Ruger Flattop 357 Mag / 9mm

[High Desert Hunter]

Looking at the 5 1/2" blued model, wondering if anyone here has one, and if so, how do you like it? I have the 50th Anniversary Flattop 357 with the 4 5/8" barrel, and a 3" GP100, a Lyman 358156 mold as well as the Miha 359640 FN/HP mold. I am wanting to be able to shoot both the 357 Mag/38 Spl as well as the 9mm.

[WebMonkey]

I have a new black hawk convertible. 6.5" stainless.
I really like it. Even more now that doug normalized the 357 cylinder for me.
Shoots cast great now.

[Bazoo]

My friend has the flat top 5 1/2 357/9mm convertible blackhawk. He loves it. I've fired it on several occasions and It handles well and shoots pretty good from what I can tell. He hems up on the target too much for me to say how it really shoots, but it seems to do okay at 15 yards or less.

[gunarea]

Hey Desert Hunter
My Blackhawk convertible in SS with a 6.5" barrel is shot every week in competition at steel targets from 52 yds out to +70 yds with great accuracy. This particular firearm is dead stock and does not even get more than a quick wipe with a dirty rag to remove excess bullet lube. While this is an acquisition of specific curious desire, I have had and given many Blackhawks away as gifts. For pinpoint accuracy at distances of +50 yds you need good young eyes and longer sight radius. A lot of folks go for the narrow aperture rear sight blade available from Ruger. In my little circle of competitors, the Blackhawk is a favorite choice. We have found it most accurate with 38 special loadings. Shooting steel with small caliber demands shot placement at a very high level of proficiency and the Blackhawk delivers. At 72 yds and 61 lbs, hitting a Ram is easy, knocking it down requires a hit within 1" of the horn edge. These guys do it regularly with a 160gr projectile going 800 to 835 fps on average. Of the dozen or so I am aware of, all are shooting home cast projectiles at velocities well below ILSA prescribed max.
What the convertible brings to the table for me; 9mm cylinder has extended cylinder throats, reduced charge for identical velocity, practically free brass and a virtual rainbow of loading options. 38s have shown better accuracy than 357 in the same handgun across my empirical database with the 9mm showing itself as the emerging top shot.
For hunting, a three screw 44 flattop, but as a backup to rifle hunting I carry the Blackhawk with confidence. I have fifty years of experience with Blackhawks, ask Ed Harris for information of higher credibility. Good skill to you.
Roy

[High Desert Hunter]

Thanks Roy! I have more than a few Blackhawks, mostly in 45 Caliber. I am looking forward to being able to shoot the 9mm, less expensive all the way around. While this pistol will likely only punch paper and other various targets of opportunity, I may pack it when I am deer hunting later this month, if I can get an accurate load with the bullets I am casting, or even some Hornady 158gr XTPs.

[Scorpion8]

I have the .357/9mm convertible, in 4-5/8" barrel. Lovely gun. Added a SBH hammer to it to make it easier to thumb cock one-handed, and now it's all but perfect.

[Ed_Shot]

Really like like my 6.5" Blackhawk convertible. I's stock except for a 40 oz trigger spring and Hogue grip. Debating having the throats checked by Doug. There is no leading and groups are tight with both 357/38 and 9MM ammo sized .358. It's a joy to shoot.

[High Desert Hunter]

178826
Taking them to the range now, the new one showed up early.

[High Desert Hunter]

So the new Flattop 357 shoots low unless the rear sight is cranked way up, which I don't care for. I am going to shoot it as is, until after I try some loads with a new NOE 180gr mold I should see this week. If it still shoots low, I will take a bit off of the front sight.

[telebasher]

So the new Flattop 357 shoots low unless the rear sight is cranked way up, which I don't care for. I am going to shoot it as is, until after I try some loads with a new NOE 180gr mold I should see this week. If it still shoots high, I will take a bit off of the front sight.

If it shoots high you need a taller front sight not a shorter front sight.

[osteodoc08]

I had a 41 mag flat top. Fell on hard times and had to sell it. It's one I'd love to have back.

[High Desert Hunter]

A 41 Mag Flattop would be sweet, I have a 45 and 2 357s. I have ordered a taller rear sight blade to try and fix the shooting low issue, that and a new NOE WFNGC mold that drops a 188gr bullet.

