So I spent my dollar!

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

Well . . . I finely did it, and I'm so happy, even though I have not shot it yet!

I picked my new Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in 44 Mag last night! WOW it feels great! Just makes me SMILE :bigsmyl2:

I plan on only running cast through it . . . what else is there?![smilie=w:

I gave it a quick clean this morning, I don't understand why they can't bother to clean it!

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Ruger%20Alaskan/New001.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Ruger%20Alaskan/New002.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Ruger%20Alaskan/New003.jpg

It's about the same length as my SP101 w/3 1/16th inch barrel . . . but much more massive!
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Ruger%20Alaskan/New004.jpg

Now I got so much to do . . . I need to slug it, and get some of my MiHec H&G #503 Cramer Style Hollow Point cast up, waiting on brass, dies, gonna build a IWB holster for it to take the place of my little SP101 as my CC gun!

[smilie=s:

[KCSO]

I'll bet you like it Aluet.

Should stop anything in AZ!

[Matt_G]

Very nice Shawn.
So you have Miha's H&G 503 cramer also eh?
You're going to love that mould!
One thing I noticed on mine. If you have trouble getting the pins to slide easily, run a Q-Tip through the holes for the pins. I had cleaned mine well in denatured alcohol or so I thought, but there was still some small chips in the holes for the HP pins. Once I got those out of there the pins started sliding nice and easy like they should.
This mould is a joy to cast with.

BTW, what are those grips you put on your SP 101? I think my wife might like some like that for hers.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

BTW, what are those grips you put on your SP 101? I think my wife might like some like that for hers.

Those are Houge's and I like them, as the ones that come on the SP101 are too tiny & short for my hand!

They make a big difference . . . ebay $6.95!

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

I'll bet you like it Aluet.

Should stop anything in AZ!

I hope I never have to find out! As I bought it not for grizzly or brown bears, but those nasty two legged kind that are gonna be really surprized that I don't pull out a little 9mm!

[smilie=s:

[Trey45]

You're going to need dark sunglasses when you shoot it, the fireball will give you a welders flashburn!

:kidding:

When I buy another Redhawk, not if, but WHEN, it's going to be a 4" 44 mag. I have the 4" 45 Colt and LOVE that gun!

Keep us in the loop for how she shoots, I bet it's an accurate pistol.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

You're going to need dark sunglasses when you shoot it, the fireball will give you a welders flashburn!

:kidding:



Hush . . . don't ell everybody my secret to my tan![smilie=l:

I thought about getting the Redhawk with 4.2" barrel, but did not care for the exposed back strap, and the bottom of the grip seemed funny too me . . . but easier to find on the shelf out here! (and about $100 less)

I just smile when I see this gun in my hand!

I cast up some boolits this morning, some of just recovered range lead, which I'm gonna use to slug it and see how Ruger did!

And some more 50/50 range & ww, with some tin:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Cast002.jpg

Now I just am waiting for my dies & brass . . .

[frankenfab]

Great looking gun and boolits!

[9.3X62AL]

Ditto to Frankenfab's comments. Yeah, run that critter with H-110 or WW-296, and start the light show! Singed eyebrows with center-mass hits on most goblins, to 15 yards.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

I'm actually thinking of starting with 6gr of the Trailboss . . . once I get thngs figured out with it, I'll boost up the power w/2400 or Blue Dot.

Got my dies today! Need to dig out my large primer seater . . . and when my brass comes I should be ready for some fun!

[warf73]

Thats a great looking CC gun.
How much more does that empty gun weight compaired to your loaded sp101?

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

Thats a great looking CC gun.
How much more does that empty gun weight compaired to your loaded sp101?

Alaskan Empty on my scale is 2lb 11.5oz (or 43.5oz), Ruger says 41oz! and SP101 loaded w/five 158gr is 1lb 14oz (or 30oz)

I carry my SP101 in a crossbreed IWB holster and don't know it is there, I think the biggest challenge carrying the Alaskan, will be that big cylinder!

Something I just realized . . . this Alaskan . . . has the barrel as part of the frame, no screw in barrel! So I should not have barrel restrictions!

