Tommy F
Single-Sixer
Handled a new Redhawk 44 SS with 2.5" barrel (not SRH) at OGCA Sunday 11/16. Very interesting. Anyone else seen one yet?
Redhawk Backpacker
- Thread starter Tommy F
- Start date
I have only seen pictures so far. Probably a good thing since I'm broke. I do like it though.
Nice looking six shooter!
I have not only seen one, I own one!!! Nice guns.
Varminterror
Blackhawk
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2014
- Messages
- 513
Terry T said:
Grip, feel, and sex appeal!!! :lol:
I had all 3 Alaskans when I bought the Kodiak Backpacker, but since have sold my 44mag Alaskan, as I've always felt it was unwarranted.
With factory grips on my Backpacker and Lett long grips on the Alaskan 454 shows 1.0oz difference for my revolvers. Considering that they weigh almost exactly the same, you wouldn't believe if after feeling the difference in feel and balance in your hand, completely different animals.
The RH KB feels fantastic in hand, albeit the grip is a bit skinny in the neck for my large hands - kinda reminiscent of a single action grip neck, but then when you pull the trigger side by side with an SRH Alaskan... woof... that's where you'll find the advantage to that one spring action...
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
That's what a snub-nose 44 ought to be. 
Smee781
Single-Sixer
Yep I had one in my hand last Sat at my LGS, I might of pulled the trigger if it was a 45.
Bought one a couple of weeks ago. With Speer Short Barrel Gold Dots it is a joy to shoot. Tried some 300 gr. XTP's; First two weren't bad, next two hurt, last two went back in the box. Within reason, I think this is going to be a gun a shoot a lot.
Txbandit, welcome to the forum, and the world of RedHawks! Finding the right load for you and the gun is half the fun.
gramps
gramps
Thanks, Gramps. I had the 300 grainers for my 7 1/2 inch Redhawk that I've had for a couple of years. Just had to find our for myself how they worked in the snub. When I get over the sinus infection I've been fighting lately will try it with normal 240 loads. I really like the idea of having a snubnose version of the same full size revolver. Still deciding if I want to do the same for my Super Redhawk, but have never been comfortable handling the Alaskan.
Boomer
Single-Sixer
Was sorely tempted to order a Kodiak BP 5028 based on form and appearance plus Jeff Quinn's favorable GB review too but in the end, decided on a RH 5026 (4.2" w/ Hogue Monogrip) as better for my intended use. I got my 5026 yesterday and I'm well-pleased but admit that the 5028 BP continues to appeal. Can't have both though...
Sure, ya can! Save up! :shock: 8) :mrgreen:Boomer said:
gramps
Boomer
Single-Sixer
gramps said:
Yeah but...
Unlike fine art, these aren't meant to be "wall art" hangings.
But then, suppose some of you actually do that??? :wink:
Boomer said:
Nah - I think just about everyone here shoots the snot of all their guns. I know I do, with the exception of my 7.5" 357 Redhawk. It's just to darn big (and the stock grips don't fit my hand that well), compared with my svelte 3" GP100. I do pull it out every once and a while when my friends have a "rare and oddball gun" shoot.
Varminterror
Blackhawk
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2014
- Messages
- 513
Boomer said:
I have a couple dozen Ruger revolvers, and a couple dozen others in other brands. None of them are "wall art". They all do a bit of "hanging" during a year, but it's not on the wall, it's on my belt.
Oh yeah... and one of them is a Redhawk Kodiack Backpacker... :twisted:
I bought one on Tue, ordered from kygunco.com Can't wait to get it. My first pistol when I was 19yrs old was a Ruger Redhawk, blue, 7.5" That was 29 years ago. I sold it probably 25 years ago and wish I had it back. Well, I saw this Kodiak and nobody I could find had it in stock so I got on notification lists at KY Gun Co. This was on Monday, on Tue KY Gun notified as in stock. I ordered and it must have been the only one they had because it was out of stock again after I ordered it. That was within 30 minutes of the notification.
I like my 5.5 SS Redhawk in .41 Magnum. The one complaint I've had is the large square grip frame. I've wished forever that they would bring that one feature over from the Super Redhawk... just put a grip stud on it and use GP100 grips! So I'm excited about the new Redhawk and the rounded grip. I'll end up with one someday.
