Redhawk - Leading Advice, Please

[Iron Mike Golf]

I picked up a used, 25 year old RH (stainless hunter in .44 mag) a month ago. It's my first revolver and I have put a few hundred rounds though it and have been enjoying it very much. I plan on hunting whitetail with it this season.

I bought some 245 grain LSWC-BB from a local caster. I shot 50 of these last night over 19.5 grains of 2400. I got a good bit of leading. I figure between the bevel base and the 21-22 BNH that is expected.

While cleaning, though, I noticed markings going across the lands. I don't have a borescope, but from my (middle-aged) naked eye, I am thinking maybe tool marks?

I am at least the third owner and have no idea the round count on the barrel. The chamber throats seem OK, based on what I have read about the "finger tip" test. The revolver shoots just fine. Best group so far is 1.75 inch at 110 yards using Speer 210 Gold Dots over 27.5 gr Win 296. I have fired about 300 rounds of XTP and GDHP rounds working up loads.

What do I do to reduce leading? Softer alloy? Shoot a mess of jacketed rounds first to try to smooth things out? I am reluctant to hand lap the bore.

Please advise.

Thanks.

 

[GP100man]

I replyed in the ammo section .

 

[BlackEagle]

You are shooting 1.75 inch groups at 110 yards and you want to change something? If it was me I would be trying to keep it just like it is. :wink:

 

[powder smoke]

You are shooting 1.75 inch groups at 110 yards and you want to change something? If it was me I would be trying to keep it just like it is. :wink:

+1 ya I agree 1.75 @ 100 yds with a hang gun! Not much room for improvement there. ps

 

[rugerguy]

yessir, with those kind of groups I'd stay away from the bore, and just "maybe" recut the forcing cone to remove the burrs (tooling marks) which "MAY" be causing the leading, I'd put my money on the actual bullet alloy in your case.....it would take LOTS of rounds, and lead would not likely remove any of the tooling marks, hot loads (flame) and jacketed ammo would do it faster, but even then, maybe NOT..........tough to get forcing cone erosion on its own.............

 

[Iron Mike Golf]

I got a small hole gauge set. One throat is .4310. Four are .4308 and one is .4306. I am thinking of reaming all to .4310 after deer season. Bullets I've used thus far have been .430, so I'll get some sized to .431

 

[clintsfolly]

hi also slug the barrel my Redhawk was .4285 just passed the forcing cone and .4305 at the muzzle. fire lapping fixed this but was a pain till i found this out. my group when form a 4" at 25yds to 2" or better Clint