Lee Martin
Hunter
Stainless Blackhawk .357 Maximum built in 1983. Serial number 600-14111. Bradshaw's notes on target indicate 410 series stainless steel, heat treated to Rockwell 30; round count 2,000; Federal .357 Maximum 180 JHP, 5x5=4" @ 100 yards. In David's hand, a Pachmayr grip. Ejector housing is blue-anodized aluminum. Stainless cylinder, darkened from shooting. According to Jack Coogan, Ruger made six stainless Maximums, three of which were destroyed; the other three in private collections.
Number 18, first assembled production Maximum (Southport 1982), 36 years later gets to shoot its own bullet. David thinks the Old Man would approve.
Ruger mainsprings: left, standard Blackhawk/SBH mainspring assembly. Blued mainspring, right, borrowed from Cap & Ball to prevent BLANKING in .357 Maximum, while reliably lighting small rifle primers.
Bradshaw-Martin 194 SWC GC, invited by Lee Martin and configured by David Bradshaw to compliment the .357 Remington Maximum as chambered in the Ruger Blackhawk Maximum. A single-radius ogive semi-wadcutter, gas checked to hold its heal against the furnace, a chopping shoulder and three substantial bands with two gutters for a country simple switch from powder coat to grease. A long nose with DEEP SEATED wheelbase. Intention to hold pressure, to track, sail straight and punch.
Hammer & trigger, padded, mounted on side of frame. Set for a clean break. Engagement for this SBH Bisley Hunter is exactly the same as for all Ruger single actions——engagement angles between hammer & trigger incline to REGAIN.
Ruger on rest for 100 yard firing with Bradshaw-Martin 194 SWC GC, deep seated over 18.5/IMR 4227. Zoom photo to see flag on target board, indicating stiff wind from 1 o'clock.
David's .357 Maximum 10-1/2" with short 11-degree cone. Lee bought a later, similar revolver for his work with the 194 SWC GC. Note the low front sight——tried for one session only----one of the experimental heights cut for SRM prototypes. The sight is too low for the 194 SWC, printing 4.6" high @ 25 yards (with rear sight on bottom detent).
Number 18, first assembled production Maximum (Southport 1982), 36 years later gets to shoot its own bullet. David thinks the Old Man would approve.
Ruger mainsprings: left, standard Blackhawk/SBH mainspring assembly. Blued mainspring, right, borrowed from Cap & Ball to prevent BLANKING in .357 Maximum, while reliably lighting small rifle primers.
Bradshaw-Martin 194 SWC GC, invited by Lee Martin and configured by David Bradshaw to compliment the .357 Remington Maximum as chambered in the Ruger Blackhawk Maximum. A single-radius ogive semi-wadcutter, gas checked to hold its heal against the furnace, a chopping shoulder and three substantial bands with two gutters for a country simple switch from powder coat to grease. A long nose with DEEP SEATED wheelbase. Intention to hold pressure, to track, sail straight and punch.
Hammer & trigger, padded, mounted on side of frame. Set for a clean break. Engagement for this SBH Bisley Hunter is exactly the same as for all Ruger single actions——engagement angles between hammer & trigger incline to REGAIN.
Ruger on rest for 100 yard firing with Bradshaw-Martin 194 SWC GC, deep seated over 18.5/IMR 4227. Zoom photo to see flag on target board, indicating stiff wind from 1 o'clock.
David's .357 Maximum 10-1/2" with short 11-degree cone. Lee bought a later, similar revolver for his work with the 194 SWC GC. Note the low front sight——tried for one session only----one of the experimental heights cut for SRM prototypes. The sight is too low for the 194 SWC, printing 4.6" high @ 25 yards (with rear sight on bottom detent).