[Hardcast416taylor]

I have retired and sold quite afew of my pistols since I lost my son going on 7 years ago. I recently put a blued Blackhawk 5 1/2" .45 LC/.45 acp convertable in an auction company`s online sale. The pistol that probably hadn`t shot 200 rounds total with both cylinders in the 20 years I`ve had it, I had also put a Trapper spring kit along with a Belt Mt. cylinder pin in sold for $535. I sincerely hope the lucky bidder winner get enjoyment for it

[High Desert Hunter]

Sorry for your loss Hardcast, a terrible blow, I can't even imagine. I have the 45 Colt/45 ACP Flattop, it is a real shooter with the RCBS 45-270SAA bullet. I sure hope this new one works out as well, 357 is a lot easier on my lead supply, and my hands aren't what they used to be.

[High Desert Hunter]

179110
The new NOE 360-180 on the left, dropping at 188 grains, that and a taller rear sight blade will hopefully put the rear sight a little lower and bring the groups up.

[High Desert Hunter]

The NOE bullet shows great promise, loaded over Alliant 300-MP, it is very accurate. I am pleased with the quality of this Ruger, and am very happy I decided to pick it up.

[osteodoc08]

The NOE bullet shows great promise, loaded over Alliant 300-MP, it is very accurate. I am pleased with the quality of this Ruger, and am very happy I decided to pick it up.

Thats awesome to hear.

Because of this thread, I poked around GB and while I still haven't found a FT 41, I did pick up a new Ruger Flattop 45 Colt/45 ACP in stainless with the sim ivory grips with 4-5/8" barrel (my fav length). Now to get a proper set of giraffe bone or stag grips for it.

[gpidaho]

I've got the NOE 360-180 and it doesn't chamber in my GP-100 using the standard 1.280 case. Just this afternoon I cut some down to 1.235 for a perfect bump up tight fit. I like this bullet a lot and it's great in my Ruger 77-357 rifle and a perfect fit using 360 DW brass in those long chambered 357 Handi rifles. Gp

[High Desert Hunter]

The NOE bullet shows great promise, loaded over Alliant 300-MP, it is very accurate. I am pleased with the quality of this Ruger, and am very happy I decided to pick it up.
I love my Flattop 45, mine is the blued version, and it extremely accurate!

[High Desert Hunter]

I haven't tried the NOE bullet in my GP100 yet, I will check when I get more loaded up.

[High Desert Hunter]

I've got the NOE 360-180 and it doesn't chamber in my GP-100 using the standard 1.280 case. Just this afternoon I cut some down to 1.235 for a perfect bump up tight fit. I like this bullet a lot and it's great in my Ruger 77-357 rifle and a perfect fit using 360 DW brass in those long chambered 357 Handi rifles. Gp
I tried these in my GP100, and while they are snug, they load easily. This is sized at .359, might be even better at .358 since it is a GC design.

[gpidaho]

HDH: The cylinder of my GP-100 measures 1.602 in length. My 360-180 is the WFN sized .358 and powder coated. We also had a problem with them not seating in a friends older model Blackhawk convertible. I don't quite know what to make of the fact that they work in your GP-100 and not mine. Maybe I need to give the chambers a good bronze brush scrubbing, I do shoot lots of 38spls. lol I wouldn't think that the powder coat would add that much nose diameter to make cutting the brass back as much as I did. I'm also using the NOE 360-200-FN in my 357 rifles and handguns.(38spl brass) I have that mould in the RG2 version. Just for fun I also load the Saeco 240gr flat nose in 38spl brass for a sub-sonic round out of my 357 Handi Rifle. Gp

[robertbank]

Size your 9MM lead .357 or .358 and load them that way in 9MM cases and you will find the 9mm cylinder accuracy improve. I cast for a friend who shoots CASS and uses the 356402 bullet sized .358 in his Rugers with great results. The .358 sizing die hardly touches the bullets so he is almost shooting them as cast. Works in the .358/.357 barrel of his Vaqueros.

Take Care

Bob

[High Desert Hunter]

Not sure I want to try loading a 188gr bullet in a 9mm case.

