Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan Question.

[KB Fab]

Hey all, I'm mostly a lurker and searcher but I just picked up a SR ALaskan in .44 magnum and have a couple questions.

First, I know Ruger's tolerance for B/C gap is at .010" and mine measures between .007 and .008. In fact, on one side the .007 feeler gauge slips in but the .008 won't. the other side is .008. This is with me holding the cylinder back. Also, as I understand end shake it seems almost non existent on this revolver although there is a tiny bit of wobble in the cylinder. I have done good bit of reading and the feel like I understand the B/C gap differences in terms of powder build up and the binding issues that can occur.

I guess my main concern is that with a revolver like this, should I be worried about it loosening up prematurely with the B/C gap starting out this big? Is there any concern with the .001 side to side difference in the B/C gap? Should I worry any about running hotter loads with this B/C gap?

I am not new to shooting but am fairly new to revolvers so any help/insight would be greatly appreciated. Also, I do reload and plan to shoot this thing more than what it's intended purpose is.

 

[contender]

Welcome to posting here!
As long as you do not feed this gun a long & steady diet of hot, stout loads, I doubt you'd ever have any problems. Even though the gap you have seems a bit big, it'll be ok. If you shoot heavy stuff a lot you may EVENTUALLY have some issues. And they may not be a bullet gap issue.

 

[anachronism]

Take it out shooting and enjoy it. It's fine. You can check the BC gap in a few years and see what you think then. The difference between the sides is likely a really small machining burr that will most likely smooth out. Even a half of a thousandths could prevent the feeler gauge from going all the way through. FWIW, I check the BC gaps in revolvers with an unprimed, empty case in the firing position. This allows me to see where the BC gap is under normal functioning conditions. I'm sure I'm probably doing it wrong, according to some, but I'm comfortable with my procedure.

 

[Skalkaho Slim]

I wouldn't worry about it one bit.

 

[KB Fab]

Thanks fellas. Like I said I'm pretty new to revolvers so i'm mostly just trying to learn. Will get some rounds through it and see what it can do?

Any thoughts on some loads that someone has tried in theirs? Right now I have some 240 gr Oregon Trail Laser Cast SWC bullets that I was thinking of trying over Unique. I have a good bit of that powder right now and the recipe I have calls for 6 to 10 grains. Any other successful load suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[gramps]

#1 Why did you even measure it? It is a Ruger and its intended use it to shoot the snot out of it. I like to shoot in my 4 inch Redhawk 240 grs lswc with 19.5 grs of 2400 and sometimes mag primers and some times plain janes ie what ever I have on hand!
gramps