Load advice for Ruger Redhawk 44mag 5.5" bbl

[mtnbkr]

I need some advice on a proper load for my Redhawk. I plan to use it primarily as a hunting and camping sidearm and a primary hunting arm at times (whitetail deer, *maybe* black bear if not too large and a good shot is available). I would also be using it for long range plinking, steel, etc.

This is a new caliber to me, so I'm kinda clueless on bullet weight, design, material, etc. I want lots of penetration since the bullet is already fairly fat. I *think* I want a heavier (250-300grs), gas checked, hardcast bullet of either Keith or LBT-WFN design. What's good and what works well with the Redhawk? I plan to load to moderate velocity (1000-1300fps depending on bullet weight and design). What about jacketed bullets?

Chris

 

[Nhsport]

Here is my .02 worth
There is no need for a jacketed bullet in a .44 . Lead flat point (Keith type aka SWC) are proven penetrators and killers with a full load . Lead bullets are also the correct choice for lighter plinking loads .
I have shot Rugers for years but have been mostly shooting S&W 629's . You have a fine gun in your Redhawk .
In the 44 I have not found it necessary to go with the gascheck bullet , I have used the 44 plain base 240gr from several comercial casters with great success.
I have been useing 2400 powder with a Winchester large pistol primer. (winchester has only one large pistol primer,everyone else has magnum and regular)
Consult your load manual,start down a couple 2 or 3 grains and creep up.Use cases all the same length (sort and or trim ) so you can get a heavy uniform crimp .
My best accuracy has been with loads just a bit down from max,don't get crazy,anything you shoot isn't going to act any different if that 240gr pill is going 1230fps instead if 1280fps.
I have found best results with cast bullets after useing a good copper solvent to get the barrel super clean after shooting jacketed bullets. Just shooting a handfull of jacketed bullets will leave some copper in the bore,this copper will strip lead off the cast bullet and make a heck of a mess. I use Butches Bore Shine or Sweets.
You might get slightly more penetration with a heavier (300gr ish ) bullet but as your weight goes up , speed will go down, and the trijectory will be more rainbow like . I sight my 629 with the 240gr (my load is 1275fps+-) about an inch or so high at 50yd (that is the short range at my club) and I can pretty much shoot right on from 30yd out to 75yd--about all I am going to shoot with my eyes. If I had a really good rest and a little time I might hold up a little and risk a slightly longer shot depending on the situation .
For plinking loads I still use the 240gr bullets, I switch to Unique powder and drop the speed down to 900 or 1000fps. These loads still need a crimp but if you back it off from the heavy one in the heavy load your cases will last a little longer. The Unique is a little sooty but it pretty much wipes right off the gun .

1)read your load manuals if you don't have lots of experience reloading
( I like Lymans regular and Lymans cast bullet manuals )
2)shoot cast bullets out of a clean (copper free) gun

3)Have fun !

 

[mattcat]

good info on the cleaning, copper in the bore will mess with your lead bullets
I use my loads in a ruger super black hawk and a smith 629
if you want a heavy gascheck I would say the Lee 310 round nose flat point has great penetration
I like H110 powder
if you seat your bullet in the first crimp grove (about .415)
you can work up to about 23 gr which would be about 1200 fps
for a plinking round I like the 200 gr Lee (round nose flat point(LBT style)) with Winchester 231
12 gr (max pressure) should give about 1300fps
be sure to work up to a max load
for plinking I would think 1000fps would be fine

 

[LAH]

Here's my two. Buy a 4 cavity Lyman 429421 or Ballisti-Cast #1103 mould. If it was me I get two Lyman's. Size these .431 and use 20 grs. of 2400. This load did 1201 fps from my 4" M-29. Very accurate far as you'll see the bullet strike. Sold a couple tons of these and had hardly a complaint. For my own use with this load I like straight air cooled wheelweights.....Creeker

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I'll second the Lyman 429421 mold. I also have a load worked up using 2400. Good stuff.

I load 265gn cast lead for mine, but I don't generally hunt with them. Plinking them at 100yds is fun enough. They're LEE mold cast from wheel weights or clean lead with linotype added. They're non gas checked and I keep'm less than 1200fps to reduce leading.

You can work a good load with 2400 for lead, but you might also try some Unique for some light loads. Practice with the light lead loads.

For Bear I have a very accurate load of a Sierra 300gn SP pushed by Win296 or AA#9. There stout! I developed the load in my SBH Bisley, but they seem fine through my ssRH. I also shoot a Sierra 250gn FPJ.

Having taken several deer with handgun, I prefer the Sierra 250 for Bear or Deer. The bullet doesn't deform much at all even after hitting bone. I'm a fan of weight retention and penetration. And although cast lead will perform well, I can push a jacketed bullet much faster for use at longer ranges and feel comfortable knowing how the bullet is going to perform when I take the shot. The 250fpj hits harder and fly's flatter than the 300gn.

If I were hunting smaller Deer, I'd drop to a Speer or Sierra 180gn JHP pushed by some AA#9.

-Steve

 

[only1asterisk]

Plinking: Hornady 240 grain LSWC @ less than 900fps
Camping/Hiking/Miscellaneous: 260-285 Keith or LBT flatnose @1050-1150
Hunting: 260-285 Keith or LBT flatnose with gascheck @ 1250-1350

I seldom use anything like full power loads for deer anymore. I don't see much point in bullets over 300 grains or rock hard cast bullets.

David

 

[mtnbkr]

In the 44 I have not found it necessary to go with the gascheck bullet

Why? I'm not arguing, just curious. I've had terrible leading problems in smaller calibers with cast bullets (at various velocities with various brands and weights). So much so, I've sworn off lead for my other guns. I'm only considering cast for the 44 because I'm willing to give it another try since this is a completely new caliber for me.

How bad is the trajectory of the 300gr bullets at moderate (1000-1200fps) velocities.

As for casting my own, I'm not interested in that right now.

Chris

 

[only1asterisk]

mtnbkr,

That load will get 75-100+ yards with 1.5-1.7" point blank radius or about twice as far as I am likely to shoot.

Loading lead bullets without leading requires a little more work. The most important thing is to fit the bullet to the gun.

David