.41 NM Blackhawk shoots left

[chris_]

Like, way left. Adjusting the windage screw gets it closer, but even with the screw all the way right, it still hits 2' left at 35 yards.

This was billed to me as a NIB gun when I bought it last week and has about 100 rounds downrange. I'll give Ruger a call in the AM.

I am using a plated 210gr bullet that is really shedding the jackets at 1450fps avg. Could this be part of the issue? I can imagine seeing some inaccuracy as a result of this but it shoots fairly consistent, just way left.

I shot a similar load out of my Bisley Sheriff Vaquero and had no problem hitting a 6" steel plate offhand every time, so I don't think it's me.

Thoughts?

 

[BlkHawk73]

Left often indicates some shooter errors yet everyone is always first and fast to point the finger at the gun not themselves. Not always the case, and not pointing my finer at the shooter in question here but always worth considering. Also, never toss it in having just used one load. try various loads, bullet weights, etc.

 

[contender]

The plating on those bullets coming off isn't good. The best way to load plated bullets is to use load data for lead,, not jacketed ammo.

 

[Calthrop]

Get someone else to shoot the gun. Heck I'd shoot up your .41 ammo in a heart beat. Ya do not say where you are. I mean after you have reset the sights to something resembling head on. There is a difference in shooting a plow griped gun and a Bisley.
I get picked on for this this yet here it goes. Did you take the gun apart and clean it and inspect it before you fired it with your ammo?

Or you could do as I was ordered to do when issued my service pistol. One that no one would had ever been able to get to shoot correctly. If I wanted to hit a tree by the wall aim for the wall. True story.
It was a WW2 Remington Rand that is worth thousands today.

If the getting another to shoot the gun dose not work out so well. It is time for the range rod to see if the barrel is in the same place the cylinder mouths are. That is best done by a gunsmith or someone very practiced while your not in the room.
If it is really wrong Ruger will make it right rest assured of that. Good luck and let us know. Calthrop

 

[chris_]

Two other people shot the gun. Neither of them I think shoots as well as me. They both shot left. Not bragging at all, I just shoot a lot.

Plated bullets are good from 1200 to 1400fps, depending on who you ask. Obviously these are separating but they group fine, just VERY far left.

The graph above works well, until you consider that I was switching off with another Bisley with a similarly recoiling load. That gun grouped fine, right on target. I even shot this 41 off a rest, still left. I am aware of many of the tests for what seems to be a gun issue and I tried to go through all of them, including this same bullet running 300fps slower.

I took the gun all apart and cleaned it up before I ever shot it.

I am in Los Angeles.

 

[chris_]

Upon further inspection, when looking down the barrel of the gun from the front, the front sight itself is noticeably canted to the left in relation to the frame behind it. In shooting position, this would make the sight canted to the right. My other SA's are Vaqueros but I looked at all of my Ruger DA's and none exhibit this characteristic.

 

[Calthrop]

OK you did all the right stuff and the barrel needs to be turned. It is going back to Ruger correct? Then you are five by five. They make repairs the way they like. The one gun they did for has a fantastic DA action on it. Please tell all when it happens. Calthrop

 

[Juniper]

Chris,
I have a New Model Blackhawk 4 5/8" .41 Mag I purchased used and had the same problem. I cranked the rear sight as far to the right as possible, but could not bring it near the target. I have shot a bit and was very dissapointed. I then looked down the barrel and the front sight was tweaked, not in a straight line with the barrel. I took it to a local gunsmith who told me for him to straighten the front sight he would have to heat the barrel and would probably cause discoloration. He suggested I call Ruger. I called Ruger and they replied "send it in". They confirmed they would perform no work that would cost me until I approved it. What they did was replace the barrel and sight, hammer, trigger, reblued the entire gun to match and even placed new factory grips on the revolver with NO Cost to me. When the gun was returned it was in a nice Ruger yellow box and appeared new. I thought they had sent me a new gun until I checked the serial number. I sent them a thank you letter and received back a letter thanking me for my patronage and a Ruger sticker and patch.... That is why I buy Ruger. It is dissapointing to have a problem with a Ruger, but they made it right many times over. I suspect they will treat you as well.

 

[chris_]

I have and have had many, many Rugers. If this is the only problem I have, I am very happy. I spoke to them a while ago. They told me to write a little note explaining it and send it in. Just dropped it off at the PO a few minutes ago.

 

[chris_]

I just got a call from Ruger. They replaced the barrel and sights and said I'll have it in two days. Can't wait.