Author Topic: Ruger SBH (Read 1850 times)

grumpyErik · « **on:** March 08, 2008, 01:11:16 PM »

Hi guys, I just got a small windfall and want to get a single action pistol larger than my old model single six. I thought a 7.5" barreled stainless SBH would be a good gun to learn on as I would like to hunt with deer with a revolver. What do you all think of this one? I have heard some negative things about these such as too heavy a trigger and the sights not being well regulated for heavier slugs. True or false? I have also heard they are usually pretty accurate once the trigger is worked over. True or false?

Any other negatives or positives about this revolver?

The sights being suited for lighter slugs does not bother me to much as I want to shoot 250gr Keith bullets out of it as I don't like ridiculous amounts of recoil but, If I want to try them I think I should at least be aware of a potential problem.

I just don't see any other single action revolvers in my price range <$500 that will do what I want to do

I look forward to your thoughts,

Erik

blhof · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2008, 02:40:33 PM »

Bought my son a RBH in 45 LC last year and found it to be accurate and the trigger wasn't bad at all. It's a joy to shoot with cowboy loads and not uncontrollable with the heavy stuff. The customer service from Ruger is excellent too

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2008, 01:43:23 AM »

The SBH is an outstanding choice. I'll never be without one.

grumpyErik · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2008, 07:55:39 AM »

Thanks for the input Ken. I think this will be the gun I choose. I read the archives here on GBO last night and found little complaint with this gun. I know it is not a Freedom Arms but it is also not $1500+.

Now I need comfortable leather recommendations for this big gun.

Heavy C · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2008, 09:16:47 AM »

Take a look at Galco. IMO, they have an excellent holster that can be worn strong side or cross draw. With a good belt it's a perfect rig.

grumpyErik · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2008, 01:24:54 PM »

That Galco holster is nice, and cheaper than the Kirkpatrick cross draw rig I was looking at $82 Vs. $185

Thanks,

Erik

warrior1 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2008, 03:03:58 PM »

if you are at all handy, put a wolf's spring kit in it. the other thing is i put a belt mountain
base pin in my 41 mag blackhawk and it helped improve accuracy. two powders that
i really like in the 44 mag are h110 for jcketed about 1/2 gr below max and blue dot for cast
again just below max.

good luck and enjoy your new 44.dan

grumpyErik · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2008, 04:00:44 PM »

Dan, how hard is it to put springs in? I am somewhat handy. How much did the new base pin help accuracy?

Oh, and the load I am looking for is a 250 gr Keith bullet at about 1300-1350 fps I have heard good things about h110 and w231 for the .44 but have never reloaded for this caliber. I am assuming blue dot for plinker loads?

Thanks,

Erik

LarryL · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2008, 06:53:35 AM »

Hi Erik,

I have a SBH .44 with a 5-1/2" bbl and love it. It shoots tight groups and is easy to carry. I did have a trigger job done, and had adjustable Millett sights put on it to help out my eyes. The trigger job was not expensive, and did wonders for lowering and crisping up the pull. I don't do primary handgun hunting with it, but do carry it as a backup when shotgun or rifle hunting in a western style rig. With iron sights, I don't trust my eyes for shooting beyond maybe 50 yds. That's why I don't use it as a primary handgun hunting pistol. If I am handgun hunting, I use a scoped SRH .480.

You indicated you are looking at a 7-1/2" barrel? The extra weight and length will improve control and accuracy, but it is a bit long for easy carry on your hip. If you are looking at the Hunter model that has the barrel rib with scope mount cutouts, that would make an excellent pistol for handgun hunting. Put a red dot or a 2X scope on it and as long as you do your part, you should be good for 100-125 yds with good ammo. If you go that route, Pistol Packaging makes a nice bandoleer holster for cross draw with cartridge loops. That's what I have for my SRH .480.

You may want to put a set of after market grips on it. I found the stock grips a little small for my hands. The dealer had already put on Lett faux ivory grips on the one I ended up buying. They are just slightly more hand filling than the stock ones. The only time I found recoil an issue was if I took a high hold on the grips. Then, as the gun comes back, it tends to whack your middle finger with the back of the trigger guard. I moved to a lower hold and have had no trouble since. I shoot everything from factory 180/240s to Corbon 265 HPs and their bigger hard cast thumpers, and my own handloads.

The Ruger SBH may not be the most incredible handgun made, and certainly is not in the class of an FA or a Bowen custom job. But, it also takes a much smaller chunk out of your wallet. I have been extremely happy with my SBH and SRH. They are definite keepers.

Good luck and happy shooting.

