|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Today's Posts | Search |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
September 24, 2017, 01:17 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 22, 2016
Posts: 3,888
|
How hot are we loading our .45 Colt Ruger Redhawks these days?
Per: https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=147679
CAUTION: The following thread includes loading data beyond or not covered by currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information. I was shooting my reloads at the range the other day using a near max charge of Unique under a 250 grain lead bullet in my .45 Colt/.45 ACP Redhawk and I felt the recoil was very tolerable. And it got me to wondering: how hot can I load the Redhawk up to? There's some debate about whether or not the Redhawk can take what the Blackhawk can in hot .45 Colt loads and I'm of the opinion that the Redhawk can take anything the Blackhawk can. Anyboy wanna back me up on that statement?
__________________
"We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."
|
September 24, 2017, 09:13 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 13, 2011
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 890
|
I have always heard the Redhawk was at least as strong as the Blackhawk, so no problem at all with the same loads.
|
September 24, 2017, 07:54 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 28, 2015
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 134
|
I wouldn’t have a doubt about how hot a load the Redhawk can take but with the small grip, it’s my hand that can’t take it any more.
|
September 25, 2017, 06:31 PM | #4 | |
Junior member
Join Date: December 24, 2010
Posts: 508
|
Quote:
|
|
September 26, 2017, 11:36 PM | #5 |
Junior Member
Join Date: June 30, 2017
Posts: 11
|
Stick with the book max, there's no sense in testing the limits with a firearm.
|
September 27, 2017, 05:57 PM | #6 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 8, 2000
Posts: 2,101
|
Quote:
The 45C I have only had for maybe 5-6 years. Running a 250 - 280gr cast bullets in the neighborhood of around 1000 - 1150fps, I have no doubts that loads in that range will handle most anything in the lower 48 game or otherwise.Anything I need more power or penetration for I'll use the 454 or a rifle. There are several sources which list some pretty spunky loads for the 45C, I have loaded up some which IMO are more than what I would ever need for hunting in the woods I run in. Not sure what the pressure was but do know they're up there.
__________________
LAter, Mike / TX |
|
September 27, 2017, 06:33 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 22, 2016
Posts: 3,888
|
For the record, the heaviest bullets I'd be shooting out of the Redhawk would be the 300 grain Hornady XTP's and hard cast lead with gas checks. For 250 grain bullets, 1100 fps would suffice.
If 1100 fps with 250 grain bullets is too much for the Redhawk to handle, I won't load them that hot then.
__________________
"We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."
|
September 27, 2017, 10:12 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 15, 2011
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 421
|
The Redhawk is larger than the Blackhawk in every dimension. It is a much stronger revolver. Brian Pierce has published Redhawk-only loads for 45 Colt in Handloader Magazine that approach 50,000 psi. Any published Ruger-only loads for the Blackhawk can be used in the Redhawk with a wide margin of safety.
|
October 4, 2017, 05:46 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 28, 2005
Posts: 127
|
Brian Pearce wrote an article in Handloader magazine (October 2014) about .45 Colt loads for the Ruger Redhawk. His conclusion was that the Redhawk is stronger than the Blackhawk. I recommend reading that article. Regardless, any "Ruger Only" .45 Colt loads will be safe.
|
October 5, 2017, 06:52 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 19, 2004
Location: SC
Posts: 2,743
|
My Redhawk is 45 Colt 5.5" ported and handles anything I have tried from the "Ruger only" book loads. This pic is from my new photo repository on Amazon Prime. https://www.amazon.com/photos/share/...ddeoBA8A4hDdjJ
I don't run the NM Blackhawk 45 cal convertible nearly as hot as the Redhawk, mostly because of the grips.
