I have a new Ruger Super Redhawk in 454 Casull which is giving me fits in the velocity department. I am unable to come within 400 fps of the max loads listed in 4 different manuals, and have tried H110, Lil'gun, 2400, 4227, AA1680, Longshot, Blue Dot and Green Dot. Bullets are Freedom arms 260 and 300, along with 230 XTPs. Primers are Win SR and SP, and even Win SP Mags.
Careful attention to COL has been given for all loads. The 7.5 inch bbl mikes .45125 for the last inch at the muzzle end, but has not been slugged. The cylinder gap is .060.
Here are a few velocities (Chrono checks out with 22 ammo):
FA 260 gr bullets
H110 37.0 gr 1390 fps
2400 27.0 grs 1283 fps
Lil'gun 35.5 grs 1562 fps
AA1680 38.5 grs 1163 fps
Similar results occur with the other bullets, with no signs of excess pressure at Max. The Speer Manual, # 13 holds a Freedom Arms 7.5 inch bbl to 45,000 CUP to keep the speer bullets intact, (Max 454 psi is 65,000)and beats all of my loads by 200 fps or more.
As a pressure comparison, I used Hodgdons 2002 data on the 454 for Longshot powder and the 260 gr Speer bullet. They achieved 1443 fps at 36,600 CUP and it took 15.0 grs of Longshot. I reached 1481 fps at 20.0 grs!
Is it possible that this bbl needs to be slugged? Knowing Ruger, this is not likely the problem.
If the bbl is over spec, can I send it to Ruger? It functions flawlessly, and is accurate. But any gun that is performing this far out of spec is not something a handloader wants to fool with forever.
Any advice Please?
Careful attention to COL has been given for all loads. The 7.5 inch bbl mikes .45125 for the last inch at the muzzle end, but has not been slugged. The cylinder gap is .060.
Here are a few velocities (Chrono checks out with 22 ammo):
FA 260 gr bullets
H110 37.0 gr 1390 fps
2400 27.0 grs 1283 fps
Lil'gun 35.5 grs 1562 fps
AA1680 38.5 grs 1163 fps
Similar results occur with the other bullets, with no signs of excess pressure at Max. The Speer Manual, # 13 holds a Freedom Arms 7.5 inch bbl to 45,000 CUP to keep the speer bullets intact, (Max 454 psi is 65,000)and beats all of my loads by 200 fps or more.
As a pressure comparison, I used Hodgdons 2002 data on the 454 for Longshot powder and the 260 gr Speer bullet. They achieved 1443 fps at 36,600 CUP and it took 15.0 grs of Longshot. I reached 1481 fps at 20.0 grs!
Is it possible that this bbl needs to be slugged? Knowing Ruger, this is not likely the problem.
If the bbl is over spec, can I send it to Ruger? It functions flawlessly, and is accurate. But any gun that is performing this far out of spec is not something a handloader wants to fool with forever.
Any advice Please?