Ruger Blackhawk for hunting.

[duckmart]

I'm thinking about a Blackhawk 44 mag. for hunting. What would be the ideal barrel lenth, for shots at around 75yrds or so. I realize 100 yards with a handgun can be very challenging, but willing to try. Comments please.

[Dr. A]

The SUper Blackhawk Hunter has a 7.5 in. barrel and will easily take a scope. That's what i have. I also hav a 5.5 inch that is easily shot at those distances and more easily packed. I can't shoot a 4 5/8 inch gun very well. I think its mostly an individual thing.

[dalegribble]

I sat next to a guy at the range shooting a 7 1/2" scoped ruger blackhawk and he was shooting 2to 3 inch groups at 100 yards all day long. Pretty impressive I thought. For handgun hunting that is a rig I would seriously consider. If your not a scope man maybe a 5 1/2" and alot of practice would suit you.

[critter44]

I have a Blackhawk Hunter (Bisley) model with the 7.5" barrel and a 4X scope. GOOD whitetail/hog medicine.

[jrothWA]

Blackhawk. 7.5 in .45LC, for deer.
Just with iron sights would keep reloads on paper plate @75yds.

[309Hunter]

An excellent pistol for deer, elk or pigs. You should have no problem shooting out to 100 yards with a good scope. A 7.5 inch barrel topped with a 1.5 X 4 Burris scope will do the trick for you.l

[Mat, not doormat]

Irons or a scope? Reloads or factory ammo?

If you're going with a scope, then the Hunter models are preferable. Ring mounting points are cast into the frame. Also, with a scope, barrel length doesn't matter so much, the only effect it has is on weight and velocity. With irons, get at least a 7.5 in bbl. The longer sight radius helps precision a lot.

