Ruger fans: 357 blackhawk or 327 single 7?

[adcoch1]

Hello all, been thinking a lot about revolvers over the last few years, and after I get my carry gun issue sorted out, I am picking up a few single actions to keep my SBH company.

That said, I have a couple 44 mags already, and have recently (in the last few years) fallen in love with 38 spcl(s&w model10-5 6" barrel). I load all of my revolver ammo, so uploadong or downloading are regular for me.

I have been the owner of a few single sixes over the years too, and I love the size, but the gun is just a tank in 22, and I've always thought they needed to be at least 32 centerfire.

So, for a versatile belt gun, for small game hunting, camping, and range use, which would you prefer? The classic 357 blackhawk, which can shoot powderpuff to flamethrower loads? Or its firebreathing little brother, the single 7 in 327 mag? Both would probably shoot reduced loads most of the time. Which would you pick?

 

[sabbfan]

Personally I’d go 357, but I’m biased since I reload those calibers already. Even if I didn’t reload them I’d say the same since I’ve never been all that interested in the 327. It sounds great with the ability to use the non magnum calibers in 32 but they aren’t all that common. For fun plinking and small game it’s hard to beat the 38 special.

 

[FL-NC]

I would def. go with 357. Even though you reload, it's nice to know you can go to anywhere that sells ammo and buy some for a gun you own.

 

[LOLBELL]

You load your own so ammunition is not going to be a problem. The S7 is more convenient to carry and has enough energy to work for self protection and medium game or down load it for a day of soda can and pine cone hunting. I own a few 357s but since I got into the 327 game the 357s very seldom get let out of the safe. You’re going to hear all the critics chime in on all the problems with the 327,but just remember the squeaky wheel is all you hear about. I have 7 327s and all have performed flawlessly with the exception of a 4 5/8 S7 that would occasionally jump the cylinder pin when I was pushing a 130 grain lead bullet way to hard

 

[murf]

a belt mountain base pin and an extra-power latch spring should cure the "jump" problem, lolbell.

if you have fallen in love with the 38 special, the 357 blackhawk would be the better choice, imo.

luck,

murf

 

[newfalguy101]

I would typically say the 357, however, as you already have a 44, I would lean towards the 327.....32s are a ball to shoot ( kinda suck to reload, cuz of the size) and as noted above very versatile.

Your 44 will do everything a 357 will do, only better, and with the added benefit of the noise of the muzzle blast is less severe than the 357, EVEN with heavy loads.

 

[Armybrat]

 

[troy fairweather]

357, you can load down and load hot if needed.

 

[sequins]

357 black hawk

 

[adcoch1]

What I really want is a 38 special single six, but I don't have 2k for a custom.

 

[ontarget]

I'm pretty sure you could find a SAA clone in 357/38 that would scratch the itch cheaper than the BH.

 

[adcoch1]

I'm pretty sure you could find a SAA clone in 357/38 that would scratch the itch cheaper than the BH.

True, but I want adjustable sights. Maybe... Hmmm.

 

[Blue Brick]

Your 44 will do everything a 357 will do, only better,

No. The 357 like the 41 shoots flatter.

 

[IlikeSA]

I'm a big fan of the 357 but I handled my first single seven the other day. It's a handy little revolver and would make a dandy packing pistol for those east of or even on the Great Plains. It would make a fine revolver for varmint shooting. The savings in reload cost seem to be there as well, assuming you shoot standard weight loads from 357 or a larger caliber.

 

[Tallball]

I have a 357 Blackhawk and a 32 H&R magnum Single Six. I like them both, but they kind of serve different purposes for me.

The Blackhawk would be decent for medium-sized game. It can fire truly unreasonable atomic 357 rounds if you want it to. Or you can just shoot targets with mild 38's. It fits my XXL hands better.

The Single Six is great for plinking or small game. 32 S&W long (which has virtually no recoil) is probably fine for either one of those. It's fine for target shooting. It's a little small for my hands, but I'm used to it.

It's really the question of whether you want a largish full-sized SA revolver that can shoot very powerful ammo, or a smallish SA revolver that can shoot ammo that feels about like a 22lr.

The 357's/327's and 38's/32 magnums probably overlap somewhat as far as power goes. The milder of the larger cartridges are probably similar to the hotter of the smaller cartridges.

They're both nice revolvers. They fill slightly different niches.

 

[hdbiker]

.357, more power, can use .38's, can get ammo anywhere. hdbiker

 

[test drive]

As said, .357

 

[SPW1]

Since you say you love the size of the single six & are mainly interested in small game hunting, a camp gun and range use, the single seven makes a lot of sense. With 32 long class loads it makes an excellent small game cartridge and does not have excessive muzzle blast. Very fun gun at those light load levels. Like many things it's mostly a matter of personal preference.

 

[dbmjr1]

Hello all, been thinking a lot about revolvers over the last few years, and after I get my carry gun issue sorted out, I am picking up a few single actions to keep my SBH company.

