I am thinking of buying a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 to shoot .38 and .357. I used to own a 4 5/8 Vaquero in .45 Colt, and recoil with std. loads was fine. I'm just wondering how the similarly sized Blackhawk in .357 would compare recoil-wise to the 45 Colt when shooting .357 loads (I assume .38 loads would be very mild)?
45 Colt vs. 357 recoil in Blackhawk?
- Thread starter ilmonster
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Dain Bramage
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I have two anniversary flattops, in .357 and .44 mag. This is as close as I can come to your scenario.
Shooting .44 special-strength loads in the bigger sibling are like a walk in the park. Even more so with .38 specials in the smaller one.
Medium factory .357 loads are sharper than both of the above, but not uncomfortable. Flash and noise are also greater. I can endure a box without my shooting gloves, but I have to break them out for any .44 mags.
My XR3 grips are the smallest of the Blackhawk bunch. Any XR3-Reds and larger will be more comfortable.
Shooting .44 special-strength loads in the bigger sibling are like a walk in the park. Even more so with .38 specials in the smaller one.
Medium factory .357 loads are sharper than both of the above, but not uncomfortable. Flash and noise are also greater. I can endure a box without my shooting gloves, but I have to break them out for any .44 mags.
My XR3 grips are the smallest of the Blackhawk bunch. Any XR3-Reds and larger will be more comfortable.
Had my 50th .357 out today, and with .357/125s it's a pussycat. But it's a pretty chunky little gun with a lot of steel in it.
I shoot a NM Convertible .45 in LC with 250 Keiths and 8.5 Unique a fair amount, and it has noticeably more recoil than the above gun, or so it seems to me. Not excessive, but quite a lot more rise to it.
My New Vaq with the same load is brisker as it has the old style smaller grips and smaller frame. So, yes, I notice it.
All these are 4 5/8" guns. Each has its own charm.
I shoot a NM Convertible .45 in LC with 250 Keiths and 8.5 Unique a fair amount, and it has noticeably more recoil than the above gun, or so it seems to me. Not excessive, but quite a lot more rise to it.
My New Vaq with the same load is brisker as it has the old style smaller grips and smaller frame. So, yes, I notice it.
All these are 4 5/8" guns. Each has its own charm.
MCgunner
Member
I own a blackhawk for both calibers. All depends on the load. I have a load for the .45 that pushes a 300 grain bullet to near 1200 fps out of a 4 5/8" barrel. That one is more akin to a .44 mag than a .357, but the blackhawk just rolls in the hand, really handles recoil well. The .357 is very light recoil in such a large gun. 6.5" barrel on the 357 is the only difference, and blued instead of stainless, which means the .357 has the lighter aluminum grip frame. So, consider weight equal. With a lighter 255 grain cast bullet at 900 fps, the .45 is a pussycat.
I don't think either gun is hard to control regardless the load, frankly. That's why I love single actions for heavy calibers. My hottest load for .357 pushes a 180 grain bullet to just over 1400 fps. It isn't bad out of the blackhawk, hurts out of an SP101. It's a wimp load compared to that hot .45, though.
I don't think either gun is hard to control regardless the load, frankly. That's why I love single actions for heavy calibers. My hottest load for .357 pushes a 180 grain bullet to just over 1400 fps. It isn't bad out of the blackhawk, hurts out of an SP101.
It's a wimp load compared to that hot .45, though.- Status
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