357 Blackhawk

[Bfh_auto]

Since this thing seemed to vomit my plated and cast bullets, I took my cylinder out. The cast bullet pushes through one cylinder easily. The rest take 10 -15 pounds of pressure before they pop through. Some also scratch the hitek coating off.

 

[MidRoad]

Since this thing seemed to vomit my plated and cast bullets, I took my cylinder out. The cast bullet pushes through one cylinder easily. The rest take 10 -15 pounds of pressure before they pop through. Some also scratch the hitek coating off.

Douguy over on the cast bullets will hone cylinders if ya send it to him. Or you could rent a tool. Doug is very easy to work with, good turn around times and prices are fair.

I PMd a link to him incase you're interested.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I had that exact same Blackhawk once upon a time. In my opinion just too much gun for too little cartridge.

I like my Blackhawks in calibers that starts with a "4".

But if recoil isn't your thing, they're probably the softest shooting magnum made save for maybe a Redhawk.

My Dad has a stainless .357 Blackhawk and I have a .357 Redhawk. With factory grips, the Blackhawk is much more comfortable shooting hot loads as the Redhawk grip is quite narrow.

 

[murf]

good idea, bones741. I slugged the throats of my new model cylinder and got mostly .357", but one .356" and one .358" diameter. sent it back to ruger and they gave me a new cylinder with all holes the same .357" diameter. note: I had to remove the belt mountain base pin before I sent it back. ruger keeps all aftermarket parts when they repair your weapon.

murf

 

[MidRoad]

good idea, bones741. I slugged the throats of my new model cylinder and got mostly .357", but one .356" and one .358" diameter. sent it back to ruger and they gave me a new cylinder with all holes the same .357" diameter. note: I had to remove the belt mountain base pin before I sent it back. ruger keeps all aftermarket parts when they repair your weapon.

murf

Ruger employee:

" Hey that would look great on my Blackhawk, good thing we return it to "factory spec", should fit perfect"

 

[murf]

the bm base pins do fit perfect. that is why I have them in all my ruger single-actions.

murf

 

[Bfh_auto]

Douguy over on the cast bullets will hone cylinders if ya send it to him. Or you could rent a tool. Doug is very easy to work with, good turn around times and prices are fair.

I PMd a link to him incase you're interested.

I need to do some measuring first. I have 2 38s and 2 357s so I might just get a tool if they all are different.

 

[Old Stumpy]

I own a 1978 Blackhawk .357 just like the one pictured.
It's a great gun, but it is noticably heavier than the same gun in .45 Colt.
Really, too heavy for a .357 Magnum, but the price seemed right when I bought it.
It's my only foray into .357 since owning an S&W Highway patrolman many years ago.
IMHO the .357 belongs in revolvers with a smaller frame and cylinder than the Blackhawk, and really I remain lukewarm on the cartridge.
When I buy a new 5 1/2" barrel stainless steel Super Blackhawk .44 magnum, it goes.

 

[gotboostvr]

IMHO the .357 belongs in revolvers with a smaller frame and cylinder than the Blackhawk, and really I remain lukewarm on the cartridge.
When I buy a new 5 1/2" barrel stainless steel Super Blackhawk .44 magnum, it goes.

I went with a 5 1/2" stainless steel Bisley 45, but I completely agree with you otherwise.

 

[murf]

fyi:


the old model is two ounces lighter and has a smaller frame. you have to look hard and get lucky, but the old model 357 magnum is out there. and hearing the four clicks every time you cock the hammer is priceless!

murf

 

[murf]

and my 45lc for comparison:



murf

 

[Bfh_auto]

I own a 1978 Blackhawk .357 just like the one pictured.
It's a great gun, but it is noticably heavier than the same gun in .45 Colt.
Really, too heavy for a .357 Magnum, but the price seemed right when I bought it.
It's my only foray into .357 since owning an S&W Highway patrolman many years ago.
IMHO the .357 belongs in revolvers with a smaller frame and cylinder than the Blackhawk, and really I remain lukewarm on the cartridge.
When I buy a new 5 1/2" barrel stainless steel Super Blackhawk .44 magnum, it goes.

I used a model 65 Smith and Wesson for over 10 years. It never failed to kill anything that I shot with it. That goes from a snapping turtle that was eating the fish off my stringer to a butcher cow that jumped the fence and was charging around the barn yard.
My only complaint is the muzzle blast is horrendous.

 

[Saleen322]

We have a number of Blackhawks including a 357/9mm revolver. This is a very capable revolver that can shoot the heavier bullets and the heaviest loads in 357 mag. The weight of the revolver benefits you in accuracy and less felt recoil. I used this revolver in the single action revolver challenge on here using cast bullets and it shot well. I think you will enjoy shooting it.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I just switched to a Super Blackhawk grip frame. I didn't put the wide hammer on because I like the skinny one. I definitely prefer having more room for my fingers.

