The Mighty Beagle
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Just wondering how well yours shoots with the 9mm cylinder .... I realize it's not an ideal situation, but would the gun be capable of 2" - 3" at 20 yards?
9mm BLACKHAWK CONVERTIBLE ACCURACY?
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The Mighty Beagle
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C'mon, nobody has one?
Just hoping for some sample group sizes ... I don't think I'd want it if couldn't hit a paper plate. So prove me wrong somebody.
Just hoping for some sample group sizes ... I don't think I'd want it if couldn't hit a paper plate. So prove me wrong somebody.
I fire .357 mag 158 gr and normally 115gr 9mm in mine so the point of impact is lower and to the right with the 9mm. Off a bench rest at 25 Yards I normally get into the 2"- 3" range but I don't bother changing the sights and just use Kentucy windage for the 9mm adjustments. Like any handgun you have to try different ammo to get the best results. Don't use Wolf. The steel cases are a royal pain in you know where to unload. I'll be taking mine to the range on Saturday and try it out with 115gr, match 115gr, 124gr, and 147gr.
I haven't had my 6.5 inch convertible very long and certainly have done no "formal" testing but I have been very impressed with the 9mm accuracy of mine just plinking around. It seems as or (gasp) even more accurate with the 9mm cylinder as with the .357...(which is pretty accurate, indeed, by the way). YMMV. I love mine. Wish they were also offered in stainless.
The Mighty Beagle
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Thanks guys, I really appreciate your input.
I know some folks like to shoot Wolf ammo, but I don't care for the hassle of mail order so I'd just be sticking with good 'ole Winchester white box ammo I can obtain easily (and without paying shipping) at Wal-mart. It's not the greatest stuff but is reasonably accurate and I'm pretty sure it won't tear up my pistols.
If I wasn't so lazy, we wouldn't even be having this conversation, but I just can't get too thrilled about reloading .38's for plinking when I can buy 9mm's so cheaply. The only thing that has stopped me from ordering the 9mm Blackhawk so far is that the last five Rugers I've had, both rifles and handguns, have been big disappointments in the accuracy department. Just don't want to get burned again an another gun with out-of-spec cylinder throats ...
I know some folks like to shoot Wolf ammo, but I don't care for the hassle of mail order so I'd just be sticking with good 'ole Winchester white box ammo I can obtain easily (and without paying shipping) at Wal-mart. It's not the greatest stuff but is reasonably accurate and I'm pretty sure it won't tear up my pistols.
If I wasn't so lazy, we wouldn't even be having this conversation, but I just can't get too thrilled about reloading .38's for plinking when I can buy 9mm's so cheaply. The only thing that has stopped me from ordering the 9mm Blackhawk so far is that the last five Rugers I've had, both rifles and handguns, have been big disappointments in the accuracy department. Just don't want to get burned again an another gun with out-of-spec cylinder throats ...
The Mighty Beagle
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Forgot to ask, 6.5" or 4 5/8" barrel?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Freightman
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Well I had a 1000 9mm bullets and was wondering about loading them in my GP100, so I sluged my barrel it was .356 the bullets were .356 also so I intend to load the bullets in the 357 GP100.
slugging the brl is the only way to know what the bore is, I have found several bores to be a tad different than the norm.
slugging the brl is the only way to know what the bore is, I have found several bores to be a tad different than the norm.
At present my only .357 Blackhawk is an old model. However If I was to buy a new model I would go for the extra 9mm cylinder, not because I intended to shoot the Parabellum round but rather the number of interesting wildcats it might be chambered into. I could also use it if I wanted to get a larger caliber line bored.
Bill Adair
Member
I've been playing around with a 9mm cylinder in my New Model Blackhawk, with 6.5" barrel, and Tasco 2X20 scope. This is not a convertible, as I picked up the extra cylinder from a fellow on the Ruger forum.
The Blackhawk is superbly accurate with .357 HBWC loads (sub one inch groups at fifty feet), but is very selective about 9mm loads.
Hornady 9mm, 100gr FMJ (not XTP) bullets loaded to 1300 to 1400 fps, will shoot one inch groups for me at fifty feet, while lead bullets shoot groups at least double that size, and often 3" or larger.
These Hornady bullets are no longer made, but can be found at gun shows, so I'm collecting all I can find. They have exposed lead at the base, measure .356" diameter (which may explain why they shoot so well while other 9mm bullets do not), and have a semi-hollow base.
