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Old December 25, 2012, 07:32 PM   #1
chewie146
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S/A big bore?

Ok, I'm not exactly new to single actions, but I'm new to anything bigger than .357 in single actions. I'd like something, and am not worried about ammo cost. What's out there in .41, .44, or .45 persuasions that are the best buy in your opinions? I'd like something with a bit more thump, and no, I don't need it. Sure there is the stray grizzly that wandered down to NM . Really, I'd just like a big bore. I'm a fan of Ruger, but what's out there from the other makers that fits the bill as well and would be a good buy?
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Old December 25, 2012, 07:34 PM   #2
jackpine
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Freedom Arms model 83 50 wyoming express
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Old December 25, 2012, 07:35 PM   #3
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The choice for the most part is 45 Colt or 44 Mag and Ruger or S&W.
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Old December 25, 2012, 07:38 PM   #4
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If you don't reload the best option is the .44Mag. Simple as that. There are a many more factory options available to you than .41 or .45 Colt.

If you reload, then the .45 Colt is the way to go IMO. Been going strong since 1873 and has gotten better with age. Load up or down depending on your needs from powder puff to Cape Buffalo loads in the right revolvers.... You just can't go wrong with a Ruger Blackhawk or Bisley.
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Old December 25, 2012, 07:43 PM   #5
chewie146
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So you're thinking Ruger is my best bet? I do reload, and love reloading. I generally load the bulk for economy. Cast bullets are my favorite for the time being, so keep that in mind when thinking of revolvers. I know it's generally about slugging the bore to keep the accuracy acceptable. Smith's are great, but I want a single action. I own a 637 power port, and love the Smith line, but single actions have already done it for me more, for some odd reason. By the way, merry Christmas, everyone!
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Old December 25, 2012, 08:22 PM   #6
Nathan
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You need:



475 Linebaugh
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Old December 25, 2012, 08:43 PM   #7
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Nice looking revolver you have there nathan! A good friend of mine has a FA 475 linebaugh and loves it. To the OP, you can't go wrong with a ruger SBH or bisley in .44 magnum, I own a 5-1/2" SBH .44 Magnum in stainless, they are good solid guns and ruger stands behind them and will take care of you if you ever have a problem.
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Old December 25, 2012, 08:46 PM   #8
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I'll also go with a Ruger Bisley in 45 Colt. A 275gr LFN, from 1000 to 1400fps, will cover a lot of territory.
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Old December 25, 2012, 09:47 PM   #9
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Stand-By for Navy talk....

If you like sugar and cream in your coffee you don't need coffee.

If S/A is your game and Rugly aint doing it anymore then you can go downgrade (puking sounds...) to something else; or you can go BOAT. In fact, you can go BOAT many many times in search of a better than Ruglys. It is easy. You can start by...oh! Sorry. BOAT means, Break-Out-Another-Thousand. Now right over here we have some Colts, and over there we have some....
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Old December 26, 2012, 10:50 AM   #10
TennJed
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Quote:

The choice for the most part is 45 Colt or 44 Mag and Ruger or S&W.
Don't think S&W makes a Single Action. You also have the 454 Casull or 460. Both the 454 will allow you to also shoot 45 colt. The 460 will also allow you to shoot 454 and 45 colt. If you can afford it get a Freedom Arms in 454. If not consider a Magnum Research in 460
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Old December 26, 2012, 11:22 AM   #11
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Find a Blackhawk Convertable in .45Colt with a .45ACP cylinder. Lots of fun with that one....
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Old December 26, 2012, 11:34 AM   #12
chewie146
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Thwnks for the recommendations, all. I'm thinking the blackhawk is the way to go.
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Old December 26, 2012, 04:50 PM   #13
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The Ruger Blackhawk would be my general recommendation (quality versus cost). You also have the Freedom Arms offerings and the Magnum Research BFR revolvers. It depends a lot on how big a big bore you want to go, but the calibers mentioned, I'd probably go Ruger.
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Old December 27, 2012, 01:33 PM   #14
BigJimP
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Freedom Arms is in its own class...and well beyond anything made by Ruger in my opinion.../ their revolvers are a piece of craftmanship ...especially when you want to get into large calibers.....454 Casull, .475 Linebaugh, .500 Wyoming Express.../ but they're nice guns in any caliber...in my view.

