Ammo help for Redhawk

I've been using these to good effect with my Ruger Super Blackhawk. I've taken several 250lbs+ hogs with them - it sits them right down.

DammitBoy said:

I've been using these to good effect with my Ruger Super Blackhawk. I've taken several 250lbs+ hogs with them - it sits them right down.

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I'm known on this forum as a vocal opponent of Hornaday, but your experience seems very positive. The 45 colt version was my hunting and carry choice for several years, but I chrono'd the supposed 950 fps of the 45 Colt and it was more like 820! I also had a round of .45 acp fail to penetrate a deer skull at almost point blank range. Maybe the 44 mag is a better performer!

LD

Dawg, I wouldn't use it if it couldn't penetrate that skull! lol

I'd hate to piss that piggy off any more than he already was and me out in the woods without a change of drawers...

Have not chrono'd but it seemed hot enough. I have not tried their 45 colt, I will keep your experience with it in mind.

I don't know about Hornady loaded ammo,but I use their bullets almost exclusively for my handloads. 357,44,45,and my newest love,6.8spc. Freezer full of venison spells success for me!

I don't know about Hornady loaded ammo,but I use their bullets almost exclusively for my handloads. 357,44,45,and my newest love,6.8spc. Freezer full of venison spells success for me!

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I totally agree.
300 XTPs in my Redhawk and 158 XTPs in my 357. Great expansion with minimal fragmentation.

I have not found yet any ammo live up to it's claims on the box not even those independent early new comers.

Now on to your question I have not choreographed the 44Mag of Hornady but I have the 454 and on the box it says 1900fps at the muzzle. WIth Chronograph 7 feet away the bullet went through the traps at 1713fps average. Now this was from a 2inch Ruger Alaskan. Put that round through a 6 inch barrel required for hunting and WOW what a lethal round.

Not defending Hornady, again I have not seen any ammo manufacturer live up to its claims because most of them are testing for pressure in sealed longer length barrels.

I have not found yet any ammo live up to it's claims on the box not even those independent early new comers

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+1 even the claims in the reloading manuals are fraught with fairy dust.

Just a couple of thoughts with respect to the Redhawk ammunition.

1) I am not a big fan of the Hornady FTX loaded ammo. The aversion has nothing to do with the performance of the ammo (I haven't shot any of it personally) but due to the fact that they use shorter than spec brass to keep the COL within specs so it will feed in lever actions. If you end up reloading this shorter brass, standard 44mag load recepies may produce higher than normal pressures due to the lower case volume.

2) The DoubleTap 320gr WFNGC loads seem to shoot pretty close to their advertised velocities and will do a serious number on piggies. I have used them in both my Super Blackhawk and Redhawk with very good results.

3) Ruger 44mag cylinder throats typically run .4315 to .432". Most commercial ammo runs .429 to .430 and will cause leading. Most cast ammo will shoot pretty well but when the barrel begins to lead, accuracy will drop off. Bumping up to .432 sized bullets has cured that issue, but requires you to reload.