Ruger Redhawk .45 Colt

[DC3-CVN-72]

I have a Ruger Redhawk in .45 colt with a 5.5 in. bbl. I was wondering if it is possable to rework the cylinder to take both .45 colt and .45 acp with out having to use moon clips. I would like to be able to use them if I want to, but not all the time. If this is posable, would Ruger be able to do it, and what might the work cost.

Thank's.

 

[Jim March]

No, you'd have to have moons for two reasons:

1) You won't be able to headspace off the rim and still have 45LC go past the rim point.

2) You won't have anything to eject with .

That said...if the issue is cost of shooting, basic reloading gear for 45LC will be cheaper than moonclip mods, and will result in ammo cheaper than even 45ACP with the possible exception of dodgy offshore milsurp.

 

[DC3-CVN-72]

Ruger Redhawk .45 Colt.

That is kind of what I thought. My next big adventurer is going to be reloading. I'm verry intreged by it, just slightly intimadated by it.

 

[461]

Don't be intimidated, reloading is very straightforward and easy. The .45 Colt is easy to load for too and the range of loads is amazing. Give it a try.

 

[Jim March]

Well here's the good news. 45LC reloading in a strong gun like yours is a REALLY good way for a beginner to start, as long as you stay with standard pressure loads involving, say, a 250gr slug doing 1,000fps or less. As long as you stay with a good by-the-book recipe and a SINGLE STAGE reloading press to start with, it'll be really difficult to screw that up .

Your gun can handle up to a 325gr hardcast load doing 1,300fps, so long as the powder charge is professionally developed. Buffalo Bore's heaviest load goes there. No beginning handloader should even try to get close to that, as it's only safe with very careful selection of modern powder types.

 

[bigmike45]

Start off reloading with a single stage press, not a progressive, forcing you to perform one reloading step at a time.....and take your time. Check every case, after every step, and check twice after adding powder to eliminate possible double charges. Get a book on reloading and follow each step exactly. Then have fun shooting you new loads. The more you reload the more confidence you will develop. Getting started can be expensive if you buy new and retail. I have seen like new RCBS Rock Chuckers, a single stage press, for sale at gunshows for 25% of their retail value. Lee, Lyman and Redding also make good single stage presses. You can also find used dies for a good price as well. Also search the classifieds and online brokers. One thing though. Do Not and I repeat Do Not buy used gunpowder. I have heard horror stories of folks mixing other powders together to get a full canister to sell. Buy new and start off with the standard brands.

Reloading is a great stress buster and lighting off those rounds in your favorite guns can really add to that stress relief.

Good luck & have fun,
tex

 

[Jim March]

There's a good thread on beginner loading here:

http://forums.sixgunner.com/Suggestions%%%%%%%%%%/m_67937/tm.htm

Please remember that it's tricky to create max-strength loads but ALSO tricky to create "ultra mild" loads for competition.

In 45LC, if you try for a 250gr lead slug doing 900-1,000fps, you're doing a load that's been time-tested since 1873. It is NO overstatement to say that this is a well-tested, well understood load.

 

[Stainz]

All great advice thus far. I'd just like to add that the usual 'Cowboy' .45 Colt loads are anemic when compared to the 'old' blackpowder loads. While they would just break 1,000 fps from a 7.5" barrel with a 250gr LRNFP, typical modern smokeless loads run 750-800 fps. For example, the excellent - and affordable - Georgia Arms 240gr LRNFP .45 Colts made 753 fps from my 5.5" BH (I didn't have my RH then!), very similar to the max 7.1gr load of W231/HP-38. The nice outcome of using their loads is you gain some nice once-fired Starline brass. BTW, changing to a near max load of 6.1gr for Titegroup powder gave me a cleaner revolver - and another 100+ fps with a 255gr LSWC. Reloading can be a lot of fun... but always be careful!