 

[Tallball]

Mine has a 6.5" barrel. It's from the early/mid 1970's, an early New Model. I got it for $299 used around three years ago. It had obviously been shot a fair amount before I got it. It's been perfect for me and very accurate. I like a big, heavy revolver regardless of caliber, so it suits me well. I always shoot SA revolvers with my pinky curled under the grip, as I was taught when I was a kid.

I bought a 9mm cylinder off of eBay just for grins, and was apparently lucky because it fits and functions just fine. I don't know if the Blackhawk is more accurate than my 6" S&W Model 28, but since they're both way more accurate than I am, it probably doesn't matter.

Of all my handguns, my SA Rugers are probably my favorites.

Ruger Blackhawk 357 Magnum

• Tallball
• Jul 30, 2018

 

[Old Stumpy]

I used a model 65 Smith and Wesson for over 10 years. It never failed to kill anything that I shot with it. That goes from a snapping turtle that was eating the fish off my stringer

Nothing short of .500 S&W is adequate for a snapping turtle. They will take your head off given half a chance.

 

[Bfh_auto]

This is what it looks like now.

 

[mushu]

I have the 6 1/2 three screw blackhawk in 357 magnum and I sure do like it, I going to bet you'll like yours too

 

[Bfh_auto]

I have the 6 1/2 three screw blackhawk in 357 magnum and I sure do like it, I going to bet you'll like yours too

I like it. I'm just getting used to the grip again. I was spoiled by my Smith's rubber finger groove ones.

 

[Choctaw]

I own a 1978 Blackhawk .357 just like the one pictured.
It's a great gun, but it is noticably heavier than the same gun in .45 Colt.
Really, too heavy for a .357 Magnum, but the price seemed right when I bought it.
It's my only foray into .357 since owning an S&W Highway patrolman many years ago.
IMHO the .357 belongs in revolvers with a smaller frame and cylinder than the Blackhawk, and really I remain lukewarm on the cartridge.
When I buy a new 5 1/2" barrel stainless steel Super Blackhawk .44 magnum, it goes.

Old Stumpy, have you handled one of the new Flattops in .357? The Flattops are made on the medium frame so they are somewhat smaller than the the regular New Model Blackhawk. The weight to me feels about the same because the blued Flattops have a steel grip frame. But man, I really like the way mine balances. I'm a fan of anything Blackhawk but the FTs are really nice.

 

[357smallbore]

The 357 Blackhawk is Garbage. And the Ruger platform is trash as well.
Now that I got that joke out of the way. I love the classic bluded 6 1/2 guns. Built Ruger tuff, and no flies on this weapon. I prefer the ones built in the 70's though.
You sir have an excellent firearm. Congrats!

 

[Bfh_auto]

The 357 Blackhawk is Garbage. And the Ruger platform is trash as well.
Now that I got that joke out of the way. I love the classic bluded 6 1/2 guns. Built Ruger tuff, and no flies on this weapon. I prefer the ones built in the 70's though.
You sir have an excellent firearm. Congrats!

Since you feel that way, have you encountered a Blackhawk that will only shoot 180s accurately? This one is spitballing 125s, 158s run about 4 inches at 35 yards and 180s are in the 1-2 inch range.
It's weird because my Smith and Wesson likes 110s to 158s.

 

[357smallbore]

Since you feel that way, have you encountered a Blackhawk that will only shoot 180s accurately? This one is spitballing 125s, 158s run about 4 inches at 35 yards and 180s are in the 1-2 inch range.
It's weird because my Smith and Wesson likes 110s to 158s.

In my BH, I load 158 swc and 200 HC. The ole Blackie likes em and spits em out without issue.

 

[Bfh_auto]

In my BH, I load 158 swc and 200 HC. The ole Blackie likes em and spits em out without issue.

Mine seems to like the 180 WFN with a lot of H110. It should work for deer season.

 

[ThomasT]

I like it. I'm just getting used to the grip again. I was spoiled by my Smith's rubber finger groove ones.

I put a Houge finger groove rubber grip on my Super Blackhawk and yes its butt ugly(bad pun) but it sure made the gun easier to shoot. Even with soft loads the the bottom corner of the grip frame would dig into my palm. And I don't have large hands. Medium or a little bigger.

I had a 357 BH convertible. And I liked the gun and I don't think you could ever wreck one or wear it out as long as you can follow printed book loads but just felt the gun was way bigger than needed for the round it shot. A new flat top convertible would really spark me. Alas, limited funds are my downfall right now. Plus I already own six 357s now.