[B_Scott]

I was shooting my future father-in-law's .44 magnum the other day and found out that I have a problem with technique. I was hoping some of ya'll could help me out. Here was the deal:

When shooting 44 special I hit poa consistently.
When shooting the magnum loads the bullets were going high left - About 4 inches high and 4 inches left at 25 yards.

The gun is a Ruger with an 8" bbl (or close to it).
I shot it using an isosceles stance, but I usually shoot my gun (glock 27) in a weaver or modern iso.

I am not sure if any of that matters.
My thoughts:
The recoil was pushing it up and to the left because I wasn't able to control it with the magnum rounds.

I know I need more practice, but I don't want to practice doing something wrong.

Oh - and I know that I do not have a flinch because I used snap caps to determine that.

Any & All tips are welcome.

[Old Fuff]

Because of your reference to an “8-inch barrel” I presume the revolver in question may be a Super Blackhawk. If so, I think your problem is caused by the traditional Colt “plow handle” grip that is designed to let the gun roll up during recoil to better position the thumb to re-cock the piece. Ruger’s Bisley style grip is much better at controlling heavy recoil, and if the gun is a New Model” you might consider changing the backstrap/triggerguard assembly to make a custom “Bisley-Super Blackhawk. Brownells sells a kit too do this.

[Keith]

Try shooting from a Weaver position. The isosceles is less suitable for heavy handgun rounds because (as you demonstrate) it gives you less control over muzzle rise.

[B_Scott]

It is a super Blackhawk.
I can't alter the gun because it is not mine.
I do want one though.

Next time I will try the weaver. He lives in TN, so it might be a while till the next time I get to shoot it.

[owen]

Controlling muzzle rise has little to do with point of impact, and muscling a heavy recoil gun is a quick way to beat up by the recoil. (Lessons learned from about a dozen 4000 round sessions with a various revolvers, mainly 4" .44 mags) The name of the game is not recoil control, but recoil management.

I think you are riding the recoil. That is, instead of relaxing, and absorbing the recoil, you are helping the gun move, in an effort to not get hurt. The gun is twisting to the left, because you are either holding the gun too softly, or the grips are poor, and allowing the gun to slide around in your hand. Also, you may not have your hand behind the gun...do you have small hands?

Hold the gun hard enough to keep the grips from moving in your hand (that way lie big nasty blisters), but keep your arms relaxed enough to suck up the blow. Don't lock your elbows. The muzzle should ride straight up when you are shooting with two hands, but if it is off a little, don't worry about it, it won't have much to do with where the bullet hits.

owen

[Old Fuff]

If you should decide to buy your own revolver and want to stick to a Ruger single action style with a long barrel (7 1/2 inches) consider a Bisley Blackhawk. I think it will solve your problems.

Another possibility is a set of inexpensive rubber grips, such as those made by Pachmayer that cover the backstrap. You can switch these back and forth on the gun and the rubber tends to stick to the hand in a maner that helps control the "roll-up" factor in the plow handle grip.