High Pressure Loads - 45 Colt Ruger Redhawk

[RealGun]

Many presume everything is in spec, when making claims for the 45 Colt Redhawk. My 5 inch Redhawk, no longer offered, shooting exclusively "Ruger-only loads", required spent brass to be pounded out, until I had the throats opened to .4525. Suddenly the recoil was more reasonable, so I believe we're talking relief of pressure. Before going wild with the things, check the throats, maybe trying to tap a bullet through.

 

[forrest r]

Many presume everything is in spec, when making claims for the 45 Colt Redhawk. My 5 inch Redhawk, no longer offered, shooting exclusively "Ruger-only loads", required spent brass to be pounded out, until I had the throats opened to .4525. Suddenly the recoil was more reasonable, so I believe we're talking relief of pressure. Before going wild with the things, check the throats, maybe trying to tap a bullet through.

Yes micrometers do come in handy!!!!

 

[CraigC]

.....I'd rather download the .454 Casull than upload the .45 Colt.

That is fine, as long as the sixgun that does what you need it to is offered in .454. Because it very often isn't.

 

[drobs]

My $300 Ruger Redhawk...

Posted this previously, I picked up a milled Norinco Mak90 for $300 at a garage sale over the summer. Traded that Norinco to another feller for this Redhawk.

 

[LaneP]

My $300 Ruger Redhawk...

Posted this previously, I picked up a milled Norinco Mak90 for $300 at a garage sale over the summer. Traded that Norinco to another feller for this Redhawk.

I want one of those and one of the LGS here has one. How do you rate the accuracy between the two cartridges if you don't mind me asking?

 

[drobs]

I want one of those and one of the LGS here has one. How do you rate the accuracy between the two cartridges if you don't mind me asking?

Both hit my 25yd steel gong...

Need to try paper one of these days.

 

[Obturation]

Looking at rugers page, I don't see the redhawk offered in 45 colt anymore. I would think that would remain a good seller.
Walking down this same path resulted in getting a 5" super redhawk for me. I just wanted a 45 revolver that would handle anything I would actually want to shoot. So I do make light loads in 454 cases sometimes because I don't have a dedicated 45 colt revolver at the moment. But I started keeping my 45 colt loads mild and anything hot went into 454 cases just on the odd chance a ruger load found its way into someone else's gun I figured I would eliminate the possibility . There is the super Blackhawk 5 shot in 454 which would be a sweet 45 colt +p gun but it's $1000 or so , just like all the other 454s. I wouldn't have any reservations about getting a used 45 blackhawk in 45 colt with the larger frame for hot stuff but if your wanting to push the limits it's nice to have a large margin for error which a true 454 casull offers.

 

[MidRoad]

Yes micrometers do come in handy!!!!

Micrometers are ok to measure slugs ya push through the throats, but aren't accurate to measure the throats themselves. Need minus plug gages for that. Assuming you knew that based on your other write ups. Just posting for clarification, not meaning to belittle in any way.

 

[TTv2]

I want one of those and one of the LGS here has one. How do you rate the accuracy between the two cartridges if you don't mind me asking?

I can answer that. .45 Colt shoots better. By better, I can hit a steel plate at 50 yards fairly regularly with .45 Colt, but with .45 ACP I'm lucky to get one hit on the same plate.

I consider shooting .45 ACP good out to 25 yards and I've been told from others certain ammo will group tighter. I reload .45 Colt, so it rarely sees much .45 ACP and I didn't buy mine to exclusively shoot ACP, it was just nice to have that option and I wanted a DA .45 Colt revolver. Between the Redhawk and the S&W Governor, it was an easy choice.

 

[no.5enfield]

Looking at rugers page, I don't see the redhawk offered in 45 colt anymore.
>Snip<

https://ruger.com/products/redhawk/specSheets/5050.html

They have it listed as .45acp for whatever reason. They're also only offering it in stainless, with a 4.2" barrel as well. It seems like Ruger has decided that it's not worth the investment to give it the same options as the .44 mag versions. That's a shame, because they are still desirable and bring decent money used. Same with the Smith .45 colts.

 

[RealGun]

https://ruger.com/products/redhawk/specSheets/5050.html

They have it listed as .45acp for whatever reason. They're also only offering it in stainless, with a 4.2" barrel as well. It seems like Ruger has decided that it's not worth the investment to give it the same options as the .44 mag versions. That's a shame, because they are still desirable and bring decent money used. Same with the Smith .45 colts.

We have reached the point where people want revolvers to shoot semiauto ammo, to include moonclips. I have one such gun but generally think revolvers should shoot revolver cartridges.

 

[Anchorite]

My $300 Ruger Redhawk...

Posted this previously, I picked up a milled Norinco Mak90 for $300 at a garage sale over the summer. Traded that Norinco to another feller for this Redhawk.

Day-um. That has got to be the best trade of 2019. Congrats, Sir!

 

[Anchorite]

That is fine, as long as the sixgun that does what you need it to is offered in .454. Because it very often isn't.

To add my own $.02 to this, I always figured if I had to *lean* hard on a cartridge, I should probably just step on up. Rather than hot-rod my .45s, I should just go .454 (or go 480, which is essentially what I did years ago. To hell with that damn 454!).

 

[GarrettJ]

... but generally think revolvers should shoot revolver cartridges.

I have read similar comments a few times, and have yet to see a good reason why this opinion.

Below are just a few handguns chambered in .357 Mag, not counting other models and any number of rifles chambered in the cartridge. So what makes it a “revolver” cartridge?

