Blackhawk .357 purchase

[DavidB2]

Today I changed my mind for the um-tenth time on my next revolver. However, after handling an Outlaw and a couple of other Uberti pistols at the local gun store; I decided to get a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 with the 4 5/8 barrel. It was a great deal at $440.00; and I figure that it will be much more accurate than a fixed sight revolver. The Blackhawk was just better quality; and can shoot a greater variety of ammo.

I really wanted to get a .45 LC (and will in the future); but the cost and availability of .45 LC ammo is rediculous. If I find it at local stores; it is almost $45.00 to $50.00 a box; but most of the time; I can't find it. However, .357 is about $28.00 and .38 special is around $22.00-$24.00 and is available most places.

I am not looking to shoot hot loads in the .357 due to recoil on a short barrel pistol. What is the softest .357 round?

 

[hipoint]

Not sure if you are aware, but the ruger blackhawks can shoot much hotter rounds than most other revolvers and still be considered "safe" by reloading manual standards...

Good choice on the revolver though! I have the same in .41 magnum and by far prefer that barrel length to any other, it just feels right in my hands. 357 is so versatile, you have a TON of options there and due to its popularity in the cowboy action crowd, I'm sure there are plenty of maufacturers selling reduced power loads. I personally don't see why someone would want a reduced power .357 round, when a .38 special does just that. Maybe someone can tell me what that would be good for other than not putting the .38 special gunge in the cylinder to be cleaned out before a .357 will fit?

 

[cfullgraf]

What is the softest .357 round?

Probably 38 Special wadcutters.

 

[1911Tuner]

Not sure if you are aware, but the ruger blackhawks can shoot much hotter rounds than most other revolvers and still be considered "safe" by reloading manual standards.

Heard that very thing said one day at a gun shop, dang near verbatim. The guy who handled the revolver smithing looked at me and grinned. Told the guy if he didn't believe that a Blackhawk could be blown up, he just hadn't tried hard enough...stepped into the shop and brought out a New Model .357 Blackhawk that was as completely smithereened as any I've seen and still be recognizable as a gun.

 

[GRIZ22]

Most factory 357 loads today are loaded down from maximum pressures. A Blackhawk can handle these easily for a very long time. If you want a low recoil load just use 38s. Many warn you about building up a ring of crap in the cylinder from shooting 38s. The answer to this is just clean your revolver regularly and it never gets to build up. I've been shooting 38s in a lot of different 357s for about 40 years and have never built up any ring in the cylinder. But I clean them regularl.

 

[jakk280rem]

Softest shooting 357, and accurate too, is the Blazer 158gr jhp. the one with the aluminum case. but yeah, softer still is to just run 38s in it.

 

[bannockburn]

DavidB2

Great choice on the .357 Blackhawk, especially the way it looks and handles with the 4 5/8th" barrel.

 

[lumpylead]

You can't go wrong with a Ruger.

 

[dagger dog]

The 4.6" barrel is great in a high ride or pancake holster.

I can carry mine (45 Colt) cross draw Threepersons with a full size backpack with the hip belt under the holster.

Yes the 45 Colt is a great round but you have to reload.

If you want wild the 357 loaded with a heavy LSWC and a good dose of hot pistol powder is good for white tail, black bear.

If you want mild a 148 gr HBWC loaded to 38 S&W Special target load specs is like a mouse passing gas.

The 357 S&W Magnum in a 4 5/8" Blackhawk is very versatile combo and a great choice !

Now all you need is a lever action rifle-carbine in the same caliber

 

[jstein650]

"..I am not looking to shoot hot loads in the .357 due to recoil on a short barrel pistol.."

As Manfred Mann used to say -"but momma, that's where the fun is!"

 

[1911Tuner]

I am not looking to shoot hot loads in the .357 due to recoil on a short barrel pistol.

It's not the barrel length that counts so much as the weight/mass of the gun. The New Model Blackhawk is amply heavy enough to tame .357 recoil, even with the 4.62-inch barrel and full-throttle ammo.

What is worse with the shorter barrel is the report, the fireball, and the concussion that goes along with the slower powders typically used in hot .357 loads...which causes a sort of sensory overload and gives the perception of ferocious recoil. Using foam ear plugs along with muffs helps a lot.

