There's a lot of info and good advice, & suggestions in all these posts.
I've had one Blackhawk since '73, the O/M .30 Carbine. Have shot maybe 10,000 reloads thru it.
12, or 12.5 gr H110/H4227 and 110's. I can hit a barrel at 300 yds all day and it'll go thru one side. Have raised hell with running coyotes a bunch of times and hit a few. Killed a couple standing deer not too far away, finished up a few elk, blows the heads up enough to ruin the horns.
But, the most impressive killing shot I've made with it was on a 1200# steer we were butchering. Slug was buried in the back half the Atlas joint, 11" penetration. The impression I carry from that shot was his feet hitting his belly before he went down like a hunk of lead. Then we cut his head nearly off and he never bled over half a gallon. By the time he was quartered there couldn't have been a whole gallon total. Stopped his heart too. Until the last few yrs I've never figured that I needed, or had any use for a big gun because I felt that was plenty big enough.
But, this summer I finally could afford to buy my next one. Another Blackhawk of course. This was the combo .45's, couldn't get this convertible in the long barrel I like. Longest I could get was 5 1/2". I'm in the market/hunt for a 7 1/2 or 8" and would trade anyone even up for one. This has not over 250 hard cast loads thru it so far and not any jackets.
I've shot a bunch of .44's, some were ok, but, a couple were over loaded and I thought massive recoil even with the 10" and scoped. We had 26 of us in a match, targets up to 75yds. I've never figured I was more than half assed with this thing til that day and I won the match, every single target. I'm baffled about that as some of them were what I felt fine pistolsmiths. One 44 mag guy couldn't keep them on the 4ft sq target frame. When it was all over with and the papers passed out he asked if I'd shoot his gun to see what was wrong with it's accuracy. "Why sure, but, I don't know guns that well." Put five shots into 4" with it and gave it back with about ten guys standing around. "One thing for sure, it ain't the gun's problem". His load was 26gr H110/250grFMJ's. My books said that was over loaded. The recoil was nasty to me. But, I haven't shot the big one's much.
Had an old retired sheriff from Idaho tell me: "IF you can't do it with a .45 Colt in a new model Ruger, you'd better take a rifle".
Since getting this gun a few months ago. I've seen why he says that. I started with 24gr H110/250cast SWC's. That's too much for me. But, I've got big hands, a disabled middle finger from cut tendons so I can't grip it with that finger, shoot one handed, and the knuckle is whacked hard at every shot. I've down loaded it til settling on 19gr H110 with 250gr SWC's. Seems to be plenty of power, more than enough recoil, accurate, don't lead any in the bore. But, it still whacks my knuckle.
Am badly in need of a set of grips that will fit my big hands, and long enough to get all my fingers on. The stock grips are too short for me. That trigger guard gap needs to be filled up I think, too. IF it was, maybe that would protect my knuckle.
Will the Bisley grips fit the blackhawk frames?? OR does the grip frame have to be changed? Remember, I'm new to the bigger calibers, but, had a lot of experience with the .30 carbine.
That holster shown above is a nice looking set up. But, I much prefer more cover for the hammer and rear sight. I see you've got the hammer strap, that's great, wouldn't want one without.
Wallered thru heavy oak brush after a buck I shot once, drug it down the hill thru kthe stuff, dressed it out, loaded in the trunk, drove a mile and thru a gate. While closing the gate happened to look down and the hammer was at full cock. That scared the sh-t out of me! Soon as I could, the leathersmith reworked it to strap the hammer down instead of the trigger guard.
Thank you gentlemen, I do admire the guns and rigs you've posted pictures of. Some real beauties here. Would appreciate any advice you fellows could provide. You may send direct to: georgeld@hotmail.com if you'd like.
George
