.44 Mags

[StrawHat]

There are lot of reasons a firearm can blow up. Double charges are one. Using the wrong powder is another.

A failed case can do the same thing. Using blackpowder, Elmer Keith was able to destroy several Colt Model Ps before he decided to go to a smaller cartridge.

As I said, I don't know the particulars on that one, (I found the photo on the web somewhere and saved it.) Pressure signs in a revolver are not reliable. By the time the signs show up, you are way beyond the pressures the handgun was designed to withstand. My point in posting the photo was to dispell the false thought that the Ruger is indestructible. It seems lots of Ruger owners like to test the strength of their firearm because it says Ruger on the side.

Me, I outgrew a severe case of magnumitis years ago and am very well served by sedate loads from the 45 long Colt, 45 ACP/AR and the 38 Special. With one of those revolvers, I can hunt anywhere on this continent where it is legal to use a handgun.

 

[Usmc-1]

I dont mean to take offense at reloaders , Obviously without reloaders we would be no where , there would be only load that the factories want to give us ,period!

@Strawhat , now thats funny "My point in posting the photo was to dispell the false thought that the Ruger is indestructible"!!!

Im gonna go buy a Ruger and load it with some unstable powder and a really heavy bullet ,that doesnt quite fit , then Im gonna pull the trigger ! Wow if thats how you figure Ruger is so bad , ALL MY REVOLVERS WILL BE RUGER FROM NOW ON!

 

[NMGonzo]

I dont mean to take offense at reloaders , Obviously without reloaders we would be no where , there would be only load that the factories want to give us ,period!

@Strawhat , now thats funny "My point in posting the photo was to dispell the false thought that the Ruger is indestructible"!!!

Im gonna go buy a Ruger and load it with some unstable powder and a really heavy bullet ,that doesnt quite fit , then Im gonna pull the trigger ! Wow if thats how you figure Ruger is so bad , ALL MY REVOLVERS WILL BE RUGER FROM NOW ON!

Actually ... not a bad way to go.

Best BANG!!! for the buck

 

[Walkalong]

Most reloader are very careful. In any group there are always a few careless folks as well as a handful who are just downright stupid, but that should not reflect on the millions who are careful and safe.

Just because it's a Ruger, doesn't mean it can't be blown up. I do not push any loads, even in my Redhawks.

Don't want to hurt my Astra either.

To the OP. Astras can be found very reasonably priced, and are really nice IMHO. Awesome DA trigger, and very nice in SA as well.

 

[jimniowa]

Hoghead, my SBH srtarted to turn shooting 240 g swc and 240 g jft loaded under max by hornady manual in .44mag. I kept having to adjust the scope till I was out of adjustment. Puzzeled I took off the scope and shot with iron sights, right away I saw a cant on the front sites. The barrel turned, or rotated clock wise from the receiver end. I ended up with a rep from Ruger in AZ who advised me to send it back east and who to contact.
I had a RedHawk 7.5" that I mounted a scope to and using the same reloads its barrel started to turn. Ruger by then returned the SBH stating that they had repaired it. On the RedHawk they paid the freight both ways and replaced the barrel. I also bought a 5.5" RedHawk since then and have no problems at all. My SBH that was repaired turned again using factory ammo in 240 jfp, they replaced every thing but the frame and the cylinder and upon my request installed a 4.5" barrel.
S&W had similar problems and was pinning the barrels as a fix. Greybeard has a web site and can relate similar problems.
The bottom line is it was not the loads but the fit of the barrel to the frame, and not all that uncommon at that time.
Jim

 

[Smaug]

Just read the rest of the thread. Redhawk is a good choice.

Which model is it, specifically? Redhawk, or Super Redhawk? Barrel length? I have a 7.5" model. I would sure not get anything longer, unless you're only going to hunt with it. The 7.5" can get heavy pretty quickly at the range. I just happened across stainless one in the gun shop, with black Leupold 4X scope for $550. Traded the scope even up for a silver 2.5X. Much better, magnification-wise, but too heavy. The scope's off it now, weight feels much better, but I'm sure my groups will open up just a bit.

If I had my 'druthers, I'd get the 5.5" barrel one instead. Now that I have the 7.5", I'm thinking about a 4", to "cover the range" so to speak.

Here's my Redhawk as it came:


I fired the first shot, and the barrel broke off. Manufacturing defect in the 80s. Ruger fixed it free, even though it was way out of warranty and I'm not the original owner, and I was shooting (light) reloads.


I have a feeling the previous owner did this, and used that metal epoxy (can't think of the trade name now) to put it back together and traded it in.

After I got it back from Ruger, I took off the ugly Pachmayr grips and put the stock Rosewood ones back on. It is more comfortable now, even under magnum recoil, and looks quite a bit more handsome, IMHO. Shoots like a dream, too:


By the way, I think I ripped into you in another thread about your assumptions on reloaders. If you get this gun, you should think seriously about getting into it yourself. Or you will go broke trying to feed this gun.

I wouldn't keep this gun if I had to buy factory ammo for it. Magnums are too harsh. Specials are too hard to find and too expensive. My light reloads are neither. I load a box of Specials for about $8, and a box of hunting Magnums for maybe $13. Factory ammo is $25+, for inaccurate magnums.

 

[buttrap]

I tend to prefer the 29 or 629 but my BIL has had a Raging Bull for some time and seems to really like it. He also has a few Ruger .44s but perfers the Taurus for some reasion.

 

[Usmc-1]

@Smaug , yes , you did ,but I take it as constructive , thats the point of a forum ,especially among "like people" , I like your responses and very informative ! I too intend to reload , was starting in Feb ,we got hit by massive snow in Oklahoma and that cut me Off, Im a little behind now , but will start up real soon , Obviously reloading is essential to having a gun collection , I plan on loading only in ....357 (38) , 45 acp, .40 sw, and now .44 mag (44 spl)