Author Topic: Need a little help here (Read 847 times)

cattleskinner · « **on:** September 13, 2005, 04:29:56 PM »

Hey all, I would like to know your opinions on what you would choose out of these three choices. The gunshop in town has three different rugers that I'm interested in, and I plan on trading in my lone eagle 44 on one of them, however, whenever I think that I have it pinned down to what I want, something makes me wonder if I don't actually want one of the others. They have a used(new, but never used) SBH .44mag. 7 1/2", 7 1/2" .45colt BlkHwk., and a 6 1/2" .41mag. BlkHwk. I reload if that matters, and I plan on changing the grips out for Hogue Mono grips when I get the pistol. I've never shot a .41, or .45, so I don't really know what the recoil is like in comparison to a .44. The pistol will most likely only be used for deer, and hopefully boar sometime down the road. I realize that the .41 will recoil a bit less, which would be nice, but I've heard the same about the .45 too, even if loaded pretty hot. I plan on using it for shots about 75yds. or less range, as that's where probably 80% or more of the deer I've shot have been. And yes, I have shot a SBH 44, so I know how the grip feels when shot. I just wanted to know if you guys would shed some light on what I should get, or what you would pick, and why. Thanks a bunch.

~~~Amos

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 13, 2005, 04:34:47 PM »

All three will server you well, what it comes down to is, what do you want. What works for me sometimes is not what someone else wants. Go with you gut instinct.

RCL · « **Reply #2 on:** September 14, 2005, 03:12:38 AM »

Myself I would go for the .44 Mag SBH. I have found the .44 to be a very easy cartridge to find a good load for.

EdK · « **Reply #3 on:** September 14, 2005, 07:46:09 AM »

When handloading similar weight bullets at similar velocities there is very little difference between the recoil of the 44 Magnum and 45 Colt so I wouldn't let that point sway you in one direction or the other. True, 45 Colt cowboy-style loads are pretty mild - then so are 44 Specials...

Since you can't really get into the 240-300 grain range with the 41 Magnum the recoil levels will always be a little less provided the velocities are comparable.

The grip frame is noticeably shorter on the standard Blackhack relative to the Super. I find the added length of the Super is much better in the hand for heavier loads than the standard grip (kind of splitting the difference between the standard and Bisley if you will).

Most folks highly praise the Bisley grip frame for the heaviest loads. Based upon that I ran out and bought one. Well, after a good wringing out I wound up trading it in because it was not the best fit for my hand. The point here is: we don't all take the same shoe size nor glove size so it makes sense a one-size-fits-all approach to handgun grip frames is a compromise at best. See what you can do to try them out or at least handle them at a minimum.

John C-S · « **Reply #4 on:** September 14, 2005, 01:53:36 PM »

The .41 is a slice too thin for versatile work. The .45 Colt is a hotload. Just go with the .44 Mag Super and you will not be disappointed. That was my first handgun. It never failed or disappointed me. After some 5K reloaded rnds of Sierra 180 gr JHPs and Hard Cast 250 gr Elmer Keith Semi-Wadcutters. The former at 1550 fps. The latter at around 1350 fps. A bang up gun with accuracy and power in that 7 1/2 barrel.

myronman3 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 14, 2005, 04:14:44 PM »

go with either the 41 or 45. the 44's have a problem with the barrels coming unscrewed. i had three different sbh's in 44 mag do it. i have lots of others who have had the same problem. all guns were reported to be 44's. i have never heard of a 41 or 45 doing this.

although it is my favorite handgun cartridge, avoid the 44 in super blackhawks.

Stillhuntn · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2005, 04:41:53 AM »

Myron,
Please expand on your last sentence in the posting, about avoid the Super Blackhawk. I have a SBH and love the gun. It is more accurate than I will ever be, digests any ammo I care to feed it and will outlast an S&W (my opinion).
I am curios why you believe SBHs should be avoided.
How is the community handling the ongoing hearings from the accused murders from hunting season?

WNY_Whitetailer · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2005, 06:26:09 AM »

I'm partial to the 44mag just because I do not hand load. It is much easier to find 44 mag hunting load than it is to find 41 mag loads. I am not sure about the availability of the 45 Colt rounds. I have a 44mag Super Blackhawk Hunter that I am extremely happy with...So far this gun has been nothing but good to me.

southern utah · « **Reply #8 on:** September 15, 2005, 06:37:29 AM »

I have had a few BHs and have gone to the double action instead for the faster reloading and faster second shot. You can get a bead sight set for the Redhawk that helps accuracy. I found that the S&W 629 fits my had better than the SRHs I have and has smother trigger.