BTW, I had never touched a reloading press when I ordered my Dillon 550B over four years ago. I had amassed 2,700+ .45 Colt empties (I liked GA Arms prices, too!), and reasoned the equipment would be 'paid for' by ~2,100 rounds... wrong attitude, I found out quite quickly. Reloading is a new hobby... and, you can shoot a lot more for less money... but only if you have the time to reload AND shoot! Some folks claim I only go to the range to 'make' empties to reload... they may have something there. I now make 7.62x38r (1895 Nagant), .32 S&WL/H&RM, .38/.357M, .44 Russian/Special/Magnum, .45 ACP/AR, and .45 Schofield/Colt - after 'starting' with .45 Colt - my then 'only' caliber (Yep, I added all of the rest in four years!).

Back to your .45 ACP conversion of a RH - please don't! The very best way to launch .45 ACP's from a DA revolver is via a 625/25/1917 S&W. A standard 230gr FMJ 'ball' ammo round would likely make 850-870 fps from your 5.5" RH. You won't be able to use the moonclipped .45 ACP's or .45 AR's (Auto Rims) without some real metal removal from the cylinder's backside, resulting in your .45 Colts then also needing moonclips. The KE increase of the ACP/AR's (21 kpsi) over SAAMI spec'd .45 Colts (14 kpsi) isn't worth it... you already have a .45 Colt +P capability that will trump any .45 ACP/AR load.

All of that said, plinking with .45 ACP's from a revolver is big bore/low recoil fun. The Ruger SA .45 ACP/Colt convertible may just be the answer, as it has separate cylinders which provide the appropriate headspace for their respective cartridge, and permits the SA ejector unloading, too. It was my revolver entry path years ago - and started my .45 Colt craze. With a DA, ie, like my 625JM revolver, you have to use the moonclips, admittedly much faster than any speedloader, with the ACP's - the thicker rimmed Auto Rims are used just like any other rimmed cartridge. Enjoy your .45 Colt RH!

Stainz

 

[instigator]

yes it can be done and i have done it to my 45 SRH. project gun. very simple to do, also i modified it so the all that was done was to the turning star and ejector assy. i also modded the full moon clips to fit as well. works like a champ.

Jim this mod can be done and still have the headspacing for the 45colt. the rear of the cyl where it meets the ejector star is not removed thus having a ledge for the 45colt rim to sit. by the way prety much all of the double action 45 colt revolvers can be moon clipped.

 

[Heavy Barrel]

Ask these guys,they know everything.

http://www.rugerforum.com/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/rugerforum/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro

 

[highlander 5]

if you wish low end 45 colt loads I believe Black Hills loads 45 Schofield ammo 225gr lead not sure of the velocity.
The 45 Schofield is to the 45 Colt as the 38 spl is to the 357 mag. The case is 1/8' shorter than the colt and is used in CAS .
225gr bullets at 650-750 fps.
BTW I can push 320gr lbt wfn at 1300 from my RH and my bisley

 

[jad0110]

DC3-CVN-72,

I am interested in getting into reloading, just as you. If you haven't already done so, I highly recommend reading The ABCs of Reloading by Bill Chevalier, 7th ed, Krause Publications. I got mine from MidwayUSA ... http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=738288. This is a great manual to learn about the basics of reloading. You will eventually want to get one or two more manuals for additional reference. I know a lot of people speak very highly of the Lyman Metallic Reloading Handbook, 48th ed because they don't push one brand of bullets, powder, equipment, etc. I'll probably pick one up soon. I also have the Modern Reloading Manual, 2nd ed by Richard Lee, as I am planning on loading using Lee equipment.

Which manuals you get are solely your preference, though again, I highly recommend The ABCs of Reloading, as it really helped give me a sound, basic understanding of the reloading process.

Good luck!

 

[Dave in Idaho]

DC3-CVN-72,
Here is the answer to your questions!
http://www.pinnacle-guns.com/revolver.asp
Mark recently converted my S&W 25-5 45 Colt to be able to shoot 45 ACP in full moonclips, 45 Colt in full moonclips and 45 Colt without moonclips. He does outstanding work and according to his webpage you can get yours done for under $100. Just send him your cylinder and specify that you want it for 45ACp/45Colt moonclip caliber conversion. My revolver has had no loss in accuarcy from the conversion and best of all I can now shoot 45 ACP's!
Dave