Ladobe · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2008, 10:44:00 AM »

I've owned a lot of Colt and Ruger SA's over the years, as well as several from other makers. Rugers: still have 4 old model Rugers (my personal Ruger model preference). Hunted mule deer with both BH's and SBH's a lot from the 60's to late 80's, elk a few times and bear. Learned in a hurry that I didn't need the longer sight radius or slightly more ME on long barrels at handgun ranges and that the shorter barrels were a lot lighter and easier to carry when climbing over tall mountains and in thick cover. My preference is 4 5/8"-5 1/2" barrels for BG hunting. Dang near knocked myself out once trying to quickly draw a 10" SBH out of a shoulder holster for a buck I jumped from its bed while still hunting. While I killed a lot of big game with the 38-40 WCF, 357/41 MAG's and 45 Colt SAA's, the 44MAG's just did a better job on big deer, a few elk and bear. My first few deer and a black bear taken with a SA revolver BTW was with a Herter's 401 Power Mag (wish I hadn't let a collector talk me out of that one). I shot a few deer/bear with S&W DA's, a Model 19 and Model 29, but I have always liked the SA's much better for hunting.

What I learned that worked the best for me was cross draw holsters for up to 7 1/2" barrels. All the CD holsters I have now are custom made, but I'm sure factory CD's must be available. For the long barrels (10" SBH) I used bandoleer or shoulder holsters mostly and for a while slings - but those SA's also wore pistol scopes.

Anyway, maybe a few experiences that will be of some help to you.

L.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2008, 11:30:25 AM »

there is no better gun for what you want. I prefer them a little shorter myself and would look for a 5.5 inch one myself. But thats just personal preference. Another thing you could look for is one of the aniversary flatop 44 mags they made a recent run of. theyve got a 6.5 inch barrel and the out of the box actions on mine and the few others ive shot are a notch about a typical super.

grumpyErik · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2008, 01:58:00 PM »

Thanks for sharing your experiences Ladobe. I think I may just pony up the money and get a custom rig, even though I am thrifty by nature. I like the cross draw holster I have for my old model single six, definitely the way I would carry the big .44. it's just more comfortable to me than strong side carry. Still $185 for a Kirkpatrick cross draw rig seems steep, but it is likely better quality than an off the shelf type rig.

Lloyd, I would consider the 5 1/2" barrel model but I like the bigger grip frame on the 7 1/2" model. Of course I could get the 7 1/2" cut to what ever I like.

Ladobe · « **Reply #12 on:** March 11, 2008, 10:38:06 PM »

FWIW, the last two custom CD holsters I bought (one for my OM Super Bearcat and one that works for both the shorter barreled OM BH's and OM SS's) are very well made, have sewed in lining and even though I had mine done plain brown can also be had tool stamped and/or dyed. He also offers them in several western patterns. Nice gent to deal with, excellent craftsmanship, only about 3 week lead time from order to delivery and only in the $65 range. If I remember right he also offers belts. He used to sell on Ebay under the name Leather Creek Holsters. If interested and you can't find him there, LMK. I know I have his contact info saved somewhere because he'll make all my holsters for me from now on.

In comparison, the custom CD holster/belt rig I had made by another gent a couple of years before these two for 4 5/8-5 1/2 barreled SAA's ran near $300. It too is very well made with both holster and belt lined and the belt has both 38/357 and 22 loops. But it is not as comfortable to wear as the last two I had made.

Agree with Lloyd completely... since your buying a SAA for deer hunting I'd look for a 44 MAG with the 5.5" barrel. Would be the ticket for BG hunting with near perfect balance and a pleasure to carry cross draw.

L.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #13 on:** March 11, 2008, 11:51:44 PM »

you might want to try shooting both frames. Personally i prefer bisleys. But between the xr red and the dragoon id take the xr anyday. The square backed dragoon is the most uncomfortable grip frame ive ever shot. It beats my knuckle up so badly that i had operations for bone spurs on it twice and it permanently swelled. I wont even shoot them anymore with 44 special loads.

Quote from: grumpyErik on March 11, 2008, 01:58:00 PM

Thanks for sharing your experiences Ladobe. I think I may just pony up the money and get a custom rig, even though I am thrifty by nature. I like the cross draw holster I have for my old model single six, definitely the way I would carry the big .44. it's just more comfortable to me than strong side carry. Still $185 for a Kirkpatrick cross draw rig seems steep, but it is likely better quality than an off the shelf type rig.

Lloyd, I would consider the 5 1/2" barrel model but I like the bigger grip frame on the 7 1/2" model. Of course I could get the 7 1/2" cut to what ever I like.

grumpyErik · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2008, 06:55:45 AM »

Thanks for the Leather recomendation Ladobe.

