First revolver- Ruger super blackhawk- thoughts?

[Njal Thorgeirsson]

I've always been more interested in rifles, but I've finally settled on buying a .44 revolver. At first I thought about the classic S&W 29, but the Ruger s. b. hunter caught my eye. It is somewhat more affordable than the S&W, and I like the less flashy looks (and the scope mount if ever I want to take it hog hunting- but I've got other guns for that if i buy a revolver without scope mounts). But alas, I don't really know much of anything about revolvers. I've only shot a few of them, including the model 29. I know there are tons of revolver models I haven't so much as glanced at.


Is there something I should know, or is the Ruger SBH fundamentally as good a choice as any for a .44?

Also, it will be used mostly for casual plinking/paper practice at 25-50 yards (and possibly eventually some hog hunting if it has the capability).

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Chuck Dye]

My first revolver was a Super Blackhawk. I quickly tired of the single action shell shucking drill and bought a Redhawk Hunter (the best friend is still enjoying the SBH.)

The Redhawk wears a Leupold M-8 2x in the factory mounts and is very muzzle heavy. If you have the opportunity, shoot both barrel mount rigs and frame mount. The difference is significant, both in the holding and in the recoil. I may eventually have a 'smith drill and tap the Redhawk for frame mounting my scope.

 

[forindooruseonly]

The SAA style grip doesn't work very well for me with factory or full powered loads, and the super Blackhawk I have has a squared trigger guard that brutalizes my middle finger when I shoot it. All in all, my 29s are much more pleasant to shoot. I'm not a fan. Lots of people love them, however, so I'd say try one if possible before you buy. They're very common, you could probably find someone local that would meet you at a range to let you try it.

 

[BCRider]

First revolver or first ever handgun?

It's a fine gun and will certainly do well for what you are considering. And if you're looking seriously at 25 to 50 yard performance on a regular basis with the final goal being hunting then I'd have to go against my usual tastes and suggest that you put a scope or at least a red dot on it right away. 50 yard shooting of hunting quality would seem to pretty much demand a scope to ensure a high probability of a clean and quick kill.

As much as I like plinking against steel at 50 yards I don't need to worry about a wounding shot. If I did I sure would not trust my old guy eyes or old guy nerves. It would be all about the scope and finding a handy rest to steady my hold.

 

[sniperlongshot]

it's really a personal choice, my friends tell me that i'm the only idiot that would take a piece of single action trash into a gun fight....but also admit that i'd probably win because who shoots first also shoots last.

i love .45 longcolts....i got a smith mod 25, colt new service, colt cowboys, uberti winchester '73 etc, but when i go hunting i take my custom old model vaquero.....deer and hogs usually come up short on shooting back at ya, and i don't typically miss with the vaquero since i had a single six to practice with for over 30 years, and i like cowboy guns and usually leave the supressed sig 220 combat elite at home....so yes i can play with modern toys also.

pick whatever feels best in your hand and points naturally for you, the more comfortable it is, the better you'll shoot

10 grns of unique in a .45colt w/250 gr bullet (ruger contender load) is compatible to a 240 grn bullet w/10.5 grns of unique in a 44 spc,

either one will take the shoulder off a 300lb bore and demolish deer, and kill an elk @ a 100yds.....shot placement still applies

 

[critter]

Nothing like starting with the best! Great guns. Tough as a tank, very accurate with loads they like. Especially if you reload, they are very, VERY versatile. Great for a 'fun gun', plinking, targets, hunting most anything. Loads from 'powderpuff' all the way up to the 'burn-blind-deafen' levels all have their applications and are just downright FUN.

Now, get with the program and just TRY to wear that sucker out! Enjoy!

 

[StrawHat]

...Also, it will be used mostly for casual plinking/paper practice at 25-50 yards (and possibly eventually some hog hunting if it has the capability).

Thanks in advance for the help!...

For a first time purchase, a 44 Magnum is usually considered a bit much. For plinking and casual shooting, many other cartridges will allow you to learn good revolver shooting skills which are needed to handle the magnum rounds effectively. As a hunting round the 44 Magnum is a good cartridge but I quit using it years ago as it was more cartridge than I needed.

You can use 44 Special loads in the magnum and that will help by lessening the recoil but I would counsel you to a smaller cartridge.

Never cared for a scope on a handgun but that is a personal decision you need to make.

 

[Baba Louie]

They are a handful that's for sure. But a nice handful. With the traditional plow grip and full power loads, it will roll up in your hand during recoil right quick, so be ready and don't fight it. With a scope on it keep it well away from your face initially.

Perhaps a better choice might be a SBH with Rugers Bisley grip frame as it gives you more grip purchase to handle those loads. Their Hunter model lets you mount a scope rather easily. The Bisley hammer is a plus as well.

