Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter .44 Mag Accuracy

[Bill_N]

I've had this Ruger SBH 44 Mag going on 20 years now. Started out shooting with open sights. Ammo was Speer 240 gr Gold Dots. Results were OK. Approx 4" group at 50 yards off bags. I put a 2X Leupold on it to see if it would group better but Speer discontinued that ammo. Trying various other loads I was getting 4-6" groups and was having a hard time getting a consistent sight picture so I stopped using it for awhile. Switched to the Burris FF3 Red Dot a few years ago. I like the sight better but the gun doesn't group any better. I had it ported to reduce muzzle jump and a trigger job done when I first got it but I'm disappointed with the accuracy.

What is a reasonable expectation with a 44 Mag SBH? Is there an accurizing process for these guns?

 

[thinckley]

I have not gotten my SBH Hunter out to the range yet, but will be doing so soon. This review, while 7 years old, lists a bunch of different rounds and the grouping the author was able to get at 25 yards

Gun Review: Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk Hunter in .44 Magnum - The Truth About Guns

The Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk chambered in .44 magnum is a wonderful field hunting tool that just wants to be out there and in action.

www.thetruthaboutguns.com

Buffalo Bore 340gr +P+ Hardcast ————————1491 fps, 2.5"
Buffalo Bore 270gr JFN————————————1497 fps, 2"
Buffalo Bore 225gr Barnes XPB ————————–1559 fps, 2"
SIG SAUER 240gr V-Crown——————————–1340 fps, 1.75"
SIG SAUER 200gr V-Crown (.44 Special)—————–924 fps, 2"
Black Hills 240gr JHP————————————–1397 fps, 1.5"
Black Hills 300gr JHP————————————–1126 fps, 1"
Black Hills 160gr HoneyBadger—————————1748 fps, .75"
Black Hills 210 FPL (.44 Special)————————–825 fps, 2.25"
Black Hills 125gr HoneyBadger (.44 Special)————1366 fps, 1.5"
Hornady 240gr XTP—————————————–1504 fps, 1.8"
Hornady 300gr XTP—————————————–1149 fps, 1.25"
Hornady 225gr FTX—————————————–1453 fps, 1"
Hornady 180gr XTP (.44 Special)————————–851 fps, 2.6"
Hornady 165gr Critical Defense (.44 Special)————1010 fps, 2.33"


Makes sense that at twice the difference you would be seeing 4"-6". Looks like the standouts are:
Black Hills 160gr HoneyBadger—————————1748 fps, .75"
Black Hills 300gr JHP————————————–1126 fps, 1"
Hornady 225gr FTX—————————————–1453 fps, 1"

Are the rounds you are trying on that list? If so, how do they compare?

 

[Bill_N]

The Hornady 225 Gr FTX and the Hornady 240 Gr XTP are. It's been a few years and I no longer have the targets but I recall being disappointed in the FTX although it does shoot pretty well in my 44 Mag Carbine.

 

[thinckley]

I shoot the .357 version of the FTX in my 1894SBL. It shoots one ragged hole at 25 yards, need better weather to stretch its legs more. I am planning on starting with the 225gr FTX in my SBH Hunter because of the results I got in the .357

I wish they made a Hunter in .357...

 

[Bill_N]

I had read something about inconsistency in the cylinder throat sizing being an issue with some Blackhawks. I'm going to clean my SBH this weekend and check the throat sizing.

 

[powder smoke]

The results should be interesting interesting, keep us posted

 

[Bill_N]

I cleaned the cylinder and checked the throats with my caliper. They're all at .430 +/- .0005
Not sure what spec is but not much variation.

 

[thinckley]

If I remember correctly, the throat sizing issue was pretty much limited to the .45LC models.

 

[Bill_N]

I found a box of 240 gr XTP's and dropped a bullet down each chamber in the cylinder. They all dropped through so it's a loose fit but not by much which goes along with my caliper measurements. I tried the bullet in the bore but it wouldn't start. I thought I had some cast 44 cal bullets on hand but couldn't find any. So I'm kind of stuck on the bore slugging for now. I'm kind of wondering about timing as well.

Maybe I'll call Ruger Monday.