All of their large frame, model 83's, will cost you around $ 3,000 but they're worth every penny in my view.

http://www.freedomarms.com/
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Old December 27, 2012, 04:26 PM   #15
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All of their large frame, model 83's, will cost you around $ 3,000 but they're worth every penny in my view.
Cough, Cough, cough!!! I'll take a Ruger with a $500-$1000 trip to a custom shop. Or better yet a factory Ruger and keep my marriage intact!
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Old December 27, 2012, 04:33 PM   #16
BigJimP
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Or tell your wife you always wanted one .../ I married a good woman ...!..

http://thefiringline.com/forums/atta...0&d=1339790943

Here's a photo of mine, I purchased last spring - for my 62nd birthday present to myself.../ in .357 mag, 4 3/4" octagonal barrel, full action job with trigger set at 3.75 lbs .....its been a spectacular gun ....and I appreciate it every time I take it to the range.

I may order another one in .475 Linebaugh...just because !! ( probably a 6 or 7 "...) but haven't made up my mind yet ...
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I didn't buy guns like this when I was still raising kids...or had a lot of bills to pay ...but since I'm semi-retired..../ I felt like it was a suitable reward....and I bought her a new Lexus convertible for her birthday ...( my grandpa taught me to be smart ..)...
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Old December 27, 2012, 04:36 PM   #17
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I have an Italian .45 SAA clone. I'm happy with it.
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Old December 28, 2012, 09:13 AM   #18
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I love the feel and balance of the Ruger New Vaquero in .45 Colt.
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Old December 28, 2012, 10:18 AM   #19
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Dollar-for-dollar, versus availability, I'd find a used Ruger Super Blackhawk in 44 mag. Seems like every gun shop I've ever wandered into has one in the "used" case.
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Old December 28, 2012, 10:38 AM   #20
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I am in the Ruger camp on this one, its tough to beat up a Ruger and as a reloader 44 or 45 is a perfect choice( I also have a 357). I have one of each and have been verry happy with them. My favorite though is my 45 Blackhawk. Everything I need and nothing I dont. I also reload and find the selection of bullets for both to be more than sufficent. Good luck with your choice.
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Old December 28, 2012, 10:49 AM   #21
chewie146
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I have a blackhawk in .357, so I might have to geet it a brother.
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Old December 28, 2012, 01:05 PM   #22
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Two points of view...

There are two basic points of view when it comes to SA handguns.

The first is what I call "traditionalists". They want a Colt, or something the same size and shape as a Colt. Some of them play cowboy games, other's just love the classic Colt.

Some of them are even a bit snobbish about it.

The second point of view should, I figure, be considered "non-traditionalist", but I just consider them folks, like me. People who like the style and handling of the SA revolver, but aren't fixated on it being a Colt, or clone. We don't care much about if it has four clicks or a transfer bar. We sometimes even put oversize rubber grips on them ().

We buy Rugers, and sometimes other brands. For me, high end, high dollar SA guns are nice to look at, but my budget is hamburgers, not steak & lobster.

Been shooting a Blackhawk .45 convertible going on 30 years now. I currently have 10 Ruger SA revolvers in different barrel lengths and flavors. 8 of them are big bore (.44 or .45). For the money, there is no better buy in an SA revolver, in my opinion.

I handload my own ammo, don't play cowboy games, and while I have hit the outer limits of power in my guns, (just to know what it was), for decades all my .45 Colt shooting has been with one basic load, a slight step up from the standard factory level.

A 250gr swc at 1100fps (7.5"barrel) does everything I've ever asked a revolver to do, and is not so heavy recoiling that you can't shoot it all day (at least, for me).

Got no use for the powder puff cowboy loads (except, if I find the ammo cheap enough, I'll get it for the brass). IF I want a light recoiling plinker, .45ACP in the big Blackhawk is really mild shooting. I could load lighter in the .45 Colt, but don't bother to.

Now, the .44 Mag is a slightly differnt beast. My 7.5" Super Blackhawk is a nice gun (I traded a .44Mag Vaquero for it,) but has just enough of a different "feel" from my Blackhawks/Vaqueros that its not my favorite.

Same for my 5.5" .45colt New Vaquero. ITs a very nice gun, but it is the same size as a Colt, (which, after decades shooting bigger guns, makes it seem...small) and I don't really care for the grips...but its a personal matter, and you might love one.
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Old December 31, 2012, 11:33 PM   #23
El Bango
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I started with a .45 Ruger Blackhawk,7 1/2" barrel 40 years ago when I got back from overseas and cut the barrel to 6" and have been carrying it ever since.I don't shoot it very much (all cast bullets) 900 FPS,and have killed a bear,two Elk ,several deer,and a lot of "breakfast bunnies".I like it better'n beer.Sure I have other handguns but a guy"s got to have a favorite...
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