Stronger .357 Mag? GP100 or Blackhawk?

[jrayborn]

Looking for opinions on which revolver is stronger. I have no urge to overload, just curious. I own 5 GP's and have to believe that with the way they are made, my grandkids-grandkids will likely still be burning powder in them. Are the Blackhawks even more tank-like?

[9.3X62AL]

I'm not sure which model is "stronger". Both are gratuitously over-built for the 357 Magnum caliber. I use a Bisley Blackhawk x 7.5" for my more intrepid 357 Mag handloads, which send Lyman #358156 into the 1550 FPS toll-free dialing area. Casings don't stick, and as often as not they fall free from the chambers when the muzzle is turned upward with the loading gate open. I mark these loads with red Hi-Liter, because I don't want then finding their way into my S&W 586 or pre-27. Rugers are such fun. WW-296, H-110, AA-9, and Alliant 2400 are the fuels for this stunt work, with CCI 550 caps starting the music. With Ruger 44 Magnum and 45 Colt revolvers on staff, the "need" for these ventures is non-existent.....but no one "needs" to climb Denali or Everest, either. "Because it's there", of course.

[Lefty Red]

Yep! I would hate to be the one that finally blows up either a GP or BH!

I had a 41 Mag BH that I ran heavy bullets at a high velocity and 200gr bullets at super sonic speeds (Thank You Paco Kelly!).
I would be looking for my base pin while picking up my cylinder from the ground! Put the BH back together and finish shooting.

Don't play that lose and fast anymore, it hurts! But my 41 mag had the same frame as the 357 Mag but with more meat around the chamber!

Don't think you can fit enough TNT in the 357 Mag case to blow up a BH! But doesn't mean you have to try either.

Lefty

[contender1]

Both are very strong. Period.
Now if you want the "tank" of the 357's, try a Redhawk in 357 mag.

[jmort]

In this case stronger would primarily constitute the amount of meat between the cylinder holes. Wish I had one of each to measure.

[jmort]

Google found me this thread from AR15 forum. The Blackhawk would be the clear winner as

"The Blackhawk has a .44 mag cylinder drilled for .357. Wall thickness is about 0.125". The GP100 is designed for the .357. It has a wall thickness of 0.0825, about the same as the S&W 686 revos."

http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=5&f=32&t=77158

[DougGuy]

The Blackhawk would be inherently stronger because it's thicker for one, and it does not have the crane on the side of the frame.

[theperfessor]

I can't imagine how bad my hands would hurt if I blew up either one of them!

[jrayborn]

Jmortimer, that is exactly the info I was looking to hear. Thank you! I kind of expected that but I wasn't sure.

[seaboltm]

while it would never be a problem in a 357 BH, the larger caliber heavy recoiling BH's can have the screws sheer off that hold the trigger guard and ejector housing to the frame and barrel. the GP and RH don't suffer this problem due to design.

[jmort]

I am getting .357 Blackhawk and this just made me more determined to get one. Getting it tuned and it looks like 200 grain boolits will be no problem. Bet it could take a 250 grain WFN but that would not be useful.

[Plastikosmd]

If your plan is to push the 357 hard in a revolver, then also look into the FA 353 also. Check out the taffin article on the 353
My loads for that gun are kept separate from all my other 357 loads for safety
200 grain boolits at 1500fps+

[jmort]

Freedom Arms not in my budget. I am getting a tuned .357 Blackhawk for less than $700 and that is all I can afford right now. Based on my experience with my other Ruger Single Actions, I will be happy enough,not to know what I'm missing. Would be nice to have a Freedom Arms someday.

[Plastikosmd]

700 is a good price.
Keep your eye on gunbroker. I have seen 353's go pretty cheap as many don't know what it is or don't want a 5 shot cinderblock heavy 357 :)

[jmort]

I do cruise Gun Broker. Will keep my eye out. Good idea. Thanks

[dubber123]

Freedom Arms not in my budget. I am getting a tuned .357 Blackhawk for less than $700 and that is all I can afford right now. Based on my experience with my other Ruger Single Actions, I will be happy enough,not to know what I'm missing. Would be nice to have a Freedom Arms someday.

I bought a F/A 353 last year for $750. The owner had installed the grip frame screws in the wrong position, and the hammer pivot pin would walk out after a few shots. 10 second fix. Strongest .357 ever made, but very bulky and specialized. A BH is most likely a better overall choice.

[Treeman]

Perhaps the BH IS stronger.....but they are both super strong. C.E. Harris (who worked for Ruger) has stated that the Security Six was engineered and tested for a catastrophic failure level of 100,000+ psi. Most of us believe that the GP100 is an even stronger revolver. This isn't license to overload just comforting.

[9.3X62AL]

My Blackhawk in 357 Magnum IS NOT subject to sale. It is a delight in all respects, and a buyer could do far worse than to snag one for general field and range usage.

[osteodoc08]

If you think the BH cylinders are massive, look at the redhawk cylinder. Freaking massive