Which revolver is stronger?

[RevolverFanatic]

Which Ruger revolver has the most strength? This would be between the NM Blackhawk and the Redhawk series of guns.

Or are they about the same?

 

[CraigC]

The big Redhawk and Super Redhawk are stronger in that they can handle more pressure but as Hamilton Bowen says, are more likely to shoot loose sooner.

 

[berettapistols]

I'd have to say the Redhawk myself..
I've always liked the DA Rugers but will someday get a SA..
The SRH is the strongest looking platform that Ruger makes..
I doubt you could ever wear out a Blackhawk out either..
Your hand & wallet would break first from ammo costs..

 

[VAdoublegunner]

Stronger in what sense?

According to several articles by Brian Pearce in Handloader, the 45 Colt Redhawk is capable of taking loads in the 50k psi range. The 45 Colt BH usually is stated as limiting out around 32.5K psi.

If it's a 44 Mag, it is likely that a similar relation exists, but to push a 44 Mag beyond what a BH is capable of handling at max probably exceeds the brass' capability.

In terms of durability, both seem pretty capable of handling a lot. I'd lean toward the BH for simple ruggedness, but the Redhawk is no slouch.

 

[Three44s]

RH is stronger.

RH has longer cylinder thus allowing seating bullets out farther which creates more boiler room in the casing. This in turn causes a twin effect for the RH and SRH ....... that of a stronger handgun and one that can utilize custom loading which takes advantage of the longer cylinder.


Three 44s

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Blackhawk / Redhawk? I think the Redhawk is more massive but the inherent strength of the single action will last longer.

The Super Redhawk was designed for and can handle the 454 Casull.

...just my opinion, Jimbo

 

[CraigC]

Actually Brian Pearce has provided extra heavy data in the 45-50,000psi range for the .44 Redhawks as well.

The SRH was actually "designed" for the .44Mag but later adapted to the .454 and .480 with exotic alloys.

 

[2 dogs]

I have a 4 inch 44 Redhawk. It is fast proving to be the ONLY 44 I could get by with if I had to. Keep in mind I have more than a dozen very fine 44 mags at my house too. The 4 inch RH is a brute. It has shot everything I have tried in in very accurately. Just an exceptional sixgun IMO.

 

[maxpress]

another way to say it is....If you shoot standard loads the SBH will probably outlast the RH in round count. The BH will probably "KABOOM" first with super high pressure loads.
If a BH gets loose its easier and cheaper to reshim the cylinder and replace the basepin than it is to install a new cylinder and crane on a RH.

 

[RevolverFanatic]

Thanks for the replies fellas. What you have indicated is kinda what
I thought about the SBH vs a swing-out cylinder type of revolver such as the RH.

While one is more massive than the other, and may take higher pressures, the other has the inherent superior mechanical strength design of the SA revolver.

That's why my two recent purchases were a SS 4-5/8" SBH and a SS 4-5/8" BH .357 mag. If I get another gun in .45 Colt, I'll probably go with a 4" RH due to it's weight advantage over the BH in .45 Colt.

I prefer heavier guns and 4" barrelled revolvers .

I don't reload but enjoy shooting factory magnum loads. So as an alternate to my S&W 29 & 27, I wanted something more or less indestructible.

Now I just need to practice. It's quite a bit different shooting a SA type revolver. The hold is much different, and takes some practice to master it.

 

[Quattroclick]

If you wind up shooting enough to threaten wearing out either one, you will just wind up buying a bunch more. At this point, the guns are safe. You will wear out before the guns.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Actually Brian Pearce has provided extra heavy data in the 45-50,000psi range for the .44 Redhawks as well.

The SRH was actually "designed" for the .44Mag but later adapted to the .454 and .480 with exotic alloys.

It can be argued that when the Redhawk was being re-designed into the Super Redhawk that Bill Sr. had other big-bore cartridges in mind besides the 44 magnum, in particular the 454 Casull and the 480 Ruger. How he got there was unique, as it was for the Smith & Wesson revolvers that eclipsed them, namely the 460 and 500.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_157_26/ai_84428736/?tag=content;col1

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_2_46/ai_58446489/?tag=content;col1.