That said, I have a couple 44 mags already, and have recently (in the last few years) fallen in love with 38 spcl(s&w model10-5 6" barrel). I load all of my revolver ammo, so uploadong or downloading are regular for me.

I have been the owner of a few single sixes over the years too, and I love the size, but the gun is just a tank in 22, and I've always thought they needed to be at least 32 centerfire.

So, for a versatile belt gun, for small game hunting, camping, and range use, which would you prefer? The classic 357 blackhawk, which can shoot powderpuff to flamethrower loads? Or its firebreathing little brother, the single 7 in 327 mag? Both would probably shoot reduced loads most of the time. Which would you pick?

Why choose?

While I don't have a Single Seven, I do have a Single Six Bisley in .32 H&R Mag. It's a great little revolver, from mild to wild.



I've also got the .357 Blackhawk. The .45 Convertable Blackhawk. The .30 Carbine Blackhawk .45 Colt Vaquero. A Three Screw Single Six .22 cal. Convertable, and other single actions of various manufacturer.

Since you handload, I'd get the .32 caliber. I found that the Lee 90gr Tumble Lube Semi-Wad Cutter, with powder coat, works great in my Ruger Single Six in both .32 S&W Long, and in .32 H&R Mag. It's a bit too heavy for .32 S&W (Short) loadings.

I also load Hornady 100 gr XTP's in .32 H&R Mag. At about 1K FPS it would make an adequate self defense load.

Of course, if you pick the .357, you'll be happy too. Both are great revolvers.

 

[adcoch1]

Since you say you love the size of the single six & are mainly interested in small game hunting, a camp gun and range use, the single seven makes a lot of sense. With 32 long class loads it makes an excellent small game cartridge and does not have excessive muzzle blast. Very fun gun at those light load levels. Like many things it's mostly a matter of personal preference.

True, i have lots of reasons why I am even looking at the single seven. I like the size, but it seems like way too much gun for 22 lr. In the 32 mag it seems about right. And 327 is just bonus. A 38 special is perfect for my needs power wise. I just spent a lot of years with no revolvers between 22 and 44 due to a dislike for 357 in guns that fit a 44. I just don't want to overlook the 357 again by pursuing 38 special level performance. Thus the question...

 

[adcoch1]

Why choose?

While I don't have a Single Seven, I do have a Single Six Bisley in .32 H&R Mag. It's a great little revolver, from mild to wild.

View attachment 842071

I've also got the .357 Blackhawk. The .45 Convertable Blackhawk. The .30 Carbine Blackhawk .45 Colt Vaquero. A Three Screw Single Six .22 cal. Convertable, and other single actions of various manufacturer.

Since you handload, I'd get the .32 caliber. I found that the Lee 90gr Tumble Lube Semi-Wad Cutter, with powder coat, works great in my Ruger Single Six in both .32 S&W Long, and in .32 H&R Mag. It's a bit too heavy for .32 S&W (Short) loadings.

I also load Hornady 100 gr XTP's in .32 H&R Mag. At about 1K FPS it would make an adequate self defense load.

Of course, if you pick the .357, you'll be happy too. Both are great revolvers.

Why choose? In a word, Money. I don't want to choose, I want them all.

 

[zanders]

That sounds like a rough choice. 357 magnum out of my GP100 can be fun, but I really love the 327 in theory (haven't had a chance to shoot one yet). Honestly I'd probably have to flip a coin.

 

[Hondo 60]

I have both ...
GP100 is a blue 3" from the 70s
And a recent vintage 3.75" Single Seven

I like both

 

[RealGun]

Look at the Taylor's Uberti Stallion, single action 38 Special in Model P Jr size. I sold both Single Sevens and have done really well with two of three Stallions. The third by Cimarron was a problem all the way and was not covered by warranty because a professional took it apart to diagnose the issue. It shot like crap too. I would stick with Taylor's. I have only had one of at least a dozen Ruger revolvers that didn't go back at least once or spend weeks or months in a gunsmith's queue. That is DA and SA.

Personally, I think the Blackhawk is too much gun for 357 Magnum. I think of that as a double action cartridge, preferring the GP100 Match Champion. My Blackhawks are 41 and 44 Magnum and a great shooting 44 Special.

 

[cfullgraf]

So, for a versatile belt gun, for small game hunting, camping, and range use, which would you prefer? The classic 357 blackhawk, which can shoot powderpuff to flamethrower loads? Or its firebreathing little brother, the single 7 in 327 mag? Both would probably shoot reduced loads most of the time. Which would you pick?

If you reload, get both. I did. There are lots of options available if you reload for both chamberings.

If you do not reload, get the 357 Magnum. There are more choices of factory ammunition from 38 Wadcutters to full power 357 Magnum ammunition. But, on the other hand, factory 32 S&WL wadcutter ammunition is a joy to shoot and plink with.