Opinions and ideas for a large bore revolver

[onelight]

To add further complication, there are the full-size Ruger Blackhawks and mid framed flat tops. Mid framed flat tops are limited to “Level 2” 45 colt loads. Not sure if they made those in dual cylinder configurations.

They made or make the stainless flat top in a 45 convertible I have a 45/8 model good shooter.
I will mention the 45 had a lot more thread choke (I fire lapped it ) than my stainless 44 special bisley 45/8. I don't know if that is typically true or not.
The governor is a neat idea but you loose quite a bit of velocity and accuracy in the long free bore of that 410 chamber.

[Mackay Sagebrush]

The .45 Convertible Flattops are pretty neat guns and make for very nice packing guns on the hip. Great for tromping around the field chasing rabbits, or as a companion in wolf country while fishing or whatever.

[Mackay Sagebrush]

It has become a favorite single action, carried with the ACP cylinder, which really can handle most any chore one is likely to come across.

[downzero]

Best bang for the buck is Ruger New Model Blackhawk Convertible .45 Colt/.45 ACP. Send both cylinders to DougGuy to have honed and uniformed to .4525" then buy Accurate 45-264H to feed both cylinders, cast bullets 1 to 30 tin-lead from Roto Metals, size .452, load 4.5 grains of Bullseye in the .45 ACP and 7.5 grs. in .45 Colt and you are done.

Attachment 279457

I don't know why you'd buy 45 Colt brass to load it with Bullseye if you have the 45 ACP cylinder. That gun will do 300 grain bullets at 1200+ fps (and maybe 1300+ fps depending on barrel length). A 7.5 grain Bullseye load in a Ruger is a waste of time.

My usual recommendation is a 45 Colt Ruger, but 44 is probably a better choice than most people.

[onelight]

I don't know why you'd buy 45 Colt brass to load it with Bullseye if you have the 45 ACP cylinder. That gun will do 300 grain bullets at 1200+ fps (and maybe 1300+ fps depending on barrel length). A 7.5 grain Bullseye load in a Ruger is a waste of time.

That would be quite the test on a Ruger flat top 45 colt . I don't think I would want to shoot any of your loads.

[Old School Big Bore]

I have Super Blackhawks in .44 Mag, Blackhawks in .45 LC, all 4-5/8", an M29, a 629, and a 625-8 JM, all 4". I had a 4" 45LC Mountain gun but its weight (or lack thereof) required me to load poofter loads just for it.

I also have a B92 in .44 and an R92 in 45LC. No one has mentioned carbines yet but it is nice to have a same-caliber pair. Besides the 44 & 45 92s, I binged on .44 rifles and have a Handi, a 788 and a DeerStalker I hunt with. Next purchase will be a 92 and pair of Blackhawks in .357, and I'd like to get a pump in 45LC. I also like woodswalking with an elderly 4" 1905 and B53 in .32-20.

If I don't want to carry a carbine, I find myself more and more carrying the Miculek 45 ACP/AR with some "carry" ACP in moon clips and some speedloaders of my woodswalking AR load as well. The heavy lugged barrel soaks up the recoil of the stout carry and hog loads. If the snakes are active and I don't want to carry a dedicated snake snubby, I just put a couple of AR snake loads first up followed by the deer/hog loads. The two-round 1/3 moon clips (clippettes?) are a good option for a mixed cylinder of ACP snake & defense loads. I'm getting about equal accuracy out of the same ACP match loads I make for my 1911 and AR brass with the M-P 45 HBWC. Being able to reverse the HBWC as a cup point is handy as well.

If you aren't going single action, I recommend the heavy M29 or the non-mountain M25. I would stay away from scandium, skinny barrels, or K/L size DAs. The M624 packs a skosh lighter than the 29 but I only shoot for-real Specials in it due to its lighter weight - no Keith frame-stretchers. NOTE: I 'grew up' shooting heavy .44s in the 4" 29 and two 7-1/2" Super Blackhawks, and even in the Bulldogs, and used to pride myself on handling fairly stout defense and hunting loads. I shot the Blackhawks in IHMSA silhouette and the 29 and Bulldogs training myself up as a LEO street guy and later firearms instructor, but that stinkin' 45 Mountain gun and to a lesser extent the 624 have broken me of suckin' that particular type of egg. I started noticing acute pain in the palms of my hands and that the pain was lasting a fairly long time - a couple of days - before dissipating. I traded the Mountain 45 off to a masochist friend for an AR9 for Milady and have not missed it. Only S&W I've ever let go. And I shot my Skeeter Specials up in the magnums instead of the 624. The main load I now use in the 624 is the MP HBWC or any of the light-weight RNs, WCs or SWCs. Carry is the factory GDHPs.

