Super Blackhawk shooting high for me

[TargetTerror]

I own a 4 5/8 inch barrel Super Blackhawk in 44 Magnum. I've become quite consistent with it (thanks to my recoil glove!). Problem is, I shoot consistently high - very high. Like ~3 inches above POI at ~12 yards with the rear sight completely lowered.

Has anyone else experienced this? I've found the most consistency with the SA setup by holding the handle fairly loosely in my shooting hand, and basically just supporting that hand with my off hand, so that is the grip I use.

I'm shooting 240 gr bullets in front of a full house H110 load.

 

[Steve C]

You are shooting at a target that's too close. Run a target to 25 or 50 yds and then see if you are still shooting high.

 

[tipoc]

Does it shoot the same when someone else shoots it?

tipoc

 

[RecoilRob]

You would probably be interested to see a bore laser showing where your barrel is pointed when you are aiming at the target. I wager it is WAY low....because the gun moves up in recoil before the bullet leaves. How high it goes depends on how hard you hold. Simple...

What to do??? Taller front sight, change grips to make it climb less, or lighten up the bullet. Shooting SA Magnums isn't an easy thing and you are doing well to hit within 3" of your aimpoint. They did invent Kentucky Windage for a reason!

 

[wcwhitey]

Had the same problem with my SBH. A quick call to Ruger and they sent me a taller front sight blade free of charge. $20 to the smitty and I was good to go. I still had a problem later on when I started loading 300 Grain LBT and eventually went to a Weigand front sight set up with multiple blades. I now have no problem with any loads from 180 Grain screemers to 300 Grain freight trains.

 

[DFW1911]

I'd recommend two things:

1. Get someone else to shoot it and see what they get
2. Run your target out a bit further.

Since we all react to recoil a bit differently, it may be worthwhile to run a recoil "test", wherein a chamber or two are live, the others are empty. You and those watching you will be able to gauge your tigger pull and sight alignment by how you react to striking an empty cylinder. Normally this is done for shooting low...but it may be worth a "shot."

Have fun,
DFW1911

 

[James T Thomas]

analysis

TT:

I have noticed the opposite behavior when I shoot the higher velocity ammo versus milder loadings. My sights are set for the milder loadings.

That is; the speedy bullets will strike the target much lower than the slower ones.
Yes, the three inches that you mention; at that range.
The slower bullets having a more curved trajectory.

I don't know if this is ballistically true, but "on paper" it happens for me.

Have you measured the velocity of your load with an instrument?

 

[rcmodel]

Single-actions require a very firm hold.
Otherwise they roll up in the hand and the barrel it already pointing up before the bullet gets out of the barrel. It is even more so with a .44 Mag.

Try a very firm hold and your POI will be on target, and your groups will shrink considerably as well.

BTW: The only reason hot loads shoot lower sometimes then mild loads is due to a shorter barrel time.
They are out of the barrel before the gun can recoil as far.

It has nothing to do with bullet drop at 25 yards, because there isn't enough to matter.


rcmodel