I am finalizing by decision for my first revolver. Not really looking for a CC gun, so I was pretty set on the GP100 with 4" barrel in 357mag, giving me the option of 38spec for light duty of course.

Then I noticed the Redhawk with 4" barrel in 45Colt. I like the concept of the 45 Colt cartridge as something "different" and with plenty of punch.

I will use this gun for plinkin', range shooting, and as a backup gun when hunting and in the woods. I can see the numbers on Ruger's website with the different measurements and weights, but can anyone who owns one or both of these guns comment on just how much "bigger" is the Redhawk than the GP100?

Is the Redhawk uncomfortable to tote around in a hip holster? Does it need a cross-draw to be practical for several hours/miles? Should I skip both of these and go with the 44mag and the ability to use 44spec for light duty?

Thanks
Mike

well i've got a simple answer for you just get both after all you have 2 hands and by putting one on each hip you can maintain your balance simple huh

the 4" redhawk should not be a problem for you in a standard hip holster. While it is a larger frame, it does have good balance. I would choose whichever gun based on caliber preference.

When I hunt with my scoped 7.5" super redhawk it is in a crossdraw holster on my badlands 2200 pack. Because the pack fits so well and distributes the weight, it isn't an issue to carry this larger gun all day.

I think the 44 is the most practical for myself but it depends on your needs.

I have no experience with the Redhawk but found the GP141 a comfortable gun to carry and shoot.
I'm not familiar with North Carolina pistol hunting but I'd say the .357, which I like, is good for deer or pig but less than optimum for some of the bears I've seen. If you plan on using it for hunting as the only gun you'll carry I'd go with the .44. If you or someone you know handloads you can tailor good practice loads. I'm not sure what ammo availability is for .44 Special currently.

44 magnum. If you're going to go large frame and big bore, get a caliber you can load up past 45 Colt.

In the woods I carry a Smith & Wesson 629, 4" barrel in some sort of "Hunter" holster w/ a hammer strap. It's bigger than the GP 100, but then I worry less about cougar than if I just had a small frame .357.

Definitely .44 Mag. If you reload, you can use cast bullets with 6.5 grains of Win 231 behind a 240 lead bullet for practice. You will have some leading. Then you can load up to max velocities with H 110 or another similiar powder behind a wide variety of good hunting bullets. The variety of loads for the .44 is almost endless.

I've owned a Redhawk in .44 and during a short stint of Cowboy Action Shooting played with .45 Colt in a pair of Vaquero revolvers. You can push the .45 Colt to do more than the cartridge of olde.

If you don't mind carrying a large framed pistol the Redhawk is a good gun, get it in the caliber you like and enjoy.

Well, I ended up with the 4" Redhawk in 45Colt. I loaded up some 250gr Hornady XTP's in front of 8, 9, and 10 grains of Unique.

All 3 were surprisingly mild but, good lord, if the "new" Unique is cleaner burning than before, I can't imagine what "old" Unique must have been like. After 48 rds the whole gun felt like it had a coating of soot on it.

I didn't really shoot for groups yet, just offhand at 10yds to get a feel for things.

But overall, very happy so far. I'm planning some high-pressure loads with 2400 or Titegroup when I get a chance.

The factory "bantam" grip has to go... way too fat.

Anybody have a set of factory Redhawk wood grips they are looking to sell?

Thanks for all the input.

Congratulations on your new arrival. May you enjoy lots of trigger time.

From the sounds of it Unique isn't that improved.

Great choice. Sounds like a few of the guys here don't understand that you can load the .45 Colt to surpass the .44 mag in the way of power. I was using a handcast 340 gr. LBT ahead of 18.5 gr. 2400 powder. Hit's like a sledgehammer out to 250 yards, and quite accurate. For all around hunting loads I like the 300 gr LBT WFN and a healthy charge of 'Lil gun powder. Congratulations on your new purchase!
Cheers

quote:

Originally posted by Rooster Coleburn:
44 magnum. If you're going to go large frame and big bore, get a caliber you can load up past 45 Colt.

In the woods I carry a Smith & Wesson 629, 4" barrel in some sort of "Hunter" holster w/ a hammer strap. It's bigger than the GP 100, but then I worry less about cougar than if I just had a small frame .357.

Actually, in modern guns like the Redhawk, the .45 can and is regularly loaded well beyond the capability of the .429 magnum. The .45 can sling bigger and heavier bullets than the .44..... I have hunted extensively with both and the .45 is higher up on the food chain than the .44. Too many folks think the .45 is stuck in cowboy action land.

Gotta agree. A hot loaded .45 Colt in the proper hand gun or carbine, far and away exceeds the .44 mag with any load.

congrats on your new handgun. i own both and both are very good and fun shooting guns. the 45 lc has long been a favorite of mine as well and ive always had a fondness for the big fourty five calibre. have fun with your purchase and good shooting.
dont let anyone convince you that your choice is less then. its your pocket the money came from and your house and hip it will ride on so tell the others to #%*&%# off if they dont like your choice.