Problems with a Ruger Redhawk 44 mag

[SunnySlopes]

I went to the range today with my Ruger Redhawk and 1 1/2 boxes reloads.

Two rounds acted like they had high primers. Dragging against the recoil shield from the 2 oclock to the 10 oclock positions.

One of the reloads was with new brass and I was careful to seat the primers properly.

Thing is, my reloads have always worked fine in my 3 screw Super Blackhawk, and in both my 29-2 S&W revolvers. The Redhawk is a recent acquisition.

thanx

 

[Jack Ryan]

That isn't a Redhawk problem. That is a reloads problem. Clean the primer pockets and check the rims for a burr.

 

[troy fairweather]

Don't blame ruger for bad ammo.

 

[SunnySlopes]

That is a reloads problem. Clean the primer pockets and check the rims for a burr.

As I stated in the OP, one of the reloads was with brand new Winchester brass, and I was very careful to seat the primer with max pressure.

I had already decided to perform the above, but there's more to it than that. IMO.

Thanx for all the responses.

Edited to add: I just checked the OL of the problem cartridge from the batch of brand new brass. It measures 1.5785 inches. According to my "Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook", max length is 1.610 inches.

My next batch will be with some more new brass, but I'll seat the bullets deeper. I'm using relatively mild loads so pressure won't be a problem.

It's not, IMO, the cartridges. Like I said, they work fine in 3 other of my 44 mag revolvers.

I'll update with the results.

thanx again

 

[Bill M.]

Use a straight edge to see that the primers are seated flush or below the base of the cartridge. Seating depth is what is important, not pressure. I do not have a Redhawk, but one of my Blackhawks is very sensitive to primers that are not flush.

Maybe a problem with the brass? thick rims or something? Maybe bullets cocked a little and it is not going into the throat all the way? My loads got better after I bought one of the competition seating dies that actually puts the bullets in straight.

 

[sparkyv]

Some items to consider:
1. Are high primers verified or just suspected?
2. Is case OAL proper? Check new brass too
3. Try factory ammo as a baseline
4. Is bullet jump a possibility? / Proper crimp used?

I went to the range today with my Ruger Redhawk and 1 1/2 boxes reloads.

Two rounds acted like they had high primers. Dragging against the recoil shield from the 2 oclock to the 10 oclock positions.

One of the reloads was with new brass and I was careful to seat the primers properly.

Thing is, my reloads have always worked fine in my 3 screw Super Blackhawk, and in both my 29-2 S&W revolvers. The Redhawk is a recent acquisition.

thanx

 

[ontarget]

If they only drag part way around is it possible that any irregularities in your ammo is being magnified by an out of square cylinder? Possibly the base pin or crane are slightly bent.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

My .22 SP101 had imperfect machining on the shield when I got it which would cause a similiar symptom. Granted rimfire is kinda apples to your oranges, but I did have to buff it down a bit. Never had another problem after that.

 

[tritonguy]

Do the cartridges seat all the way into the cylinder? I had a problem with my 44-40 Vaquero where my dies weren't sizing the brass down far enough towards the rim. Even factory ammo was snug sometimes. Evidently my Ruger cylinders were on the tight side. I ended up having to remove a little bit of the base of the sizing die.

 

[robhof]

As I stated in the OP, one of the reloads was with brand new Winchester brass, and I was very careful to seat the primer with max pressure.

I had already decided to perform the above, but there's more to it than that. IMO.

Thanx for all the responses.

Edited to add: I just checked the OL of the problem cartridge from the batch of brand new brass. It measures 1.5785 inches. According to my "Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook", max length is 1.610 inches.

My next batch will be with some more new brass, but I'll seat the bullets deeper. I'm using relatively mild loads so pressure won't be a problem.

It's not, IMO, the cartridges. Like I said, they work fine in 3 other of my 44 mag revolvers.

I'll update with the results.

thanx again

Contact Ruger and explain your problem, they may want the gun back to add more clearance to the shield!

 

[Jack Ryan]

As I stated in the OP, one of the reloads was with brand new Winchester brass, and I was very careful to seat the primer with max pressure.

I had already decided to perform the above, but there's more to it than that. IMO.

Thanx for all the responses.

Edited to add: I just checked the OL of the problem cartridge from the batch of brand new brass. It measures 1.5785 inches. According to my "Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook", max length is 1.610 inches.

My next batch will be with some more new brass, but I'll seat the bullets deeper. I'm using relatively mild loads so pressure won't be a problem.

It's not, IMO, the cartridges. Like I said, they work fine in 3 other of my 44 mag revolvers.

I'll update with the results.

thanx again

Awesome. Best of luck to ya.

 

[BBarn]

Also make sure all the cylinder bores are free of carbon /crud rings.

 

[Bandit67]

Just a thought. Give a good cleaning behind the ejector star.

 

[Hartkopf]

Is the Redhawk new? Or is it used and someone shot a thousand rounds of 44 special through it?

 

[mjsdwash]

dragging primers on fired cases is a sign of low pressure, but it has be very low. I can think of nothing else. On new cases, a less than parallel relationship to the frame/cylinder rear, or uncleaned casting flash.

 

[buck460XVR]

High primers are easy to spot. Any experienced reloader should be able to spot that right away. Since the OP sounds experienced, I'm thinking maybe it's tight chambers that may not be allowing the ammo to fully seat. Could be the previous owner shot a lot of .44 specials and there's still a crud ring. Could be the previous owner had issues thus why it was sold. OAL with revolvers is pretty much set by the cannelure. Maybe if it was a plated bullet without a cannelure and taper crimped, could be some bell left that is hanging up. OP nevr said(that I could find) what type of bullet is being used. Is it the same two chambers that are hanging up? Ruger is known to have various chamber sizes.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

As I stated in the OP, one of the reloads was with brand new Winchester brass, and I was very careful to seat the primer with max pressure.

Lay a straight edge across the head -- it should not touch the primer.

 

[.38 Special]

Honestly, the first thing I'd want to know is whether the two rounds in question work properly in a different gun. Otherwise, we're just going to end up listing every possible issue with revolvers and their cartridges.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Do these cartridges pass the plunk test? Can you drop them into the chamber and they fall in all the way, or is there some friction between the case and cylinder wall at some point?