Picked up a second one last night. The factory has started shipping production guns. This one came with two comps (one for jacketed only), an allen wrench, a comp removal rod, and a nicely printed card explaining how to change them.
The trigger is just as good as the first 4", and the hammer doesn't slip off the sear when you trigger-cock the gun and then let go of the trigger.
Critical dimensions are exactly the same as the other gun, near as I can tell. With modern CNC equipment on a brand-new run, this shouldn't be a revelation, but I've measured a bunch of Redhawks and I don't take anything for granted.
If the factory is slow to make a no-hole "comp," the insides of the ones they supply are shaped like a wedding cake, with stepped diameters getting smaller towards the muzzle. It would be VERY easy to turn a stepped insert on a lathe that would drop in the comp from the rear and block the holes.
I'll shoot both guns for velocity this weekend. I just don't have the stomach to set up the chronograph in the basement...
I also go in some of the new Hornady 500 grain JSP ammo. Here are the specs:
OAL 2.055"
Bullet length about .900"
Shank in case about .540"
Meplat .365"
Length of lead in front of jacket .155"
Advertised velocity 1425 FPS
My experience has been that all Hornady XTP bullets and ammo are extremely accurate, in all calibers but especially the .500, and I don't expect this load to disappoint.
My energy spreadsheet says you should be able to get about 1475 FPS with a 500 grain CAST bullet with .540 shank in the case at 50,000 PSI in an 8" barrel. Hornady says their load goes 46,000 PSI, so I expect the advertised velocity on this round is not too far off. We'll see.
The new Hornady round meets SAAMI specs for OAL (of course) and will thus fit in the new Taurus.
I am urging Hornady to put a second cannelure .240" below the existing one on their 500 grain XTP bullet to accomodate those of us who will shoot only S&Ws. An extra quarter inch of powder space is good for 500 foot-pounds more energy at the same pressure in this round, which is nothing to sneeze at. Or you could get the same velocity with less pressure (and hence concussion.)
JR
The trigger is just as good as the first 4", and the hammer doesn't slip off the sear when you trigger-cock the gun and then let go of the trigger.
Critical dimensions are exactly the same as the other gun, near as I can tell. With modern CNC equipment on a brand-new run, this shouldn't be a revelation, but I've measured a bunch of Redhawks and I don't take anything for granted.
If the factory is slow to make a no-hole "comp," the insides of the ones they supply are shaped like a wedding cake, with stepped diameters getting smaller towards the muzzle. It would be VERY easy to turn a stepped insert on a lathe that would drop in the comp from the rear and block the holes.
I'll shoot both guns for velocity this weekend. I just don't have the stomach to set up the chronograph in the basement...
I also go in some of the new Hornady 500 grain JSP ammo. Here are the specs:
OAL 2.055"
Bullet length about .900"
Shank in case about .540"
Meplat .365"
Length of lead in front of jacket .155"
Advertised velocity 1425 FPS
My experience has been that all Hornady XTP bullets and ammo are extremely accurate, in all calibers but especially the .500, and I don't expect this load to disappoint.
My energy spreadsheet says you should be able to get about 1475 FPS with a 500 grain CAST bullet with .540 shank in the case at 50,000 PSI in an 8" barrel. Hornady says their load goes 46,000 PSI, so I expect the advertised velocity on this round is not too far off. We'll see.
The new Hornady round meets SAAMI specs for OAL (of course) and will thus fit in the new Taurus.
I am urging Hornady to put a second cannelure .240" below the existing one on their 500 grain XTP bullet to accomodate those of us who will shoot only S&Ws. An extra quarter inch of powder space is good for 500 foot-pounds more energy at the same pressure in this round, which is nothing to sneeze at. Or you could get the same velocity with less pressure (and hence concussion.)
JR
