Loading for cast in Redhawk

[Tokarev]

This is going to be my first 44 mag revolver.
I am going to cast Lee 429-214-SWC. Would HS6 be a good choice for a 7 1/2" barrel?
Asking because I have quite a stash of HS-6 for use in 9mm and 12ga slug loads.

[rexherring]

Should work fine with about 13 grains.

http://www.reloadammo.com/44loads.htm

[GARCIA]

I use 10.0gr of HS6 under the 429421 thats right at 255gr once all done up.
Good mild target load that won't abuse you.

Same bullet and 20.0gr of AA#9 gives me a touch over 1400fps across the screens.

Tom

[98Redline]

Make sure you check your throat sizes.

My RH leaded like a big dog until I went up to a .431" boolit.

[bobthenailer]

HS6 is a excellent choice but i would save it for med to med heavy loads.
Since i shoot alot im allways looking where i can save money without sacrficing performance !
, I use a faster burning speed powder in all my revolver loads with cast bullets in the 800 to 1,100 fps with excellent accuracy with Bullseye or Tightgroup being my favorites !.as well as useing about 1/2 as much powder for the same velocity as HS6 with light loads
In the 44mag ive had great results with 5.5 to 8.0 grs of BE or TG in at least 7 different 44 mags
revolvers. and at least 4 different cast bullets designs

[44man]

This is going to be my first 44 mag revolver.
I am going to cast Lee 429-214-SWC. Would HS6 be a good choice for a 7 1/2" barrel?
Asking because I have quite a stash of HS-6 for use in 9mm and 12ga slug loads.
Powder is OK but that is a light boolit for the .44.

[Tokarev]

Light bullet indeed, but that's for plinking. If this was for hunting or s/d (both illegal where I live) I would be asking about 280-310 gn boolit.

[44man]

Light bullet indeed, but that's for plinking. If this was for hunting or s/d (both illegal where I live) I would be asking about 280-310 gn boolit.
It is OK but I find 240 and up easier to find accuracy. It is the twist rate.

[Iron Mike Golf]

I take it you've slugged your barrel and throats. My Redhawk likes .433 boolits. The first cast loads I shot from mine were commercial cast, hard lube, sized to .429. No matter what powder or charge, I couldn't go 10 rounds without the bore leading bad enough to really open the groups.

[Tokarev]

Another interesting option would be to make my own hollowpoints from 40 S&W brass.
Does anybody know how much lead in terms of weight they contain?

[MtGun44]

I bought that mold many years ago, never got any accuracy with it. I knew about 2%
of what I know now, so it may well have been my problem. I think I still have the mold
around somewhere, haven't used it in decades.

I start out suspicious of the design.

Bill

[krag35]

I had that mold once. unsized and tumble lubed and seated out as far as i could get it in the cyl., it shot fair. My Redhawk likes .431+ boolits. There are much better designs IMO;.

[Lefty SRH]

If you haven't already bought the mold don't. Find a Keith style 240-260gr range and load it with your HS-6. It has been a proven load in both of my Super Redhawks, a 9 1/2" and the shorty snubby Alaskan.

[Tokarev]

This mold was used to cast for an antique revolver in 44 cal, which shot pretty well.
I had no idea it would not work well in a RH, so I am glad I've asked.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Another interesting option would be to make my own hollowpoints from 40 S&W brass.
Does anybody know how much lead in terms of weight they contain?

I have a set of BT_Snipers 44 swaging dies.
I use a 175gr. Lead Core inside a spent and fully annealed 40S&W case.
go to the swaging section for lots more reading on that.

here is a couple photos.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/100_1757.jpg


this photo is actually of 308 bullets and dies that I tested for BT.
But for the most part it's the same setup.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/100_1683.jpg

btw, regarding the question in the OP.
For a cast boolit, I use 11 gr. of HS-6 for a 240 gr. SWC.

[TCLouis]

Like MtGun44 i tried that mold years ago.

429215 shot very well out of the gun I was loading for at the time.
I figured at the velocities I was shooting the GC was just extra cost. I never got accuracy out of the Lee 429214.
Like you, I could see no reason to sling an additional 40 grains of lead every shot at a piece of paper.
The Lee 245 grain GC boolit was the opposite, a real performer out of a SBH.

i need to dig the 214 out again and see if I have a 44 that will digest it today.