As far as Bulldogs, they're for a pretty narrow niche. I have a 3" and a 4" Target from the '70s and use them primarily for lawnmower duty with snake loads, or very seldom as CC with factory GDHPs on trips to "town", the 4" in a strong-side behind the hip holster and the 3" in a crossdraw for the "Noo Yawk reload", or the 3" in a crossdraw full of snake loads if I'm hunting or woodswalking with the 29, 629, or a Blackhawk. I see that Charter has them in .41 Mag, .45 ACP and .45 LC now. Sounds like an awful lot of recoil.

Whatever you end up with, good luck with it. Hold 'em and squeeze 'em.

Ed <><

[eb in oregon]

That's a mighty fine Ruger Blackhawk Mackay, however it seems that particular model isn't offered in Ruger's lineup or as a special order pistol these days.

[onelight]

That's a mighty fine Ruger Blackhawk Mackay, however it seems that particular model isn't offered in Ruger's lineup or as a special order pistol these days.

Looks like he might have fit the aluminum grip frame and some really nice grips to a Bisley or a stainless with a Bisley hammer to shed a few ounces .

[JoeJames]

That would be quite the test on a Ruger flat top 45 colt . I don't think I would want to shoot any of your loads.

I agree must be some Mastodons and Griz around the place.

[onelight]

The flat tops are not for Ruger only loads they are a smaller gun.

[Jtarm]

I find it odd that your DA picks jump straight from medium frame up to the Redhawk, skipping S&W N-frames.

For me, anything bigger that a 4” N-frame is going to be obtrusive for carrying around the property.

I spent many many years brush-stomping with either a 4” S&W 24-3 or 5.5” Ruger SBH. I was young and fit back then so the weight of the SBH didn’t bother me and it was on a 2” gun belt. But the length got annoying.

I got rid of the SBH and switched to a 7.5” Bisley as a hunting revolver and the 24-3 for general field carry.

Nowadays it’s a 4” GP100 MC 10mm fitted with a SwampFox Justice and carried on my britches belt (a 5-11 Operator).

[Elmer Fudd]

Post #4. I second the GP in Special. It is a classic cartridge, capable of most handgun tasks. You can opt for the rubber grip and fiber optic front sight, or you can go wood and brass bead. I mixed it up, but kinda wish I had the fiber optic front some times.
It's stainless, so take that or leave it. Mine has about a 3" barrel, which gets me most of what I intend a Special to do. You can please the revolver gods and use a Keith, or you can go HP and get good results (assuming you like some things to pop when you hit em).
The concept is maybe rather unconventional, but it works. I'd like to have its big brother, the Alaskan in 480.
Or if you want a once and done type gun, look at a Freedom 97 in 41, Special or 45 Colt. That's about the final word in handgunnery right there.

[Jtarm]

Yeah I’ll sign on the the GP100 .44 special.

Problem is I’d want a 4”, and that stupid commemorative is going for stupid money.

Problem solved if Ruger would just legitimize the .41 Special in a 6-shot GP100.

They’ve wasted lots of R&D money on dumber ideas.

[sharps4590]

Or if you want a once and done type gun, look at a Freedom 97 in 41, Special or 45 Colt. That's about the final word in handgunnery right there.

Well said. Cannot be improved upon. One would have to go Bowen, Reeder or Linebaugh to almost equal it. None of the others compare.

[WestKentucky]

If used is an option you could look for a Ruger Buckeye. 38-40 and 10mm convertible makes for a lot of fun. You get old school cool in 38-40 and flashy modern in the 10mm. Too bad they tend to be a bit on the expensive side, but with patience you can get one reasonably.

[lar45]

If you want light weight, go with a big bore. Larger hole in the barrel = Less weight
Here's my Big Bore packer.
Stainless Ruger Bisley in 500 Linebaugh with 5 1/2" octagon barrel and Ebony Grips.

[high standard 40]

Of the guns listed in the OP, I would opt for either the GP100 or the Blackhawk.

[imashooter2]

The S&W 625.

[Cargo]

I find it odd that your DA picks jump straight from medium frame up to the Redhawk, skipping S&W N-frames.

For me, anything bigger that a 4” N-frame is going to be obtrusive for carrying around the property.

I spent many many years brush-stomping with either a 4” S&W 24-3 or 5.5” Ruger SBH. I was young and fit back then so the weight of the SBH didn’t bother me and it was on a 2” gun belt. But the length got annoying.

I got rid of the SBH and switched to a 7.5” Bisley as a hunting revolver and the 24-3 for general field carry.

Nowadays it’s a 4” GP100 MC 10mm fitted with a SwampFox Justice and carried on my britches belt (a 5-11 Operator).

The Governor is my wife and oldest son's pick as it's a large revolver but still pretty light at around 29ozs. The Redhawk is a throwback to my younger days. My best friend in school had one and we had a lot of fun with his 5.5" SS Redhawk.

These days my back is pretty gimpy and my 3" GP100 and 4" Service Six are my most commonly used revolvers.

I was made aware of the S&W M21 yesterday and that might have some promise.

[onelight]

Sounds like you know what your looking at . I think every suggestion would be a fun gun to have .
I like all of them 😎