I know that, the goal here is a longer barrel for the longer sight radius and also so it will up the velocity even more. I figure .454 would be a better fit for such a long barrel revolver as it would further increase the power... and also so everyone at the range will see my big, powerful revolver and think, "Wow, that guy is so manly shooting the big, strong revolver and taking the recoil like a man."If it’s not for defense, DA vs SA doesn’t matter. However I will note in your current readhawk you can load some 45 colt that very nearly approaches 454
I know that, the goal here is a longer barrel for the longer sight radius and also so it will up the velocity even more. I figure .454 would be a better fit for such a long barrel revolver as it would further increase the power... and also so everyone at the range will see my big, powerful revolver and think, "Wow, that guy is so manly shooting the big, strong revolver and taking the recoil like a man."
Then I can walk around the range with this as my theme song:
We then, if the carbon ring is a problem in some guns you can always use the empty case trick.
Carry the longer case in your range bag. (the .44 Magnum, .357 Magnum, ect.) Be sure you use your deburring tool to excess so the case mouth is sharp. If you do develop a ring put the sharpened case in each charge hole of the cylinder with a little tap and it will cut/knock the ring right out. I have done this at the range several times for friends I was shooting with, it works well and it's easy.
Roger. I'm not a Redhawk aficionado. All Redhawks look alike to me.Ruger doesn't make the Redhawk in 454, they do in the slightly larger and uglier Super Redhawk.
I love my 500 X-frame. The first time shooting it I was questioning why the heck I bought it while shaking my hurting hand. I’ve shot both single and double actions and personally prefer the doubles. My hands are on the larger side and the X frame fits like a glove. I scored a deal on it at a gun show last month for $800 including bgc, I didn’t know I needed it until I saw how cheap it was. I couldn’t see anything signifying that it had been shot more than a couple times. I shot 70 rounds through it last Sunday and my hands are still feeling it, I love it but I’m a recoil junky!
That is interesting. I have a friend that has been telling me for months that he is getting a revolver. He was all about a S&W 629 5" barrel. Now he tells me he wants a S&W 500 6 or 6.5" barrel. Not sure if he wants me to talk him out of it or not. But my attitude is try it you might like it. And I can get him started on the path to handloading his own low powder ammo. I think as long as an X frame fits the hand then why not?
The X- frame revolver uses an L frame grip so it is not overly large like the rest of the revolver is.I think as long as an X frame fits the hand then why not?
For a dedicated hunting sixgun wearing optics, the Super Redhawk can't be beat. Unlike most other choices, you get to mount a scope or red dot and keep your irons.
View attachment 835757
And they tend to be extremely accurate.
View attachment 835758
The Ruger Bisley is a good choice as well but I would treat it like a five-shot .45Colt. Most factory .454 loads as well as most handloading data is at least 10,000psi below maximum and that's where I'd stay. I would go no further than Brian Pearce's "Redhawk only" .45Colt loads that are in the 50,000psi range. Do some tuning and fit some custom grips and you have a very capable sixgun. You could also save up for a used Freedom Arms. I got my Field Grade for the princely sum of $1500 with an auxiliary .45Colt cylinder.
View attachment 835759
No offense to the fans but I've tried and just can't warm up to the BFR. There are things about them I don't like and since they can't be converted to a Bisley I'm not going to bother. That said, I think they're very strong, very well made guns that are closer to FA's than Rugers and a real bargain on the current market. I don't like the round tube ejector housing, the screw-on front sight, the shape of the blocky triggerguard or the banana shaped grip frame. Plus they're only available in stainless steel and I've had all of that I can stand.
My 500 is a first gen (made in 2003) and they didn’t come with brakes, only a few top side holes for keeping her level. This thing kicks like a mule, about 5 or 10 rounds in I’m done for the day with it. I did however, shoot 70 rounds in a single day right after getting it and it took almost two weeks to have my hand feel correct again.In my experience, The X-frames, particularly the .500 iteration, loaded to spec don't kick as hard as many "lesser" .50 cals in that they are really large and heavy and they have an effective brake. They produce a lot of noise, however.
My 500 is a first gen (made in 2003) and they didn’t come with brakes, only a few top side holes for keeping her level. This thing kicks like a mule, about 5 or 10 rounds in I’m done for the day with it. I did however, shoot 70 rounds in a single day right after getting it and it took almost two weeks to have my hand feel correct again.
That right there is what the Alaskan should've been!
Sour Kraut said:Although arguably “fugly”, IMHO the Ruger Toklat fills that void, although it’s a 5”, and it’s far less expensive than going the custom route.
There's no question that from a functionality standpoint, omitting upgraded sights and trigger job, a Toklat is a great choice and equal or superior to my 4" custom. That said, for me life is too short for "fugly". Considering that I carry my Bowen Alaskan way more than I shoot it I wanted it to be something that not only is functionally superior to what it was, but also something that makes me feel good when I'm handling it, looking at it, cleaning it, carrying it etc. That's often what you pay for in higher-end products whether it's a revolver, rifle, watch, car or any other luxury item. That's the part that's personal and is hard to quantify because you can't demonstrate the benefits.