[Tokarev]

I decided, what the heck - let's try to make my own swaging die.
And here's the first engineering sample and the 1st case I've run through it.
The process will be as follows:


Swage 40S&W cases to a desired ogive length (using the 2nd die with square hole as a limiter) in a vise.
Cast lead rods and cut them to the cores of the length to fit enough lead in the swaged casing.
Flux the swaged cases and melt the cores into.
Run filled cases thru the same die, but with a center punch screwed in (for hollowpoints) or leave as is for (flat points).

This particular shape weights 240gn in flat point and 235gn in hollowpoint configuration with the center punch pictured

Sounds like a plan with the total cost of $20 for a tree-shaped burr from eBay.

[44man]

Isn't brass harder on the bore then jacket material?

[Tokarev]

Army shoots steel jacketed ammo all the time and the barrels last quite a while.
And this is for zombie apocalypses anyway, when lots of expedient ammo will have to be made cheap.
In the Redhawk I am buying I will be shooting only lead. While the beloved government is dragging its butt to approve my purchase, this is how I fill the time.:kidding:

[BOOM BOOM]

HI,
I have tried 180gr. , 225 gr. & 240 gr. J bullets , in the Redhawk. Much prefer the heavier two. Both down deer pretty well.
Have tried 240 gr, 250 gr, 265gr (casts 277gr), & 325gr in cast. much prefer the middle 2.
The 250gr Kieth SWC kills deer very well.:bigsmyl2:
Will try the 265 gr. mold bullet on deer when I get a chance, but it should do great I believe. Then on to elk.

[Tokarev]

Received the Redhawk. Man, what a cannon! The chambers are very deep and will take the longest bullets with ease.

What is the best way to check for throat constriction?

[44man]

Received the Redhawk. Man, what a cannon! The chambers are very deep and will take the longest bullets with ease.

What is the best way to check for throat constriction?
Just shoot it! :drinks:. You can slug it and there is a ton of info here but some Rugers are fine.

[Tokarev]

if it matters, it was made in 1982

[44man]

if it matters, it was made in 1982
Not at all, great gun.

[Tokarev]

What grips work the best on Redhawk with the speedloaders?
Hogue is offering rubber and nylon monogrip - any advantage of either of them?

[Tokarev]

So far I've cast some Lee 429-214-SWC boolits, lubed with liquid alox, loaded 6.2gr Unique between them and Win LP primer and shot almost 100 without any leading. What a pleasure to shoot! This 44 SP load in 44 mag case is like a kitten.

Also loaded 12 with 9gr Unique. A bit more barrel jump and some thump on the palm, but still fun to shoot. Going to cast more!

[Paul D. Heppner]

I have to agree with Iron Mike and 44man. My two Redhawks both turned on with the Lee 310 sized to .433 and loaded with 21.5 of H-110 and a Federal 150. The first picture is my son and his first handgun deer from this last season and the second is a buck I shot the season before.http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_103484feb887921d7a.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=5687)

[paul h]

What grips work the best on Redhawk with the speedloaders?
Hogue is offering rubber and nylon monogrip - any advantage of either of them?

It's been awhile since I've shot a redhawk, I have a super redhawk. Personally I think Hogue rubber grips are the best for DA revolvers. I've used both Packmeyer and Hogue and I peronally prefer the feel and how I shoot the Hogues. It all comes down to what is best in your hands, and you might need to try several different grips to see what works best for you.

[Tokarev]

Mine came with Pachmayr presentation and original wood. Presentation is decent but I find it to be made so that aim is slightly off when I draw quickly. I've tried to make this prototype pictured below. With that the gun is dead on every time I draw. When this model is finished, I'll try to use it to cast some plastic grips and see how they turn out. This grip is clearly right-handed only and uses the bushing like the factory grip.

[375RUGER]

I had a 5.5" RH once. It loved 300g j-words over H110.
But mostly I shot 240g SWC over 700-X. just punching paper anyway.

[Tokarev]

Posting the target for Lee 429-214-SWC lubed with LLA, 6.2 gr Universal, Win LPP. Distance 10 yards.
Left group is double handed grip, double action. Right group is off the sand bag, double action.
What do you think?

[Cowboy T]

Pachmayr Presentation Grips are my favorite for the larger revolvers. We've got a Redhawk at work with those, and they just fit great. But I've got pretty big paws, so smaller hands might do better with their "Gripper" stocks.

They're also just thin enough to allow for the easy use of speedloaders.