Lloyd, i'll see if I can find someone who has the dragoon model and try it out. I hope it does't bite me I like the way they feel. I guess I could install a bisley grip frame or find an accusport bisley.

Ole Man Dan · « **Reply #15 on:** March 12, 2008, 10:21:49 AM »

grumpyeric:

Everyone ought to have at least one SBH. Most of the members here own multiple SBH because they work. The triggers on mine are all about 2-2.5lb. Accuracy is limited by range. They are great w/iron sights out to 75-100 yds. (I don't see well enough to get the better groups beyond 75 yards) I don't use scopes on my pistols.
I carry the 4 5/8" guns and hunt with the 7.5" guns. I spent about 20 years with two 5.5" .44s, and these may be the best choice for a single gun. You got to be carefull, because you may get funny ideas and decide you want them in 4.6,5.5.7.5 ect...

Like you, I like the cross draws for the bigger guns. Custom holsters will put a smile on your face.

grumpyErik · « **Reply #16 on:** March 12, 2008, 04:31:25 PM »

Ole Man Dan, that is one thing cowboy action shooting has done for us all, that is give us sexy leather to put our six shooters in. Since I have been looking at getting new leather I have found the number of good choices is incredible. Indeed just looking at them puts a big smile on my face.

Particularly carved leather and good boarder stamping.

warrior1 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 13, 2008, 02:40:25 AM »

there is a beauty 44 mag sbh 5.5" for sale on the firing line. dan

huntswithdogs · « **Reply #18 on:** March 13, 2008, 06:03:52 AM »

I bought one of the TripleK crossdraws for my 7.5 BH from Cabelas, along with their Wyoming style cartridge belt. Carries real well and it's comfortable while sitting ,either in a tree stand or on the ground. Cabelas still has them listed. $37.99 for the holster and $47.99 for the belt. These are not lined, but I've had no problems with rub marks or anything like that. The holster has a hammer thong to secure the gun.

HWD

grumpyErik · « **Reply #19 on:** April 04, 2008, 01:40:30 PM »

Ok, Lloyd I tried my dads friends SBH and it did'nt bite me using factory federal 240gr hp. So off to Cabelas I go to pick up a new SBH.

Now, it may bite me using the 300 grainers but I want nothing to do with those anyway, unless someone wants to send me to Alaska to do some fishing.

Thanks for the advice guys, I think I found a good fit for me.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #20 on:** April 04, 2008, 09:38:15 PM »

I've read that it makes a difference what size hands you have. I like the length of the dragoon frame, BUT, it BITES back. I bought my first Blackhawk 41mag after firing 5 rounds of factory Remington ammo in a SBH 44mag with a Pachmayer grip. Not for me. I did put a set of longer stocks on the Blackhawk and it was pure bliss. Several Blackhawks later, I still prefer the xr grip with extended stocks, though I am taking a liking to the Bisley grip that Ruger came out with. My 45Colt is 7.5 inch, my 41mag is 5.5 inch. Now, I prefer the 5.5 to any of the other barrel lengths. I used to like the longer the better - not no more.

After always having 'off the shelf' holsters, I decided I wanted something special for my Bisley 41mag. I met a craftsman at a gunshow here in North Idaho named Tom Harris, also a Deputy Sheriff in Thompson Falls, Montana. He had a neat fully lined plain model for a 4 5/8, but nothing that would fit my 5.5 - so I bought the 'plain model' strong side holster for my son's Blackhawk 41mag - it fit like a glove -and I ordered a handtooled model right down to my initials on the hold down strap for my 5.5 Bisley 41mag. Later when I got my Bisley 45Colt with the 7.5, I ordered another fancy rig, but in cross-draw - good move on my part. It is a match to the other fancy one I had ordered previously, and priced right - $60.00 - Tom is in the phone book.

Get it - shoot it - a be happy!!

Regards,
Sweetwater

WNY_Whitetailer · « **Reply #21 on:** April 07, 2008, 06:24:03 PM »

On the topic of leather, I would give Simply Rugged a shot...I have a Sourdough Pancake holster for my Ruger GP100 and I love it...It also can be ordered with a third belt hole to that it can be converted to a crossdraw holster. In the pic, you will also see the Real Man belt that Simply Rugged manufactures as well.

DCRthe3rd · « **Reply #22 on:** April 07, 2008, 07:08:59 PM »

I have a 5.5 inch SBH , find it very pleasant to carry , I use a hunter brand leather holster that cost me about 20 dollars or so. Works well for me and has broken in nicely.
My gun certainly could use a taller front sight tho. It works but the rear sight is bottomed out and I took a smudge off the top of the rear sight also , I find that I do this on alot of guns so perhaps it is just me?