Redhawk .45 Colt 4"

usa1_chevy · 03-09-2010, 10:41 AM

Hi everyone, I just need to ask a few questions about the Redhawk in .45 colt stainless 4". First of all this one sweet looking revolver, and am itching to try it out.
When looking for some ammo, I am running into cowboy loads and what looks like a hunting load or a defensive? the manual has nothing on it. So i looks to be safe on both? Also what is up with the price--ouch, most around here want 50$ for 50 rounds cowboy loads. With that i may try my hand at reloading. If I do, then what set up should i look for, ie powders and the bullet size and type (most of my shooting is by bullseye or plinking)(for a defensive round i'll stick to a factory load)?.
Also for that person that has one, what is the kick like? i've shot a .44 mag and .357mag, and love the .357 or how does it compare to it? i know the round has been around quite sometime and however i am a rookie on the colt .45. And any other ideas that may help.
As for the person that may want to know how i came up on one, i wish to thank the Friends of the NRA for that. So talk me in to keeping it!

bigweatherby · 03-09-2010, 10:48 AM

That Redhawk will be safe with any factory load, including the hot stuff.
Recoil will depend greatly on which load you use. The cowboy stuff will be very mild where some Corbon hunting loads can pack a punch.

bigghoss · 03-09-2010, 11:04 AM

the cowboy loads are for cowboy action shooting on steel plates. they are loaded pretty light and suck for accuracy, but are very comfortable to shoot from my blackhawk. I've been told the redhawk will handle the "ruger only" loads and those are gonna punish you. I couldn't find anything other than leverevolution ammo from hornady which are standard pressure. comfortable to shoot, accurate, and I was lucky to get it for $19/20 rounds. it's a lot but I've seen the same stuff go for $25 or more a box and a regular box of ammo (excluding cowboy loads) can run $40 or so for 50 rounds IF you can find it.

.45 colt is pretty spendy because there is more material that goes into it than a lot of other calibers plus it's not as popular so they make less

stantheman86 · 03-13-2010, 09:35 AM

I have been wanting a 4" Redhawk, I have seen a few in .45 LC but I really want the .44 mag version. These seem to be harder to find. I have been tempted by the .45 4" though, just to have a "modern" DA in .45 would be neat. Truth be told neither the .44 or .45 would probably see much range time, since I spend most of my ammo dollars on .38 and .357, but it's one of those guns I just "need" to have, if only for an all around outdoor carry gun.

ADP3 · 03-13-2010, 04:29 PM

The .45 Colt is at its best with handloads. You can taylor them for everything from plinking to bear busters. I use 7.1 grains of Winchester #231 and a 250 grain LSWC with Large Pistol Primers for everyday use. I use the same load with a 240 LSWC for .44 Magnum. You can shoot them all day and get almost 1,000 loads out of a pound of powder.
Best Regards,
ADP3

Cowboy T · 03-13-2010, 05:16 PM

The .45 Colt cartridge, like the .44 Magnum, is just so versatile, and yes, the Rugers will take just about anything you can throw at them.

I have a Super Redhawk 454 with the 7.5" barrel. For this gun, I have two .45 Colt loads.

The first is 6.1gr Titegroup pushing a 200gr LRNFP boolit (BHN 11). That's like a .38 Special in a GP100, nearly no felt recoil. Just dandy for Cowboy Action shooting. The reason for Titegroup is that it's position-insensitive, which matters in that cavernous case. You can safely go as low as 5.7gr. I prefer 6.1.

The second load is much hotter, using "a lot" of Herc 2400 under a 250gr LRNFP out of 50/50 Linotype (BHN 15-16). Now...those are fun. :-) And given the SRH's considerable heft, it doesn't hurt my hand one bit.

If you don't take up handloading, feeding a .45 Colt gun will break your bank. But if you do, you're lookin' at maybe $10 per box of 50, and just over $5/box if you cast your own boolits.

45longcolt · 03-14-2010, 07:04 AM

I have had my 4" 45 Colt RedHawk now for a few months and I sure like it. As others have said if you do not reload the 44 Magnum may be your better choice. I own a 7.5" Blackhawk as well in 45 ACP/Colt and was already set up for reloading so the choice was a no brainer for me. I too own a .357 and the 45 Colt kicks more because the bullet is heavier to start with. It doesn't quite kick like a 44 magnum though even loaded with the CorBon rounds. The 44 seems to have a faster recoil impulse than the 45 Colt, most likely due to diameter of the bore. Here is a pix of the muzzle blast from a CorBon 300 grain Hunting load, video link showing recoil below it.

http://home.roadrunner.com/~ispyu2/SLORHMB.wmv

I have shot 4 cylinders worth of cowboy loads and they were quite boring. If you get one you will want to send your cylinder off to have the throats reamed open some. It allows the RedHawk to shoot a wider variety of 45 Colt bullets and provides greater accuracy while taking care of undue pressure and swaging of the bullets.

mandel 9mm · 03-14-2010, 08:14 AM

It packs a helluva punch .

usa1_chevy · 03-15-2010, 01:39 PM

Just a update, since i as able give it a run this weekend. it is a keeper, i really like it a lot. not shooting hot loads, and had a great time. since then i do plan on reloading, just need to get the cash together. have to hand it to ruger, it is a tank.

