Sturmcrow
07-04-2012, 05:28 PM
I've posted in the recent past about a 9.5" Super Redhawk that I got a few months ago. I am loving it! So much so, in fact, that I picked up a 7.5" on Gunbroker that sold for a price I could not resist. I was really wanting a 45LC Redhawk or 45LC S&W Mountain Gun, for carry. However, I can cut the barrel down and have the front sight rebrazed for less than one of those, plus I can shoot 454 out of it if I want! It'll only weigh a few more ounces than the Mountain Gun, and about even with the Redhawk.
At the moment, the plan is to mostly shoot 300gr at 1200fps out of a 4.25" barrel. This will be a camping/hiking gun. I will probably load those in 45LC brass, so that I can use case-filling loads of Lil' Gun. It would be nice to get that velocity out of 454 brass, but I don't really want to have to expand into another powder to do so (Unique or Universal), and I really do not like the idea of using powders that could fit a double or triple load under the bullet.
The only real problem that I have now is that I got the 7.5" SRH last night and it is a beauty. It came with box, scope rings, fired cases, and manual. It looks practically unfired (but for the carbon rings around the cylinder mouths) and the trigger frame fit to the gun frame is impeccable.
In contrast, the 9.5" has slight wear on the barrel end, has a slightly bent rear sight arm, a gap above the trigger frame, and pebbling on the cylinder where it looks to have been dropped on concrete. Clearly this is a better candidate for some amateur gunsmithing.
The only reasons I do not want to cut the 9.5" down are that it might get a smidge more velocity (chrony tests will tell) and it is discontinued. I hesitate to butcher a gun model that cannot be bought new anymore. I intend for the longer gun to be scoped and used for hunting with 454 rounds, so sight radius between the 7.5" and 9.5" is a non-issue. Ultimately, my choice will come down to chrony and accuracy results between the two weapons, but I thought I would air this small internal conflict to see if anyone else has opinions.
Another option would be to trade the 9.5" straight up to someone with the 7.5", but then I have to start thinking about shipping and FFL fees, which would add up.
At the moment, the plan is to mostly shoot 300gr at 1200fps out of a 4.25" barrel. This will be a camping/hiking gun. I will probably load those in 45LC brass, so that I can use case-filling loads of Lil' Gun. It would be nice to get that velocity out of 454 brass, but I don't really want to have to expand into another powder to do so (Unique or Universal), and I really do not like the idea of using powders that could fit a double or triple load under the bullet.
The only real problem that I have now is that I got the 7.5" SRH last night and it is a beauty. It came with box, scope rings, fired cases, and manual. It looks practically unfired (but for the carbon rings around the cylinder mouths) and the trigger frame fit to the gun frame is impeccable.
In contrast, the 9.5" has slight wear on the barrel end, has a slightly bent rear sight arm, a gap above the trigger frame, and pebbling on the cylinder where it looks to have been dropped on concrete. Clearly this is a better candidate for some amateur gunsmithing.
The only reasons I do not want to cut the 9.5" down are that it might get a smidge more velocity (chrony tests will tell) and it is discontinued. I hesitate to butcher a gun model that cannot be bought new anymore. I intend for the longer gun to be scoped and used for hunting with 454 rounds, so sight radius between the 7.5" and 9.5" is a non-issue. Ultimately, my choice will come down to chrony and accuracy results between the two weapons, but I thought I would air this small internal conflict to see if anyone else has opinions.
Another option would be to trade the 9.5" straight up to someone with the 7.5", but then I have to start thinking about shipping and FFL fees, which would add up.