My new hogleg

[Hunter]

I bought this Ruger a few months back and I have had a chance to shoot it enough to really like it.
She is a New Model Blackhawk Convertible 4 5/8" barrel, chambered in .45 Colt with a cylinder in .45 automatic.
I have shot a lot of mild cowboy loads (250gr LRN) in .45 Colt and my home cast/reloaded 200gr LSWC in .45 auto.
I have ran a few cylinders of 250gr JHP Speer Gold Dots .45 Colt and they are warm.
I am planning on a Lyman 325gr RNFP mold for some good trail defense loads.
This will be my new trail/camping revolver.
Ruger has greatly improved on the action and trigger. The trigger breaks about 4 1/2 pounds and the action is much slicker than my Super Blackhawk in .44 magnum.
The Speer Gold Dot expanded to .764" and weighed 248.8gr upon recovering.
One thing I can say is this Ruger is built like a bank vault (as all other Ruger Revolvers I have) and I think she will make an excellent trail gun.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/2007_03140005.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/2007_03140004.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/2007_03140011.jpg

[uncle joe]

NICE
I had one in .38-.357/9mm luger
loved it. great thumper in 357 BOOM

[Dale53]

Nice pictures and nice gun. Wonderful combination.

Dale53

[targetshootr]

Nice. The grips look like new xr3 style. Is it an xr3 grip frame?

[trickyasafox]

I want one in 5.5 in.

how are the throats? did ruger fix the small throat issue I heard about? or was it an internet myth to begin with?

[MtGun44]

Not an internet myth. My 45 convertible went .450" and .449" in the
two cyl throats originally. I reamed and polished and both are now .453"
with a .452" bore. Mine was used, probably 80s or 90s production,
so this does not reflect on current production, about which I have
no idea. My very much older SBH has LARGE throats, like .434", so
it needs fat boolits.

Check out my thread on reaming in gunsmithing a while back.

Bill

[Bret4207]

Have the same gun and bud Dano has the 5.5", which is the length I'd have prefered. The previous owner of mine had a trigger job done- about 2.5 lbs and very crsip. It wears Pachmayer grips, YUK! I'd prefer a Bisley grip and something like bone or stags. Maybe someday.

FWIW- 325 gr? What in NC needs a boolit that heavy? In 45 ACP the 452423 or Lee 255RF seems fine and in 45 Colt the RCBS 45-270 would seem to be enough for the east. Just wondering on your thinking. Hogs maybe?

[Swagerman]

Really good looking and practical revolver.

Reminds me of my 1958 purchase of a BH in .44 magnum, had those wood grips back then. Serial number was 951...and no, I don't have it anymore.

Jim

[Dr. A]

Love my Ruger, and my buddies. His was bought 1 yr. ago with stocks like yours and a lock. His throats were .450 and .449. Mine were the same (older versioin from 2 months before). After reaming, they are OK. Triggers were much improved over the past. Mine is now very accurate. Not very comfy with beefy loads with the aluminum grip frame.:mrgreen: I love shooting 45ACP in mine.

Enjoy that gun, the convertible is a great idea!

[45nut]

Has to be the best choice of caliber out there bar none. :)

[Hunter]

I have not measured the throat but the revolver is brand new this year.
I want to 325gr bullet to have a heavy bullet for trail defense for whatever may come my way.
I also just like that bullet though I have not ordered the mold yet.
The only thing I do not love about the revolver is the lock hidden behind the stocks. I would hate to have that thing lock up on me when it counted.
I appreciate all the kind words yall, I really do like the Ruger and she is a good shooter.

[Bret4207]

Well, with a 325 penetration shouldn't be an issue!:-D

[Lloyd Smale]

nice. I really like those checkered black grips on it

[Frank V]

Very nice sixgun Hunter, congratulations. You should get lot's of enjoyment from that one. Frank

[44 flattop]

I want to 325gr bullet to have a heavy bullet for trail defense for whatever may come my way.

What a wonderful looking li'l pistol! I have one that looks just like it, just an original .44 mag. How fast are you looking to push that 325?

44

[targetshootr]

I didn't know Ruger was making that caliber with steel xr3 grip frames. Good news.

[Lucky Joe]

I have a .38/357 with a 4 5/8 barrel and really like it. I have owned two AccuSport Bisley's that were .45's, one a convertible. Both shot like lasers but others needed them more than I. Glad to hear the blued guns can shoot too, I kinda prefer blue in a single action.

[Three44s]

That's the SA revolver that would bring this confirmed DA gunner ...... (Me!) ........"outa the bushes" to buy a Single Action!!!!!!

The only variation on this theme might include a 5.5" tube ....... but that's why we "have choices"!!! ....... Each to their own ........

Three 44s

[Ammohouse]

I want the same gun in 5.5" barrel...just gotta save a little longer!!!
I need to get a reamer for my Vaquero...where did y'all get yours from?

[MtGun44]

Ammohouse,

Do a search on reaming a cylinder in the gunsmithing section.
I put in a pretty detailed post a while back on fixing my BH's
cyl throats.

Bill

[DanWalker]

For a medium load with enough smack to handle anything in NC, try loading that 325 grain boolit over 6.5 grains of RED DOT.
For a load that will handle the odd tyrannosaur or escaped elephant you might encounter, try the same boolit loaded over 18.5 grains of 2400.
My ruger put 3 of them into one ragged hole yesterday, but it sure is a lot of work to fight off the flinches.