[warf73]

I carry a 101 also and can be a pain to hide during the summer months. Was just curious about he weight of the Alaskan vs. 101. Ill look up that holster your using might be the one I need to hide the 101 during the summer. lol since its summer most of the time in AZ.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

I carry a 101 also and can be a pain to hide during the summer months. Was just curious about he weight of the Alaskan vs. 101. Ill look up that holster your using might be the one I need to hide the 101 during the summer. lol since its summer most of the time in AZ.

Actually only 39 degrees this morning . . . gets below freezing about 35 days of the year . . . we live at 4,300 ft elevation!

Not the best pictures . . . but will give you an idea!
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Crossbreed001.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Crossbreed002.jpg

You can see one of the black clips here:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Crossbreed003.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Crossbreed004.jpg

I really need to get a stronger thicker wider belt . . .

Adding 1" - 2" to your waist size gives you room inside.

I'm planning on making my own holster that will be similar to this, but will have belt loops instead of clips.

[Springfield]

Hey, I know a guy who makes belts!

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

Hey, I know a guy who makes belts!

Yes, I've seen some of your work, which is much better than I probably will ever be able to do, but . . . I'm trying to make everything I can myself, so I'm hoping to make my own holsters, and belts . . . still looking for a source for cotton thread and needles . . . got any pointers for suppliers? I have most of my initial hand tools and some leather coming . . .

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

My friend Larry who is an engineer at Ruger told me that the barrels are actually a sleeve . . . and that all cylinders are fired with a hot proof round once, 10% are tested for POI with another six rounds, and that they are then cleaned and oiled . . . mine was a tad dirty, and covered with copper inside!

Today I got my new Star line brass, so I went to our beekeeper to get some more honey, and picked up some beeswax too! and made up the lube with 50% wax, 40% Crisco, and 10% Canola oil, as I remembered Dale's artical he emailed me, but I had lost it as I'm on a new computer, trying to get stuff off my old one, and this new Mac set up . . . anyways, I pan lubed them, and was a bit hasty, and they were still soft and messy . . . but I got most of them OK, I loaded them up as follows:
5- pentagons with 5.5gr of TrailBoss (basically a 44 Sp)
4- pentagons & 1-Lg HP w/7.0 gr of TrailBoss
5-Lg HP w/15.0gr of BlueDot
5-pentagons w/19.0gr of 2400

I used Winchester WLP primers . . .

Shot the first batch first, I had never shot a 44 mag before, so did not have any idea what I was in for, especially with this stubby . . . the 5.5gr TB were like 38 Specials! But I still flinched on the first round![smilie=b: then I got the last four in the target . . . I did the best with the 7gr of TB as far as shot patterning! Still missed one off the paper . . . shooting with two hands . . . I never said I was a good shot, but I hope to improve!
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Ruger%20Alaskan/HG503Target.jpg

I shot them into my target trap, half expecting the two last batches to blow out the back of the trap which has 16" of shreded rubber then 1/8" steel and 1.5" of sand in front of 1/2" plywood . . . none of them made through the 16" of rubber!

Left to Right - 158gr Lee TL SWC ALOX/JPW/Min Sp Lube with 10.0gr 2400 - 153gr RCBS 38-148 WCDE same lube with 5.5gr BlueDot - 451 RB from 44 C&B 30gr Eq Pyrodex, the 357's were found about 8"-12" in, the 38's & 44 were about 5" - 8" in, just for comparison!

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Ruger%20Alaskan/35744Ball.jpg

L to R - MiHec's H&G 503 Lg HP w/ 15gr BlueDot (found about 8"-12" in) - Pentagon & 5.5gr TrailBoss (found 5"-8" in):
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Ruger%20Alaskan/HG5032.jpg

Another angle:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Ruger%20Alaskan/HG5034.jpg

L to R - MiHec's H&G 503 Pentagon w/19gr 2400 (found 8"-12" in) - 3 Pentagons & 1 Lg HP w/ 7.0gr TrailBoss (found 5"-8" in):
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Ruger%20Alaskan/HG5031.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Ruger%20Alaskan/HG5033.jpg

The 19grs of 2400 seemed like the most kick, not really bad, but I knew I had pulled the trigger! Not quite read to try it single handed!

