[1858]

After an afternoon at the rifle range shooting an AR and a Mini-14, I decided to shoot my new (bought a couple of months ago) Ruger Redhawk in .45 Colt for the first time at the silhouette range next door . A few weeks ago I had assembled ten of each of the following loads ...

200 grain LRNFP, Trail Boss powder, 6.0 grains
200 grain LRNFP, W231, 10.5 grains* (Speer Manual #11)
200 grain LRNFP, W231, 11.0 grains* (Speer Manual #11)

... and five of each of the following loads:

255 grain LRNFP, H110, JL recipe starting load
255 grain LRNFP, H110, JL recipe max load
300 grain LFP, H110, JL recipe starting load
300 grain LFP, H110, JL recipe max load

I didn't have a single problem with the first 50 rounds. As you can see from the photo, there were no light primer strikes which is supposedly a problem with the DA Ruger Redhawk. I didn't have a single stuck case after firing and both the DA and SA trigger pulls were excellent. In fact, I enjoyed shooting it more in DA than SA. I didn't adjust the sights at all and was able to hit a 12" (W) x 36" (H) plate at 50 yards consistently although all loads with the exception of the TB loads were shooting high. Windage was fine. Recoil was addictive (and VERY manageable) with all loads and the W231 loads were particulary "snappy". All in all I was absolutely thrilled by this incredible (and my first) Ruger revolver. It is surprisingly accurate (for a 4" barrel), has a great SA/DA trigger, the sights are excellent, the weight is ideal, it feels great to hold and great to shoot, it looks AWESOME, the recoil is no problem at all and I can't wait to shoot it again. I had so much fun shooting the "heavier" loads that I won't be wasting any bullets with TB powder ... I'll save the TB for my USFA Rodeos!! My final thoughts ... I'm REALLY, REALLY, REALLY happy that I bought this revolver.

:)

* CAUTION: These loads are for Ruger Redhawk, Blackhawk, Freedom Arms and T/C ONLY!!!

[abuelo]

Congrats, looks like you found a keeper. I have a Redhawk with a 7 1/2 in barrel and it hes been an excellent gun. I have considered a short barrel Redhawk but didn't know about the recoil. Thanks for the report, I think I'll move it up on the wish list.

[1858]

abuelo,
Thanks ... this Redhawk is definitely a keeper. Now I'm coveting the Redhawk Alaskan too ... it never ends!

I checked my notes and realized that I needed to correct an error in the list of loads that I shot. In fact, I shot JL min AND max loads with the 255 and 300 grain bullets using H110 powder so there's no question in my mind that "felt recoil" is less in the .45 Colt compared to the .44 Magnum (my S&W 629 with a 4" barrel that is).

:)

[abuelo]

1858

I have heard from others and felt from experience that the Redhawk handles recoil better than the 629 in guns with the same [or close] barrel lentghs. Maybe grip design or something. ENJOY

[Leanwolf]

1858, thanks for the report. Do you know how much that 4" Redhawk, when loaded, weighs??

Thanks.

[MikePGS]

1858, thanks for the report. Do you know how much that 4" Redhawk, when loaded, weighs??

Thanks.
According to Ruger's website, it weighs 46 ounces.

[1858]

Do you know how much that 4" Redhawk, when loaded, weighs??

Somehow I doubt that Ruger's web site lists LOADED weight. I'll weigh the revolver with six 200 grain LRNFP (with 10.5 grains of W231) rounds and report back.

abuelo, I'm not sure why the Redhawk feels better when firing heavy loads compared to my 629. I'm not sure if there's a significant weight difference but I suppose I could weigh the 629 tonight too.

:)

[General Geoff]

That is a great looking revolver, I've been contemplating getting one myself. I just love .45 Colt, and this is about the only quality, modern, double action revolver that chambers six rounds of it with the exception of the .454 Casull Super Redhawk. And that's not exactly a practical carry gun..

[MikePGS]

Ahh sorry completely missed the word loaded.

[1858]

I just love .45 Colt, and this is about the only quality, modern, double action revolver that chambers six rounds of it with the exception of the .454 Casull Super Redhawk. And that's not exactly a practical carry gun.

... how about the Super Redhawk Alaskan? Would you consider carrying that? I think that's going to be my next revolver purchase.

http://www.impactguns.com/store/736676053018.html

:)

[CSA 357]

I like that, the 4 inch barrel is my favorite

[General Geoff]

I like the Alaskan, and I especially like the fact that it can shoot .454 Casull along with .45 Colt. However, it's still quite the porker compared to a (non-Super) Redhawk.

Realistically, I'd like to get both. Probably the Redhawk first, then the Alaskan.

[1858]

Realistically, I'd like to get both. Probably the Redhawk first, then the Alaskan.

Seems like we're on the same page ... although I'm just a little bit further along than you. :D

:)

[1858]

OK ... here's some "real world" data:

Ruger Redhawk .45 Colt with 4" barrel
Weight empty: 46.4 oz
Weight loaded: 51.1 oz
Ammunition: 200gr LRNFP with 11.0 grains of W231 and Remington R.P cases **

S&W 629 .44 Mag with 4" barrel
Weight empty: 43.6 oz
Weight loaded: 49.0 oz
Ammunition: 240gr Federal JHP

It's easy enough to calculate the weight of the Redhawk with your load of choice. The weight of the cases and primers = 51.1 oz - 46.4 oz - (211.0 * 6) grains * 0.00228 (conversion of grains to oz) = 1.8 oz.

46.4 oz + 1.8 oz + [(bullet weight in grains + powder weight in grains) * 0.01368] = TOTAL WEIGHT in oz

As a check, 46.4 oz + 1.8 oz + [(200 grains + 11.0 grains) * 0.01368] = 51.08 oz

Anyway, you get the idea.

:)

** CAUTION: These loads are for Ruger Redhawk, Blackhawk, Freedom Arms and T/C ONLY!!!

[CSA 357]

454? I DONT THINK SO! JUST GET YOU A 458! :p

[WardenWolf]

If size and weight were an issue, I'd probably get the Alaskan version of the Super Redhawk in .454 Casull. That way it can fire both rounds while still being compact. Call me crazy, but the idea of having a pistol that could believably stop a bear is appealing.

[Leanwolf]

1858 - "Ruger Redhawk .45 Colt with 4" barrel
Weight empty: 46.4 oz
Weight loaded: 51.1 oz
Ammunition: 200gr LRNFP with 11.0 grains of W231 and Remington R.P cases **"

Thanks for that information, 1858. I appreciate it.

L.W.

[Sport45]

That is a great looking revolver, I've been contemplating getting one myself. I just love .45 Colt, and this is about the only quality, modern, double action revolver that chambers six rounds of it with the exception of the .454 Casull Super Redhawk. And that's not exactly a practical carry gun..


The .45C Redhawk isn't exactly a practical carry gun either. I really like my 5-1/2" Redhawk. But after shooting any of my other revolvers, the Redhawk looks like a pregnant cow out there in front of me. It's a pretty wide gun.

[1858]

The .45C Redhawk isn't exactly a practical carry gun either.

Doesn't that depend on how and where you carry it? I have to say, I'd feel pretty darn good with the .45 Colt Redhawk in an external holster (maybe in the small of the back) with some 300 grain cast bullets and H110 powder and with a Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70 slung over the shoulder and loaded with some 405 grain JSP loads. I don't think I'd be worried about much out in the woods with those two companions.

:)

[Sport45]

You've got a point there. I was thinking about concealed carry.