Range Report - Ruger SBH .44 Mag

[MtJerry]

Did some shooting with my new (to me) Super Blackhawk 71/2 barrel.

Load was 240gr kieth style cast bullet over 20gr. of 2400.  I have some 250gr. keith bullets ordered and want to try them also.

Shot at 25, 50 and 100 yards.  Only had one target so I hope it shows up ok.

I've not done much long range shoot (100 yrd) with a revolver and am hoping to join the handgun hunters fraternity this next fall.

Is this an acceptable group for 100 yards, or should I try and make it better.  To be honest, I was pretty pleased with it.

Whatya say?

[Zeus]

Of course you want to make it as tight as possible so keep shooting.  Not a bad start for a new gun with open sights at 100 yards though.  Key is plenty of trigger time.  Only you will know if you are truly ready to go hunting with the weapon when the time comes.  Just remember to respect the game that you pursue and leave the pistol at home if you are not willing to pass on a marginal shot.  If you are only TRULY confident in 50 yards and under, DO NOT shoot farther than that.  There is a nice satisfaction knowing that you took the game with a handgun but to wound one because you were overly ambitious I imagine will not make one feel good about himself.  So, when the time, comes, make a thoughtful decision and until them, burn many pounds of powder and enjoy the new gun.  GS

[Spyro Andes]

Did some shooting with my new (to me) Super Blackhawk 71/2 barrel.

Load was 240gr kieth style cast bullet over 20gr. of 2400.  I have some 250gr. keith bullets ordered and want to try them also.

Shot at 25, 50 and 100 yards.  Only had one target so I hope it shows up ok.

I've not done much long range shoot (100 yrd) with a revolver and am hoping to join the handgun hunters fraternity this next fall.

Is this an acceptable group for 100 yards, or should I try and make it better.  To be honest, I was pretty pleased with it.

Whatya say?

It looks good to me BUT...  Is anything ever acceptable to a shooter?

I think it just becomes a cost vs. reward issue rather than saying "I don't want anything more accurate".

No before I continue... let me restate this...  It looks good to me.

Ok, lets continue...

The best way to improve accuracy on a cast bullet gun is to do the following:

1) Take measurements of the following:

                 a) each cylinder throat
                 b) the bore at the threaded part of the barrell
                 c) the bore at the middle of the barrell
                 d) the bore at the muzzle.

2) Uniform the cylinder throats to a size that is larger than B, C & D

3) By fire lapping the barrell, make B bigger than C and C bigger than D.

4) Either cast your own bullets, LBT moulds are the best, or order your bullets sized to A.  Even better is to order your bullets unsized and unlubed so you can size and lube them with LBT Blue.

5) Take care of the action basics that a novice can pretty much do with some instruction like:

                a) adjust endshake & headspacing
                b) trigger job
                c) oversize base pin

Frankly, this is what I do to every single one of my Ruger SBHs...  I do it all myself except for honing the cylinder ($50-$75).

SA

PS.  All the stuff you need for the measuring and lapping I'd recommend getting from LBT.

[Dusty Miller]

Its hard for me to judge 'cuz I've never shot a handgun at that range using open sights.  I'd suggest, however, that if you intend to hunt at that range with this gun this you'd do well to scope it.  A simple 2X would shrink that group mo-scosh-quik.

[MtJerry]

Thanks for the replies and the info gents.

I bought this revolver used, and it has a very nice, light triggere on it.  Appears to have already been worked over prety good.

I will take some measurements of the cylinders, and bore and see what I have.

For now, I think I'll work on the load a bit more, that and some more trigger time will help me decide of I need to tweak the gun yet.

It does appear to be shooting high, maybe the 250gr'ers will help that some.  If not, might readjust a bit.

I don't plan on shooting this at game past 100 yards.  Maybe less if it doesn't improve.

Thanks again!

[Prof. Fuller Bullspit]

If those groups were shot standing with no rest I'd call them very good. If you were using a rest I'm guessing that you will do better with some practice and load development but they aren't bad for a "new to you" gun.

Remember, your effective hunting range is probably 1/2 to 3/4 of your ability to hit a target. Obviously the more experience you have the more likely your effective hunting range will equal your ability to hit a target.

If those are 1 inch squares I would say you could manage a 50 to 75 yard shot on a deer in the woods.

[MtJerry]

Some quick measurements tonight - cylinder throats are .432, and muzzle is .429 - didn't slug it - just some rough measurements with digital calibers.

[RCL]

I think some load development may be a good thing to start with. Try some different design and weight cast bullets and different powders/charges. Lots of room to play here. Keep an open mind to combinations. That is how I found out that my Bisley SuperBlackhawk .44 liked jacketed bullets much better than cast, and in particular seems to favour bullets by Speer and Sierra. Every gun will tell it's own story given enough time.

[MtJerry]

I think some load development may be a good thing to start with. Try some different design and weight cast bullets and different powders/charges. Lots of room to play here. Keep an open mind to combinations. That is how I found out that my Bisley SuperBlackhawk .44 liked jacketed bullets much better than cast, and in particular seems to favour bullets by Speer and Sierra. Every gun will tell it's own story given enough time.

I think that's route I am going to take .... gto LOTS of months before huting season rolls around again.

I have to admit though, I really like this Keith-style bullet, and cast makes shooting dollars go SO MUCH farther.  I have some 250gr. keith bullets on order - will give them a try too, and work with the powder some more.

Thanks for the replies!

Jerry

[shooter444002]

Just remember if your 240's are shooting high the 250's will problably shoot higher.

[MtJerry]

Just remember if your 240's are shooting high the 250's will problably shoot higher.

Really??  Why is that?

[hylander]

Lighter bullets generally leave the barrel faster and with less recoil.
This means the barrel has not risen as much before the bullet
exit's the muzzle.
 Hope I explained that correct and not confused you more.