The bore measured .4295" (with NO restictions!), the cylinders varied between .4319" - .4321", and the boolits were dropping at .4325", I did not size them . . . I also measured the cylinder to barrel gap at .004" I wish that was tighter, but it seems normal! NO leading in any of these shots!

These will make an Owiee!
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Ruger%20Alaskan/HG5035.jpg

[dk17hmr]

I like it......those HP's are really nice! It would be interesting to see how they expand with the HP filled with candle wax.....I have a 454424HP that I fill with wax and it made the mushroom a bit bigger.

[PatMarlin]

Oooh very nice. I want one of those in 45 LC.

[blaser.306]

T:kidding:hats cute , It's like a gun only smaller

[Southern Son]

You're going to need dark sunglasses when you shoot it, the fireball will give you a welders flashburn!

:kidding:



Arizona is pretty dry, too, isn't it? If so, a good fire extinguisher could be a good idea. Big muzzle flash, dry sage brush, not a good combination.:mrgreen:

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

Arizona is pretty dry, too, isn't it? If so, a good fire extinguisher could be a good idea. Big muzzle flash, dry sage brush, not a good combination.:mrgreen:

Well . . . I'm not gonna go around carrying a fire extingisher! :razz:

Actually fire is hot, burning powder doesn't last long . . . heat rises! Besides I never had any trouble with my C&B, but I guess if I lay down in the dirt with the scorpians and rattlesnakes . . . I could catch some grass on fire!:mrgreen:

Look how dry it gets out here!
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Sunsites/SunsitesAZGrasslands2.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Sunsites/SunsitesAZGrasslands.jpg

I hunt alot of rabbits in that area . . . but that is usually not the way it looks, just during our monsoon season . . . normally it is like this:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Sunsites/Sizing007.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Sunsites/Walkabout005.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Hunting003.jpg

I loaded up some more, hoping to shoot some better targets this afternoon! :Fire:

[Trey45]

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Sunsites/Walkabout005.jpg



Ya'll sure do have some funny looking coyotes out there. Or is that an albino prairie dog?

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

Ya'll sure do have some funny looking coyotes out there. Or is that an albino prairie dog?

Actually that is Sara, my rabbit hunting dog! She follows me around until she hears a "boom", then she gets happy and goes nutzo cause "she got a rabbit!"

She was a stray from the local shelter . . . we think she is part Standard Schnauzer and Jack Russell . . . but we just tell people that she is a "white dawg"!

She is a good buddy, and likes going for walk a bouts with me, and she likes to sniff the rabbits, but won't eat them, until we get home!

I loaded up some more "powder puff" loads, and was gonna go out this afternoon, but it is so windy, not sure if the boolit would exit the barrel!:confused::kidding:

[Southern Son]

she likes to sniff the rabbits, but won't eat them, until we get home!
:

Great dog. I love dogs (much more than many people). I had a Doberman when I was living out Broken Hill and we would go out in the scrub for a run. The country is very similar to the photos, but without the spectacular mountain views. Every time he saw a rabbit, he would tear off after it and chase it. On more than one occasion I saw him close enough to the rabbit's butt that he was niffing it as he ran along. That dog had all the killer instinct of a cabbage when it came to other animals, good guard dog, though. If I shot them, skinned and gutted them, he would love to eat them, just didn't have the heart to do it himself.

On starting fires in places like that with guns, two or three times I set salt bush and Spinifex grass ablaze with my old .58 Zuarve. Luckily there is nowhere near enough grass or trees to start a real bush fire and they would just burn themselves out pretty quick.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

Yeah, doggies are Man's best friend, glad I'm not a Lady, as they only get diamonds, what fun are they?:-P

I just got done shooting some more . . . I wish I had brought my screwdrivers with me to adjust the sights . . . but this is what I ended up with . . . notice the Point Of Aim was top right hand corner to get them on the paper!
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Ruger%20Alaskan/Target5-3-10.jpg

[Trey45]

You are really going to enjoy that rig, so far so good!