Ruger Blackhawk .44 Special Flatttop

[RoverSig]

Wow! My first single-action Ruger, and it is great! I shot it this evening as the range emptied out for everyone to rush home to watch the SuperBowl.

The smaller frame of the .44 Special Flattop handles nicely, and the revolver appears accurate. I shot Meister 250 grain SWCs over 6.5, 7.0, and 7.5 grains of Unique -- the later load the famous "Skeeter Skelton" load for the .44 Special -- and all worked well, the Skeeter load seemingly the most accurate with no noticeable extra recoil.

The biggest problem I see is the unavailability of reloading components, esp. bullets, under current conditions -- this affecting even the .44 Special, not a mainstream caliber.

I think I am a convert to the .44 Special. Anyone else like this round?

 

[Hondo44]

My favorite center fire cartridge. Here's a few of them:

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

Hondo,
Those are some sweet .44's!! Those CCH, Stag Vaquero's really catch my eye :wink:
Thanks for sharing.
Terry

 

[Hondo44]

Hi Terry,

"Hello, my name is Hondo 44 and I'm a forty-four-coholic."

Thx for the kind comments.

 

[contender]

A lot of us enjoy the 44Spls. I own a few as well.

 

[RoverSig]

Great pics -- those are some fine revolvers.

The best part of my first-time-shooting-a-.44-Special this evening was the pleasant discovery that it does not generate crazy recoil, at least not in a 42 ounce Blackhawk, using the Skeeter Skelton favorite, 7.5 gr Unique/250 grain SWC.

I think I will replace the stock black plastic checkered grips with smooth wooden grips...

 

[ProfessorWes]

I've got a pair of 5 1/2" .44 Special Flattops; one each standard and Bisley. Love 'em both.

Not sure why the round isn't more popular: It will do everything the .357 will in the same sized gun, with less muzzle blast and recoil. What's not to like?

8)

 

[Ken ONeill]

I'm down to just one Special. I like it a lot. It prefers 7 gr. Unique, CCI 300's and 240 cast SWC's:

 

[Doc4429]

A ".357" Blackhawk converted to 44 Special caliber by Hamilton Bowen. A great shooter! !

Bill

 

[Tensaw]

Here is my nice little .44 spec with smooth wood grips. Love it.

 

[tom black]

IMHO you can't have to many 44 Specials.

Tom Black

 

[Rclark]

bullets, under current condition

Bullets are no problem. Just order from Rimrock, or Penn, or .... Plenty of bullets available. Now primers and powder are scarce at the moment (maybe for at least 4 years).

Like my specials. Shoot the Skeeter load as well for the 'general purpose' load. Unique/Universal

Next thing you need to get is a #5 base pin from Belt Mountain.... Just to make it 'special'.

The .45 Colt may be my favorite, but the .44 Special is right behind!

Enjoy!!!

 

[hammie]

@Rclark: Congratulations on your new .44 special flat top. I just got a 5.5 inch flat top a few days ago to add to my 4 5/8 flat top and S&W 4 inch, model 24. I've never yearned for a .44 remington magnum. The .44 special will do everything I need.

I will be replacing the thin black plastic grips. Fatter grip are a little more comfortable for me to shoot.

 

[RoverSig]

A couple of short questions: Using 7.5 gr Unique under a 250 gr SWC, in Starline Brass, with a significant roll taper, about how many reloads do you get with each shell? And, totally different topic, what is the best way to grip the Blackhawk XR-3 grip -- two fingers around it and a pinkie underneath? Or squeeze all three fingers around the front strap (e.g., for medium sized hands).

Those are the things on my mind -- I really like my Flattop, plain jane that she is (wooden stocks on order) but the pictures shown above are superb examples of this caliber.

 

[contender]

You will get a whole bunch of reloads out of your brass with that loading.

Many of us prefer the pinky under the gripframe.

 

[rugerlovah]

A couple of short questions: Using 7.5 gr Unique under a 250 gr SWC, in Starline Brass, with a significant roll taper, about how many reloads do you get with each shell? And, totally different topic, what is the best way to grip the Blackhawk XR-3 grip -- two fingers around it and a pinkie underneath? Or squeeze all three fingers around the front strap (e.g., for medium sized hands).

I shoot the XR3 with entire hand on it, but I've got pretty small paws. Have shot with pinky underneath and that works too. As far as reloading goes, I'm shooting that load in the .44 mag and the brass lasts forever. I lose cases here and there with a split neck, but no primer pocket issues. I put a solid roll crimp on mine, too, then when it's reloading time again, flare 'em back out before I seat the bullet.

 

[Three50seven]

I'm new to this game, my only entry thus far...

Taurus model 431

I'm really itching to add one of the NM flat top .44s to my collection, but I'm afraid it's going to have to wait a little while

 

[Dorsey Rhoads]

My Favorite cal.

 

[RoverSig]

Some nice additional pics. My second shooting session with my new Blackhawk .44 Special Flattop will take place this weekend... as I read Sixguns by Keith... take me back 100 years.

 

[Desertdog]

Yup....my favorite caliber.....have a BH 5.5 inch, and a S&W M24, 6.5 inch. Enjoy....and the Special is VERY special....and quite addicting...

 

[RoverSig]

Here is a pic of the Ruger Blackhawk .44 Special Flattop that started the thread... with new grips.

 

[agjones]

.44 Spl. w/ rosewood checkered stocks

 

[M'BOGO]

Here is a pic of the Ruger Blackhawk .44 Special Flattop that started the thread... with new grips.

Gotta love it