Bisley Super Blackhawk

[GunHawk]

Took my new Bisley Super Blackhawk to the range yesterday. Shot some 240 gr mags and some 240 gr specials. Got up this morning and my wrist was hurting. Anyone have suggestions on gloves, grips or other things that would make this more comfortable? I hung the target upside down, it's shooting a little left and I forgot to take a screw driver.

 

[gmartinnc]

Good shooting. Was this from 25 yards?

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
Is it possible you were gripping the gun too tight? Fighting the recoil can cause pain.
There are some gloves for shooting, but w/o seeing how you shoot I'd hesitate to suggest the use of one.
Also, it is possible that while most folks feel the Bisley is a better grip frame for taming recoil, a different gripframe, (plow handled one) may work in your hands easier.

 

[BlkHawk73]

How much shooting with heavy recoiling revolver are in your resume? Left is often attributed to grip and or trigger corrections are needed. As contender mentioned, the Bisley grip might just be part of it also. It's great for some but not so much for others. This could contribute to the hurting.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

I have two of those short .44 mag`s . They are a handfull for sure. I just don`t grip them so tight and let it roll in the hand a little. I have shot 325 gr. Ruger only loads in mine and find a couple cylinders full is all I wish to ENJOY at one setting.

 

[willk]

The rolling action of the recoil of a "plow' handled grip seems to help me a lot. From what I understand the Bisley grip tends to push the recoil straight back into the hand while the traditional grip allows more roll.

Another thing to remember, shooting hot loads is fun but lighter loads tend to be a lot more funner for long shooting sessions. A charge of 10-11 grains of Unique behind a 240 grain bullet will do 90% of what a full power load will do and is a lot easier on the hands, wrist, elbow and firearm. Shooting a load of 7.8 grains of Unique behind a 200 grain cast bullet is a true all day load that approximates the full power load of a .357 and in all steel Super Blackhawks is a pleasure to shoot.

I shoot a heavy but not max load of IMR4227 behind a 250 grain cast bullet. Velocity runs in the 1250FPS range. Kills deer deader than a door nail and always penetrates both sides of the deer no matter what bone or bones it hits. So far three deer have fallen to this load.

I always use a shooting glove but lately a non-padded shooting glove. My elbow is toast after years of shooting big bore handguns in IHMSA matches. Still love it and with a brace on the elbow and a glove, I am still able to shoot.

 

[GunHawk]

Thanks for all the advice. Yes I was holding on tight and no I don't have a lot of magnums under my belt. I got a little bit of trigger guard bite on my middle finger, but after holding the plow handle the Bisley seemed to have much more room for my hand. I shot some .44 specials and was amazed in the difference on recoil between the two. I began aiming to the right of the bullseye that's how I got the three in the center. If I adjust the windage I think it will be fine. Thanks again Brad

 

[GunHawk]

Good shooting. Was this from 25 yards?

No, this was from 10 yards without a rest. I did shoot some from 25 yards and managed to keep them in the 6 ring, but by this time I was flinching.

 

[flatgate]

'tis the nature of the beast. Short Barreled .44 Mags can be a bit testy :roll:

Much less kick with this ol' .44

JMHO,

flatgate

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Find your accurate heavy load and sight in for it. Then shoot lighter stuff for practice realizing that they probably wont impact in the same spot.
Have fun!

OH! And when shooting my Ruger SBH revolvers I put a band-aid around the knuckle of my middle finger. They will draw blood after several cylinders full of heavy loads.
They are not meant to be plinkers,they are meant for business. :wink:

 

[The Blackhawk Kid]

I shoot 44 Spl thru my SBH. 7.4 grs of Unique 200 gr Lead semi WC's. I had a group at 25 yards about the size of a silver dollar. I shoot full power loads if I'm in varmint country. Hope this helps. bhk

 

[Jim Puke]

My elbow is toast

Funny you mention this, as I recently took some OLD loads of mine out and shot them in the 10" Contender and it made my elbows hurt now just as it did all of those years ago when I thought that you had to drive'em as hard as you could...and the Contender did not help then or now. I have heard people praise the 10" Contender, but it is the most abusive 44mag that I have ever shot. All of my revolvers are a pleasure compared to it.

To the OP, you have been given some good info from the guys and trying those ideas will probably help you come up with a way that is more comfortable. I have shot the plow handle version of this gun and it was not bad to shoot at all...to me. However, I am one that thinks the Bisley helps to tame the big boomers.

BTW, that is a gorgeous little gun.

