Purchased a......

[Shane]

NIB Ruger Redhawk, 5.5" barrel in .44 magnum.


I'm not exactly good with .44 magnum recoil (.357 magnum has been my limit previously), so I'm going to need to build up my recoil ability. Any lighter-than-average factory loads available, and which ones would you recommend? Are there any "medium" velocity loads in .44 magnum?

Since it can fire both .44 special and .44 magnum, I might as well make an effort to learn and tolerate the magnum loadings.

Also, what methods do you use (such as grip or technique) to master the .44 magnum recoil? How hard to you hold a .44 magnum during recoil? I've only shot one many years ago (a S&W 629), so I'm not really familar with this cartridge other than it REALLY hurt the first time I tried it.

 

[10-Ring]

I don't own one, but I have regular access to one through a shooting buddy. Recoil should not be too big a deal, especially w/ that gun.
Congrats & enjoy!

 

[Shane]

I don't own one, but I have regular access to one through a shooting buddy. Recoil should not be too big a deal, especially w/ that gun.

The S&W 629 that my cousin owns felt like a baseball bat smacking my hands. Does the Redhawk weigh more than the 629 (i.e. more weight = less recoil)?


Oh, and for all you Granola State residents. The purchase process was easy so far. Show them your HSC card, get a thumbprint (inkless print--can't figure out how it works), and show proof of residency (I used the DMV registration card). When I pick the gun up, I need to show them that I can safely handle it and the process is over. I don't like the thumbprint or residency hassle, but I think its a good thing to make sure buyers can safely handle a gun.

 

[BigG]

The Redhawk weighs a good bit more than the SW 44 Magnum. Should help with the recoil. Also the rubber grips I think it has should help. The older SWs all had walnut target grips which give the baseball bat effect to some. But they look cool as all get out!!

 

[Shane]

The Redhawk weighs a good bit more than the SW 44 Magnum. Should help with the recoil. Also the rubber grips I think it has should help. The older SWs all had walnut target grips which give the baseball bat effect to some. But they look cool as all get out!!

His grips on the 629 were a pretty looking wood, so it sounds like possibly he had the walnut grips you described.

 

[Ala Dan]

Shane, the Ruger Redhawk should be a lot tamer
than the Smith & Wesson 629 that you shot. But
nowdays, the S&W 629 can be had from the factory
with rubber Hogue finger grooved grip's. Some say
that since the S&W is now "round butted", N frame
wooden grips that are available from the factory
allow the 629 to roll back into the webbing of your
hand; instead of the old "hit with a baseball bat"
feeling?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[voilsb]

sounds nice. will you buy me one, too?

the way I handle the recoil (shot a friend's, I don't own one), is to point it at my target, and practice my breathing, relaxation, aiming, and squeezing.

the gun doesn't fly out of my hand, and the round suprises me every time the hammer falls.

 

[Frohickey]

The S&W 629's grip, for me, is not comfortable, especially when shooting full-house 44magnum loads. I ended up have a sore trigger finger shooting a few cylinders full of the Winchester 240gr JFP loads.

The Ruger Redhawk, in 5.5inch barrel should be a bit better in the recoil department since its heavier. I'm not sure about the grip geometry though, so you will have to see how it does.

Recoil is one of those things that you can get used to if the gun fits you well.

I don't like the thumbprint or residency hassle, but I think its a good thing to make sure buyers can safely handle a gun.

Oh, you must be one of those 'common-sense gun legislation' people.

 

[Gila Jorge]

Ala Dan: that Round Butt mod I think may have reached prominence with the lighter Mtn Gun that
Smith brought out. I have a 629 5 inch Clasic with the full underlug and the recoil seems to come fairly straight back. If it rolled a bit like a single action that would be a definite plus.

 

[HSMITH]

Sounds like you are trying to "control" the recoil too much, let it do what it wants when you shoot it, when it is done recoiling get it back on target and hit it again. It is a LOT faster than you think. A nice soft grip on the gun is all it takes to keep it in control, if your shooting grip would distort a ripe banana you are holding it WAY too tight.

Trying to keep a 44 mag from recoiling as it sees fit is a good way to get sore. Don't fight it and a 44 mag is a real pussycat. BTW, a TC Contender in 44 mag loaded hot or a 45/70 TC will teach you quickly about fighting recoil

 

[Shane]

Sounds like you are trying to "control" the recoil too much, let it do what it wants when you shoot it, when it is done recoiling get it back on target and hit it again. It is a LOT faster than you think. A nice soft grip on the gun is all it takes to keep it in control, if your shooting grip would distort a ripe banana you are holding it WAY too tight.

Very true, my instinct is to hold a .44 magnum tight. I used a choking/death (very tight) grip the time I shot the 629.


So you are saying that one can control a .44 magnum with a loose wrist? How far would the muzzle go up with a loose hold? I've always been paranoid that the muzzle would fly wildly if I held it loose. I'm willing to try a loose grip though.


BTW, I LOVED the feel of the stock grips on the Redhawk. I'm not sure I want to go with rubber at this point. The ergonomic feel of the stock wood grips felt really good. They even looked really nice too (most Ruger revolver wood grips IME are mediocre, but on THIS Redhawk they looked well made and pretty). Unless the recoil kills my wrist when I test the gun out (10 days to pickup), I'll probably leave the factory grips on.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Congrats on the new Redhawk try 44 Spl.

