Redhawk .44 or .454?

[bergmen]

Gotcha there, bergman. Your load selection is why you are using the extra 45 Colt cylinder and not the 454 cylinder. Did you consider any other powders or is H110 a favorite you like to use? Just curious.

I have boiled down my powder choices for all of my handgun calibers to two powders - W231 and W296.

W231 is close to Hodgdon HP-38 and W296 is basically equivalent to H110.

Using W231 & W296 for the .45 Colt I can run the entire range from soft loads using hard cast or copper plated bullets intended for ancient guns to the top performance rounds using modern JHP bullets.

Thankfully, the bullet manufacturers have stepped up to the plate and offer a wide range of excellent high performance bullets for heavy .45 caliber loads.

Dan

 

[Magnumite]

Good powder selectons. I use basically 5 powders for 44 Mag:
Bullseye, Unique, Blue Dot, 2400 and H110. Favorite applications for each given a bullet and power need. Even 4227 gets a nod once in awhile.

But that was from years of experience with what was probably my most frequently shot round. I've checked out the heavy 45C and 454 loads in the manuals because I've been tossing around purchasing 454 Casull in a Super Redhawk or FA. So you're post got my interest. Another approach to look at.

 

[bergmen]

the best of both worlds;


Rossi puma in .454 stainless carbine 16" barrel


Ruger Alaskan .454 stainless

You can run both 45 longcolt and .454 depending on how much mule you want in your gun. I think they are the perfect 2 gun backpacking combo.

What an excellent combination! I'll bet the Alaskan is a little "bucky" with the big loads.

How do you like your Rossi?

Dan

 

[DammitBoy]

I love the Rossi, and believe it or not - the felt recoil is about the same between the two, especially with hotter loads. I absolutely love the hi-vis sights on the rossi - I can actually see again! (without the help of glasses) I was worried about the fit and finish on the rossi (I had to order it online) but was very, very pleased with the carbine I received. I do wish the lever action opening was bigger - like a john wayne loop.

The Alaskan will make the palm of your hand numb (six hours of numb), but that awesome hogue grip absorbs the worst of it. The design kinda forces the recoil to push back against you, instead of creating muzzle flip. I don't know how they did it, but it works.

I've found that a decent pair of shooting gloves helps tremendously. I use regular cowboy loads in 45 longcolt for practice - so I'm not worried about hurting either firearm.

Although, I have to say that I find it difficult to believe that much of anything could hurt either gun. They are built solid.

 

[InkEd]

I like the 44magnum. It's easier to find ammo.

 

[DammitBoy]

I just click on .454 ammo on the midway site instead of 44 magnum - it's actually the same amount of effort...