Max .357 loads and the Security Six

Mylhouse · May 14, 2001, 06:34 PM

Greetings,

I just bought a used 4" SS Security Six. I'm somewhat well-versed in reloading for my 7 1/2" Redhawk .44 mag, but haven't started reloading .357 mag yet. I understand the Redhawk, SRH, and GP100 are supremely strong revolvers, but how about the Security Six? I've been eyeballing my reloading manuals, and salivating at some of the loads that will push a 125 gr HP 1,800 fps+ out of a 5.6" barrel. I'd be pretty stoked if I could do 125gr @ ~1,700fps out of my 4" tube! These loads are with powders such as Blue Dot, 2400, AA9, etc, and are below SAAMI max pressures.

So I know the pressures are safe...but is the Security Six tough enough and up to the challenge of these loads?

Thanks!

maxwayne · May 14, 2001, 07:08 PM

The Security Six is a very strong revolver. I dont know of any medium frame that would stand up to a lifetime of the loads that you are talking about.

444 · May 14, 2001, 07:15 PM

I think you will be fine. That is one tough gun. I don't see the average guy shooting enough to worry about wearing out a gun; you may be different however. I think as far as double action sixguns go, you have one that is about as strong as they come. Of course a Super Redhawk in .357 is in a class by itself. Check out the loads using Blue Dot and 110 grain bullets at over 2000 fps. from a 5 1/2" barrel. That is my coyote load. http://recipes.alliantpowder.com/rg....24&powderID=10

Mylhouse · May 14, 2001, 11:32 PM

Thanks for the replies! Just what I wanted to hear!

444, that's EXACTLY one of the loads I was drooling over! If it does about 2,040 out of a 5.6 incher, what do you think it'll do out of 4"?

WESHOOT2 · May 15, 2001, 07:10 AM

As a Redhawk collector, I was not aware of a "357 SuperRedhawk", although I own a 7.5" 357 REDHAWK, and am currently working a guy on a 5.5" version.

My centerfire career started with 4" Security Sixes; suggest while very strong you do NOT subject them to "GP100-style" loads.
You may use (when working up SLOWLY in your gun) maximum published data from Alliant (Blue Dot and 2400), Winchester (W296), Accurate (AA9), Vihtavuori Oy (3N37, N110), and Hodgdon (H110, Lil Gun). Finish with a heavy crimp from a Redding Profile Crimp die.

Poodleshooter · May 15, 2001, 11:30 AM

Remember, those 5.6" velocities you see in load manuals are usually from non-vented test barrels. Revolvers don't have as good of a gas seal and will loose some velocity in comparison.

JohnK · May 15, 2001, 11:34 AM

You're right (as you already knew WESHOOT2), there is no 357 Super Redhawk, I missed purchasing a 357 Redhawk several years ago and still regret that decision.

I also agree that while the Security Six is a fine and very strong revolver it's not as strong as the GP-100 and not even in the same league as the Redhawk. The Security Six should hold up as long as you will shooting max published loads, but I wouldn't go beyond them in that revolver.

444 was that 2,000+ fps load fired in a test barrel or from a 5.5" Redhawk?

John
http://www.handloads.com

444 · May 17, 2001, 12:31 AM

I don't get 2000 fps out of that load. I have only chronoed it from my 6 1/2" Blackhawk and did get over 1900. The velocity quoted was out of the Alliant manual. Leave it to WESHOOT2 to correctly point out my error. Redhawk, not Super Redhawk. I will genuflex to the Redhawk collector.

MADISON · May 17, 2001, 10:21 AM

I place the Ruger Security Six and the Dan Wesson Model 15 in the same class with the old discontinued S & W 27 and 28.

If anybody could blow one up I could. I DIDN'T.

