I just bought a used .357 new model blackhawk with a 6 1/2" barrel. I have never owned a centerfire revolver before, (or auto). can anyone recommend a good bullet? I shot some some .......38 specials out of it, some .357 125 gr. jsp. shot some .357 110 jhp. the .38 specials shot high and not a real good group, recoil very managable, the .357 125 gr.jsp shot a nice group, recoil was harsh (for me) noticed flame from the cyl. the 110 gr. jhp shot a fair group and recoil was less than the 125 gr. jsp. I have read that shooting a 110 bullet will eventually harm the gun, is this true? this was all Winchester ammo. I have only had this gun a week, the first range session I shot .38s followed by .357s, took a while to get the cyl. clean from the .38s (not a big deal) today I shot only .357s, cyl. cleaned up nice, no fouling ring in the cyl. I think I want shoot mainley .357s out of this gun, just trying to find a round that will not harm the gun, or me. any advice for a 52 year old beginner? thanks, chuck-ia
best round for a .357 blackhawk?
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Mooseman
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I think that regardless of the factory ammo you shoot out of that thing it should still outlast you. I wouldn't worry so much. Try a couple of different brands and shoot whichever you like best or is cheapest.
No factory load can harm your Blackhawk, it's one of the most strongly constructed revolvers you can buy.
While shooting .38 specials may be worthwhile from a fun/economy point of view, you'll get the most out of your revolver with 158-180 grain bullets in .357 Magnum. In that way you'll realize the full potential of the caliber. Light bullet loads tend to erode the forcing cone and frame nearby, while heavier bullets do not have such a severe effect. You'll never wear out that Blackhawk, whatever ammunition you choose to use in it. Consider handloading. The .357 has some great lead bullet styles available that make shooting your gun very inexpensive. Enjoy.
While shooting .38 specials may be worthwhile from a fun/economy point of view, you'll get the most out of your revolver with 158-180 grain bullets in .357 Magnum. In that way you'll realize the full potential of the caliber. Light bullet loads tend to erode the forcing cone and frame nearby, while heavier bullets do not have such a severe effect. You'll never wear out that Blackhawk, whatever ammunition you choose to use in it. Consider handloading. The .357 has some great lead bullet styles available that make shooting your gun very inexpensive. Enjoy.
wrc
Member
As heavy as you want to be.
True, that.
I second the sentiment that you deal mainly with 158gr+ loads. The traditional 125gr .357 is good for self defense against humans. If you get the Ruger sighted for "common" 158gr, 125gr will be more than close enough for self-defense, and you'll be able to load or buy 158gr loads that will have a blunter recoil profile for target shooting, hunting, whatever.
True, that.
I second the sentiment that you deal mainly with 158gr+ loads. The traditional 125gr .357 is good for self defense against humans. If you get the Ruger sighted for "common" 158gr, 125gr will be more than close enough for self-defense, and you'll be able to load or buy 158gr loads that will have a blunter recoil profile for target shooting, hunting, whatever.
Jim March
Member
Just to clarify: this gun is a 357Mag built on a 44Mag frame. It is unbelievably strong, borderline "unkillable" - not quite, a double charge full house 357 load or worse can still break it but this gun is WELL known as able to survive monumentally stupid handloading bloopers.
It really is a good gun to learn handloading with for this reason, esp. if you use a moderately slow-burn or otherwise "bulky" powder that just can't fit a double charge in a 357 case. It's among the safest beginning handloader test platforms out there. Once you handload you can adjust power levels to exactly what you want, which need not be very wild unless you want to hunt fairly large deer or boar or something...
One key issue here is "52 year old beginner" - do you have any issues with wrist strength, arthritis, etc? It's not at all impossible this gun will shoot more potent loads than you want to deal with.
There are a few "357Magnum" factory loads out there that are milder than most, esp. when we're talking about self defense ammo. The Cor-Bon "DPX" 125gr is one, and Speer makes a 135gr "357" marked "for short barrels" that is very mellow. Remington has the Golden Saber 125gr, same concept. They were meant to be controllable in the new-age small snubby 357s and in a gun like yours won't do much more recoil than 38+Ps.
I believe there are also some 158gr loads running about 1,200fps that will also feel pretty good in that gun...Speer's 158gr "Gold Dot" in 357 is one. The factory Hornadys are a bit more high-steppin.
It really is a good gun to learn handloading with for this reason, esp. if you use a moderately slow-burn or otherwise "bulky" powder that just can't fit a double charge in a 357 case. It's among the safest beginning handloader test platforms out there. Once you handload you can adjust power levels to exactly what you want, which need not be very wild unless you want to hunt fairly large deer or boar or something...
One key issue here is "52 year old beginner" - do you have any issues with wrist strength, arthritis, etc? It's not at all impossible this gun will shoot more potent loads than you want to deal with.
There are a few "357Magnum" factory loads out there that are milder than most, esp. when we're talking about self defense ammo. The Cor-Bon "DPX" 125gr is one, and Speer makes a 135gr "357" marked "for short barrels" that is very mellow. Remington has the Golden Saber 125gr, same concept. They were meant to be controllable in the new-age small snubby 357s and in a gun like yours won't do much more recoil than 38+Ps.
I believe there are also some 158gr loads running about 1,200fps that will also feel pretty good in that gun...Speer's 158gr "Gold Dot" in 357 is one. The factory Hornadys are a bit more high-steppin.
thanks for all the replys, right now I am not really interested in reloading as my main interest is shooting flintlocks, and that keeps me pretty busy, casting balls, cutting patch material and such. for now I want to find an accurate, mild recoil, load for it. I will have to try and find some 158 gr. rounds and try. I will probably not shoot this gun a whole lot, maybe take it to the range once in a while and put a few cyls. through it when I am done shooting the flintlock for the day. I must say though, this thing is fun to shoot. loads faster than my cap and ball revolvers too. I have only shot it at 25 yards and am impressed with the accuracy, I think with a little practice I could hit a pop can most of the time, this may not sound like much to you guys, but I will be happy with that kind of accuracy at 25 yards offhand. like I said, I am just a beginner. getting a bit of razzing from friends about buying a modern gun, a guy was at the range with his boys shooting .22s today, come walking over, looked at the gun and said never thought I'd see the day. it is all in fun ofcourse. thanks for all your help. chuck-ia
Jim March
Member
Cool.
One more tip: your gun has adjustable sights, which is great. There's an odd thing about bullet weights and elevation in handguns: as a rule of thumb, all rounds of a given weight will tend to print to the same elevation regardless of power level.
There's exceptions, for sure! But generally if you've dialed your sights in with, say, 158gr 38spl, and then shoot 158gr 357, despite the difference in power the sights will be dead on for both with no adjustment in between.
My gun is a fixed-sight 357 with custom sights that I've dialed in for 135gr loads. First, I like one of the slugs available in that weight...two, it's not going to be very far off for 125s and three, it'll be usable with 158s.
One more tip: your gun has adjustable sights, which is great. There's an odd thing about bullet weights and elevation in handguns: as a rule of thumb, all rounds of a given weight will tend to print to the same elevation regardless of power level.
There's exceptions, for sure! But generally if you've dialed your sights in with, say, 158gr 38spl, and then shoot 158gr 357, despite the difference in power the sights will be dead on for both with no adjustment in between.
My gun is a fixed-sight 357 with custom sights that I've dialed in for 135gr loads. First, I like one of the slugs available in that weight...two, it's not going to be very far off for 125s and three, it'll be usable with 158s.
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