Just couldn’t pass up another Blackhawk
- Thread starter Riomouse911
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Rio, Great find and it sounds like a very reasonable price too....I'd have walked out with that one myself.
Just thinkin out loud...that one cylinder that's throwing the shot high might improve with a cylinder throating job...or might not too...those are really nice groups and personally, I'd be inclined to leave it alone....marking that one and going with the other five. I've got an equal number of old model Rugers and new model ones as well as a Colt SAA that I shoot often enough to settle on the old: 'load one, skip one then load the rest' method of loading five...it works for me and keeps my loading blocks evened up shooting only five at a time.
With a 7-1/2" bbl'd Colt SAA, shooting from Keith's old long range position (sitting, back rested with gun extended between knees), I see a 2" difference in impact points between my 255 gr RN, flat points (Lyman's 454190 mold) and 200 gr LSWC's (H&G's #68) with the same powder charge (8.0 gr of Unique). Both will group into ~2" at 25 yds that way, and I find, at least in my hands, the Keith position duplicates an offhand, two-handed Weaver Stance impact point...it's also every bit as accurate as shooting off bags. I'll add one note on Keith's position...it's hell on the inside of your Levis...the cylinder gap flash quickly gunks them up and it's definitely NOT a position for shooting in shorts!
In my hands, again, bag shooting results in a lower impact point as well as requiring a different windage adjustment...it might be different for you, but you're an old time LEO and know the in's and out's of your personal grip changes and recoil anomalies; bags vs. offhand.
BTW, my Smith M-25 gives me the same impact point difference...
Lastly...hell...those great groups are just a smidgeon off....looks like an inch from the pics...and the rear sight is bottomed out...you may have more than enough up & down in it to correct. I'd hate to take a file to that front sight my self.
Best regards, Rod
Just thinkin out loud...that one cylinder that's throwing the shot high might improve with a cylinder throating job...or might not too...those are really nice groups and personally, I'd be inclined to leave it alone....marking that one and going with the other five. I've got an equal number of old model Rugers and new model ones as well as a Colt SAA that I shoot often enough to settle on the old: 'load one, skip one then load the rest' method of loading five...it works for me and keeps my loading blocks evened up shooting only five at a time.
With a 7-1/2" bbl'd Colt SAA, shooting from Keith's old long range position (sitting, back rested with gun extended between knees), I see a 2" difference in impact points between my 255 gr RN, flat points (Lyman's 454190 mold) and 200 gr LSWC's (H&G's #68) with the same powder charge (8.0 gr of Unique). Both will group into ~2" at 25 yds that way, and I find, at least in my hands, the Keith position duplicates an offhand, two-handed Weaver Stance impact point...it's also every bit as accurate as shooting off bags. I'll add one note on Keith's position...it's hell on the inside of your Levis...the cylinder gap flash quickly gunks them up and it's definitely NOT a position for shooting in shorts!
In my hands, again, bag shooting results in a lower impact point as well as requiring a different windage adjustment...it might be different for you, but you're an old time LEO and know the in's and out's of your personal grip changes and recoil anomalies; bags vs. offhand.
BTW, my Smith M-25 gives me the same impact point difference...
Lastly...hell...those great groups are just a smidgeon off....looks like an inch from the pics...and the rear sight is bottomed out...you may have more than enough up & down in it to correct. I'd hate to take a file to that front sight my self.
Best regards, Rod
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Riomouse911
Member
Man, that Keith shooting position reminded me. Did I ever learn about the hazards of the barrel/cylinder gap the hard way…
When I traded into my first magnum revolver, a 4” Model 19, I went out to the desert and shot a box or two through it. Nearing the end of my shooting session I decided to try and hit a boulder about 150 yards off using the IHMSA style of shooting by laying down, placing the gun against the outside of my right calf, supporting my head with my left hand and firing single action. Those magazine pictures made it look easy and the 158 gr .357 loads I was firing seemed to me to be just the ticket. I scrunched down, sighted about 3’ above the rock and…
Bang!
My entire calf went numb, a ragged 3” slot was cut in my jeans and I was plucking unburned powder bits and denim threads from the oozing wound for days afterwards. (After almost 30 years the scar has long faded.) Clearly I didn’t notice that the shooters in the pictures were using closed-breech guns or long-barreled revolvers with thick leather guards on their legs. DOH!
Valuable lessons were learned that day!
Stay safe.
doubleh
Member
Lesson learned, the hard way. I have had a few instance also but not like yours.
I have 3 Ruger single actions, SINGLE SIX CONV., BLACKHAWLK .357, and a SUER BLACKHAWLK .44. I love all three, not a hiccup out of any of them. after 50 years of heavy use the Single Six did need a timing adjustment that Ruger did for me at NO CHARGE
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Riomouse911
Member
I know someone who has one, but I have never shot it. He did say it was louder than hell, but a lot of fun to shoot. (Same guy allegedly has a .357 Max Blackhawk, he says is it is purely a safe queen.)
Stay safe.
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