You get a little more muzzle flip with a shorter barrel, but the Blackhawk's grip will let it roll up in your hand instead of punching it.

 

[Deer_Freak]

The 4.5" barrel doesn't get the best from any warm 357 load. I wouldn't waste my time or money loading ruger only loads for a gun with less than a 6" barrel. It takes 6" for the powder to burn and the gas to expand. Prvi Partisan ammo is pretty tame. Anything that is under 1000 fps with a 158 gr bullet is just a lot of noise.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/most_versatile_handgun.htm

 

[1911Tuner]

The 4.5" barrel doesn't get the best from any warm 357 load.

Don't tell my .357 Blackhawks that. My chronograph insists that 14.8 grains 2400 and a 160-grain cast SWC is breaking the 1400 fps mark.

I have two in .41 Magnum...one of each barrel length available...which is 4.62 and 6.5 inches. Firing the same top-end 2400/210 cast ammunition, there isn't more than 60 fps between'em.

I wouldn't waste my time or money loading ruger only loads for a gun with less than a 6" barrel.

There is no "Ruger Only" .357 Magnum data. Those are only listed in .45 Colt. A friend of mine has one with the 4.62 inch barrel, and his chronograph is showing 1150 fps with a 270-grain cast SWC...with Unique. He hasn't tried 2400 yet, but I predict that it'll top 1200. Not too shabby from a "Snub Nosed" Blackhawk.

 

[Salmoneye]

I wouldn't waste my time or money loading ruger only loads for a gun with less than a 6" barrel.

There is no such thing as 'Ruger Only' in .357...

.45 Colt is the only (handgun) caliber with such loads...All other calibers are SAAMI spec...

ADDING:

Note to self:

Read all posts before replying...I apologize to 1911Tuner...

 

[CSA 357]

you did good i bought a new black hawk 357 in 1979 it will out last me im sure i have a ss 45/8 in 45 colt thats a sweet shooter also they are strong and great guns if you like single action

 

[HOME DEPOT GEORGE]

For DAVIDB2 and anyone else who's interested I've got 250rds of 45colt reloads arriving friday for 119.00 + 17 shipping http://www.laxammo.com/ammunition/handgun-reloads/reloaded-45-long-colt-250-rds-with-ammo-can/22-472 and you can get 250rds of factory new for 139. I've been using the 9mm for a while and it's great.

 

[Bearhands]

I've got the 50th Anniversary Blackhawk (4 5/8, all steel frame) I was a bit shy of what the recoil might be like but it handles the hot stuff just fine! Plus, it's really accurate.

 

[DavidB2]

Ruger Blackhawk barrel length?

The local gun store received the .357 Blackhawk that I had ordered. However, I had them send it back because it did not have rosewood grips as advertised. Like to get what I am paying for and not just settle. Besides; I am thinking that the smooth grips are easier on my hands; and look better. However, now I have a choice. I am thinking about just waiting to either get a .357 in a longer barrel. Does a longer barrel make a difference in recoil and blast from the .357? I have looked at videos on youtube and it looks like the 4 5/8 barrel in .357 really has some snap.

 

[Kurastduuks]

I don't know about it having all that much "snap" even my 44 magnum sbh 4 5/8" is very comfortable with...exceptional loads. it's an excellent barrel length especially for carrying for extended hikes, shed hunting and the like. a fairly soft shooting good power 357 load I occasionally use for varmint/predator revolver hunting is 9.4 grains of longshot with a 125gr speer JHP.

 

[wgf]

As 1911Tuner mentioned, for an average shooter the two inches between a 4.6" and a 6.5" handgun do not make a significant difference in performance. If you are going to carry it in a holster the shorter length is much handier.

 

[Salmoneye]

The local gun store received the .357 Blackhawk that I had ordered. However, I had them send it back because it did not have rosewood grips as advertised. Like to get what I am paying for and not just settle. Besides; I am thinking that the smooth grips are easier on my hands; and look better.

The only .357 Blackhawks advertised with the "Rosewood" laminate grips are the convertible .357/9mm 'William's Shooters Supply' distributor specials in stainless...

Was this one of those?