This new Ruger Redhawk is designed for use with the .45 ACP and .45 Colt and I’m sure Ruger would not recommend any other cartridges. However, being the curious sort I had to try some.
.45 WINMAG These cartridges are slightly shorter than the .45 Colt and I expected them to perform relatively well. My handload of the Oregon Trail 255 SWC over 8.0 grains of Unique clocked out over 925 fps with a 1” group with five shots at 20 yards. I also tried the Black Hills 230 JHP, 1,150 fps and 1-7/8”, and the Winchester 250 JHP for the same velocity and group size. There is one large fly in the ointment when trying to use the .45 WinMag in the Ruger full-moon clips. They will fit, however they put a squeeze on the fingers preventing all six cartridges to fully enter the cylinder. All of these loads mentioned used Winchester .45 WM brass which is larger in diameter at the extractor cut in the base than .45 ACP. In fact for handloading the regular .45 ACP shell holder will not work but the .30-30 shell holder will. To solve the problem my friend Denis used a Dremel cut-off wheel to turn full-moon clips into three one-third moon clips and then took some material off of each side of the clip which allowed all three to drop easily into the cylinder. Starline .45 WM brass is closer to .45 ACP in size and six will fit in the full-moon clips and enter the cylinder. Again, do not take this as a recommendation for me or from Ruger to use .45 WinMag cartridges. I was especially careful to stay away from some of the very heavy loads which are out there.
.45 ROWLAND Again I was careful to stay away from some of the heavy handloads I have on hand and instead tried the Buffalo Bore 230 FMJ. This load is just under 1,200 fps from the 4” Redhawk and puts five shots in 1-1/2” at 20 yards.
.45 SUPER This load proved to be a real washout. I am surmising the velocities are just too high for the bullets to make it through the length of that cylinder without tumbling. All loads key-holed on the target.
Although I tried the three other cartridges I will stay with the Ruger recommended .45 Colt and .45 ACP. For regular carry I would have six .45 Colt cartridges in the cylinder backed up by two or three full-moon clips loaded with .45 ACP cartridges. The full-moon clips are available from Ruger and you would want to keep fresh clips loaded for use as they do tend to stretch slightly when loaded and unloaded with cartridges several times. This would be no problem normally but carried in a pocket cartridges could fall out of their proper space in the full-moon clips.
The Redhawk is probably the strongest double action revolver ever offered which is at the same time packable. The Super Redhawk may or may not be stronger, however it is certainly not as packable as the original Redhawk. It comes close when the barrel is cut to 4” or so, but only close. The Redhawk is the better choice for everyday carry. I cannot ever see it failing.
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