I have a 5 ½” Redhawk and a 5” (custom) Model 57. They have very different load preferences.
Out-of-the-book loads, that produce normal pressures in the Redhawk, have to be pounded out of the S&W cylinder. In addition the S&W is very sensitive to the brand of brass used. An often-used load (#410459 – 18gn 2400) that I consider to be maximum in Remington cases must be reduced to 16.2gn in Winchester cases to avoid sticky extraction.
After comparing various primers I use Federal 150s exclusively. Other brands have produced greater velocity variation. Magnum primers, even with slow-burning powders, have produced greater velocity variation but no greater velocity than Federal 150s.
Favorite loads in the S&W (Remington cases only):
170 Sierra –16.0 gn Blue Dot or 12.0 gn SR 4756 (the 4756 load groups with 175 Silvertip factory load)
210 Sierra or Speer Gold Dot – 17.5 gn 2400
#410459 – 9.5 gn CFE Pistol or 18.0 gn 2400
265 True Shot – 14.6 gn #9 (1040fps) or 19.5 gn #11FS (1110fps)
Favorites in the Redhawk (Winchester cases):
All of these loads, though not over published maximums, caused cases to stick in the cylinder of the S&W.
210 Gold Dot – 18.0 gn 2400
#410459 – 19.0 gn 2400 (shares 25 yd groups with 175 Win. Silvertip factory load)
265 True Shot – 8.5 gn CFE Pistol (1040fps) or 15.0 gn 2400 (1150fps)
Experiments are ongoing with Accurate #11FS hoping for a low-flash and clean-burning substitute for 2400. H110/296, in my subjective opinion, gives excessive muzzle blast, flash and recoil.
