Ruger SRH .454 issue

[blackwind Jeff]

I took my Super Redhawk to the range to fire some custom .454 loads I had done up. Here is the load data:

29.0 gr Lil Gun
300 gr Hornady XTP MAG

After firing some of the cartridges, there were three problems that occurred. Once, there appeared to be a misfire; when I opened the cylinder, the hammer was dropping on the already spent cartridge (I had only fired once on this reload). Second, on another reload I fired twice, and the first and third cartridges were spent; the second had been skipped. Third, several times after firing, the cylinder was in a free spin state, between locked positions.

I have had no problems with this gun when using .45 Colt loads. What would cause this problem and what can I do about it?

 

[readr1]

That is a trigger control issue. When I was loading my SRH 454 HOT it would do the same thing. After talking to a lot of people both ftf and cyber, it turns out that the main issue is that you are pulling the trigger TWICE, once on purpose and once from recoil. The solution is to use a slightly firmer grip and to consiously concentrate on your trigger pull, make sure it is pulled ALL the way to the rear and HELD there until ready to release for another go around.
Hope this helps,
Readr1

 

[Chuck Perry]

Haven't heard this about the Rugers, but it was a well documented occurence when the S&W 500's first came out. I think Smith ended up changing a spring weight somewhere to help correct it?

 

[MachIVshooter]

you are pulling the trigger TWICE, once on purpose and once from recoil. The solution is to use a slightly firmer grip and to consiously concentrate on your trigger pull, make sure it is pulled ALL the way to the rear and HELD there until ready to release for another go around.

In other words, put your purse down before you shoot the gun

(just funnin' ya )

 

[blackwind Jeff]

Thanks folks, will have to try this out. Don't really feel like sending anything away for repair.

 

[gbran]

I've put some really hot loads thru mine and never had this problem. I did light off some rounds that cracked the factory grips. Now I've got Hogue grips and all is well.

 

[Magnumite]

Actually, that problem was a big with the S&W 29's when the sihlouette shooters were feeding big diets of hefty loads. Bolt cuts were lengthened, stronger springs in the cylinder catch, heavier barrel to dampen recoil and I forgot what was done to the action to keep the trigger from abusing the shooter's finger by rebounding heftily.

I didn't think that round would push the SRhk around that much. Hefty round.

 

[FenderTK421]

I haven't gotten set up to reload for my Ruger Alaskan yet, but I have fired some really fast 300 grain speer gold dots and some 360 grain Buffalo Bores through it. I had no problems. What Readr1 says sounds about right, though; and makes me wonder about 1 strange instance where a friend fired the pistol, then kind of fidgeted w/ it before his next shot. The next shot dropped on the dead round. I thought he had manipulated the cylinder during his fidgeting. He was rather uncomfortable w/ the gun and didn't want to fire it anymore imo. In fact, the flinch on the dead round looked like he could have hit a low flying airplane had it been a live cartridge. I will have to see if I can duplicate this next time I shoot it. IIRC there is something about this in my manual. I'll check tomorrow. As a side note: when I bought mine I ran around town and bought up about 100 rounds for it. All but the Buffalo bores were hollow points... I would think Flat nose slugs would be far more common. So what's w/ all the .454 offerings in hollow point? Certainly no one carries one of these things in case of 2 legged vermin, right? Is it legal in some states to pistol hunt w/ hollow points? Come to think of it, I haven't checked my local regs regarding expanding bullets. Sorry about the coherency, really tired.

 

[FenderTK421]

On page 15 of the SRH manual it does mention that if the trigger is not allowed to FULLY release after firing, the the trigger will not reset for another double action shot. I assume this means the cylinder doesn't cycle as well? It also says this standard for all modern double action revolvers. Did not know that.