longwalker · « **Reply #9 on:** September 15, 2005, 12:30:16 PM »

I can only tell you my experience. I found a used Ruger 44 magnum and love it. I use it to hunt deer with and an occassional bowling pin shoot. Yes there may be nicer triggers on other guns and yes they may cost more and look nicer. But if you want to gun to hunt with think Ruger and think 44 magnum.

You will not be disappointed. reloading is as easy as any straight case round and you have a huge selection of factory ammunition to try. In fact try some factory ammunition you might just get lucky and find a load that your gun likes and eliminate the reloading for that particular caliber.

I would not be without a 44 magnum for big game hunting.

longwalker

REH · « **Reply #10 on:** September 15, 2005, 03:04:49 PM »

I have owned both & used both. They will do the job IF you do yours. The 44 is a bit more versatile due to the fact you can use 44 spl also. I prefer the 41 because of recoil, I'm recoil jumpy.
Hope this helps,
REH

timothy · « **Reply #11 on:** September 17, 2005, 08:46:18 PM »

Finding hunting ammo for 45 and 41 might be a chore. I'd go with the 44 since good ammo is everywhere.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #12 on:** September 18, 2005, 01:13:50 AM »

There is alot of really good info in this thread!

There is not much anyone could really add...ceptin' their own opinion...here's mine.

All are great rounds. The 41 and 44 will do everything you have asked for with factory rounds. The 45 in FACTORY LOADS is too light for 75 yrd work on big game.

Handloading, as you said you will be doing, changes everything. This being the case the 45 COLT would be my hands down choice. It is an extremely versatile cartridge with bullets from 165 to 400+ if you wanted.

My own load is a Speer 300 SP behind a max load of 296 powder. It chronographs almost 1200 from my 7.5 Bisley and 1600+ from my Marlin. I have shot thru end to end Whitetails and broad side 300+lb boars. This is my choice for a hunting handgun caliber.

goodluck,
CW

The Pistoleer · « **Reply #13 on:** September 18, 2005, 10:01:40 AM »

I doubt that any deer you shoot with any of those calibers, if properly hit would be able to tell the difference. Since you say you handload again there is little difference. With that said if you find yourself some place where you need to buy factory ammunition the 44 is the best choice. Also the SBH is somewhat stronger than the BH. I have both and even with my small hands I prefer to shoot the SBH.

I think I would go with the Super Blackhawk in 44 magnum.

fishboy1 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 18, 2005, 02:15:02 PM »

All are good. since you reload I would go with the .45LC
Ammo is too expensive to shoot a lot of factory anyway.

You can get more energy with lower case pressure from the .45LC than the .44mag.

I like the 250gr xtp hollow point for deer and the 300gr xtm mag for hogs. I can get 1200 fps out of my 7" BH without going over max.

IF you need a bigger bullet or more thump you can load up some heavier bullets.

Finding a good grip that fits your hand well is important to accuracy and taming recoil.

cattleskinner · « **Reply #15 on:** September 19, 2005, 11:25:00 AM »

Well, after contemplating it all weekend, I went into town today and picked up the superblackhawk. It pretty much came down to the fact that I already have everything to load for the 44 mag., also my brother and dad both have 44's also, so we can just grab the same ammo and shoot if we so desire. I still want to try out a .41 sometime down the road, but at this point in time, I figured that I might as well stick with what I've used, and know the works...the 44mag. Thanks again for everyone's opinions.

~~~Amos

cwlongshot · « **Reply #16 on:** September 19, 2005, 03:25:01 PM »

You had three good choices there.
Any one will do what you described. The 44mag is probably the most popular and for good reason, its a good one...not my choice, but a good one just the same.

Good luck with your new toy!!

CW

longwalker · « **Reply #17 on:** September 20, 2005, 11:46:32 AM »

Now don't forget to post pictures.

longwalker

cattleskinner · « **Reply #18 on:** September 24, 2005, 08:39:14 AM »

Well fellas, I changed my mind again!! I went in and traded that superblackhawk in on the .41 mag. I should have just went on my gut instead of looking at it from the standpoint that I already had everything for the .44. From the recommendations of a few .41 fans, I picked it up, and have to say, it is more pleasant to shoot. I guess I can blame this whole thing on being young, and will probably look back on it and say....yeah, I used to have one of those when I was younger..... hehehe. Ya'll have a good'un.

~~~Amos

rvtrav · « **Reply #19 on:** September 24, 2005, 01:33:39 PM »

Cattleskinner,

My two cents worth,
Buy all three-take them all to the range. Eventually one will become a favortie that you reach for more than the others, and they will keep their value if you decide to trade them in-like you mentioned in the earlier post.