New Model Super Blackhawk?

[Bearman]

I have been looking for a pack-carry gun for when i go blackbear hunting in northern MN.  In the may issue of shooting times there was as interesting article of bearguns and hunting loads.  The gun that caught my eye was the single-action super blackhawk 44mag. (stainless) in a 4 5/8in. barrel.  I would like some insight on this gun and want to know if this revolver is strictly for carry or could it be used for hunting blackies over bait. I realize it"s a short barrel but, would like any feedback on the pros and cons of this gun?  thanks Bearman

[Lloyd Smale]

you have good taste my freind. What you decribed is the gun I would own if I could have only one handgun. It will take care of everythig from bear protection to people protection to hunting anything in north america. Accurate easy to pack and just plain pretty. Dont worry about the short barrel it will shoot just fine. Its my favorite lenght in a single action.

[eli]

Take the extra inch and go the extra mile, or something like that, and get the ss sbh in 5 1/2.  It carrys real easy and in some states meets the min. barrel lenght requirment.

By-the-way, just what is the min. hunting barrel lenght in your (or anybody else's) state?

Cheers,
Eli

[J.Solo]

I had a .44 Magnum, 10 1/2" Bull Barreled, NMSBH cut to just in front of the ejector rod housing, about 5 5/8" Bbl. length and then had the gun Magna-Ported. Great gun for brush and short range hunting. I've taken three Whitetail Dear with the gun to date. One at 15 yards and the other two at about 50+ yards.

I like the gun so much that I just picked up a limited edition, .44 Magnum, Stainless Steel SBH, Besley model with 5 1/2" barrel. I plan on packing this gun for short range and brush hunting when I carry my .454 Casull with Leo. 2X Scope, for long range hunting,  for deer this comming season. Get the gun and don't look back! - J.Solo

[Lloyd Smale]

theres another thought. those limited edition bisleys are sweet guns I have the .45 and .44 version and there both very accurate and great handling guns. I regriped them put in belt mountain pins tuned the actions and put on dave clements post front sights on them They make excellent packing guns.

I had a .44 Magnum, 10 1/2" Bull Barreled, NMSBH cut to just in front of the ejector rod housing, about 5 5/8" Bbl. length and then had the gun Magna-Ported. Great gun for brush and short range hunting. I've taken three Whitetail Dear with the gun to date. One at 15 yards and the other two at about 50+ yards.

I like the gun so much that I just picked up a limited edition, .44 Magnum, Stainless Steel SBH, Besley model with 5 1/2" barrel. I plan on packing this gun for short range and brush hunting when I carry my .454 Casull with Leo. 2X Scope, for long range hunting,  for deer this comming season. Get the gun and don't look back! - J.Solo

[Bearman]

I told the store to hold of on my order of the super blackhawk with the 4 5/8in. barrel for a few days.  I would appreciate more feedback on the pros and cons of the of either the 4 5/8in. versus the 5 1/2in. barrel lengths.   thanks Bearman  

[44 Man]

Not a nickels worth of difference between the two bbl lengths.  Go with the one that feels the best to you.  I find, as most seem to, that the shorter bbl length handles and packs better, unless you are a six-footer.  Then a longer bbl is ok.  I have a Super Blackhawk that was cut to 5" back when the "experts" thought that it was the best compromise between efficency and handiness.  I has an aluminum grip frame to lighten it and is Mag-na-ported (best investment I ever made).  I also had a Blackhawk in .45 colt that was cut to 4" even and the aluminum grip frame round butted.  Now we are getting somewhere!  Perfect length and balance.  Not quite as good as my Colts, but my Colts won't shoot heavy loads!  I'm going to have the .44 shortened to 4" and round the butt on that also.  Find a good holster and enjoy your hunting!    44 Man  

[Bearman]

Would it be beneficial down the road to Mag-na-port the Super Blackhawk with the 4 5/8in. barrel, or is it okay as is?
                                                     Thanks again,
                                                              Bearman

[Lloyd Smale]

works great for target shooting when you have ear protection but when I hunt I dont allways have time to stick in the plugs and them ports are LOUD. Id try it first and only do it if you need too. If it were me Id back a .44 off to the point that you can shoot it before I spent the money porting. A 250 grain cast bullet at 1000fps will kill any dear or black bear out there and is pretty comfortable to shoot even out of a short gun.

Would it be beneficial down the road to Mag-na-port the Super Blackhawk with the 4 5/8in. barrel, or is it okay as is?
                                                     Thanks again,
                                                              Bearman

[J.Solo]

If you read my post above you will see that I have basically two of the same barrel length, same caliber, and style of guns and one is Maga-Naported and the other is not.  I will shoot the guns side by side and compare recoil and loudness to see if I should have the second gun Mag-Naported also. I never really thought the Magna-Ported gun shot any louder than any other .44 Magnum, even my 10 1/2" Ruger NMSBH. - J.Solo

[Bearman]

what can a guy expect to pay for having a gun magna-ported?
also in most cases i will use this revolver as a carry gun only, but what load would be the best if i were to use it for hunt'n blackies?  Bearman :grin:

[bayrunner]

Hey 44 Man___ When you say your going to round off the grip on your 44, are you implying that you are going to change from a  stock  grip to a Birdshead grip, because thats what I was thinking of doing to my 44.Are there other options??Interested in your response.THANKS BAYRUNNER

[EOD3]

Bearman, I'd go for the 5 1/2" barrel and shoot something fairly heavy say 265 to 300 grain.  I like the Speer Gold Dot bullet.  A moderately stout load with a heavy slug (and a decent shot) will drop a black like a ton of bricks.  Given where you come from, I'd load for browns and accept the overkill on blacks.

EOD3

[keoni]

Take the extra inch and go the extra mile, or something like that, and get the ss sbh in 5 1/2.  It carrys real easy and in some states meets the min. barrel lenght requirment.

By-the-way, just what is the min. hunting barrel lenght in your (or anybody else's) state?

Cheers,
Eli

 For deer hunting in Ohio, 5".
Keoni

[HoCoMDHunter]

By-the-way, just what is the min. hunting barrel lenght in your (or anybody else's) state?

Cheers,
Eli

Maryland - 6" min.

[S.S.]

Go with the x-tra barrel length for one simple reason,
The further that front sight is from the rear,
the more accurate you will be with it.
(Less Margin for Error)
My .44 Blackhawk has a 9 1/2 in. Barrel, and it rides
quite well in my shoulder holster on long trips to the woods.
My load is a .300 gr. SWC (Keith Type) at about 980 fps.
This load will punch a nice hole through a Georgia
Whitetail (End to End) so I feel Quite comfortable with it!