50 th Anniversary Ruger Blackhawk 44 MAG

[cleveland48]

Hey guys this is my first post in a while. Hope everyone is still doing good.  So here it is the question to day I bought a 50th anniverssary.  Ruger blackhawk  in .44 Mag.  The guns seems like its gonna be a shooter.  It is going to be my packing gun in case one comes up close enough.  lol.  But the barrel is 6 1/2 inches.  I'm thinkging about scoping it.  First off is the scope gonna be too long and stick out past the muzzle?  Also my reloading manuals call for standard large pistol primes. So All I have in magmum powders like h110 is magnum powders.  The charge rate between the 44 and 45 is pretty similar but i was told to use magnum pistol primers with H110? So should I use that in the 44 with that powder?  Anyways thanks alot guys.  Any of your personal favorite loads for the 44 mag would be appreciated thanks alot guys. God Bless.

[Ken ONeill]

Magnum pistol primers should be used with H 110 and WW296. I have also found them to give superior velocity and cleaner burning with 2400 and H 4227, although they are not absolutely required for those two to assure proper ignition.

[cleveland48]

Sorry guys I was half asleep last night when I wrote that and now I can see it didn't make much sense lol. First off I had a Ruger BH 45 LC with 4 5/8 in. barrel.  So I have all the magnum powders left over from that cartridge.  And standard and magnum primers. But I traded it off for the 50th anniversary BH 44 MAG with 6 1/2 in. Barrel.  It shoots great but i'm wanting to deer hunt more with it.  Is that barrel length still to short for a scope?  Or if it was you would you put a scope on it?  It does great how it is, but I was just wondering what you guys might think.  Also is there any different features on this model blackhawk?  I know it has the old xr3 grip frame, and the flat top strap, but is that it? Thanks for all the help guys.

[BigMuddy]

I wouldn't scope it, because I don't like scoped handguns that much. That's just me though. I don't fault anyone that does. The 6 1/2" barrel is not too short for a scope, and it won't be anywhere near the muzzle. If you do, I suggest you get one of the "no tap" mounts so you don't mess up that good sixgun.

Those guns also have the new "indexing" feature that aligns the chambers in the cylinder with the loading gate when it is opened. Your NM Blackhawk 45 only lined up between clicks. If those black plastic checkered grips are hard on your hand, you can get some smooth rosewood grips from Ruger for about $50. I put them on mine and like the look and feel better. My AVATAR pic has a set on a 5 1/2" 44 special.

Mine is one of the finest built Rugers I have ever owned, and I have a lot of them. The new FT 44 specials are the only ones I have that come close. Yep, I think they are nicer than my OM's. Not as sexy maybe as the old 3 screw guns, but they are put together right.

[cleveland48]

Thanks for the reply big muddy.  Yeah i wasn't going to get the mounts the needed to be tapped was looking at the weavers.  And thanks for the info about the grips.  The factory grips are fine but i like wood stocks alot more.

[Lloyd Smale]

I dont like scoped sixguns either but that 6.5 inch barrel will look fine with a scope on it.

[Dale53]

My two deer hunting sixguns are scoped (S&W Model 29 - 8 3/8" barrel and a Ruger Red Hawk with 7½" barrel). However, with the new Ruger 50th Anniversary .44 Magnum, I would seriously consider a Red Dot sight. They are easy to see, much lighter and compact than a scope and while hunting I don't need magnification. I just need to see and the Red Dot gives me that.

You may find it hard to find a mount of any kind to fit your flat top. However, if you decide to drill and tap, Brownell's has blank Weaver style bases in both steel and aluminum that will work fine. Warne used to have 12" lengths of their dove tail base for their quick detachable rings, also (that's what i put on my S&W Model 29). That makes a FINE set up - mount the scope or Red Dot between the sights and in adverse weather you can pop the scope or Red Dot off and use the already zero'ed iron sights.

FWIW
Dale53

[Racer X]

I wouldn't scope it either. Maybe on a regular SBH and definitely a Hunter, but not on the 50th Anniversary. It would be a sin on a gun like that.

I put a 2X Leupold on my Hunter and hated doing that because my gun has a Bowen Target rear sight and a Clement front. However, when hunting, that extra 15 minutes of daylight it gives me makes a difference.

[Noreaster]

I know a guy that has a 44 SBH with a scope mount and 6.5 inch barrel. His gun is some kinda limited production run with a factory camo finish. He bought it used with the scope mounted on. I don't know the name of the mount, but it replaces the rear sight and the front end clamps down on the barrel. Looks like a nice setup. Let us know if you by a red dot. I've been looking for one for my Contender 44mag and not sure which one would hold up to the recoil.

[rawhidekid]

B-Square is the company that makes the no gunsmith scope mounts.  

[cleveland48]

I have a set of the weigand mounts right now but I still can't make a decision on what I'm gonna do.  I'm not in a hurry right now cause my rcbs digital scale is broke, thats the second one in 3 years thinking about a different name brand this time.  So I havn't had any reloads to be playing with right now, I'm trying to hold off on what i've got loaded now . But thanks for the replies everyone

[reloading_rich]

I scope all my handguns now because that is the only way I can hit anything with one.  I have progressive bifocals and since I started wearing them I have been unable to see iron sights worth a hill of beans.  I agree, the sixgun looks a lot better with iron sights but you have to be able to see the sights in order to hit anything.  When I was younger I used to shoot iron sights with great effectiveness out to about 125 yards.  Those were the days, I wish I could still do it.  For me it is a necessity not a luxury as I hunt mostly with handguns now. 

[44 Man]

As for a scope, that's a personal decision.  I have a scope on my Freedom Arms 44 mag as that is my main hunting gun.  When I was using that regular, I did not own or use a rifle.  I did own a Ruger SBH that was cut to 5 1/2", that one had a red dot on it and was just the ticket for thick timber and fast shots.  So, I give a +1 on the red dot for that Ruger.  Now that I usually carry an H&R Handi in the woods, all my carry handguns are sans the scope.  Either way it sounds like you are enjoying that gun.  44 Man