[robertbank]

No. but you want to cast a 9MM bullet for your 9MM cylinder and f you do size it .357 or .358. The 356402 bullet works well at 125 gr in a 9MM.

Take Care

Bob

[High Desert Hunter]

Gotcha! A 9mm mold is certainly on my list, to feed this and a Beretta 92, for the Beretta, a bullets sized to .358 has been recommended.

[robertbank]

I have the Girsan copy of the Beretta Centurian. I am getting good results sizing .357 with the Girsan and I suspect you will find .357 is spot on for the 92 as well. To date I have found the 356402 Lyman to be the most accurate cast bullets I have run into so far. I cast thousands of them every year for my IDPA/IPSC shooting and use them in a variety of 9MM guns. My buddy found they worked well in his Ruger convertible like yours when they were sized larger ie .358. I use WW alloy and the larger sizing die does touch them up a bit. For the convertible though they are essentially as cast.

Good luck with the gun and let us know how it all works out for you. I have to say I have been tempted to pick up a 357/9MM convertible like yours so I have a real interest in how you make out.

Take Care

Bob

[High Desert Hunter]

I will certainly do that! So far with 124gr jacketed ammo from MEN in Germany, the 9mm cylinder has proven very accurate!

[DougGuy]

HDH: The cylinder of my GP-100 measures 1.602 in length. My 360-180 is the WFN sized .358 and powder coated. We also had a problem with them not seating in a friends older model Blackhawk convertible. I don't quite know what to make of the fact that they work in your GP-100 and not mine. Maybe I need to give the chambers a good bronze brush scrubbing, I do shoot lots of 38spls. lol I wouldn't think that the powder coat would add that much nose diameter to make cutting the brass back as much as I did. I'm also using the NOE 360-200-FN in my 357 rifles and handguns.(38spl brass) I have that mould in the RG2 version. Just for fun I also load the Saeco 240gr flat nose in 38spl brass for a sub-sonic round out of my 357 Handi Rifle. Gp

Try sliding one of the PC boolits through the chamber throats from the front. If they won't go, the throat diameters are too small. Very common problem, very easy to fix and a noticeable shrinking of groups afterwards.

[Dan Cash]

High Desert,
You must figure out sight relationships to regulate your point of impact. Your present concept is exactly backwards. Taller front sight = lower impact. Taller/higher rear sight = higher impact.

[High Desert Hunter]

Exactly why I am installing a taller rear sight, I am trying to avoid having to file the front sight.

[High Desert Hunter]

New taller rear sight installed, see how it does tomorrow.

[High Desert Hunter]

Taller rear sight blade worked like a champ!

[robertbank]

Taller rear sight blade worked like a champ!

Perfect nice to see a solution. Enjoy your gun.

Take Care

Bob

[gpidaho]

DougGuy: Yes, I do have three cylinders I need you to work over. The two for my 45 convertible and one for my 41mag. Both Blackhawks. I was so pleased with the last work you did for me. I just have to stop buying more guns and get the ones I have fixed right for cast. I'll get with you soon on this. Gp

[High Desert Hunter]

So I finally got around to checking my cylinder, throats measure at a skosh over .358. My .359 sizer sizes to .3605, and my .358 sizer sizes to .3595ish, bullets drop at .361ish. For now I will stick with the .358 sizer, may see about getting the Lee push through size kit in .358, as the Lee dies seem to size spot on. I may need to see if DougGuy does bulk discounts!

[gpidaho]

HDH: Check out the NOE push through sizing system. It's the same basic idea as the Lee's but with bushings to custom size for that just right fit. The bushings I've bought have all been spot on. Gp

[High Desert Hunter]

Thank you! I will do that. I am really loving this new Flattop, yes it is heavy for a 357, but I can deal with that.

[Leadmelter]

Trapper passed away from heart disease about 3-4 yrs ago. He did some work for me that has not faded with time and use.
He was a master in his prime.
Leadmelter
MI

[High Desert Hunter]

I am hoping to find a deer/hog hunting load for this Flattop, and a load that will work well for jackrabbits and such out to about 75 paces with less muzzle blast. I will be working with the MP 359 640 and the Lyman 358156 in addition to the NOE bullet, may throw a sprinkling of XTPs and some JSPs as well.