May 14, 2001, 07:15 PM	#3
444 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,968	I think you will be fine. That is one tough gun. I don't see the average guy shooting enough to worry about wearing out a gun; you may be different however. I think as far as double action sixguns go, you have one that is about as strong as they come. Of course a Super Redhawk in .357 is in a class by itself. Check out the loads using Blue Dot and 110 grain bullets at over 2000 fps. from a 5 1/2" barrel. That is my coyote load. http://recipes.alliantpowder.com/rg....24&powderID=10 __________________ You know the rest. In the books you have read How the British Regulars fired and fled, How the farmers gave them ball for ball, From behind each fence and farmyard wall, Chasing the redcoats down the lane, Then crossing the fields to emerge again Under the trees at the turn of the road, And only pausing to fire and load.

May 14, 2001, 11:32 PM	#4
Mylhouse Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 1999 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 446	Max and 444, Thanks for the replies! Just what I wanted to hear! 444, that's EXACTLY one of the loads I was drooling over! If it does about 2,040 out of a 5.6 incher, what do you think it'll do out of 4"?

May 15, 2001, 07:10 AM	#5
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Hmmmmm........................ As a Redhawk collector, I was not aware of a "357 SuperRedhawk", although I own a 7.5" 357 REDHAWK, and am currently working a guy on a 5.5" version. My centerfire career started with 4" Security Sixes; suggest while very strong you do NOT subject them to "GP100-style" loads. You may use (when working up SLOWLY in your gun) maximum published data from Alliant (Blue Dot and 2400), Winchester (W296), Accurate (AA9), Vihtavuori Oy (3N37, N110), and Hodgdon (H110, Lil Gun). Finish with a heavy crimp from a Redding Profile Crimp die. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

May 17, 2001, 10:21 AM	#9
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	Almost INDESTRUCTABLE? I place the Ruger Security Six and the Dan Wesson Model 15 in the same class with the old discontinued S & W 27 and 28. If anybody could blow one up I could. I DIDN'T.

May 14, 2001, 06:34 PM	#1
Mylhouse Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 1999 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 446	Greetings, I just bought a used 4" SS Security Six. I'm somewhat well-versed in reloading for my 7 1/2" Redhawk .44 mag, but haven't started reloading .357 mag yet. I understand the Redhawk, SRH, and GP100 are supremely strong revolvers, but how about the Security Six? I've been eyeballing my reloading manuals, and salivating at some of the loads that will push a 125 gr HP 1,800 fps+ out of a 5.6" barrel. I'd be pretty stoked if I could do 125gr @ ~1,700fps out of my 4" tube! These loads are with powders such as Blue Dot, 2400, AA9, etc, and are below SAAMI max pressures. So I know the pressures are safe...but is the Security Six tough enough and up to the challenge of these loads? Thanks!

May 14, 2001, 07:08 PM	#2
maxwayne Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2001 Posts: 402	The Security Six is a very strong revolver. I dont know of any medium frame that would stand up to a lifetime of the loads that you are talking about.

May 15, 2001, 11:30 AM	#6
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	Remember, those 5.6" velocities you see in load manuals are usually from non-vented test barrels. Revolvers don't have as good of a gas seal and will loose some velocity in comparison.

May 15, 2001, 11:34 AM	#7
JohnK Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2001 Location: Duvall, Wa Posts: 552	You're right (as you already knew WESHOOT2), there is no 357 Super Redhawk, I missed purchasing a 357 Redhawk several years ago and still regret that decision. I also agree that while the Security Six is a fine and very strong revolver it's not as strong as the GP-100 and not even in the same league as the Redhawk. The Security Six should hold up as long as you will shooting max published loads, but I wouldn't go beyond them in that revolver. 444 was that 2,000+ fps load fired in a test barrel or from a 5.5" Redhawk? John http://www.handloads.com

May 17, 2001, 12:31 AM	#8
444 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,968	I don't get 2000 fps out of that load. I have only chronoed it from my 6 1/2" Blackhawk and did get over 1900. The velocity quoted was out of the Alliant manual. Leave it to WESHOOT2 to correctly point out my error. Redhawk, not Super Redhawk. I will genuflex to the Redhawk collector.