controllable with a consistent, predictable break. The Redhawk trigger is not as nice as a good Smith & Wesson, they are the kings of smooth, light triggers. A spring kit for the Redhawk should help out with the trigger pull if you find it excessive. I plan to try one later this summer. Overall the Redhawk is much more robust than a S&W, which is important if you plan on a steady diet of heavy loads or lots of fast DA shooting.

2) I have never shot a 7.5" barrel, but the main differences should be a bit more velocity and a longer sight radius. If you are planning on shooting at longer ranges much the 7.5" will be the better choice because of the sight radius.

Mark

 

[pageophile]

I'd say the grip is the real deciding factor with the Redhawk, my big mitts don't allow a full grip on it. Make sure you find one to try out. I ended up with a Super Redhawk, way uglier but it fits better for me.

 

[BCRider]

I'm jonseing for a .44Mag but want to let all the stuff I've gotten over the past few months soak in first.

Although I'm a hardcore S&W fan for .38/.357 I want to go Ruger for the .44 because of the reputation for toughness and lack of issues as it ages. Not to mention the heavier frame that makes flamecutting or other issues into non-issues.

I reloaded my first test cartridges of .357Mag recently. For big flash and a more gentle push instead of a harsh slap try some H110 and 2400 powder. The H110 seems to deliver the show with lighter bullets while the 2400 did a superb display even with the heavier 158gn bullets I was using. For 245gn out of the .44 I think you'd get a great fireball from the 2400.

 

[t-star]

i've got both the 7.5 and the 5.5- the only reason to have the 7.5 is to mount a scope- i got the 5.5 later and it's a LOT handier- now as to triggers, my 5.5 has a "better" trigger- but if you must , there's a spring kit by wolff to "fix " that as well- i'm running 10 grains of 231 under a 240 hard cast swc

 

[smokindonuts]

Nice to see some more people appreciate the sturdiness of the Redhawk. I've got a 5.5" in .44 myself and I shoot it in IDPA of all things. It does have some boot to it. I found the stock grips a little narrow however, when I traded to the hogues, I found I wasn't as able to grip the gun high on the backstrap, and recoil was less managable. I finally settled on the Pachmayer presentations, their more traditional yet large enough for my mitts. The other mod was definitly a set of springs; Wolff makes a set with 12, 13, and 14 lb. springs. I found the 12 too light and it actually had trouble touching off one of the primers, the 13 lb seems to be just stiff enough and really makes for a nice shooter. The springs are quite easy to change yourself and disassembly instructions are available on Ruger's website.

 

[smalltown_russ]

i've got both the 7.5 and the 5.5- the only reason to have the 7.5 is to mount a scope- i got the 5.5 later and it's a LOT handier- now as to triggers, my 5.5 has a "better" trigger- but if you must , there's a spring kit by wolff to "fix " that as well- i'm running 10 grains of 231 under a 240 hard cast swc

Thanks man, this helps a lot.