Thinking about a 10.5" Ruger

[Deep Six]

I'm tossing around the idea of a 10.5" Super Blackhawk in 44 mag. This will only be shot off a rest at targets and deer. I have no illusions of carry it as I already have several shorter guns for carry use. I'm looking for experiences with the 10.5" model specifically. I figured there must be people here who've had 'em....

[osteodoc08]

I've shot the longer models. Still want to try one of those buntlines for curiosity's sake. It definitely cuts down on recoil. With a scope, I've found no discernible difference between the 7.5" and the 10.5" as far as accuracy. Manueverablitiy is reduced and I find, personally, that the 7.5" is my max as far as length and hunting goes. 4-6" is my preferred lengths. I say give it a try and see if you like it. If not, trade it off or cut it back for a more custom length. I do wish I had my Smith 686 8-3/8" back. I foolishly sold it to someone that wanted it more than I did. The little bit of money that I did make on it has been spent several times over and I can't even remember what for. Probably something the ex wanted at the time. Stupid me.

[shorty500M]

dont have but 4 revolvers with over 8odd inches of barrel, a BFR .45-70, S&W 29Silhouette, Freedom Arms m83 .44 and a Ruger .357 Maximum. hav shot my dad's 10.5 SBH though. long is good if it works for you and if dont you always hav the option to shorten

[308w]

I had 1 of these 2 different times back when I was younger and my eyes were good. Used to belong to a shooting club that had 1'x1' steel plates 3/4" thick on a cross tie at 200 yards. I shot lots of 429421's out of it over about 10.0 grains of unique.
Once you got the rear sight dialed up high enough it was not the guns fault if you missed one of these targets, This was off a bench rest now mind you. Man that was lots of fun, I could sit there and burn up 200 rounds at a time doing that. I guess if I ever do anymore of that kind of shooting it will be with some kind of optic, oh well its still better than the alternative.
So I said all that to say this, they are loads of fun for target shooting, espcially if you have good eyes and like shooting with iron sights. 308w

[161]

Had one in my 20s a Stainless. Great gun, traded it for a 6 inch model 29. And regretted it. Just picked up a new one last week. Nice looking gun but the Ruger rear sights or loose and sloppy. Think I'm going to drill and tap a Weigland mount on and but a Red Dot on it.

[contender1]

If you want real world experience with this type of gun, you need to look up a guy named David Bradshaw on www.singleactions.com
He worked with Ruger, did a LOT of shooting with a long barreled 44 & has a VAST knowledge of them. Pics of David, and many other stuff just came out in a book by Max Prasac. "The Gun Digest Book of Ruger Revolvers." If you go to that site, look in the Forum, under "single actions" and the "gallery" look for stuff about David. Lots to see & learn.

[white eagle]

I have one mine is a stainless SBH
use it for deer hunting out of a tree stand this past season
took a deer at 73 paces
nice gun
I shoot mostly 260 gr and top out at 320 gr.
real accurate

[leftiye]

I'm just wierd I guess. I've always liked longer barrels. I've got a black hawk .44 mag. with a 10" barrel and pachmayr grips. Ah luvs it! 270 gr. devastators at 150 anyone?

[44man]

My favorite .44. Got mine when the 10.5" stainless first came out and shot IHMSA for years and kill deer every year with it. I use a shoulder holster, use an Ultra Dot for old eyes and have a sling on the butt.
I never liked short barrels and have nothing under 7-1/2".

[Southern Son]

Deep Six,
Had one for shooting Metalic Shilouette. Loved it. There is no doubt about hits on the chickens. I had to sell it to pay some vet bills. I miss the SBH, but I miss the pup more.

[white eagle]

Here is a pic of mine
although it now wears its original grips and like Jim's an ultra dot
I find a ultra mo betta for hunting than a scope
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/kempobb/supremehunter.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kempobb/media/supremehunter.jpg.html)

[44man]

I had a SRH (long barrel) that was much more accurate, 1/2" at 50 yards. But I just can't let go of the 10-1/2" SBH. A friend talked me out of the SRH when I needed money for a BFR. I regret the sale but nobody will get my BFR's until I die.
Some guns just have a love that can't be explained and the silver hornpipe Ruger is one.
I am very disturbed about comments to "cut it down" from so many. Just why do so many want a belly gun with a large caliber? It is a pet peeve with me. Guy buys a 6" gun and wants it cut to 4" ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?

