New (to me) Redhawk! <smilie> and shooting issues <frownie>

[bearfoot]

I took my newly purchased (but definitely used) Redhawk 44 to the range yesterday to let it run free for a bit, and to get used to it. I'm most accustomed to shooting Glocks & other autoloaders, but I have a GP100 in .357, too, so I'm not completely unfamiliar with round guns. This Redhawk is stainless with a 5.5" bbl and Pachmyer grips.
Anyways, with the new Redhawk and Fiocchi 240gr SJSP ammo, I'm shooting rather high at 7 yards. Most of my group was strung between 2" and 4" above the bullseye and slightly to the right, so there's some issues that need to be corrected or accounted for. Here are some possibilities:

1. Unfamiliar trigger, a little different even from my GP
2. Trigger in an unknown state of wear/repair
3. Large-ass gun (this one is definitely my heaviest handgun)
4. No help from Grips/Stocks (I'll probably replace with Hogue, like my GP)

I'm sure some of my issues will simply be to suck it up and learn the nuances of this pistol, but should I consider some maintenance to the gun? different ammoes? I'm open to suggestions - many thanks for any well-intensioned advice.

 

[1KPerDay]

You realize the rear sight is adjustable, right?

*runs for the hills*

 

[bearfoot]

I suppose you're right - I completely overlooked that, possibly because I've never had to jack with the sights on a pistol before.

I suppose there may be other used revolver things I need to account for, but that may be /thread.

 

[Walkalong]

The previous owner may have it regulated for lighter loads. A little more trigger time will tell the tale.

 

[osteodoc08]

7 yds sure is kinda close. What is your overall purpose for this gun? Most of my big bore revolvers I sight in for 25 yards, personally. The rear sight is adjustable. Enjoy and welcome to the big bore club.

 

[BCRider]

The trigger group may just need a good cleaning and lube job. The Redhawk and SRH that I've shot felt no different than a friend's GP100 so I suspect it's simply a case of cleaning out the bird's nest of crud and getting things oiled and/or greased where appropriate.

Given how high it's shooting I'd say it's not your loads. Rather the previous guy was either using it for classic bullseye shooting with a 6 o'clock hold on set size targets at a set distance or he set the gun up for zero at 50 yards. Either option would explain the gun shooting high in your case.

 

[Walkalong]

7 yard target shooting over a chrono to get numbers. I always shoot close when getting numbers.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=627609

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

Very likely a past adjustment of the rear sight is causing this. Try to do it a few clicks in the right direction and see what happens.

 

[Cosmoline]

I went through several grips for my Redhawk before settling on Nill grips. They are absolutely amazing, and well worth the steep price tag.

As far as the trigger, Midway sells aftermarket springs in various weights. They're not too pricey and you can swap them around to see which you prefer.

The RH is big enough that I don't use the usual isometric stance, but rather bend both elbows more in a Weaver-like stance and let the revolver steady itself with downward-upward pressure. With this method I've been able to get FIFTY shot groups in two inches at fifteen yards, with a few fliers from my own twitching.

 

[Shimitup]

Walkalong, that's pretty good velocity for 5 1/2 inches of barrel. That's what I get with my 7 1/2 inch Redhawk with my favorite load of 23gr. of H110 and Hornady 240 JHP. I've never tried N110 before.

 

[Walkalong]

And that's not a max load by the Vihtavuori 2011 PDF.

 

[Cheesemaker]

Also, your sighting maybe different to the original owner. Are you a 6 o'clock hold or a middle of the bull holder?

Forget the point of impact...initially. Do they group well? If so, adjust the sights...if not - practice more.