If you handload or shoot .44 spls, it's a hard (enough) hitting puttykat (dang word filters) w/ moderate felt recoil. If you find one with the old dragoon squareback triggerguard be prepared for a bloody middle finger and/or get a glove to protect that digit.

What length barrel you looking at? Back in '87/88 I bought a SBH Bisley in .45 Colt, 7.5" blue. A superb shooter, if somwhat longish. A true hogleg when carried in leather and while others find the grip frame off putting, it works very well when I shoot hot loads thru it. Cowboy loads are a walk in the park.

Very accurate. Very.

 

[hdbiker]

I'm working on my 3rd 5 gallon pail of wheel weights threw my Super Blackhawk sinse 1984.It still locks up perfectly and is accurate.I did replace the original wood grips with rubber ones as it did beat up my hand with heavy loads.It's stll my favorite pistol.biker

 

[Salmoneye]

Consistently hitting a paper plate at 50 yards with an unscoped SBH with heavy handloads over a solid rest is not only possible, but downright fun...

My 'pet' hunting load from my 7.5' SBH, is 22 grains of H110 under a Hornady 265 grain inter-lock flat point...

Off-hand, 25 yards is pretty easy...

 

[AFDavis11]

I have one and find the recoil mild. Need more practice with it for hunting. I think it's an awesome hunting piece.

 

[buck460XVR]

My first revolver was a Super Blackhawk. I quickly tired of the single action shell shucking drill and bought a Redhawk Hunter

The SAA style grip doesn't work very well for me with factory or full powered loads

My first revolver was a "Three Screw" Blackhawk bought in '73. I too bought it because it was more readily available and cheaper than a 29 Smith. I had the same sentiments as the above two posters. The grip angle of the SA with loads of the day beat up my hands so that shooting it was not a positive experience. Altho I didn't enjoy the loading and unloading of the SA, I didn't have it long enough to get tired of it. Even back then, if I didn't enjoy shooting a gun and/or it didn't meet my expectations it went down the road for something else I did enjoy. The Blackhawk was traded for a SxS 20 ga. for use on woodcock. I still have it today. Wasn't long after geting rid of the Blackhawk, that I realized that the gun wasn't bad, it just didn't fit my hand and/or my style of shooting. I found that the grip and feel of DA Smiths were more to my liking. I know of many folks that enjoy shooting their SAs, Rugers included. Many claim the reason is the grip and style fits them better and they can handle larger recoil because of it. One never really knows until they try. The Super Blackhawk is a fine gun, whether it is the gun for you is for you to decide. Since you have shot 29s, if you have a chance to shoot it and compare, I would suggest to go that route.

 

[CraigC]

I would strongly suggest the Bisley version with properly fitted grips. It makes all the difference.

 

[bsms]

I've got a Model 29. I'd have done better with a Ruger.

Not all agree, but in my hand, a SA 44 mag shoots easier and more comfortably than a DA.

I've got a 357 Blackhawk, and find it points much more naturally to me. However, in a 357, I shoot either (BH or 686+) equally well. In 44 special, I shoot both the same. At 44 mag, I strongly prefer the Ruger. But I've met others who are the exact opposite...

 

[Njal Thorgeirsson]

Thanks all for the input!!!

Chuck Dye- I probably won't shoot it enough in a given day to grow weary of the individual shell chucking and such. I probably will only shoot ~1000 rounds/year.

BCRider- I'm not really looking specifically for "serious performance"- really just a fun plinking gun for some cans and clays at 25-50 yards. I definitely wouldn't hunt without a scope, nor would I hunt if it isn't accurate enough or if I can't shoot it well enough. But again, plinking is 99.5% of the reason I'm looking to buy one. And this is my first revolver, but 4th handgun, after a .22 and some 9mm's.

StrawHat- I had a great time recently shooting some clays at ~20 yards with a friend's S&W 29. Even with fairly hot loads it wasn't at all unmanageable, even though I'm used to small semiautos.

hdbiker- I am considering casting some bullets for it. What alloy do you use? I was thinking WW:shot 50:50 dropped into cold water might make sufficient bullets for plinking. Do you use just wheel weight lead for your bullets?

Other folks- Yes I am looking at reloading, but more to just save money than to make it super accurate. More than likely, Ill use light handloads for plinking, so the bisley isn't probably absolutely necessary for my purposes. I'll take a look at the bisleys- while I don't really mind the looks of the bisley too much, I do like the looks of the other grip frame a little bit better.

Again thanks for the advice! Im happy to hear that most of y'all agree at least that its a solid .44 for a SA. Now I'll go see if I can track one down to take a look at.

 

[BYJO4]

You bought a great revolver and it will last forever.