 

[Shane]

Congrats on the new Redhawk try 44 Spl.

Thanks.


Actually, I've shot .44 special before (in the 629). Recoil was for all intensive purposes very little.

That is why IMO .44 special is not too useful in preparing one for hot .44 magnum loads. There is a large difference between .44 special and .44 magnum.

 

[SASS#23149]

Most powder companies' websites will have "cowboy" loads for nearly all pistol calibers.The Hodgdon site shows loads that are midway between .44 special and true magnum loads.I"d start there,work my way until it got uncomfortable,then back off a bit.After all,just 'cause your gun can kill an elephant don't mean you gotta shoot elephant loads at pop cans!!
www.hodgdon.com

 

[tomkatz]

It isn't exactly a loose wrist. Take a firm but not excessively tight grip, relax, as you squeeze off the round just let the gun go in the direction it wants to, sorta up and back a little, letting your wrists and arms buffer the recoil a bit, then at a certain point you take control and put the gun back on target. You can practice with the 44spl. rounds then move up to the "cowboy" loads mentioned previously. Practice some of the technique with a 357 if you want to. It is a hard thing to write out, maybe someone can explain it better.....tom

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's Gila Jorge, My Friend-

While in my favorite gun shop a few weeks ago, just
browsing through their inventory I came upon a brand
new set of S&W wooden N-frame finger grooved grip's.
Not sure of the manufactuer'er; but they were for the
new "round butted" S&W N-frames. Long story short,
I purchased them for $39.95 and immediately installed
them on my S&W 629-5 "Classic". With the contour that
these grips posses, I'm hoping that the felt recoil from
the powerful .44 magnum will just roll back in my hand.
I haven't tried 'em just yet; but when I do I will certainly
give THR some feedback concerning their feel while
actually firing this weapon.

If memory serves me correctly, I think Robert In Oregon
has already experimented with these grip's?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[foghornl]

Are there any "medium" velocity loads in .44 magnum?

A commercial loader/reloader near me offers a 44Mag round with 240 Gr semi-wadcutter copper coated @900FPS, vs the 1300 FPS or so of the 240Gr SJHP.

Visit the website

www.NationalBullet.com

Eastllake, OH phone 440-951-1854

Don't have a 44, so I don't have any firsthand knowledge with this ammo, but I have used some of their 45ACP ammo....decent stuff.

 

[Shane]

Today was pick up day. The handling test is easy.


Anyway, I am very surprised how LIGHT the Redhawk feels. Its listed as 49 ounces, but its weight distribution makes it feel more like 40 ounces--it feels more like a GP than a larged framed .44 magnum. I guess good balance goes a long way to making a gun feel less heavy. The other thing I'm noticing is that the wood stock grips are very well finished (unlike the other Ruger revolvers I own), and they really feel good. I didn't shoot it yet today, as I want to remove any grease or lub Ruger coated with it, but next Saturday I'm going to pick up some .44 maggie reloads (which are loaded below full power loads) and shoot this beauty. When I saw the price and lack of availability of .44 Special loads (not one local gunstore carries .44 special loads that I've asked yet), I decided to give the magnum loads a try first.

 

[dairycreek]

Shane!

I think that you'll like the Redhawk. I have one and it has turned out to be a great gun! Some suggestions that you might find helpful. Wear good ear protection with good sound attenuation properties. I find that the loud crack of the 44 magnum contributes as much to my flinches as does the recoil. Another suggestion is to try a set of Pachmayr Decelerator grips. They are rubber but their construction absorbs a lot of the recoil's force that otherwise goes into your hand. I know that they are rubber and are IMHO not particularly good looking but they do help with recoil. Here in my part of the world (Oregon) 44 Special ammo is both hard to get and very, very expensive. But you can find some 44 magnum ammo that is less vigorous than others. Sorry, I can't think of exact examples right now. Hope some of this helps. Good shooting

 

[Shane]

I'm dry firing the gun to get accustomed to its trigger. DA is smooth and lighter than my GP 100's.


SA is heavy (feels like 7-8 lbs), but relatively crisp. I'll take a crisp SA trigger that is heavy over a mushy SA trigger that is light anyday, so I'm happy with both trigger modes.

I LOVE the orange sight paint...it helps out my not so good eyes. I wish they also put this on GP 100s.

Can't wait to shoot this gun either on Wed of next week or next Saturday. I found the 80 percent power reloads in .44 magnum that I'll give a try. I'm sure its still going to recoil a lot, but at least its %20 percent reduction.

 

[meathammer]

I have the same revolver. I like it alot. You may notice a significant difference in recoil depending on the loads you shoot. I put Hogue rubber grips on mine, helps control the grip from slipping in your hand from recoil. I have shot a few different varieties of ammo. CCI Blazer - 240gr. jacketed hollow point - pretty mild recoil, considering. Winchester hunting ammo - 240gr. jacketed soft point - Considerably hotter! After shooting a box of these, I was ready to do something else. Also tried various reloads, range ammo. I haven't tried any .44 special, but I plan on it. My range buddy complains about the muzzle blast when I shoot it, definately an attention getter. Good ear protection a must, I took my first wild boar with it last spring, didn't wear ear plugs. My right ear rang for two days. I am NOT going to make that mistake again!