Super Redhawk question

T

troutseeker

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I am getting a Ruger Super Redhawk with the 7 1/2 inch barrel. Has anyone tried shortening the barrel to the minimum legal lenght? What where the results (accuracy, velocitiy)?

Thanks, Troutseeker
 
I know one member who has a 454 Casull that he got shortened to 4.25" but I haven't heard a range report from him yet. I have one in 454 as well that will be shortened very soon. I am going to about 5.5" though because I don't want to lose the ballistice advantage of the 454 by cutting the barrel too short. Also the 4.25" barrel will kick like a mule.

In the 454 the main problem appears to be matching the dull grey finish, the shiner ones in 44 mag would be no problem. Also it apparently is almost impossible to take the barrel off without wrecking the barrel or frame threads so it is best if the smith leaves it on when doing the work.

Depending on what your intended use is the velocity loss may or may not be an issue, but I do know that the 4" magnums seem to be a lot snappier than the 5" or 6" models.

Cheers
 
when you shorten the barrel like that you end up with 45 acp velocities- i left my 44 at 7.5 for that reason- that and your powder doesn't get a chance to burn properly
 
I had one with the 9.5" tube... a very very accurate gun. Still kicking myself for selling it to finance a 4" Smith 629... which was nowhere as good. :-( t-star is right, the slower burning powders really use that extra bbl length.
 
For the time being, I'm leaving mine at 7.5" despite it being akward to carry in the field.

I've ordered a Mernicle flap holster and will get a 2.25" duty belt for it.

The recpil even with the 7.5" barrel is snappy. I don't want to increase it by shortening my barrel.
 
Geologist, are you going to carry it crossdraw? Seems that would make the draw easier with the 7.4 inch barrel?

You carry in the field, what type of loads do you feed it?

Troutseeker
 
Troutseeker:

I've ordered the FC10, flap holster, weak side cross draw.

Crossdraw is the best option for any length sidearm for field workers.

Weak side cross draw allows rapid access with either hand, clears the strong side in case you're carrying a long gun or tool and allows you to sit/ride in vehicles more comfortably.

It's bad at the range since your draw from the holster could sweep other range users. Be careful at the range practising the draw from this style of holster.

Geologists don't have to worry about the crossdraw weapon retention problem since most bears and cougars don't have opposing thumbs and I've filed the front sight off my SRH :lol:

With the lanyard cord and some epaulets I'll look like a Mountie from an old Hollywood movie.
 
I reload for my 7.5" SRH 454 which I always carry cross draw and have settled on some very impressive carry loads. My favorite load is a Cast Performance 360gr WLNGC @ 1520fps followed by their 395gr WLNGC at 1420fps with Hodgdon Lil-Gun powder and a Lee factory roll crimp.

You will find that when you are approaching the top loads that the SRH cylinder will expand allowing the brass to expand resulting in difficult case extraction. I have had the same problem with Winchester 300gr JFP factory ammo including a couple of split cases.

I was going to get my barrel shortened to 5.5" as well but am so happy with the performance of this gun that I'm not going to do anything to mess it up. :mrgreen:
 
Camp Cook

I have had the same problem with sticky extraction with 300 gr Win JFP factory ammo.

It's a ##### to eject the empties.

Winchester states that their 300 gr JFP is stepping out around 1650 fps. Judging from the nasty recoil and sticky extraction, I bet they're not far off. I'll chrony a couple of rounds next time I get to the range.
 
Geologist, I'll have to check out these holsters. Funny you mention looking like a mountie... My sam brown is for the new S&W pistol so the Ruger won't fit in the holster I have! Too bad, I got all the pther gear (Stetson, Red Serge, high browns even spurs!). :lol:

Troutseeker
 
Geologist,

I purchased 1 box of the Win 300gr JFP bullets from Roger @ Hub sports and fired 10 of the bullets only, the rest of my shooting has been with my own reloads. 2 of the brass cases split just from this small amount of shooting with them. I had very hard extraction with them when that happened.

I have also had my share of problems with cases sticking with my own reloads but have worked through those problems now.

I use a Cadwell Ridge 2" Duty belt and a plain Uncle Mike's open top holster. I also carry on the holster belt 4 speed loaders a Surefire flashlight and a fixed bladed knife with a minimum of a 5" blade. I actually prefer a longer blade with a bit of heft to it so I can cut branches and small trees out of my way as I try to make trails as I go along.

When I carry my G20 I use the same belt and acceseries but carry 2 mags in a Uncle Mike's double mag pouch and the other 2 in their single mag pouch. If I'm carrying cross draw I use an Uncle Mike's standard cordura holster and when I strong side carry their Kydex holster.

I do have a problem with a bit of pine needles or other debree getting into the action but find the speed of my draw is not inhibited so I live with this minor irritation and make sure that the gun is clear every so often.
 
Camp Cook

Where did you get speedloaders for your SRH? I'd like to get a couple too.

It's wierd man, I carry a Surefire 6P as well.

My belt knife if I'm primo bear country (like here in the Russian arctic) is a Cold Steel Recon Tanto. The only bad thing about the tanto is Customs in third world countries kinda give you the hairy eyeball when they examine it.

Australian Customs gave me a very hard time over my Gerber Mark II 6" double edge. I told them the truth. "I'm transitting through Australia to the highlands of Papua New Guinea where the people are truly fierce and savage." :shock:

They let me through with the stilletto after I told them that. :twisted:
 
I bought my speedloaders from http://www.pistoleer.com/hks/revolver/ item ID # 255 and the double case pouches that you can link to on the bottom of the page. I tried getting them locally but couldn't find any. My 44mag speedloaders which came from Wholesale Sports will hold 454 bullets but I haven't tried them in actual practice yet so don't know if they are to tight to work properly.

I got the cordura pouches because I'm out in the weather all of the time. The velcro attachments aren't as secure as the snaps on the leather cases. I've been thinking about getting snaps installed for better retention though, and if I had to buy them again I think I would get the Dupont Hytrel pouches.

I went with a K-Bar 7" drop point model knife because it had a very good kydex style sheath and the balance/weight is very good.

Where are you? I figured I was talking with someone that should be living next door to me in Abbotsford.

I just came back from north western Williston lake area last week and will be going back again on tuesday or wednesday of this next week.

I thought about having a bit of fun with the locals from the village and dress the part of a cowboy by wearing my cowboy hat and clothes, one of my Mernickle leather Cowboy Action Holsters with a s/s Ruger Bisley Vaquero in 45 Colt and also carry my 1895GS 45-70 around with me. :wink:

That should get the smoke signals flying and maybe get me shot....... :D
 
Camp Cook

I'm from Abbotsford too but am currently in Russia at a gold deposit which will start production in 2008.

There's lots of big, curious barren land grizzlies out here I tell ya.

And all we have in camp is an SKS with ball ammo. :shock:

I'm a member at Ridgedale. I'll be back in Canada after mid October. PM me when you get back from Williston Lake and we'll bust some caps at Ridgedale.
 
I've been a member @ Mission for the last 4 years and a member @ Chilliwack for 18 years before that. I switched to Mission because I got involved in Cowboy Action Shooting there.

I've heard about the bears in Northern Russia....... Good Luck with them....... :roll:

Definately I'll let you know when I'm back...... Shooting is my passion and shooting with others with the same interests and guns makes it even better........ :mrgreen:

Cam
 
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