recoil big booming rifles, shotguns and revolvers simply wasn't an issue .... well, those days are gone .... every since 1992 my favorite hand cannon has been a Ruger 44 Mag Redhawk .... my arthritic right hand no longer tolerates the pounding from the recoil from hunting level loads so for the last few years I've fired it less and less .... those same loads are outstanding performers in our BBS 44Mag which is a fun rifle to fire .... even with the extensive recoil reduction upgrades, the same can't be said for my ability to absorb the recoil from dangerous game loads out of our CCH 45-70 .... consequently, I spent most of today working up a light load to fire in our Redhawk ..... over the next couple of days I hope to do the same for our 45-70 .... after considerable research I chose to base or 44 range load on using a Nosler 240 gr JHP (our long time hunting bullet) pushed by Unique powder in search of a muzzle velocity of +/- 1,000 fps .... note : the Unique powder was from a can purchased in November of 1997 Loaded 5 rounds with 6.2 gr --- average Muzzle Velocity 772 fps --- nice to shoot, no recoil, but way to weak
Loaded 6 rounds with 7.0 gr --- average Muzzle Velocity 849 fps --- much stronger load, light recoil
Loaded 6 rounds with 7.5 gr --- average Muzzle Velocity 899 fps --- noticeable louder bark, bit more but still light recoil
Loaded 6 rounds with 7.7 gr --- average Muzzle Velocity 919 fps --- no detectable difference in bark, couldn't tell any difference in recoil
for the next load switched to Unique that was purchased late last year
Loaded 12 rounds with 7.7 gr --- average Muzzle Velocity 947 fps --- again, no detectable difference in bark, couldn't tell any difference in recoil ....it is comfortable to fire .... fired 6 through our chrony ... light rain as I put up a paper target at 20 yards .... I didn't care where the bullets hit because the red dot on our Redhawk is sighted in for hunting load with a 75 yard zero .... what I was interested in was how they would group .... first shot did not hit paper so I raised my point of aim, second shot still not on paper .... lowered point of aim, impact at the single hole on the bottom left .... took my time and fired my remaining 3 rounds .... I believe the resulting group is one I can work with .... per a Ballistics program, -0.6"at 10 yards will zero @ 25 yards, -1.1" @ 50 yards, -4.8" @ 75 yards, -11.7" @ 100 yards .... as noted this is going to be a range load and I project the vast majority of my shooting will be at 50 or less yards
