Author Topic: Some advice (Read 1319 times)

mattbowen · « **on:** April 18, 2011, 02:32:43 AM »

OK here it is, I am looking at getting a Ruger Blackhawk in 45lc I am leaning towards the 7.5" barrel but a buddy said that I was nuts for even thinking about that barrel length and that I would only need a 4" or at the most 5". I don't think I would be shooting any more then 50yds but there are some places where a 75 to 80 yard shot is possible. I would like to know what y'all think should I get the 7.5" or what?

Thanks

Matt

Junior1942 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 18, 2011, 02:40:12 AM »

I vote 7 1/2". (1) less muzzle blast; (2) longer sight radius; (3) a tad more velocity; and (4) it's purpose isn't close range bear & bad guy use. It's a hunter.

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #2 on:** April 18, 2011, 02:50:36 AM »

I'd get the 7 1/2".

mattbowen · « **Reply #3 on:** April 18, 2011, 03:06:29 AM »

Thanks guys, No it is just for hunting, I may take a walk in the woods with it but it's intent isn't for self defense. I may partner it with my rifle for close in work but other then that it will be my hunter.

Thanks again

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 18, 2011, 03:06:40 AM »

I personally like to use 6 inch or longer barrels for hunting. You will do just fine with the 7 1/2 inch barrel.

drdougrx · « **Reply #5 on:** April 18, 2011, 03:41:32 AM »

I agree...while 6ish is handier...7.5 is not all that different.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #6 on:** April 18, 2011, 03:53:31 AM »

Ditto on all reply's. A fair amount of the shooters are going to prefer the longer sight radious. Your buddy may have been trying to talk you out of the longer barrel based on overall balance but this is not the case as the balance is very good on the two I own.

mattbowen · « **Reply #7 on:** April 18, 2011, 04:24:00 AM »

Thanks again, I don't know why he is intent on the shorter barrel but he only hunts with rifle. When I was telling him about hunting with a handgun he didn't really want to hear it (he thinks its a wast of time) he likes to hunt 50yds and out and since most of the hunting we do is from a stand he can pick where he is and generally the distance, me I am looking at challenging my shooting skills and hunting with the handgun. I figure with some practice I should be able to handle it.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 18, 2011, 06:47:39 AM »

Handgun hunting is a blast.. I would rather handgun hunt than rifle or bow.

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #9 on:** April 18, 2011, 08:06:18 AM »

The 7 1/2" barrel will be the best "shooter" vs a shorter barrel having a longer sight radius. Even with optics the extra barrel length will also give better ballistics, not much but enough. However there is one other aspect to consider and that is carrying the revolver. If a belt holster is used then a 6 1/2" barrel is about max with a 5 or 6" being better. With an under the arm pit verticle shoulder holster the 7 1/2 is very comfortable for me, especially if carrying a back pack also. Actually I use the shoulder rig for both my 7 1/2" barreled Bisley and my 6 1/" barreled Flat Top when hunting. I do use the 6 1/2 Flat Top in a Bianchi high ride holster also on a 2" wide stiff belt. I suggest the 7 1/2" barreled BH with a shoulder holster for hunting. If you are going to have a large optic on it then also look at a chest type holser.

Larry Gibson

cwlongshot · « **Reply #10 on:** April 18, 2011, 08:10:52 AM »

I agree, 7.5" is a excellent choice for all reasons listed.

CW

mattbowen · « **Reply #11 on:** April 18, 2011, 08:46:33 AM »

I can't wait to try hunting with the Ruger, I was planing to use a cross draw holster for it and wear it towards the front while in the car and in the stand. I don't think that should be to bad and it should be fine when walking through the woods.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #12 on:** April 18, 2011, 10:50:50 AM »

I have been useing a DeSantis M83 crossdraw. I like it allot. I coupled it with a Hunter loop belt for extra rounds.

CW

Mikey · « **Reply #13 on:** April 18, 2011, 11:47:29 AM »

Hey - what about us guys who go the shorter barrel route, huh??? If you want a long barrel then leave that Blackhawk as it is and learn to shoot and carry that long barrel. I did that for a while and went from a 7.5" Super Blackhawk 44 mag to a 6.5" then a 4" S&W M29. I got tired of carrying long barrelled revolvers that wore holes in my hip and went with the shorter barrelled version, finding it much more comfortable to carry and just as accurate to shoot.

I believe that if I ever found another Super Blackhawk that I wanted I would probably send it out and have the barrel shortened to 4-4.5" - would make a excellent carry gun for field work. I sight my 4" M29 to hit poa at 50m as I do not usually either have a longer shot that presents itself or a clear enough sight picture for a longer shot, but knowing the drop on the load I use I am confident that I can properly place the bullet out to 100 if needed.