I have an Alaskan already and it is a total top ten favorite gun. I would carry it occasionally except Oklahoma says it is illegal for that. Somehow our brainy legislators wrote the original law to only allow concealed legal carry for handguns .45 caliber and under. So my wonderful .480 Alaskan is somehow too super deadly. Grumble, grumble.
Gregg
I have an Alaskan already and it is a total top ten favorite gun. I would carry it occasionally except Oklahoma says it is illegal for that. Somehow our brainy legislators wrote the original law to only allow concealed legal carry for handguns .45 caliber and under. So my wonderful .480 Alaskan is somehow too super deadly. Grumble, grumble.
Gregg
I took my new Kodiak Backpacker out today for it's maiden voyage.
In short, I love it. I shot all what amount to "special" loads. Stuff that books between ~800-900fps. I don't have velocities because its to dang cold here now to drag out the chronograph. I will chrono some loads in the spring.
For now, I went by feel. I shot 240gr LSWC bullets. I had about 30 each of:
7.0 gr Unique
6.0 gr W231
5.5 gr Bullseye - I had about 75 or 80 of these on hand so shot this load the most today
5.5 gr Titegroup
Other than the Bullseye loads which I had, I loaded the other 3 last night just to test out this revolver.
Could only tell difference in these loads as far as recoil by putting one each in the cylinder. The Bullseye and Titegroup were pretty much the same. As I expected because they are next to each other in the burn rate chart. The Unique and W231 also felt about the same, likewise next to each other in burn rate. It's like shooting a light loaded 38 special in a 357 GP100. You know, slightly heavier because the bullets are 100 grains heavier. Most anyone could plink all day with this gun and these loads.
Maybe I'm nuts, and I may change my mind once I chrono but I think my go to load is going to be with W231. It caused the least amount of smoke when fired and was just as accurate as the others. At 21' I could keep all rounds in a 2" orange spot stuck on a paper plate. With any of them really.
I know this gun will easily handle it and I'm sure I'll shoot some hot ones through it just to see what it feels like but I just don't have much desire to shoot 23 grains of H110 or W296 under a 240 gr JSP. I don't even enjoy those through my 7.5" Super Redhawk much anymore. I'd just as soon lob bullets as send them on a rail to the target. My hands and wrist appreciate it much more. I've got some 19 gr 2400 240 gr hard cast loaded up I might give them a whirl next time as a compromise. Haha.
Overall, it's a neat pistol. I'm glad I have it.
I've got 8 revolvers now. Kinda having a revolver renaissance. Nice to shoot 200 rounds through 3 different guns and not have to chase brass all around the range.
In short, I love it. I shot all what amount to "special" loads. Stuff that books between ~800-900fps. I don't have velocities because its to dang cold here now to drag out the chronograph. I will chrono some loads in the spring.
For now, I went by feel. I shot 240gr LSWC bullets. I had about 30 each of:
7.0 gr Unique
6.0 gr W231
5.5 gr Bullseye - I had about 75 or 80 of these on hand so shot this load the most today
5.5 gr Titegroup
Other than the Bullseye loads which I had, I loaded the other 3 last night just to test out this revolver.
Could only tell difference in these loads as far as recoil by putting one each in the cylinder. The Bullseye and Titegroup were pretty much the same. As I expected because they are next to each other in the burn rate chart. The Unique and W231 also felt about the same, likewise next to each other in burn rate. It's like shooting a light loaded 38 special in a 357 GP100. You know, slightly heavier because the bullets are 100 grains heavier. Most anyone could plink all day with this gun and these loads.
Maybe I'm nuts, and I may change my mind once I chrono but I think my go to load is going to be with W231. It caused the least amount of smoke when fired and was just as accurate as the others. At 21' I could keep all rounds in a 2" orange spot stuck on a paper plate. With any of them really.