 

[Maverick]

Sweet rig you have there sir!
I would think full house loads would be approaching ferocious in terms of recoil with that setup though. I'd probably do most of my practicing with light 'cowboy' loads. Padded gloves will help...but not that much. :shock:
If you don't reload i'm sure the guys here could give you specific factory loads that would be the lightest recoil. I would skip the heavy loads especially if your wrist is already hurting, better to practice with light stuff rather than develop any bad flinching/pulling habits.

If you want to shoot full power or hot handloads...comfortably, then you may want to consider more barrel.

 

[David Bradshaw]

GunHawk.... to more or less consolidate wisdom of Contender, Flatgate, Maverick, Jim Luke, etc:
* Despite producing greater velocity for a given load, a longer barrel dampens recoil.
* A glove supple enough to feel the trigger is your friend.
* Don't squeeze grip any tighter than you can FLOAT your trigger finger.
* Crook your elbows slightly to ward off "IHMSA elbow.".
* Yes, the low bore axis of the T/C Contender amplifies .44 recoil.
* DRY FIRE regular. Pay particular attention to FOLLOW THROUGH.
* Hold Bisley grip with heel of hand against butt. This slows roll of recoil and helps save knuckle of middle finger.
* Save full house loads for end-of-session fire, and fire few.
* Practice with a light load...

...such as:
Cast 240 SWC
5.5 gr./231 or HP-38 (same powder)
.44 mag case
Standard large pistol primer
Seat bullet to crimp above front band, for COL=1.5"
velocity should range 750-800 fps
accuracy plenty for rabbits at 50 yds

David Bradshaw

 

[GunHawk]

GunHawk.... to more or less consolidate wisdom of Contender, Flatgate, Maverick, Jim Luke, etc:
* Despite producing greater velocity for a given load, a longer barrel dampens recoil.
* A glove supple enough to feel the trigger is your friend.
* Don't squeeze grip any tighter than you can FLOAT your trigger finger.
* Crook your elbows slightly to ward off "IHMSA elbow.".
* Yes, the low bore axis of the T/C Contender amplifies .44 recoil.
* DRY FIRE regular. Pay particular attention to FOLLOW THROUGH.
* Hold Bisley grip with heel of hand against butt. This slows roll of recoil and helps save knuckle of middle finger.
* Save full house loads for end-of-session fire, and fire few.
* Practice with a light load...

...such as:
Cast 240 SWC
5.5 gr./231 or HP-38 (same powder)
.44 mag case
Standard large pistol primer
Seat bullet to crimp above front band, for COL=1.5"
velocity should range 750-800 fps
accuracy plenty for rabbits at 50 yds

David Bradshaw

Thank you for this and everyone else for the excellent information. Just ordered a RCBS press and am starting to accumulate the rest of the equipment. Hopefully I will be reloading by the time the weather breaks.

 

[SteelShooter]

Past makes some good recoil absorbing gloves. Use these when I'm shooting a S&W 2.78" 44 Mag. They definitely help with the recoil.

 

[LAH]

I used a SBH for several years, old square back trigger guard. Always used a Lyman 429421, 21 grains of 2400, & a CCI 350. Great sixgun for boar, crows, water snakes, groundhogs, etc. but 6 or 8 cylinders full would leave me a sore, bloody mess. These will help: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1125191321/past-professional-shooting-gloves-fingerless-leather

 

[CraigC]

Gloves won't save your wrist. Stick with the Bisley, you just need practice to toughen your joints and muscles.

 

[The Blackhawk Kid]

Don't feel Bad GunHawk, I've learned alot from the RF crew, AND I even shoot better! Ma always said Two heads are better than one. Good Shooting, all! BHK

 

[dlhredfoxx]

Short barreled big bores with hot loads can be a handful... It just takes some time to get used to, and the post-session soreness will improve but never go away completely (in fact it seems to get worse now that I'm getting older). I try to limit my really big bore sessions to less than 25 rounds max, less for the really big boys...

And now a word of caution, be aware that long term nerve and joint damage can occur from regular shooting sessions with the big bangers. I'm in my mid 40's and have been shooting hot loads in big bore revolvers pretty regularly for approx. 25 years and I've already got pretty bad arthritis in my shooting wrist and starting to get it in my elbow.

 

[Greg Mercurio]

We shoot our SBH's a lot. We seldom shoot a lot of full power loads though. Maybe one cylinder out of the entire round of shooting. We handload so light loads aren't an issue. Trail Boss and cast for practice is the rule. With a barrel that short, recoil is going to be fierce. Not much you can do to mitigate except taming the loads.