single action for hunting

[tascofeldman]

Years ago I had a new model super blackhawk that though I dearly loved it had to sell. I'm now in the market again for a single action ruger for hunting. Not a reloader yet but ammo price is not a big deal. I like the idea of the convertables but I don't know enough about them. Good ideas or just another gimmic. I'm a fan of 45 acp and have a S&W 625 in that cal so a 45 colt/45 acp is not nesessary, but might be fun. Which model might be best suited for hunting deer, hogs or up? Hunt NE Texas so not many grizzlies in thes parts. If I'm gonna do this I might as well get the strongest frame and don't know if there are any differences. So, SBH, 45 colt blackhawk or 44/45 colt vaquero? BTW, my wife loves her pair of tricked out om vaquero's, 45 colt, birdshead, 3 1/2", uses them for cowboy mounted shooting then carries them both when hog hunting!

 

[DeletedMember275]

If I were planning to scope it, I would look at a Hunter model Blackhawk in whatever caliber suited my fancy. If I had younger/better eyes, I would select either a Super or standard Blackhawk in whatever caliber met my needs. Any of the '4s' will do you - .41, .44 or .45.

 

[Nowata]

First, the SBH is a wonderful platform to look at for a dedicated hunting firearm. I have a SBH in a Bisley Hunter model. It is my deer hunting gun. Integral scope attachment, Ruger rings make it easy(red dot for me) to scope. Mine is a .44, however .44 or 45 Colt very versatile calibers. Really suggest handloading, it will bring out range of power for both calibers. You would be surprised how little it takes to kill a deer. My hunting load is way less than a "full house" .44mag, yet complete penetration is the norm. Good luck, have fun.

 

[tascofeldman]

Okay, what barrel length would be the best? 5.5 would be handy enough for all around, would 2 extra " be worth the trouble accuracy a velocity wise? What differeciates the super from the standard?

 

[VAdoublegunner]

Some of my favorite SAs for hunting, assuming you do not want to scope them, are a 4 5/8" SS Ruger SBH in 44 Mag, and more recently the Lipsey's Flattop in 44 Special. The former is rugged in the extreme, easy to carry and shoots great. It will take any 44 Mag loads you want to shoot. A great stalking or heavy brush gun. But I like the smaller, lighter 44 Special too. It can handle handload levels approaching magnum if you so desire, but is plenty effective with a good hardcast bullet moving at 1000-1100fps. However, not being a handloader limits your options for ammo with this one.

You will probably also find the Blackhawk's adjustable sights preferable to the Vaquero since you do not handload. You are really at the mercy of where factory rounds shoot unless you get really lucky or can hand tailor them to the gun. Also, since you do not handload, a 44 Mag just makes more sense because of the availability and variety of suitable ammo.

 

[contender]

You already have the 45 ACP's, and the Vaqueros in 45 Colt. Logic dictates you look at a convertable Blackhawk in 45 ACP & 45 Colt. Once you get into reloading,, you will see the simple fact of how versitile it is. Downloaded,, they can handle SASS fun, general plinking, & lots of practice. Or use the same 45 ACP loads to enjoy it. Then, for hunting, you can get a pretty good selection of ammo to suit your needs from medium to thumper loads.
From your own info,, the 45 convertable just makes sense!

 

[CraigC]

For a dedicated hunting sixgun, I have to have adjustable sights. I also tend to prefer .44's to .45's. I also prefer Bisleys for heavy loads but heavy loads are not absolutely necessary. So others are implemented. While this 7½" was intended to be a dedicated hunting sixgun...

This one quickly became my favorite, particularly for hogs...

There are no flies on a properly loaded .44Spl either...

 

[Mus408]

The SB Hunter would be my chioce. Mine is the SS version .44mag with 7.5 barrel

 

[Nowata]

For me, I like the 7.5in. barrel. However, especially with a scope, it is awkward as a "sidearm". I just carry it to the blind in a pistol rug. If wood's walking, a 5.5in. in a crossdraw is very practical and handy.

 

[M'BOGO]

Okay, what barrel length would be the best? 5.5 would be handy enough for all around, would 2 extra " be worth the trouble accuracy a velocity wise? What differeciates the super from the standard?

The barrel length is a personal preference. Some folks really like the longer barrels for the extra sight radius.

The Super is only chambered in .44 mag.

 

[CraigC]

The Super is only chambered in .44 mag.

That used to be the case. Then they built .41Mag and .45Colt Hunter models marked "Super Blackhawk".

 

[DeletedMember275]

Also if you plan to hunt, check your state's hunting regs. Many have a minimum barrel length for handguns.