I know this gun will easily handle it and I'm sure I'll shoot some hot ones through it just to see what it feels like but I just don't have much desire to shoot 23 grains of H110 or W296 under a 240 gr JSP. I don't even enjoy those through my 7.5" Super Redhawk much anymore. I'd just as soon lob bullets as send them on a rail to the target. My hands and wrist appreciate it much more. I've got some 19 gr 2400 240 gr hard cast loaded up I might give them a whirl next time as a compromise. Haha.
Overall, it's a neat pistol. I'm glad I have it.
I've got 8 revolvers now. Kinda having a revolver renaissance. Nice to shoot 200 rounds through 3 different guns and not have to chase brass all around the range.
Jimbo357mag said:That's what a snub-nose 44 ought to be.
Well then, next time I'm over your way, let me try it out. :mrgreen:Bear Paw Jack said:
Varminterror said:
Yes! I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I think this revolver is gorgeous!
WAYNO.
Terry T said:
Mine weighs in at 42.6oz on my digital postal scale. I took some pics this morning. Real gun pics are always a plus I hope. Other forums seem to require it or it doesn't exist. I don't see any individual owner photos in the thread so here goes. :mrgreen:
Strictly IMO... but I strongly dislike using super fast powders in big cases. Just for fun, try seeing how many layers of your favored load you can put in that case. At least in some other cartridges a double charge will result in a "full case" and give you a chance to notice your mistake. In .44 Magnum brass, you could double charge W231 and never notice anything. Probably not even looking down with a flashlight.
If you want this type of load, try the funny cheerios powder. My powder and reloading stuff is a long way from here and in another building... what do they call it.... gunfighter or gunslinger or something like that. Light loads fill up a big case. I use it in .44 Special and .45 Colt. Otherwise I would fall back on good old Unique. After all these years I still it use it more than anything else for "mid-range" types of loads.
IMR Trailboss. That's the one! Went and looked in the archive of Jeff's site. Gunblast comes through for me again.
Gregg
Well, I have a process on my 550B that keeps me from double charging rounds. I NEVER back up the shell plate. If you don't do that, your chances of double charging are slim. Even though I use a progressive, I am not a place shell place bullet pull the handle. Yes I do that, but I watch things closely. Always watch the powder bar, look into the case as I turn the plate to make sure powder dropped etc. It's not a race for me.
231 like Unique is a mid burn rate powder. There are published loads at 13.0 gr of 231 under a 240 gr bullet that produce magnum velocities. So IF I dropped 12 gr by accident, I get a magnum shot. Plus, it's a Redhawk. I've been reloading for 30 years. Long before the internet made everybody an expert LOL! I learned the old fashioned way, trial and error. I've got a pretty good grasp on the process. :mrgreen: The first 44 mag loads I ever loaded which were the first reloads I ever produced were with a Lee Loader. You got a 1.6cc dipper and a card that said here are the powders you can use with this dipper. One level scoop, IMR 4227, H110, W296, Accurate 9 etc. It sure wasn't an exact science. I had no scale, no calipers just eyeballed everything and never blew up a gun. Knock on wood........ :wink:
231 like Unique is a mid burn rate powder. There are published loads at 13.0 gr of 231 under a 240 gr bullet that produce magnum velocities. So IF I dropped 12 gr by accident, I get a magnum shot. Plus, it's a Redhawk. I've been reloading for 30 years. Long before the internet made everybody an expert LOL! I learned the old fashioned way, trial and error. I've got a pretty good grasp on the process. :mrgreen: The first 44 mag loads I ever loaded which were the first reloads I ever produced were with a Lee Loader. You got a 1.6cc dipper and a card that said here are the powders you can use with this dipper. One level scoop, IMR 4227, H110, W296, Accurate 9 etc. It sure wasn't an exact science. I had no scale, no calipers just eyeballed everything and never blew up a gun. Knock on wood........ :wink:
I have a NIB Lew Horton S&W M-624 N Frame .44 Special. I like it okay. I picked up one of these new Rugers and it felt like only one other gun in my lifetime. No matter the brand, this Ruger had my name on it. It just felt sooo good!WAYNO said:
Those are some great pics. And of course it helps to have such a good looking subject!
4MUL8R
Single-Sixer
Wonder if the Alaskan recoil absorbing grip fits this Redhawk?