You didn't say anything about scoping it so I assume your eyes are good enough for open sights. You may recall that most police revolvers wore a 4" barrel, as it was found that for the average man (sorry ladies), the sight radius on a 4" revolver presented the best sight picture. You may also recall that both longer and shorter barrels tend to exaggerate the shooter's variations. Just a thought.......

mattbowen · « **Reply #14 on:** April 18, 2011, 02:08:44 PM »

I like the look of the holster, Mikey you are right I am going for open sites my eyes are good as long as I wear my glasses. When I first got into law enforcement (we were using wheel guns) we had to shoot at 50yds in order to qualify but I didn't group that well at that range (I haven't tried it lately).

Mohawk · « **Reply #15 on:** April 18, 2011, 03:29:02 PM »

I too have tended to choose the 4"-6" barrels. The 4" has served a good balance between a hunting gun and self defense gun provided the hunting shooting distance is within the comfort zone.

temmi · « **Reply #16 on:** April 19, 2011, 09:54:34 AM »

Quote from: mattbowen on April 18, 2011, 02:32:43 AM

OK here it is, I am looking at getting a Ruger Blackhawk in 45lc I am leaning towards the 7.5" barrel but a buddy said that I was nuts for even thinking about that barrel length and that I would only need a 4" or at the most 5". I don't think I would be shooting any more then 50yds but there are some places where a 75 to 80 yard shot is possible. I would like to know what y'all think should I get the 7.5" or what?

Thanks

Matt

I have 5.5" barrel... and IF I could do it all over, I would have gotten a 7.5" barrel.

Snake

jhalcott · « **Reply #17 on:** April 19, 2011, 09:57:26 AM »

Not all area allow a short barreled handgun for hunting. Many require a 6/61/2" barrel for hunting. I personally like the 61/2" .44 Ruger SBH. It works very well on close(les than 60 yards) shots, is easy to carry and get on target from a tree stand. In my older years I've used a scope more than iron sights.

mattbowen · « **Reply #18 on:** April 19, 2011, 12:53:23 PM »

Well Guys I ordered it today and it should be here no later then the first of the week, I am really hoping for Friday but I am not counting on it. I can hardly wait for it to get here so I can shoot it. I went with the 7.5" barrel and I have the holster picked out, when I get it all together I will post some photos.

Thanks guys.

Matt

45-70.gov · « **Reply #19 on:** April 19, 2011, 01:38:24 PM »

tho i prefer shorter barrels
my super black hawk is 7.5 inch [44mag]

it is legal length any where hand guns are allowed
also i needed some variety

they make all those different sizes for a reason
''different strokes for different folks''

get what ever strikes you.....then get another when you tire of it

your shooting it not your friend....don't listen to him
check your state laws also

shvlhead.45 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 20, 2011, 06:31:23 AM »

Lots of folk on here prefer the longer barrels, not me. My 4.675" .45 Colt Blackhawk carries like a dream and hits what I shoot at as long as I do my part. One alibi, I find that I shoot open sighted handguns with 4" to 5" barrels best due to the fact that I see the sights better than the handguns with longer barrels (front sights blur out on me). If you are going to use optics the longer ones will be of more use to you, I'd think.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #21 on:** April 20, 2011, 07:06:33 AM »

I like em short

I dont have a handgun other then a contendor with a barrel longer then 6 inch. I like to carry guns in hip holsters when hunting and anything longer gets in the way and pulls my pants down to much. Theres some advantage to a longer gun. Most times if you have to ask your inexperienced enough that you will proably shoot a longer barrel a bit better. If you are going to scope it that about eliminates it being carried on the hip and you might as well have the longer barrel. Actuall performance in the field is a wash. Short barreled guns are just as accurate. the actuall power differnce with a longer barrrel is some minute that it really doesnt matter. Ill put it this way if i was sitting in a tower blind shooting groundhogs all day id probably do a bit better with that 7.5 inch gun but when im handgun hunting i carry a handgun on my hip sometimes for days before i take it out and make one well placed shot. Im not carrying my gun in a wheelbarrow for two days because it gives me 50 fps more velocity.

mattbowen · « **Reply #22 on:** April 20, 2011, 08:27:43 AM »

Thanks again guys,

For everyday carry I like a short barrel also ( I carry a Glock mod. 22 12 hours a day 5 days a week), but I have never done any handgun hunting before and will be sitting in a stand about 95% of the time. I am hoping the longer sight radius will give me just a little bit of an edge.

Thanks again

Matt

mattbowen · « **Reply #23 on:** April 22, 2011, 01:53:43 PM »

Well I got it, it is lighter then I expected it to be I can't wait to shoot it. I will post photos when I can get them..

Dand · « **Reply #24 on:** April 23, 2011, 12:56:10 AM »

I like the xtra punch from the longer barrels but I like carrying my 4 inchers a lot better. And while the long barrel sight radius is nice, I often shoot my 4 inchers better. In my case, I think the quicker the bullet leaves the barrel, the less time I have to wobble off target - I'm talking 20-50 yards here. I have scopes on my 7.5 inchers and only use them to try 50-100 yard practice.