Author Topic: Blackhawk in 30 Carbine (Read 4012 times)

Incitatus · « **on:** April 04, 2010, 05:08:19 PM »

I have an oppertunity to get a minty Blackhawk in 30 Carbine for $350. Thing is that I am a bit concerned about the recoil. I have no problems with 357/44mag and so on so I wonder how the 30 would compare to those rounds. Any thoughts on it?

I like the idea of having dual use cartridges and I love my M1 carbine so the idea of a revolver is attractive, as is the price.

Thanks.

Jagguy · « **Reply #1 on:** April 04, 2010, 06:41:47 PM »

Less recoil but a lot more muzzle blast. Get some good ear protection!

GatCat · « **Reply #2 on:** April 04, 2010, 09:56:52 PM »

I agree with the above, less recoil, more blast. Is it an Old Model ( 3 screw ) or New Model?? Also, I assume it still has the 7 1/2 bbl??
Mark

Incitatus · « **Reply #3 on:** April 05, 2010, 05:11:05 AM »

Its a new model with the 7 1/2 in. barrel. Frankly, if it weren't so inexpensive I probably wouldn't go for it.

Blackhawker · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2010, 05:58:59 AM »

MINIMAL recoil! LOUD LOUD LOUD!!! Lot's of muzzle blast. Did I mention LOUD??
If you reload and use H-110, 296, or 2400, you'll see a flame about two feet long in subdued lighting. (It's kinda cool!)
Lastly, it's a flat shooter and quite accurate. If you're not looking for a large game hunting revolver but just looking to plink, target shoot, or maybe shoot some smaller sized varmints, you'll love it.

Note: a 7.5 inch barrel is the only option for the 30 carbine Blackhawk.

Incitatus · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2010, 06:04:38 AM »

I'm more of a target shooter and oppertunistic/good deal gun buyer. Sounds pretty good to me.

Ed

Blackhawker · « **Reply #6 on:** April 05, 2010, 06:33:18 AM »

Ed,
I've seen a few that tend to shoot a little high (inch or two at 25 yrds). I have a 3-screw with a scope on it and it's quite accurate. I've made many 100-plus yard shots on prairie dogs with it from a standing or sitting position in the field and once rested it shooting some clay pigeons at 200 yards. Typically I hit four clays out of each cylinder full.

Incitatus · « **Reply #7 on:** April 05, 2010, 06:57:12 AM »

I intend to pick it up this Wednesday so prepare yourself for some pics.

Funny. 5 days ago this was not even on my radar screen.

Flint · « **Reply #8 on:** April 05, 2010, 08:31:26 AM »

Also noticed as well, LOUD, but also hard extraction. I think if the cartridge were reloaded to 32-20 or lower levels with faster pistol powder, it would be a lot milder and extract easier. Save the 30 Carbine loads as a "magnum" for varmints, etc. and load milder for plinking.

It's a fun gun to shoot.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #9 on:** April 05, 2010, 09:17:00 AM »

Get a 327 fed mag unless you just have tons of ammo in 30 carbine . I had one , loud and can't think of much it can do the 327 can't except shoot 30 car. ammo.

Blackhawker · « **Reply #10 on:** April 05, 2010, 09:34:17 AM »

Quote from: Flint on April 05, 2010, 08:31:26 AM

Also noticed as well, LOUD, but also hard extraction. I think if the cartridge were reloaded to 32-20 or lower levels with faster pistol powder, it would be a lot milder and extract easier. Save the 30 Carbine loads as a "magnum" for varmints, etc. and load milder for plinking.

It's a fun gun to shoot.