03-09-2010, 10:41 AM	#1
usa1_chevy Joined: Apr 2007 From: ks Posts: 56	Redhawk .45 Colt 4" Hi everyone, I just need to ask a few questions about the Redhawk in .45 colt stainless 4". First of all this one sweet looking revolver, and am itching to try it out. When looking for some ammo, I am running into cowboy loads and what looks like a hunting load or a defensive? the manual has nothing on it. So i looks to be safe on both? Also what is up with the price--ouch, most around here want 50$ for 50 rounds cowboy loads. With that i may try my hand at reloading. If I do, then what set up should i look for, ie powders and the bullet size and type (most of my shooting is by bullseye or plinking)(for a defensive round i'll stick to a factory load)?. Also for that person that has one, what is the kick like? i've shot a .44 mag and .357mag, and love the .357 or how does it compare to it? i know the round has been around quite sometime and however i am a rookie on the colt .45. And any other ideas that may help. As for the person that may want to know how i came up on one, i wish to thank the Friends of the NRA for that. So talk me in to keeping it!

03-13-2010, 09:35 AM	#4
stantheman86 Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 510	4" Redhawk I have been wanting a 4" Redhawk, I have seen a few in .45 LC but I really want the .44 mag version. These seem to be harder to find. I have been tempted by the .45 4" though, just to have a "modern" DA in .45 would be neat. Truth be told neither the .44 or .45 would probably see much range time, since I spend most of my ammo dollars on .38 and .357, but it's one of those guns I just "need" to have, if only for an all around outdoor carry gun.

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03-09-2010, 10:48 AM	#2
bigweatherby Joined: Mar 2010 From: South-west Michigan Posts: 1,301	That Redhawk will be safe with any factory load, including the hot stuff. Recoil will depend greatly on which load you use. The cowboy stuff will be very mild where some Corbon hunting loads can pack a punch.

03-09-2010, 11:04 AM	#3
bigghoss Joined: Aug 2007 From: Hermiston, Oregon, USA. Posts: 215	the cowboy loads are for cowboy action shooting on steel plates. they are loaded pretty light and suck for accuracy, but are very comfortable to shoot from my blackhawk. I've been told the redhawk will handle the "ruger only" loads and those are gonna punish you. I couldn't find anything other than leverevolution ammo from hornady which are standard pressure. comfortable to shoot, accurate, and I was lucky to get it for $19/20 rounds. it's a lot but I've seen the same stuff go for $25 or more a box and a regular box of ammo (excluding cowboy loads) can run $40 or so for 50 rounds IF you can find it. .45 colt is pretty spendy because there is more material that goes into it than a lot of other calibers plus it's not as popular so they make less

03-13-2010, 04:29 PM	#5
ADP3 Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 34	The .45 Colt is at its best with handloads. You can taylor them for everything from plinking to bear busters. I use 7.1 grains of Winchester #231 and a 250 grain LSWC with Large Pistol Primers for everyday use. I use the same load with a 240 LSWC for .44 Magnum. You can shoot them all day and get almost 1,000 loads out of a pound of powder. Best Regards, ADP3

03-13-2010, 05:16 PM	#6
Cowboy T Joined: Feb 2010 From: San Francisco, CA Posts: 237	The .45 Colt cartridge, like the .44 Magnum, is just so versatile, and yes, the Rugers will take just about anything you can throw at them. I have a Super Redhawk 454 with the 7.5" barrel. For this gun, I have two .45 Colt loads. The first is 6.1gr Titegroup pushing a 200gr LRNFP boolit (BHN 11). That's like a .38 Special in a GP100, nearly no felt recoil. Just dandy for Cowboy Action shooting. The reason for Titegroup is that it's position-insensitive, which matters in that cavernous case. You can safely go as low as 5.7gr. I prefer 6.1. The second load is much hotter, using "a lot" of Herc 2400 under a 250gr LRNFP out of 50/50 Linotype (BHN 15-16). Now...those are fun. :-) And given the SRH's considerable heft, it doesn't hurt my hand one bit. If you don't take up handloading, feeding a .45 Colt gun will break your bank. But if you do, you're lookin' at maybe $10 per box of 50, and just over $5/box if you cast your own boolits.

03-14-2010, 07:04 AM	#7
45longcolt Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 143	I have had my 4" 45 Colt RedHawk now for a few months and I sure like it. As others have said if you do not reload the 44 Magnum may be your better choice. I own a 7.5" Blackhawk as well in 45 ACP/Colt and was already set up for reloading so the choice was a no brainer for me. I too own a .357 and the 45 Colt kicks more because the bullet is heavier to start with. It doesn't quite kick like a 44 magnum though even loaded with the CorBon rounds. The 44 seems to have a faster recoil impulse than the 45 Colt, most likely due to diameter of the bore. Here is a pix of the muzzle blast from a CorBon 300 grain Hunting load, video link showing recoil below it. http://home.roadrunner.com/~ispyu2/SLORHMB.wmv I have shot 4 cylinders worth of cowboy loads and they were quite boring. If you get one you will want to send your cylinder off to have the throats reamed open some. It allows the RedHawk to shoot a wider variety of 45 Colt bullets and provides greater accuracy while taking care of undue pressure and swaging of the bullets.

03-14-2010, 08:14 AM	#8
mandel 9mm Joined: Feb 2010 From: Maryland Posts: 131	It packs a helluva punch .

03-15-2010, 01:39 PM	#9
usa1_chevy Joined: Apr 2007 From: ks Posts: 56	Just a update, since i as able give it a run this weekend. it is a keeper, i really like it a lot. not shooting hot loads, and had a great time. since then i do plan on reloading, just need to get the cash together. have to hand it to ruger, it is a tank.