Redhawk 357

[Tommy F]

I am on a role finding great Ruger deals. Yesterday I bought a mint Redhawk 357 mag. This has me setting up for heavy 357 loads to test that monster. Any input on these???????

 

[TheDude]

A Redhawk in 357 Magnum has got be the most over built gun you could buy...ever. I say load up some heavy weights and see what happens.
I've had a few in 44 Magnum in my days, and every one I've ever shot was VERY accurate.
I would most likely pounce on one if I ran across the right deal. Good score.

 

[robertkirksey]

I had a role once.. It was in a school play.

 

[MMichaelAK]

They are ridiculously overbuilt, even for Ruger. Love mine!

 

[David LaPell]

I remember the last one i saw and recall how tiny those .357 holes appeared to be in that cylinder. I can tell you that it would certainly take te old loadings I have in my 1960's vintage Lyman loading books that I won't publish here that put the 158 grain SWC into the 1,500 fps range.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I like the 180gr XTPs crimped to the first or second groove. You can stuff a lot of H-110 or Accurate #9 into one of those cases. You could start with max and work up about 10%. I also have some 360DW brass that is a little longer than standard 357 magnum brass and is good for extreme loads with 158gr XTPs. I am only saying they could be used that way. I am not advocating you do anything.

...Jimbo

 

[WESHOOT2]

See above.

I, too, can suggest AA9 and H110.
I personally prefer the 180g Remington 'conventional' JHP.
Or very heavy lead from Cast Performance.
And folks can use the superb heavies from Penn Bullets.

I mostly use my 7.5" 357 Redhawk for USPSA competition; it absorbs recoil well.

 

[5of7]

In my RH .357 I have shot 16-1/2 grs of AA9 behind the 180 XTP and got 1550 out of it.

That load was loaded to an overall length of 1.705"

What happens is that the brass begins to stretch, requiring trimming every couple of loadings, so you gotta be careful mot to let the brass get too thin and come in half.

If one wants to see what can be achieved with a .357, the Redhawk or the Contender are both good choices.

 

[Timber Wolf]

start with max and work up about 10%...Jimbo

I love it! Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead! I missed what will probably be my only chance at a .357 Redhawk and I do regret it. I have shot some pretty stout hand loads out of a S&W 28 and a GP100 that I don’t think could be “improved” upon much though (not by me anyway).

 

[stantheman86]

I love mine! I use it only as a target revolver, I plan to add Bowen target sights and a different set of grips.

 

[Rev60]

The RCBS 200 gr spire point bullet designed for the 35 Rem is popular with some silhouette shooters in the FA model 83, Dan Wessons, etc. Maybe a good choice for the Redhawk too.

 

[Tommy F]

Thanks for the input. Will be looking for heavy bullets this weekend at OGCA. Starting with 160 hard cast TC and 2400.

 

[WESHOOT2]

Suggest the 187g Cast Performance and H110 / AA9.....

 

[Tommy F]

tested several factory and mag handloads, all shot vg and handle recoil well.

 

[WESHOOT2]

Small tip: uber-stupid loads should be made using new sized cases only.

Save those uber-load fired cases for plinkers.