Ruger Super Redhawk

[Hcliff]

Sound like the 44 you have is great shooter  :-) .  Are both guns fitted with the same optic or are you shooting iron.  If useing different optics, switch them some times one is easier to see than others.  Is the trigger similar feeling?  Check out your cylinder throats to make sure they are not too small.   Since you are handloader have you tried reduced loads
(not even alot but even just a grain less)?  This gun might be like that and 50fps willnever be seen in the field.  How does the gun shoot factory loads?  Consistant?  Have the bullet you used been cast and jacketed?  Try differernt diameter one in cast.  It might like a special diameter.

Sounds like a you have a project to work on.  Think of it as not a pain but as fun, because you get to shoot more. (i know eaiser said than done)

Hcliff

[SkyDancer]

Your problem you state is either your grip during the recoil or the powder.  I know the powder you are using [Vithavouri N110] is some of the best one can buy but try either winchester 296 or Hodgdon H110.  Hodgdon H110 I have found to be the best firing and least recoil causing...and the most accurate of all the powders I have reloaded the 454 with.

Without a port on the front your 454, it is probably recoiling up and twist so your palm is up and barrel pointed to left.  This will defintely cause the spread.  When I fire the SRH 454 I concentrate on keeping my wrist down against the recoil as long as possible.

[RON KONTOWSKY]

As silly as this may sound, consider the differance in the metals used between the the 2 models of the SRH the .454 and .480 uses different steel to handle the pressure differance,thats why the gray coating of these calibers opposed to the brushed finsh on the .44.

Consider truing of the forcing cone , recrown , or bore lapping.

RON KONTOWSKY

[Paul H]

My wonder metal 480 will print any of the over 1/2 dozen cast bullets I've tried into 1" @ 50 yds for five shots, with worked up loads.  Needless to say, the SRH's can definately shoot.  

I have heard that Rugers quality is hit and miss, and there are some dudd SRH's out there that won't shoot.  For instance on mine, the frame casting wasn't fully filled out, and the front scope ring mounts crooked.  I would send it back for a new frame, but the goon shoots too good to risk getting a replacement that won't shoot as well.

[Duffy]

Check your cyl timing on your 454 also. I too have a 44 SRH that is a real gem and a 454 that's...eh. The 454 cyl was off so bad that it spewed lead all over. I shipped it back and they replaced the cyl. It shoots better but not as good as the 44. My best is 3 shots in 3.0 @ 100 with the 454 and about half that with the 44.  I'm never selling that 44!

[redhawk44p]

I would slug the barrel and mic the chambers to define the problem. I have owned some problem guns but once you find the problem and correct it they usually shoot great.


 

[globemountain]

Could the problem be reaction to recoil?

[454Puma]

Your bullets should not be bigger then .452 jacket or lead. The SRH's don't have the problem of the BH. Once you go to the right size bullet  start working up some loads and shoot often. Until you get used to the recoil your groups will suck, I know mine did!! Now they are getting tighter every time I shoot- got it down to a little over 3" at 100 yrds with iron sights, with some pretty stout loads! If you don't shoot enough you'll never get used to the recoil. There's alot of used SRH 454's out there cause folks never could get used to the recoil. :wink:

[wildman]

Mine in 44mag needed a trigger job.  An awful gritty feel combined with long trigger creep was the perfect formula for disaster.  It felt like I was pulling the trigger 1/4 inch before it would fire.  The anticipation of when it would fire was killing my accuracy.  Now, it will group 1" consistently at 50yds, and it is topped off with a Leupoold 2x.

[swifty]

It sounds like you need to get Marshall's little book ,Beartooth Bullets
a Technical Guide by J.Marshall Stanton from Beartoothbullets.com or Veral Smiths book Jacketed Performace from Cast bullets .you should be able to find Veral's address from Graybeard's web site .Look under cast bullets at the bottom of the menu below the fishing section. Both books show charts where Ruger Super Redhawks slugged and then bore lapped with about 150-200 shots.Ruger Super Redhawks have super tough abrasive resistant  stainless steel. The charts show the group size srinking from 3 to 4 inches to one inch. I have a 44 magnum Ruger Super Redhawk that is in bad need of a trigger job.I plan to send it off to Hamilton Bowen to get it worked on.The trigger has creap and a heavy pull.The gun will misfire from time to time which is not uncommon for RSRH. If you don't beleive me check out Hamilton Bowens web site:
Revolvers are prone to ignition problems from time to time. In most cases, the problem has obvious sources. Poor-quality handloads, excess cylinder endfloat, excess headspace or low-pressure mainsprings or some unholy combination of the above. Fortunately, most of these maladies have a ready cure.

 There is at least one other syndrome that occurs that may not be so obvious at first glance or easy to fix once isolated—insufficient firing pin protrusion. No matter how smartly the firing pin strikes a primer, it has to strike it deep enough or else the primer may not light off. Revolvers with hammer-mounted firing pins do not seem so subject to this ailment as guns with frame-mounted firing pins. Ruger revolvers, both the New Model Blackhawks and the Redhawks, often suffer from insufficient firing pin protrusion, sometimes as little as .040. The industry standard is typically .050--.055.

 A certain amount of protrusion is lost to Ruger’s excellent transfer bar safety system and can sometimes be made up with careful fitting of the hammer.  Even so, Redhawks with perfect mechanical specifications may still misfire, especially in the double-action mode where the hammer fall is slightly less.

 The Bowen Classic Arms solution to the problems is longer firing pins which, so far, has eliminated the difficulty. Longer firing pins will become a standard feature of all BCA 5-shot caliber conversions and, most likely, even the less involved projects. Pins will be available to the gunsmithing trade (inquire at (865) 981-8869 for details).
Web site is:http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/news.html

[HoCoMDHunter]

I haven't tried the H110 or W296 powders in my SRH 454 yet.  I have been using Lil-Gun and have been happy with it.  I Like the 300 gr XTP Mags.  I have found that different chambers have different points of impact.  Try filling the cylinder and always use the same chamber for the first shot (there are some marks on the back of the cylinder you can use as reference).  Then shoot at 6 different targets in order for 3 or 4 cylinders.   I printout targets that have two or three targets per page for this.   If the individual groups are good then your barrel may be fine, but the cylinder or timing not so good.
For an inexpensive reduced load, try 25.0 grains Lil-Gun behind the 300 gr D&J bullet.  This is a great load for hunting as well.  Groups around 1-2" @ 50 yds.

[sawfish]

Sverre,

I am not sure if this will help, but it applies if you are using reduced loads. If using reduced loads with the WFN bullet profile, the bullets will sometimes fail to stabilize.  If you are using reduced loads, try the LFN style bullet.  The longer nose helps stabilize the bullet at lower velocities.
Good luck.