That Redhawk is big 'n' beefy enough to take virtually any load from mild to extra-wild that you care to throw at it. While I haven't tried HS-6, I have tried Titegroup, and 8 grains in the .44 Mag case with your boolit makes a very nice shooting load. Not full-house magnum level, but enough to say, "hey, this is fun!"

[doghawg]

Tokarev

I've had good results with that 214 Lee in my .44 spl Smith 24-3. The Smith has .433" throats so I leave the bullets unsized (.432+) and lube with LLA. Loading 6 gr. of 231 gives about 850 fps average and outstanding accuracy out to 50 yards. Haven't tried this bullet in a .44 mag.

[44man]

Shooting IHMSA and watching tons of .44 bullets/boolits through spotting scopes made me aware of goofy stuff.
A S&W 29 with 240 gr would have the boolit rotate fast around the flight path, like a corkscrew. Just going to 250 gr would make a beautiful straight flight line. Just a 10 gr difference!
I never seen it with a Ruger and a 240 gr. I have never watched light .44 boolits because they would fail to topple rams. But what would they look like?
Then the 30-30 TC that the boolit swung way to the right and looked like it was heading for the next ram but swung back to hit the ram aimed at----C'MON THAT IS STUPID!
Now a light .44 boolit might be a fun plinking boolit but I would never use them for serious work. They might have a limit of 25 yards, I sure don't know.
The standard for the .44 mag was always 240 gr and up so I do not know why a 180 was ever made.
Then long ago when H110 and 296 were different burn rates of the same powder, the RH hated 296 and loved H110, the opposite with the SBH and SRH. Strange things go on with a tiny, tiny change.
The 4227 powders went crazy with heat.
I would say that IHMSA made me look for solutions more then anything in my shooting life. Those that clung to one thing never did any good.
My view of light .44 mag boolits is kind of based on experience. I would reserve light boolits for the special.

[monge]

I have had good luck with the lee214 in 44sp,Around 850fps But if you speed them up in a 44mag they tend to be inaccuate. My super Redhawk in 44mag likes the 240grers.My two cents.

[Tokarev]

What's the twist rate of Redhawk 7 1/2" barrel? Does anyone know off the top of your head?

[44man]

What's the twist rate of Redhawk 7 1/2" barrel? Does anyone know off the top of your head?
It is 1 in 20" same as all Ruger .44's.

[daniel lawecki]

I like 2400 powder with a cast 250gr bullet. My pussycat load 18grs up to 22.5grs. I use h110 & 296 but they are powders that can't be reduced.

[a.squibload]

Isn't brass harder on the bore then jacket material?

As I understand it, brass has zinc in it which adds slickyness vs steel.

I've been using 429215 lately without the gas checks, medium speed,
shoots nice. 50/50 WW/soft, touch of tin. Mostly in a Charter Bulldog but
seems fine in the Redhawk as well.
My RH is from the first year of production.

[Tokarev]

After 400 rounds loaded with Lee 429-214-SWC lubed with LLA, 6.2 gr Universal, Win LPP there is absolutely no leading. Bore is still mirror. Accuracy wise, last time I shot a rugged hole about 3x2" in single action at 10 yards with about 30 rounds and had 4 or 5 fliers within a couple of inches around that hole. So this boolit works. For me this load shoots low, I have to aim 5" high.

My 13 yo son shoots this load too and gets 4-5" groups in double action. For him this load shoots dead on, he aims at the POI.

Just for a test I also fired 6 rounds with 11 gr of Universal in single action. The group could be covered with a palm and there was considerably more kick, but still pleasure to shoot.

[44man]

I see you live in Canada! :holysheep
It must be hard to own a revolver there and I am sure you can't hunt with it. Can you?

[Tokarev]

You are right, there is no hunting not just with any handguns, but the whole class of 'Restricted' firearms that includes all handguns (except short-barreled with bbl < 4 1/2" and in 25 and 32 caliber that are prohibited) and many rifles such as entire AR-15 platform and all semi-autos with bbl < 18" is off limits for hunting.

[Tokarev]

Can somebody tell me if this is factory trigger or this one had a trigger job from this description?
When shooting in single action, if I squeeze the trigger just far enough for the cylinder to turn, then after feeling slight click from the lockup the trigger kind of hangs up, and then tiniest further squeeze breaks it. Feels like double action at that moment and it's very accurate.