gotboostvr
Member
I've always liked the idea of the Ruger Blackhawk. A big strong dependable hog leg, what's not to love?
With my first Blackhawk, a 6.5" 357 Plow handle, I realized I wasn't a big fan of all that weight for "just" a 357Mag. So that went down the road.
My second Blackhawk, a 6.5" 41Mag, I felt was much more suitable. It was a bubba-job and I wasn't really interested in loading the 41Mag, but really enjoyed the Blackhawk in a more suitable chambering. Also, not a huge fan of the longer barrels personally.
Next, was a blued 4 5/8ths 45 convertible. Loved the balance of the shorter barrel and bigger hole. It was just too short for deer hunting, and I was starting to come to terms with that plow handle giving me issues. I could never quite shoot as well as with my DA/SA Smith's. All the triggers so far have had awful take-up, the 45 worst of all.
I got a great deal on a 4 5/8ths SS 357Mag to flip and found it had a Phenomenal trigger. I shot it very well but didn't have any real need for it so I turned it for a profit like planned.
Ever since I divested myself of the 41Mag I was considering that a 5.5" SS Bisley Convertible is probably my ideal Blackhawk, but outside of a custom job, there was a run about a decade ago of them as a dealer exclusive. They're not easy to find.
Finally, there was another run made and I put one on layaway online. Didn't know when they'd be found again. Never had a chance to fondle a Bisley. I rolled the dice.
Finally got it home, and hefting it up the first time was like shaking hands with an old friend. Why isn't the Bisley more common?! It's 5.5" barrel meets the ODNR's arbitrary 5" rule while being easier to handle than the longer barrels, and to say this gun will be very flexible in regards to ammo is an understatement!
Fit and finish is very good. Much better than the first 45 I had. Trigger still has that take up I dislike but is sufficiently light. Everything snicks into place very firmly and without play. Barrel/Cylinder gap is sufficient, and very even. Only flaw is a small burr at the top right of the cylinder window. I could pretty easily dress it off with the appropriate file if it bothers me in the future. As a intended brush hunting gun (hence the SS) it'll probably pick up some other wear and tear anyways.
Being I already load and shoot 45acp from 1911's and a 625 and only plan on running 230-250 grain ammo out of either case I shouldn't have too much issue with sight regulation.
Ideally, I'd load a metric ton of 250gr WFN @950-1050FPS out of either or both cartridges and ventilate both paper and deer with the same load. Shouldn't be punishing to shoot and if I can finally find a bullet that's the right design (250gr WFN plain base) and economy priced I'll be a happy camper. I fear Unique is probably the best powder going for that velocity range, but I'd rather use something that meters better. I'd prefer to use either 2400 or Bullseye, but I feel it falls kinda in between.
I'll probably figure out a whomper- stomper >300gr 45LC load I'll never need just for fun, but that's another story.
With my first Blackhawk, a 6.5" 357 Plow handle, I realized I wasn't a big fan of all that weight for "just" a 357Mag. So that went down the road.
My second Blackhawk, a 6.5" 41Mag, I felt was much more suitable. It was a bubba-job and I wasn't really interested in loading the 41Mag, but really enjoyed the Blackhawk in a more suitable chambering. Also, not a huge fan of the longer barrels personally.
Next, was a blued 4 5/8ths 45 convertible. Loved the balance of the shorter barrel and bigger hole. It was just too short for deer hunting, and I was starting to come to terms with that plow handle giving me issues. I could never quite shoot as well as with my DA/SA Smith's. All the triggers so far have had awful take-up, the 45 worst of all.
I got a great deal on a 4 5/8ths SS 357Mag to flip and found it had a Phenomenal trigger. I shot it very well but didn't have any real need for it so I turned it for a profit like planned.
Ever since I divested myself of the 41Mag I was considering that a 5.5" SS Bisley Convertible is probably my ideal Blackhawk, but outside of a custom job, there was a run about a decade ago of them as a dealer exclusive. They're not easy to find.
Finally, there was another run made and I put one on layaway online. Didn't know when they'd be found again. Never had a chance to fondle a Bisley. I rolled the dice.
Finally got it home, and hefting it up the first time was like shaking hands with an old friend. Why isn't the Bisley more common?! It's 5.5" barrel meets the ODNR's arbitrary 5" rule while being easier to handle than the longer barrels, and to say this gun will be very flexible in regards to ammo is an understatement!
Fit and finish is very good. Much better than the first 45 I had. Trigger still has that take up I dislike but is sufficiently light. Everything snicks into place very firmly and without play. Barrel/Cylinder gap is sufficient, and very even. Only flaw is a small burr at the top right of the cylinder window. I could pretty easily dress it off with the appropriate file if it bothers me in the future. As a intended brush hunting gun (hence the SS) it'll probably pick up some other wear and tear anyways.
Being I already load and shoot 45acp from 1911's and a 625 and only plan on running 230-250 grain ammo out of either case I shouldn't have too much issue with sight regulation.
Ideally, I'd load a metric ton of 250gr WFN @950-1050FPS out of either or both cartridges and ventilate both paper and deer with the same load. Shouldn't be punishing to shoot and if I can finally find a bullet that's the right design (250gr WFN plain base) and economy priced I'll be a happy camper. I fear Unique is probably the best powder going for that velocity range, but I'd rather use something that meters better. I'd prefer to use either 2400 or Bullseye, but I feel it falls kinda in between.
I'll probably figure out a whomper- stomper >300gr 45LC load I'll never need just for fun, but that's another story.
I can shoot those all day long. Obvious it won't jam and coming out of a heavy steel gun, they feel about like a .22.
