My .44 Alaskan is demonstrating a binding problem. When I fire it with lighter loads of 180 grain bullets over a moderate load of Unique, the cylinder binds an average of once per cylinder. The cylinder will still rotate, but requires noticeable pressure to do so. Opening and closing the cylinder resolves the problem for that round.
When I fire 240 or 300 grain bullets over stout loads of H-110 or Blue Dot it doesn't bind at all.
I've done the suggested polishing to the pawl and to the cylinder ratchets and there isn't a problem with cylinder gap or residue under the extractor. I would prefer to not send it back to Ruger as the trigger pull is a very crisp 4 lbs. now, and probably wouldn't be when it came back from the factory.
Any other suggestions?
BTW, I had a similar problem with an SP 101 last year and also with a standard Redhawk a few years ago, and both cleared up by themselves after 300 or so rounds.
When I fire 240 or 300 grain bullets over stout loads of H-110 or Blue Dot it doesn't bind at all.
I've done the suggested polishing to the pawl and to the cylinder ratchets and there isn't a problem with cylinder gap or residue under the extractor. I would prefer to not send it back to Ruger as the trigger pull is a very crisp 4 lbs. now, and probably wouldn't be when it came back from the factory.
Any other suggestions?
BTW, I had a similar problem with an SP 101 last year and also with a standard Redhawk a few years ago, and both cleared up by themselves after 300 or so rounds.