A friend of mine had difficulty with extraction in his Blackhawk as well. He complained about it for years yet I never had a problem at all with mine even after the gun has been fired over and over hundreds of times and its good and dirty. (Full "magnum" type loads) What was discovered is that my friend was slightly crimping his loads while I never do. The 30 carbine round will seat on the front rim headspace of the cartridge in the Blackhawk cylinder. If there is the slightest crimp on the brass it may find itself jamming up in the chamber area of the cylinder and when a round goes off, the brass seats and forms itself to the inside of the cylinder chamber making it extremely hard to extract the round. So, if you're going to reload, DON'T crimp your ammo and also, be sure your trim length is correct, otherwise the back side of the brass will not allow for the cylinder to rotate. Once you've got your loads perfected you'll have no problems and it'll soon become your favorite plinking tool.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #11 on:** April 05, 2010, 09:41:19 AM »

If you reload the go 327 as its a stright wall case and easier to resize ( no lube with carbide dies )

Blackhawker · « **Reply #12 on:** April 05, 2010, 10:57:03 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on April 05, 2010, 09:41:19 AM

If you reload the go 327 as its a stright wall case and easier to resize ( no lube with carbide dies )

Yes, the 327 mag is a nice cartridge but I don't need spend an additional $500 on a new pistol (at least not now) and all of the equipment for reloading it. Just the same, Ed came across a good deal on a pistol and as he said, "Funny. 5 days ago this was not even on my radar screen....if it weren't so inexpensive I probably wouldn't go for it." Add to it he's looking for a pistol to go with his M1 Carbine. Doesn't seem like the 327 is a good fit in light of that.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #13 on:** April 05, 2010, 11:02:48 AM »

I did the same thing with regard to a revolver to go with my carbine . It was not a great match up as the revolver was little more than a plinker with out reloading for it . As for Blackwater I don't know what you want to buy . It was Incitius I suggested the 327 to. And no matter the cost a good deal is on a gun you can use and when you tire of it sell it with out a loss . 30 carbine revolvers seem to not be in demand or hold value around here .

Blackhawker · « **Reply #14 on:** April 05, 2010, 12:26:32 PM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on April 05, 2010, 11:02:48 AM

. 30 carbine revolvers seem to not be in demand or hold value around here .

Yes, the 30 carb Blachawk is somewhat unknown to most unfortunately but to those that know it and use one, they're super accurate and cheap to load. I don't even use my M1, just the Blackhawk and a few T/C barrels for my contenders.

Incitatus · « **Reply #15 on:** April 05, 2010, 02:36:39 PM »

I was thinking of a TC barrel in 30 Carb but this deal seems pretty good.

I don't think that own more than two guns that I bought new. I have found that if I hang onto a weapon for two years or so (assuming that I bought at a good price) that I'll make money if I re-sell. Thats why I'd take a chance not liking a pistol chambered in 30 carb.

GatCat · « **Reply #16 on:** April 06, 2010, 03:39:00 AM »

I have an old model like yours, been "breathed on" by a local 'smith. A while back I picked up a second cylinder, thinking about sending it to Gary Reeder to have it rechambered to one of his wildcats, giving me the option of switching between the two cylinders. Although it is usually regarded as a small game/ varmint round, I'm sure with one of the LBT bullets, heavy for caliber ( 140 grain or so ) it would do well on smaller "big game".
Mark

Basicguy · « **Reply #17 on:** April 06, 2010, 04:33:09 AM »

I have reloaded mine with a variety of bullets including 90 grain Berry plated .309" 32 caliber bullets. They shoot very accurately at about 1600 to 1800 fps. I have heard that these bullets can not take the speed but they do fine in my gun.

As far as noise It is loud but not as loud as many rifles.

Hank08 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 06, 2010, 06:47:01 AM »

I got mine in 1966, it's super accurate, I reload a lot for it and have a .30 carbide sizer . my favorite ground squirrel and plinking load is 5 grs. Unique and a 120 gr. cast 311240, not noisy like GI hardball. I think you'll like it. never had a problem with mine in the 46 yrs. I've been shooting it. It's true you don't hear much about them but I think Ruger is still making them which means they're still selling a bunch of them.
H08

Incitatus · « **Reply #19 on:** April 07, 2010, 04:02:49 PM »

Bought it today. $350+tax.

Looks virtually new, just a light mark on the cylinder, as usual.

This is a bit much for backyard plinking so I will have to wait for next week when I go to the range.