__________________
Not an expert, just a reporter. Last edited by Real Gun; October 5, 2017 at 07:01 AM. |
October 5, 2017, 07:09 AM | #11 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 17, 2005
Location: Swamp dweller
Posts: 6,187
|
Quote:
__________________
NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be. |
|
October 5, 2017, 10:40 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 8, 2016
Location: Cleveland, Ohio Suburbs
Posts: 1,750
|
I load strictly for accuracy in my Ruger Redhawk 45 Colt revolver and about 95% of the time my most accurate loads are below suggested maximum load data. That seems to hold true for just about any cartridge I load. That said it becomes wise to work within published load data. Had someone give me a box of Cor-Bon 45 Colt once which based on the felt recoil was definitely a hot load. While a big bang and heavy recoil the groups sucked and that was from a steady rest. If maximum loads work well for you then by all means feel free to push the envelop but keep in mind bad things sometimes happen.
Ron |
October 5, 2017, 11:53 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 22, 2016
Posts: 3,888
|
I've thought about this and I think what I'll do is for the hot stuff, I'll stick with Buffalo Bore factory ammo. Probably safest.
But, if I'm loading 250 grain XTP's, is there anything wrong going up to 9.2 grains of Unique? That's .5 grains over max load data for standard pressure .45 Colt loads.
__________________
"We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."
|
October 5, 2017, 11:55 AM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 20, 2009
Location: Helena, AL
Posts: 4,424
|
My load of 10gr of Unique under a 285gr RCBS SAA SWC at 1060 shoots arrow straight and hits with authority. Brian Pearce' son used the same bullet at similar velocity to take a large black bear at 40 yards. All six shots blew right the the chest, leaving fist sized exits. My point is the 45 Colt is very powerful with loads that won't leave your hand numb.
|
October 7, 2017, 07:03 AM | #15 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 19, 2004
Location: SC
Posts: 2,743
|
Quote:
__________________
Not an expert, just a reporter. |
|
October 7, 2017, 08:10 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 26, 2016
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 960
|
I have a Vaquero not a Redhawk but, I read somewhere some advice that has worked well for me:
Since Ruger sells the Blackhawk and Vaquero in a convertible model which allows one to shoot 45 Colt or 45 AUTO, you should be ok loading to 45 AUTO pressure levels without a problem. Giving the old Colt round a little more pressure goes a long way. I have a nice load which is a 265g WFNGC from Cast Performance going 1300 feet per second out of my 7.5" Vaquero. That is enough to kill anything you'd use the gun for. That load is ESTIMATED at 23000 psi via Quickload which is still about 7000 psi less than some published RUGER ONLY loads. |
October 8, 2017, 05:36 AM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 19, 2004
Location: SC
Posts: 2,743
|
I think we should always be sure to make a distinction between Vaquero and New Vaquero. The older model is bigger and stronger. I think the 45 ACP convertible argument still applies to the New Vaquero.
__________________
Not an expert, just a reporter. |
October 8, 2017, 09:58 AM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 28, 2006
Posts: 4,342
|
^^^Same here. I often wonder why it is that so many folks feel this need to push a gun/cartridge past it's intended limits. While I know some are in need of protection from Dangerous game, and some feel the need for a extra 50 fps for hunting, the majority of folks I see loading "ROLs" are only shooting at paper. There was a time perhaps, when one had to load past the limits when the hardest hitting handgun calibers were limited to .44 mag. But that is not the case anymore.
|
October 8, 2017, 01:26 PM | #19 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 19, 2004
Location: SC
Posts: 2,743
|
Quote:
Yes, I only kill paper but am having fun with it.
__________________
Not an expert, just a reporter. |
|
October 8, 2017, 04:20 PM | #20 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 26, 2016
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 960
|
Quote:
The 23000 psi loads are a joy to shoot and only seem a little more stout than standard Colt. (14000 Psi) |
|
October 9, 2017, 07:10 AM | #21 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 13, 2011
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 890
|
Quote:
|
|
October 10, 2017, 11:43 AM | #22 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 20, 2009
Location: Helena, AL
Posts: 4,424
|
Quote:
|
|
|
|