...Jimbo

 

[CraigC]

It can be argued that when the Redhawk was being re-designed into the Super Redhawk that Bill Sr. had other big-bore cartridges in mind besides the 44 magnum, in particular the 454 Casull and the 480 Ruger. How he got there was unique, as it was for the Smith & Wesson revolvers that eclipsed them, namely the 460 and 500.

You do realize that the Super Redhawk was introduced in 1987, right? Is there any evidence that Bill Ruger had other cartridges in mind, in the mid 1980's? Or is it just speculation? Because the .454 didn't come out until twelve years later. The .454 was still a wildcat in the `80's and didn't become a legitimate factory cartridge until 1998. Sorry, I ain't buyin' it and I don't know how you get what you got out of those two articles.

 

[milky7272]

It can be argued that when the Redhawk was being re-designed into the Super Redhawk that Bill Sr. had other big-bore cartridges in mind besides the 44 magnum, in particular the 454 Casull and the 480 Ruger. How he got there was unique, as it was for the Smith & Wesson revolvers that eclipsed them, namely the 460 and 500.

You do realize that the Super Redhawk was introduced in 1987, right? Is there any evidence that Bill Ruger had other cartridges in mind, in the mid 1980's? Or is it just speculation? Because the .454 didn't come out until twelve years later. The .454 was still a wildcat in the `80's and didn't become a legitimate factory cartridge until 1998. Sorry, I ain't buyin' it and I don't know how you get what you got out of those two articles.

Ruger did not chamber anything in 454 till 1997. The first commercially available revolver chambered in .454 Casull was made by Freedom Arms in 1983. I have a premier grade that was bought in 1988 or 1989. And I could buy ammo from my local dealer and the gun show at the same time.

 

[Ruger4Life]

If you wind up shooting enough to threaten wearing out either one, you will just wind up buying a bunch more. At this point, the guns are safe. You will wear out before the guns.

Amen, brother.

I would be so bold as to add:

If you actually wear out a RH, SRH or SBH in your lifetime, you will be just as worn-out; having caused damage to your hand, wrist, and forearm's nerves, tendons and muscles through repetitious clinching and involuntary flinching of those parts of your anatomy...IMO. Can't imagine those custom Rugers in .475 Linebaugh and such...that would be brutal.

This 'ol boy goes to the range only once in a while with my heavy .44 Mag loads, and only to verify that it is zeroed with a few rounds. Plinking is for .38 wadcutters and .22lr, IMO.

 

[RevolverFanatic]

Amen, brother.

I would be so bold as to add:

If you actually wear out a RH, SRH or SBH in your lifetime, you will be just as worn-out; having caused damage to your hand, wrist, and forearm's nerves, tendons and muscles through repetitious clinching and involuntary flinching of those parts of your anatomy...IMO. Can't imagine those custom Rugers in .475 Linebaugh and such...that would be brutal.

This 'ol boy goes to the range only once in a while with my heavy .44 Mag loads, and only to verify that it is zeroed with a few rounds. Plinking is for .38 wadcutters and .22lr, IMO.

I agree. IMHO, anything more powerful than a .44 magnum in a handgun is, well, ridiculous.

But as I said, I frequently enjoy shooting full power factory magnum loads in my magnum revolvers.

 

[Donaldjr1969]

anything more powerful than a .44 magnum in a handgun is, well, ridiculous.

That video on YouTube of the guy firing the .600 Nitro Express out of the custom made T/C encore got a first hand lesson about that statement! :lol:

 

[maxpress]

Many hunters around here say a 250gr at 1200 will go through an elk or bear at close range. So whats the point of all the rest of the bigger cartridges energy after they passed through?

Oh yeah, zombie cops in bullet proof vests. I keep forgeting.

 

[CraigC]

Because believe it or not folks, there are some out there who actually hunt larger critters than 150lb whitetails with handguns. Others just do it for fun. Not for anybody to judge.