If you're going with straight factory ammo, then go with .44 Mag. With reloads, .45 Colt is a very viable option. In a big ruger, it can be loaded to outrun .44 Mag.

~~~Mat

[mavracer]

My 50th anniversary 6 1/2" is plenty accurate for 75 yards and is a little nicer to carry than my 7 1/2" SBH.as others have said if you want to scope it the hunter is probably the way to go.

[Smaug]

I wouldn't plan on making any 75 yd. shots, at least not at first.

On the range under controlled conditions is one thing. In the field with wind, obstructions to your sight line, your heart pounding and adreneline pumping... Cut that in half or at least down to 50 yds.

Hell, maybe you'll prove me wrong. I just went deer hunting a few days ago. First time, brought my scoped Redhawk. I didn't get a deer, but learned a hell of a lot:

• A 4X scope is no good on a handgun in the woods.
• Deer have no problem with it being 7°F outside. I do.
• You cannot sneak up on a deer in the woods. When they're in the woods, they're miraculously smarter than the ones I see near my subdivision.
• A 44 Magnum discharged without ear protection will immediately start your ears ringing. You won't have your full hearing back for a couple hours, and some would say never.

Anyway, I'm getting side-tracked. I went with the Redhawk. It is a more versatile gun. The Super Redhawks have a grip stud that takes rubber wrap-around grips.

[Sam06]

I do a lot of handgun hunting and I would go with the Super Blackhawk Hunter w/ Bisley grip. I use either a 629 or a T/C to hunt with but if you want the Single action style gun that is the best one for hunting Here's why in order;

Pros:

1. Stainless Steel
2. Easy to put a scope on
3. Barrel length is a little long for me on a revolver but it is a ok hunting tube
4. You can smooth and lighten the trigger yourself.

Cons:

1. Lock time is long on a SA so you have to be on your A game when shooting them
2. Its a big gun and will be a pain to hoss around in thick woods, but a great stand hunting gun
3. Slow to fire and slow to reload(Not that important in a hunting gun for Deer)
4. Trigger is rough and the tolerances on Ruger "Can" be a little big. These can be fixed with a trigger kit from wolffs and handloading for accuracy(Matching the bullet size to the cylinder size)

When you go to get a scope if that is what you plan to do, and I would, Don't get anything more powerful than 2.5x. I would look at something between 1.75X-2.5X EER scope. Anything more and you will have problems in the field with it. If you are just going to shoot it off a bench get whatever you want but for Deer hunting I would not go any higher than 2.5x.

Oh yea they are loud! Try a 30-30 from a14" T/C. That will make you see god right there.

Pistol hunting is a blast, I think you will enjoy it.........Have fun

[22-rimfire]

The 6.5" Blackhawk would be a good choice. The hunter models would be an excellent choice as well as they came with rings and so forth.

Pick up a Suprer Redhawk and see how it feels in your hand. Also a good choice.

I use 2x Leupold scope on my hunting rig. I also carry a monopod. Tried just about everything that I could from shooting sticks, tripods, and bi-pods. I learned very quickly that you need a rest unless it is a quick shot. I do carry ear protection when I hunt with a hangun. I want to keep my hearing.

[theNoid]

If shooting with irons, get as long of a barrel as you can comfortably handle, I say this due to the longer sight radius and higher bullet speeds. Oh and practice, practice, practice.

If going scope, a 2x that is built for handguns of large caliber is ideal. Although some folks prefer more of a magnification. Now that optics have come into hand, sight radius is out the window so get whatever barrel length that you prefer ergonomically and aesthetically. Keep in mind that going with shorter length barrels does indeed affect overall projectile performance. Whatever you end up with don't forget to practice, practice, practice.

Oh and did I mention to practice, practice, practice. Once your combo is set up and dialed in, if you have the opportunity, get some actual field practice with your firearm. What I mean here is to go to your stand in the off season on occasion and plop some targets around randomly. I find it is a lot mo' betta' to get real field shots in rather than sitting at a bench or the likes at a range.

It has been said before and I will repeat it...handgun hunting is a blast...good luck and most of all, be safe and have fun!!!

Noidster

[duckmart]

OK. now I'm starting to think the 357 mag maybe a more manageable cal.. I would think that there are more load options in that cal. What do you think?

[garryc]

CDNN is listing the 6.5" blackhawk 50th aniversery flat top right now. I don't know how much it costs.

[22-rimfire]

Yes, the 357 mag is more manageable. But it is not nearly as good as the 44 mag for whitetail hunting. Some will tell you how they put their whitetail (usually a doe) down with one shot and they dropped like a rock. It happens. But most of these people are carrying a rifle and use the handgun because the shot is close (namely targets of opportunity only). If you are depending on that gun for your whitetail, you'll feel better if you master something a bit larger.

My first 357 mag was for whitetail hunting and any other of the usual purposes (target, self defense, home defense, woods carry, etc.). I soon began reading a lot on handgun hunting and I believe the authors of the day. There is a world of difference stepping up to either a 41 mag or 44 mag from a 357 mag revolver in terms of reliable killing power.

My recommendation is to choose a 41 mag or larger caliber. I have used a 41 mag as it is my favorite big bore caliber. However, a few years back I bought a Ruger Super Redhawk in 480 Ruger and it is plenty of medicine for whitetails or anything in North America that you would typically choose to hunt with a handgun as the primary gun. Takes a lot of practice to master shooting these guns unless you have a high tolerance for recoil. But it is do-able.

If you are thinking "357 mag" due to recoil, then choose a 41 mag in probably a Ruger Blackhawk. That would be a good hunting revolver. Less recoil than a 44 mag, but almost as much killing power. The Blackhawk with a 6.5" barrel would be a good choice.

Happy hunting!

[troy_mclure]

another super black hunter in .44 mag here. ive killed deer, and 1 hog with it.
my buddy killed a cow elk at 80m with it.

ive got a 3x pistol scope on it, at 100m (on a rest) i can put all 6 shots into a soup can.

plus you can fire 44sp, and 44r, as well.

[458winshooter]

5.5"or longer would be best.You might be able to make do with something shorter like a four inch but you will also loose some velocity with it too.And you will need alot of practice with it as well.I have a 7.5 inch blackhawk that I am sure it will hit at that range.

[CraigC]

Whichever one you shoot the best with. Velocity won't be an issue between 4 5/8" and 7½". I have two custom Bisley .44's that are almost identical except the barrel length. One a blued/case colored 7½", the other a stainless 4 5/8". While both sixguns will shoot into 2"@50yds with preferred loads, I actually shoot better with the shorter barrel, regardless of range.

[salvadore]

A 4" .357 using swc cast will kill a deer and can be very accurate and a no sweat to carry. luggiin a 7.5 inch with a scope isn't as much fun as it sounds. Practice, a lot. Shooting ground squirrels and other targets of opportunity is good practice.

[shortwave]

Check your state hunting laws as some states have a minimum barrel length. IMO 75 yds. with consistant accuracy is very good shooting with a handgun especially in hilly terrain. That kinda shot with confidence won`t come overnight in a hunting situation. Practice alot! Hunting with a pistol is alot of fun. That said, I prefer 7.5" in 44 as I need all the help I can get. I`ve been practing with a 7.5", BFR, 475 Linebaugh but don`t feel confident enough to hunt with it yet. Goodluck!

[Smaug]

Comparing hunting loads, a 44 Magnum has more energy at 200 yards than a 357 does at the muzzle.

Master the recoil of the 44 and you'll be glad you did. It isn't hard, it just takes practice. Good grips make it completely doable.

Don't settle, especially not for big game hunting. For self defense or target shooting, I could see settling for 357 or 38. But not big game hunting.

[Webleymkv]

Assuming it's kosher with state law, I'd go with the 6 1/2" barrel in .357, .41 or .44 Magnum and 5 1/2" in .45 Colt as I think they balance well in the hand.

[mnhntr]

my dad has a super blackhawk with a 10in barrel and he has hunted with it for whitetail. i would choose a S&W 629 or 29 or colt anaconda but that is just personal preference.

[milspec45]

I've matched up 7 1/2 inch 44 mag stainless super blackhawk with a Winchester 24" mdl 94 legacy lever gun in the same caliber. I love them both.

regards,

Chuck

[270wtbymag]

I currently have a super blackhawk 44mag 10.5 inch barrel with a 2x leupold I have taken countless whitetails out to 120 yards. It's for sale $450.00 if your interested.