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Handloader Super Member


Joined: Aug 22, 2005 Posts: 1032 Location: Phoenix, Arizona
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Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:56 pm Post subject: Ruger's Blackhawk |
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Most handgunners will own one or more Blackhawks as they represent one of the best dollar values in revolvers. Ever. They are overbuilt, reliable and well made. Used samples can be had at bargain prices.
My personal vow not to acquire any firearms for awhile crumbled when I was offered a Blackhawk 41 Mag, 1977 model, 4 5/8" in trade for an old BMW motorcycle rim that had been cluttering the shop for over a decade. He smiled, I smiled and the trade was made. The gun was thoroughly cleaned, inspected and deemed ready for the range.
I have two other 41 magnums, so, some Pet Loads were brewed for the newest Blackhawk. Shooting it was surprising. The accuracy exceeded my expectations with 10 shot groups @ 25yds measuring between .90" and 1.5", jacketed, and 1.75" to 2.25" cast. Velocities ranged from 1,276 fps with 210 XTPs to 822 fps, cast 215gr. A little sight adjustment allowed me to plink Coke cans (of course I cleaned them up!) regularly at 75 yards and with regularity at 100yds. Now, that may be standard stuff for some of you, but, is better than normal for me.
I really like this revolver. But, that's no surprise. It's a Ruger.
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Pumpkinslinger Super Member


Joined: Sep 22, 2007 Posts: 5052 Location: NC foothills
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 12:13 am Post subject: Re: Ruger's Blackhawk |
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I've been a long time fan of Rugers. The best group I've ever shot with a handgun was accomplished with a Ruger Mk II .22. I've got single and double action revolvers and recently got the new SR9 auto. Sounds like you've got a pretty good shooter there too!
_________________ Mike
"I ain't no better than anybody else, and there ain't nobody better than me!" Ma Kettle |
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Vince Site Admin


Joined: May 25, 2005 Posts: 15929 Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 12:19 am Post subject: Re: Ruger's Blackhawk |
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BUT ITS STILL A DAMN RUGER !!!!!!!!!
Sorry guys, but I have a real aversion to handguns called Ruger. Comes from shooting Pistol competition for too many years with a guy who shot a Ruger and told everyone else 15 times every hour how much better they were than anything else ever made.....and of course everything else ever made was absolute rubbish so "why do you choose to shoot a rubbish gun".
Cheers, Vince
_________________ Cheers, Vince 
Illegitimi non carborundum
(Never let the bastards grind you down)
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
"Nulla Si Fa Senza Volonta."
(Without Commitment, Nothing Gets Done) |
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Pumpkinslinger Super Member


Joined: Sep 22, 2007 Posts: 5052 Location: NC foothills
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SingleShotLover Super Member


Joined: Dec 26, 2007 Posts: 1006 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:54 am Post subject: Re: Ruger's Blackhawk |
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Congrats on the new arrival, Handloader! I haven't messed with a .41 of my own for more years than I care to admit but the ones I once had were better shooters than the caliber was given credit to be. I think there is just a bias against .41 calibers.
I agree that Rugers are stout, well made guns with a huge margin of safety (not to be regarded as a recommendation to over-load them) and, with few exceptions, all of the ones I have owned over the years have been accurate.
Good luck and keep us posted as to your progress.
_________________ If you can't hit it with one, you probably can't with two either!
The biggest problem with a closed mind is that it never seems to come with a closed mouth.
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Deleted_User_2665 Super Member


Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 380
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:17 am Post subject: Re: Ruger's Blackhawk |
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I built my Blackhawk before Ruger came out with the steel grip frame for them. At that time they were only offered in aluminum with the Super Blackhawks having the steel frame with the squared trigger guard....
Had no use for an aluminum frame nor for a squared trigger guard so I ordered a Super Blackhawk frame, cut bent and welded the square out of the trigger guard and added 1/8 inch of dimension to the front of the frame and shaved 1/8 inch from the back...to match the profile of the Black Hawk as the Super was different there as well.....
Had the 7 5/8 inch barrel lopped off to 5 inches, Red Hawk "hunter" sights installed, the trigger worked over, installed a set of pachmeyer grips, loaded up some hot, hot, Hot 250 grain XTP's, made a nice left hip holster from thick cow hide, and have been in .45 Long Colt ++P bliss ever since..........
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chambered221 Super Member