I'll report back.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #20 on:** April 08, 2010, 05:49:33 AM »

After shooting jacketed bullets chech your forcing cone as some ammo leaves a little thin shaved piece of jacket there . No big deal if you clean it out.

bubbinator · « **Reply #21 on:** October 21, 2010, 08:07:08 PM »

I really enjoy the .30 Carbine round in a handgun. I have an AMT AutoMAg III in .30 Carbine with a 7" bbl. Picked itup years ago from a country gun shop for $275. Within a year I saw reference to it in a Blue Book of Gun Values that listed it at $560! I have found some Winchester 110gr JHPs and PMC 110gr. JSPs for hunting small game legally in AL. Last I went turkey hunting I had a big gobbler henned up in a hay field that never even looked my way when called (me I wonder?) But he was about 75 yds away and the bucket I carry me stuff in as a rest he was DRT with one shot. (Note: Handguns using centerfire expanding bullets and open sights are legal for turkey in AL.) Shot a squirrel once-too much gun. A head shot swamp buck rabbit was cleanly taken at about 25 yds.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 22, 2010, 11:12:14 AM »

Ive had .32S&W Long and 32-20 revolvers, never this caliber, but I wouldnt mind one. You can handload that puppy from .32S&W 'poppers' to full house snotty and everthing in between. Whats not to like?
At the right velo for the game, the downloaded cast bullet will kill a squirrel or woodchuck (great eating, BTW, and lots more meat than squirrels) with authority but not ruin a lot of meat like factory loads.
Were I you, I would make up some bottom to mid data (Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook) 32-20 equiv. loads and compare them to some factory .30C. You'll know which ones you like.
FWIW, I havent seen but one for sale around here in many years. As said, they still make them.....people must buy 'em and keep 'em for some reason.

Incitatus · « **Reply #23 on:** October 31, 2010, 08:33:28 AM »

Having shot the thing a fair amount, I have to say that I was very surprised. I quess I expected to be getting hit in the forehead regularly. Actually, it is not at all bad to shoot. Your arms take the recoil and, being behind it, the muzzle blast is pretty minor. Who knew?

blhof · « **Reply #24 on:** October 31, 2010, 02:51:36 PM »

You got a good deal and the 30 is a fun round, I've used it in a carbine and a T/C pistol for prairie dogs and it's just plain fun to shoot.

Incitatus · « **Reply #25 on:** November 01, 2010, 02:38:17 AM »

Quote from: blhof on October 31, 2010, 02:51:36 PM

You got a good deal and the 30 is a fun round, I've used it in a carbine and a T/C pistol for prairie dogs and it's just plain fun to shoot.

Yes. It has enough kick so that you know there is something there but it does'nt rattle your teeth or pocketbook. A good round.

Blackhawker · « **Reply #26 on:** November 01, 2010, 04:51:23 AM »

Quote from: blhof on October 31, 2010, 02:51:36 PM

You got a good deal and the 30 is a fun round, I've used it in a carbine and a T/C pistol for prairie dogs and it's just plain fun to shoot.

I second that!

rem2035 · « **Reply #27 on:** November 05, 2010, 07:56:56 PM »

If you reload and use some pistol data, the noise level may not be as bad as factory or GI loads.

Incitatus · « **Reply #28 on:** November 09, 2010, 04:34:10 PM »

I find the grips a little too skinny. Think the Packmeyer's would improve matters?

flatgate · « **Reply #29 on:** December 05, 2010, 09:39:18 AM »

Quote from: Incitatus on November 09, 2010, 04:34:10 PM

I find the grips a little too skinny. Think the Packmeyer's would improve matters?

Not for me! Horrible grips. JMHO. There are lots of better grips out there.......

Now, one can use .32-20 brass in Ruger's .30 Carbine calibre New Model Blackhawk. I can't quickly find the data,
however it's out there on the Internet. I've been told it works very well. I believe the .32-20's rim is too large
in diameter to fit in a Old Model's cylinder but with the "non-counterbored" New Model chambers all is well.

flatgate