next revolver purchase

[jrfoxx]

I'm thinking of my next relvolver purchase lately, and would like something along the looks,accuracy and fun of the Ruger blackhawk in .357 i had in college, but in a more powerful caliber. i'm thinkin .44 mag, .45lc or 44-40. can anyone help with 2 things: 1)any reliable companies other than ruger who makes the blackhawk/redhawk/vaquero 'style' for less money in these calibers, and 2)which would be the more economic/easier to find caliber to shoot and which would be the most 'fun' caliber of the 3, recoil wise (fun=most recoil),as i dont see much difference in bullet weight and case length in them. thanks for any help here.

 

[HSMITH]

Unless you handload forget 44-40 and 45 Colt. Ammunition for them is hard to find, really hard to find in 44-40, and you won't find anything but piddly cowboy loads unless you buy extremely expensive custom ammunition like Buffalo Bore 45 Colt loads. Factory 44 mag ammo is relatively plentiful and relatively inexpensive. If you handload the 45 Colt will go higher on your fun scale in a Ruger than 44 mag or 44-40. 300 grain bullets at 1200 fps would probably cure you of looking for more recoil.

Guns as good as the Ruger at lesser prices? Not that I am aware of.

A blued Blackhawk in 45 Colt should be around $400 out the door brand new, and less used, same for a 44 mag.

 

[BlkHawk73]

You're unlikely to find the durability of a Ruger for less moeny. memba, you get what you pay for.
Two differnt fruits here. A Blackhawk or Vaquero is single action while the Redhawks are double action. RH's are avail in .44 and .45 (.454 and .480 also) and can still be found in the discontinued .41 and .357. Vaqueros in .357, .44 and .45 are currently made and used to be made in .44-40. The Balckhawk and Super Blackhawkencompasses all these (except .44-40) and more. Going with the .45lc llows you to use easy shootin' cowboy loads up to powerhouse sledgehammer loads. You can get hot loads without spending the big $ for the 'custom' ammo of Buffalobore and the like. With a .44 mag, you get a wide selection of ammo and the addition of being able to shoot .44 specials throguh it also. .44-40 is mostly a cowboy loads now-a-days and not as widely found. Fun for a reloader though. As much as I like the .45LC, for just casual shooting/plinking at the range, the .44 will proberly be a better choice.
As for which model...I personally don't care for DA's that much. Prefer the SA's much more so. Suggestion...a SBH in .44 with your choice of finish and bbl length.

 

[Silver Tip]

Have you seen the new Ruger Alaskian in 454 Casull? Its a 2 1/2 inch snubbie, looks great.

 

[pezo]

I would agree the ruger alaskan in 454 casull. that is the shortest barrel available for that chambering. that would be very fun. or check out magnum research bfr revolver in 45 70 govt. if you got big bucks check out smith and wessons 500 magnum in 4 inch. loads of fun.