[leftiye]

Plus 1, Right arm.

[44man]

Yeah, I think having two guns is better, buy a short one too.

[DLCTEX]

7 1/2 in. is the limit both directions for my revolvers as far as choice. I do own revolvers with less barrel, just prefer 7 1/2 for plinking/hunting. Some of my guns were bought because I got a screaming deal offered.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I have a SRH with the 9.5" barrel...I also have several others 44mag revolvers with shorter barrels. I really like the weight and Length of the 9.5" when shooting 'top shelf' loads.

[double bogey]

I bought a 10.5" SBH Stainless before Christmas. I like a long sight radius. It's my first big bore single action. Ran about 200 Jwords and 300 lead so far. Learning how to shoot it. Will be casting as my furnace will be here tomorrow, and I have lead smelted up and ready.

[pkie44]

Working on a 10 1/2" 357 Blackhawk. Working to get a 357-44 Bain-Davis cylinder, thought the longer barrel might work better. Will worry with the cosmetic issues later.
95526

[rugerdude]

I don't have a 10.5" SBH, but a shooting buddy does and I love it! I love the long sight radius. It helps that his gun is also very accurate. As far as recoil, it isn't much different than my 7.5" Ruger Bisley with the same loads. I wouldn't mind having one at all!

[daniel lawecki]

Mine is a 10 1/2'' SBH love the gun don't get the square trigger guard unless you put different grips. Because you'll need a bandaid on the middle finger. They really come alive with bollits over 260grs - 310grs are the ticket with the right powder & charge combo ask Jim he'll tell you. Oh by the way mines scoped straight 2 power.

[oscarflytyer]

Loved the one I had! Once ran two guys with scoped 30-30's off the range! I was shooting the SBH w/ 265 grn RNFPs at 200 yds and hitting the 24" steel square 5 outta 6 times. 30-30's never did hit it! They were Schmoe's!

I actually concealed it once in a shoulder holster. Whole 'nother story, and hilarious. But you CAN carry them for hunting, and actually conceal one under an untucked denim shirt!

[leftiye]

Working on a 10 1/2" 357 Blackhawk. Working to get a 357-44 Bain-Davis cylinder, thought the longer barrel might work better. Will worry with the cosmetic issues later.
95526

Reminds me of my gun. I've got a bisley .45 Colt with a 10" custom barrel (can't remember the name of hotshot who made it). Big home grown grips. Quite the cannon. Stainless bull barrel, blue frame/cyl.

[blaser.306]

I just bought a 10 1/2" stainless SBH before X-mas . I haven't shot it much yet cause of the 40 below thing. But from initial testing woth boolits sized .432" it will cut 0ne ragged hole offhand at 20 yds . But as was mentioned the square trigger guard is a real knuckle buster! Much like the trigger guard on a heavy kicking Contender ( like there is a different kind ) LOL.

[Sax.45]

My wife and son chipped in and got me a 10 1/2 Stainless SBH for Christmas, To cold and to much snow so I didn't get to shoot it yet, can't wait for better weather to try it out.

[bowfishn]

I have owned a couple of SBH with 10.5" barrels, and a couple SRH with 9.5" barrels. My current SRH has a 9.5" barrel only because I can't find one of the SRH with a longer barrel.(I would like a 12" SRH) They did make 18" barreled SRH that were shipped overseas, but that does not count.

[44man]

Long barrels are so wonderful. I don't hate short ones but to cut a nice long barrel hurts me, just get another gun but I bet you will like the long one better.

[44MAG#1]

I have both long and short plus an Encore12 inch 44 Mag.
I like the shorter ones better.
They carry better.
I like offhand with them better.
Just better all around length.

But then again what do I know?