For that matter, it’s seems to me we were sending soldiers to war over 100 years ago with .45ACP revolvers.

I just don’t get the issue some people have about it.

 

[TTv2]

I have read similar comments a few times, and have yet to see a good reason why this opinion.

Below are just a few handguns chambered in .357 Mag, not counting other models and any number of rifles chambered in the cartridge. So what makes it a “revolver” cartridge?

For that matter, it’s seems to me we were sending soldiers to war over 100 years ago with .45ACP revolvers.

I just don’t get the issue some people have about it.

Those .45 ACP revolvers were made out of necessity because they couldn't make 1911's fast enough and there were plenty of .45 Colt revolvers available that just needed the cylinders modified for clips. Today if you want something that shoots .45 ACP or 9mm, you're better off getting it in a semi auto for performance.

That said, I really like the snub revolvers in 9mm, actually any revolver in 9mm is great for people who just want a revolver that they can enjoy and be able to save a few bucks in ammo. I think 10mm Magnum has a lot of potential in revolvers being a better compromise from .357 to .44 Magnum than .41 Magnum, tho I would like to see that 10mm Magnum have a rim because it's dead as a semi auto round. As previously discussed, it doesn't take much to make a .45 Colt revolver be able to shoot .45 ACP as well.

I think a lot of the appeal with being able to fire rimless ammo in a revolver has to do with having lower price factory ammo. I mean, if you gave me the choice for a .45 ACP revolver or a .44 Special one, I'll take the .45 ACP, ammo is half the price. 9mm is 33% less than .38 costs.

There's a lot of versatility with the Redhawk tho, for example mine is capable of shooting .45 ACP, .45 GAP, and .45 Super all because of the moon clip. I mean, I'm not big on .45 Super in a semi pistol, but give me the option of it in a moon clip and I think that's a nice option.

I don't think there's anything wrong with revolvers built to shoot rimless cartridges, but I have a lot more faith that any $200 9mm I pull off the shelf is going to be more accurate vs any 9mm revolver, not to mention have double or triple the capacity.

 

[forrest r]

Micrometers are ok to measure slugs ya push through the throats, but aren't accurate to measure the throats themselves. Need minus plug gages for that. Assuming you knew that based on your other write ups. Just posting for clarification, not meaning to belittle in any way.

Yup, used both and prefer to use slugs and a mic. I also like to measure the brass to see if it's consistent, easy to do and if it isn't then it's time to do some real measuring. The other reason I prefer lead/slugs over pin gauges is it's easier to see if the throats are egg shaped. It's also easier to measure how much they are out of round and what the max diameter will have to be to true them. Sometimes the egg shape/out of round is so bad the chambers really shouldn't be reamed or they'll end up oversized.

A pin gauge will not be able to tell you/measure how much out of round/egg shaped a chamber is. It can only tell you the smallest dimension. From there you have to shine a light in to see if there's any egg shape. And then quess/eyeball how much you think is there. More often then not lower end revolver have egg shaped chambers. It's just a matter of how much.

 

[LaneP]

I'm a huge fan of using clipped, rimless cartridges in revolvers. My go-to is a S&W 22-4 ("copy" of the 1917) with 5.5" bbl. I can clip up a couple dozen cylinder's worth and it makes for a very enjoyable range trip. All the cases stay together from start to finish and you just about can't get a faster reload in a wheelgun than with a moonclip.

My 22-4 bbl throat was a little rough out of the box. It would accumulate leading from cast SWC's and accuracy at the 50' range was pretty disappointing. I got a closer look at it one day and noticed the machining at the throat was rough and there was a tool gouge on one spot. I completely scrubbed away the lead then used an 11 degree throat reamer to smooth out and eliminate the roughness and tool gouge. Now it does not lead the throat any more and accuracy is excellent.

But it's purpose-built for the clipped .45 ACP (or .45 AR case but I don't use those). I've always been curious if the dual purpose .45 Colt/.45 ACP designs can do justice to both and appreciate the feedback from owners. If they can, there is a great appeal to having a revolver that can handle two of my all-time favorite handgun cartridges.

 

[RealGun]

I have read similar comments a few times, and have yet to see a good reason why this opinion.

Below are just a few handguns chambered in .357 Mag, not counting other models and any number of rifles chambered in the cartridge. So what makes it a “revolver” cartridge?

For that matter, it’s seems to me we were sending soldiers to war over 100 years ago with .45ACP revolvers.

I just don’t get the issue some people have about it.

View attachment 879941

The rifles are only in an attempt to share ammo with a sidearm.

If one wants to shoot semiauto ammo, he can do it with a semiauto. If he wants more like 10mm performance, he can shoot 41 Special but would have to load his own.

 

[drobs]

Can I get the 454 cylinder cut for moonclips?

 

[Jim Watson]

Yes
http://pinnaclehighperformance.com/cylinder-work/

 

[CraigC]

I have read similar comments a few times, and have yet to see a good reason why this opinion.

I agree. Most people have the need to pigeonhole everything according to whatever their perception of it is.

To add my own $.02 to this, I always figured if I had to *lean* hard on a cartridge, I should probably just step on up. Rather than hot-rod my .45s, I should just go .454 (or go 480, which is essentially what I did years ago. To hell with that damn 454!).

That's one way to look at it. Like I said, that works if the sixgun you need is offered in .454. Because it very often is not. Much more variety and selection in .45Colt than .454. It is such a well traveled path, I see running the .45Colt Blackhawk at 32,000psi or the Redhawk at 50,000psi as no different than loading any other cartridge in any other firearm.