Is it possible to get a 300gr. Out of a 44 to not kick that bad? forgive my newness but why do people always say heavy bullets recoil hard? I understand they need more powder to reach good speed but seems like a heavy slug even moving at slow speed would pack a punch. Basically I need a load recipe for my 4" redhawk and some 300gr. Cast fn bullets. They will be loaded for whatever comes by but mainly for medium to small fersl hogs....50 to 150#.....plus they look cool:)

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Heavier going out = heavier going back. You can load your magnum to special levels safely but I wouldn't suggest going any less. Whoever supplies you with the slugs should also provide the data.

well looks like i can go with an 8.3gr. load of Unique and that will get me in the mid 900s. and using a recoil calculator it says i should get around 11 pounds of recoil.....not sure if thats good or bad?

pop-gun

a full house 475 is over 40lbs of free recoil energy so that is definitely mild.

Yep. You should be able to shoot that one in your sleep. The .475 is a whole different level of abuse. I plugged my .50 Alaskan revolver into a recoil calculator and it generates 94 ft-lbs of free recoil energy -- no wonder it's no fun to shoot -- LOL!!

94? I'm hunting with my 475 this AM and the thought of over double the recoil just made me cringe!!! No thanks!

I know. This is why I don't shoot it much as it's just too much. It is a good revolver to start any shooting session with as after a few shots of .50 Alaskan, everything else feels like a maiden's caress.

The way we percieve recoil is diffirent for each person. You may find you'd prefer the recoil of that 300 grain at around 1000 fps to something like a 200 grain at 1500.

For medium to small feral hogs out of a 4" gun, why not go with a somewhat lighter WFN bullet at higher velocity?

Beartooth Bullets has a 250gr WFNGC that looks like just the ticket if you are hot looking for Hogzilla or sending them 100 yards downrange.



Don't get me wrong, I love heavy for caliber bullets and they all seem to shoot best out of my guns, however unless you are a very good shot, a 4" Redhawk is probably a 40 yard gun, max.

A 250gr WFNGC into a 150# hog at a decent velocity will go thru and thru....the long way.

thanks for the info redline! i have some 250gr. keith bullets coming in today....i'll have to load some up. where i hunt hogs my average shot is 25yrds so i just have to try one of the 300grainers:)

Recoil energy can be quantified but it's effect comes down to the individual pulling the trigger. Some people just handle recoil better than others. You can condition yourself to heavy recoil as long as it doesn't hurt too bad. There are a handful of guns that I just have no desire to shoot.

just for fun I punched in some more numbers to put things in perspective, the 475 with a 400gr bullet going 1350 which is the Hornady factory load is 43 ft lbs of recoil, my 458 Encore with the 350gr speer going 2400fps is 106 ft lbs of free recoil energy. I knew it was stiff because even with the muzzle brake I eased up on my grip the other day and it went vertical on recoil and I almost had a scope turret imbedded in my forehead.

The 300gr bullets will be stiff in the recoil department (relative to a more moderate load with a 250gr pill, but not even on the chart with respect to the hand cannons some of our more distinguished members here are shooting)

I can't even fathom 106 ft-lbs of free recoil energy.
I am pretty sure I would have had the imprint of the elevation turret in my forehead

Shooting my 460 Smith and Wesson barrel in my Encore is like being sent to the Principal's office. Would a muzzle brake help significantly? Any imput would be appreciated!

Absolutely, a good one will.

I need to add that to my "to do" list. Thanks! Any suggestions on a good one?

The brake will help with recoil but will make the gun SIGNIFICANTLY LOUDER

Not that shooting a 460 without good hearing protection is something that you would do anyway.

Dang thing has gotta already be TOO LOUD to shoot naked, so what's a little more noise among friends ;-)

Member wapitirod can help you out in the brake install department.

I install Shrewd brakes, they are one of the most reasonably priced but after using several different types including some expensive ones i've settled on them. I use them on my own stuff as well as my customers guns.

Rod, when I get some extra cash I think I'll be sending the barrel your way. Thanks.

sounds like a plan!

No, heavy boolits use LESS powder. They will also have LESS velocity then lighter bullets/boolits.
Recoil can be heavy but not as sharp. I shoot 330 gr boolits from my .44 and they are not bad at all. I use 300 to 347 gr from my .45 Vaquero. None are like the larger calibers like the .475,.500 calibers or the silly extra large calibers.
Your problem is the short barrel. WHY? You are hunting, why such a short barrel? It is so hard to explain that a short barrel needs to be shot FASTER for accuracy and stability but it just can't be reached because the proper powder will not all burn.
That puts you into a faster powder, boolit damage from a faster pressure rise and MORE recoil. Add to a lighter gun and they will beat you silly.
Many stupid things go on, a 2" .500 S&W, 4" 45-70, short .480's and on and on. A rifle that needs a 28" barrel with a caliber must work with a 2" revolver barrel?????
Many will say they work fine but use your head. A much smaller case will equal or exceed velocities in short barrels because the powder capacity can't be used with large brass.
I will never, ever understand the short barrel stuff even as calibers get larger, it does not work.

Well I got some loaded with 8 grs. Of unique! Only got to shoot 6 rounds..a joy to shoot and grouping very well....other than shooting high

Excellent! Keep us posted!

I surely will...thanks for all the help guys! This forum is awesome and everyone is always so quick to help.

That is the best way. A faster powder so it burns. Unique is a good one.
The problem with short barrels will show up with slow ball powders, much will burn out front.
I have no problems with short barrels when the caliber can be handled. It is when the caliber and size of the brass is out of balance. Even 2" more helps but I stay with 7-1/2" for the large calibers and some need 10" like the 45-70. Just finding the powder that worked was a huge chore.
The huge case can not be utilized and a faster powder must be used.
To see a .480 or a .500 with a 2" barrel has to drive a guy nuts and to cut a 45-70 revolver to 5-1/2" is the same.
It is like a rifle in, say a .300 mag, it works best with 26" and even 28" is not out of line but to put it in an 18" barrel gives no advantage over a .308.