A true convertible may be more accurate, but mine is certainly acceptable for plinking with standard 9mm ammo, and has been very accurate with the special reloads mentioned above.
Bill
The Blackhawk is superbly accurate with .357 HBWC loads (sub one inch groups at fifty feet), but is very selective about 9mm loads.
Hornady 9mm, 100gr FMJ (not XTP) bullets loaded to 1300 to 1400 fps, will shoot one inch groups for me at fifty feet, while lead bullets shoot groups at least double that size, and often 3" or larger.
These Hornady bullets are no longer made, but can be found at gun shows, so I'm collecting all I can find. They have exposed lead at the base, measure .356" diameter (which may explain why they shoot so well while other 9mm bullets do not), and have a semi-hollow base.
A true convertible may be more accurate, but mine is certainly acceptable for plinking with standard 9mm ammo, and has been very accurate with the special reloads mentioned above.
Bill
The Mighty Beagle
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Thanks for the good info fellas, sounds like I need to keep an eye out for a convertible.
jjohnson
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Will try it...
Gents, I just received today a 9mm cylinder for my New Model Blackhawk .357
(EBay, about $40) so I'll be testing it soon and will put my results here if you guys are interested.
Gents, I just received today a 9mm cylinder for my New Model Blackhawk .357
(EBay, about $40) so I'll be testing it soon and will put my results here if you guys are interested.
Merc41
Member
I also own the 357/9mm convertible Ruger Blackhawk. I haven't fired mine yet, as I have been procrastinating.
I find it interesting that the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook lists both their #358242 and #358345 bullet molds for the 9mm and 38 special.
I am very interested in whether these loads will work equally well in either the 38 or 9mm. Also, want to point out that both bullets are for the .357 magnum also. I have both molds, (bought them both off of ebay a few months ago at a great price), but have as yet not cast any bullets from them, nor loaded any loads.
If anyone has tried either of these bullets with the 357 Blackhawk Combination Revolver, I would be very interested in your findings.
When I get a chance to make some bullets, load them up, and give them a test I will post my results here. But, unfortunately, it will probably be a while.
I find it interesting that the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook lists both their #358242 and #358345 bullet molds for the 9mm and 38 special.
I am very interested in whether these loads will work equally well in either the 38 or 9mm. Also, want to point out that both bullets are for the .357 magnum also. I have both molds, (bought them both off of ebay a few months ago at a great price), but have as yet not cast any bullets from them, nor loaded any loads.
If anyone has tried either of these bullets with the 357 Blackhawk Combination Revolver, I would be very interested in your findings.
When I get a chance to make some bullets, load them up, and give them a test I will post my results here. But, unfortunately, it will probably be a while.
My 4 5/8 is a bit less accurate with 9mm than with 357, but still in the 2-3" range.
One good thing about having a 9mm cylinder is that if you reload, you can shoot them in the revolver first and see if they do any kind of sticking. You can't do that with a auto. If they stick in an auto, you've goofed it real bad.
One thing to consider is that Ruger matches both cylinders to the gun. If you buy a convertible, the cylinder MUST have the last three number of yout gun inscibed in the face, or the manual says you should return it. So if you buy a cylinder on ebay, don't be surprised if it does not work as expected. If you want a convertible, buy one straight away. I didn't see much sense in buying my blackhawk and not having the 9mm cylinder. Only just for first showing your shooting buddies your 'new' 9mm reloads with 158 grs. lead SWC's sticking out of little 9mm cases, and then actually shooting those.
One good thing about having a 9mm cylinder is that if you reload, you can shoot them in the revolver first and see if they do any kind of sticking. You can't do that with a auto. If they stick in an auto, you've goofed it real bad.
One thing to consider is that Ruger matches both cylinders to the gun. If you buy a convertible, the cylinder MUST have the last three number of yout gun inscibed in the face, or the manual says you should return it. So if you buy a cylinder on ebay, don't be surprised if it does not work as expected. If you want a convertible, buy one straight away. I didn't see much sense in buying my blackhawk and not having the 9mm cylinder. Only just for first showing your shooting buddies your 'new' 9mm reloads with 158 grs. lead SWC's sticking out of little 9mm cases, and then actually shooting those.
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