Joined: Aug 17, 2007 Posts: 3455 Location: Lost for good !!!
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ElyBoy Super Member


Joined: Apr 04, 2006 Posts: 1541 Location: Forest Lake Minnesota
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:00 pm Post subject: Re: Ruger's Blackhawk |
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Hey Handloader,
I just picked up a Ruger Blackhawk .41Mag with a 4 5/8" barrel from a shooting buddy last month.
It is the New Model Blackhawk, in perfect shape.
The only thing that I did with it, is sanded and put a dark, hand rubbed finish on the grips.
I came up with some very accurate loads also using 20gr of H110 powder, and 200gr JHP bullets for the range.
Jeff Quinn gave me a great formula for deer, using 210gr Hornady HP/XTP bullets, and I settled on 21.3gr of H110.
Like you, I was surprised at the fine accuracy of this pistol.
Congratulations.
Eric
_________________ NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer
NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
DNR Certified Firearms Safety Instructor
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Gil Martin Super Member


Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 1843 Location: Schnecksville, PA
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:01 pm Post subject: Re: Ruger's Blackhawk |
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I have a few Rugers and cosider them utilitarian handguns. They are functional and tough, but not up to the fit and finish of a Smith & Wesson or Colt. I liked Rugers better before the silly transfer bar was installed and ruined a good gun. Just the idle thoughts of an idle fellow. All the best...
Gil
_________________ Gil |
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ElyBoy Super Member


Joined: Apr 04, 2006 Posts: 1541 Location: Forest Lake Minnesota
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:13 pm Post subject: Re: Ruger's Blackhawk |
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I will take Smith over Ruger also, but I really like the Old West look of the Blackhawk 4 5/8" barrel.
The only thing that I don't care for is that with magnum calibers, your hand slides up on the grips, and you have to readjust for the next shot.
I had a Super Blackhawk .44Mag that I sold because of this, along with the fact it was just too big and long to carry with comfort. The .41Mag pretty much does the same job as the .44Mag, unless you want to shoot 300gr bullets.
Eric
_________________ NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer
NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
DNR Certified Firearms Safety Instructor
NRA Life Member |
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Dimitri Super Member


Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5992
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:25 pm Post subject: Re: Ruger's Blackhawk |
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I wouldn't ever buy a (or accept one as a gift) S&W no matter how nice they are. They are back stabbers to their own customers by supporting Anti-Gun causes.
Dimitri
_________________ A thousand hills, but no birds in flight, ten thousand paths, with no people's tracks. A lonely boat, a straw-hatted old man, fishing alone in the cold river snow. |
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keetoowah Super Member


Joined: Mar 20, 2007 Posts: 691 Location: Deep in the mountains of Montana
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:33 pm Post subject: Re: Ruger's Blackhawk |
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sorry vince but i love my super blackhawk .44 mag ruger
carry it everywhere
should i remind you in a day or so.??? smiling
_________________ If you shoot at mimes, should you use a silencer? |
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hunterjoe21 Super Member


Joined: Mar 30, 2007 Posts: 1486 Location: Miles City, Montana
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:40 pm Post subject: Re: Ruger's Blackhawk |
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Sounds like the debate I have with the brother-in-law every time the 357's come out. He shoots one of them "crappy Smith's", and I have one of them "damn Rugers".
_________________ My 1911 is more effective than your 911. |
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Handloader Super Member


Joined: Aug 22, 2005 Posts: 1032 Location: Phoenix, Arizona
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:54 pm Post subject: Re: Ruger's Blackhawk |
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Dimitri wrote: |
I wouldn't ever buy a (or accept one as a gift) S&W no matter how nice they are. They are back stabbers to their own customers by supporting Anti-Gun causes.
Dimitri |
Hi Big D
Are you differentiating between the previous British owned S&W and the current ownership, American? Or, is there something that the current ownership has done to which you are referring?
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ElyBoy Super Member


Joined: Apr 04, 2006 Posts: 1541 Location: Forest Lake Minnesota
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