Author Topic: Ruger Blackhawk 357 Maximum (Read 2467 times)

littlecanoe · « **on:** November 18, 2008, 02:12:44 PM »

Hello all. I just jumped into the realm of single action revolvers by buying a Blackhawk 357 Maximum.

From all the reading that I've done, this revolver hasn't been hotloaded. There isn't the deep fire cut that I've seen on some of the straps. Lock-up is tight and the gun is about 95%+ on bluing. I really don't think that it's been fired much.

I went to the range today and fired some 357 Mag handloads through it. I've read that the Max brass shoots best even when loaded down. I assume that this is because of the increased jump to the lands from Mag brass.

I'm looking for any insight into this caliber on this frame that I can get. I'm looking forward to getting dies, brass and some 180 gr XTP's and working up some loads.

One thing I'm stuck on though. Do I rig a sling or a small wheel barrow to cart this thing around with?? LOL That 10.5 inch barrel is, well, huge! Any suggestions on a good leather shoulder system that won't break the bank?

Thanks a bunch, lc

jphendren · « **Reply #1 on:** November 18, 2008, 03:24:10 PM »

Hello,

I use to own a 7.5" Maximum. Still have about 200 handloaded rounds out in the garage for it, using 180gr XTP's. I was told to NEVER use any of that old Remington ammunition in it, as the powder used was of the ball type and would/could sandblast the topstrap. I used IMR 4227 (extruded) powder with WSR primers, and I never had any topstrap issues. These guns were given a bad rap IMO, probably due to badly put together factory ammunition. I have read that these guns should be used to push heavy bullets to magnum velocities, not lightweight bullets to mach 2, that is what does the damage.

Jared

littlecanoe · « **Reply #2 on:** November 18, 2008, 03:51:43 PM »

Jared,

That's dead on with what I've been reading. Were you ever able to hunt and take game with yours? How did it do?

jcn59 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 18, 2008, 04:25:18 PM »

Mine only has the 7.5" barrel so I just cart it around on a maxim machine gun carriage.

It's the most accurate .357 I own, and I've heard others speak well of it's accuracy too. I use 4227 and 180 JHP & 200 lwfngc. Both seem to do well but I would expect those hard 200 grainers would out-penetrate most any handgun bullet. What do you think?

I'd like to shoot a deer with it but haven't had the opportunity yet. How about you all?

Steve P · « **Reply #4 on:** November 19, 2008, 09:44:57 AM »

I have shot the RCBS 180 Silhouette bullet and a Saeco 200. Saeco pushed to about 1350 by a load of AA1680 is the most accurate. I have an LBT bullet to try, but haven't loaded any up for this one yet. (Still working with my FA 357. )
I have never taken edible animals but have taken lots of steel ones out to 200m without much problem. It is not my most accurate 357sm, but does alright. I put a Bomar rear sight on it and a Lansing globe on the front. Very repeatable and managable. I am waiting for the lucky Doe tag draw to take it on it's next hunt.

Steve

jphendren · « **Reply #5 on:** November 19, 2008, 10:05:29 AM »

littlecanoe,

I have never used mine to hunt with, just plinking. I sure killed them one-gallon milk jugs though.
I would like to buy another one sometime; I think that I would like the 10.5" barrel this time. Like I mentioned previously, I still have several hundred rounds ready to go in the garage, along with 400+ virgin R-P cases.

Jared

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 19, 2008, 11:49:44 AM »

Nice! That 10 1/2 SRM is the one revolver I'm really wanting. I can find 'em, ncie ones but prefer a beater as I'm having it changed a bit (keeping the chambering). Hate to tear up a minty one.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #7 on:** November 19, 2008, 02:59:49 PM »

I got one in the 7 1/2" length off Gunbroker several years ago. It spit lead pretty bad and I lost my excitement for it. A buddy, who knew my disappointment with it and why, made me an offer I couldn't refuse. We both walked away happy. He sent it to Ruger for some timing correction, and we are both still happy. Good luck with yours!!

Regards,
Sweetwater

littlecanoe · « **Reply #8 on:** November 19, 2008, 03:11:00 PM »

BlkHawk,

There is a 7.5 inch on Gunbroker right now.
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=116469223

10.5 inch

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=116511175

The 10.5 went to 500 the other day and then came back on with a 600 bid.

Wow. 200m. I've heard that this is an effective 150 yd deer gun.

I figure that I have between 4-500 in mine the way I traded.

I am interested in some target sights. I'd like to hunt with it with irons.

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 20, 2008, 11:06:59 AM »

Got the gun funds allocated currently towards another item being picke dup within a week. thanx though! I'd seen those. Been on for a while now and appaently not reaching the reserve. For my intentions I'm not giving a ncie $900 one a makeover.

littlecanoe · « **Reply #10 on:** November 20, 2008, 02:16:33 PM »

Any of you fella's ever smooth up a trigger on a Blackhawk? I've done other guns with good results. Anything complicated here?

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 20, 2008, 03:10:30 PM »

Change some springs and do some easy polishing will do wonders.

jcn59 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 20, 2008, 05:25:48 PM »

I've done the "poor man trigger job" to 4 Blackhawks and 2 Single Sixes with perfect results. Maybe you should try it.

Steve P · « **Reply #13 on:** November 21, 2008, 06:52:06 AM »

I have done trigger jobs on most of mine. Some are down into the ounces for silhouette shooting. If you are good mechanically, you can take the gun apart and put it back together. If you have read up on trigger jobs and know which surfaces to polish and which to leave alone, you can do a nice trigger in under an hour.

Get a good schematic with assembly and disassembly tips and with the right tools, you should be fine.

Good luck,

Steve

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #14 on:** November 21, 2008, 01:49:17 PM »

I'm joining the conversation late, but 180-200 gr. bullets and either of the 4227's (there's only one now) is indeed the answer to long life and no top strap cutting on the SRM's and DW's.
In thinking about this for a moment, I realized that we learned this about 23-24 YEARS AGO !!! Where did the time go ?

littlecanoe · « **Reply #15 on:** November 21, 2008, 02:01:27 PM »

Gentlemen, I really appreciate all the good information.

I was given 5 loads of the maximum today! WOW That is one long case.

I'm working on buying brass and bullets and am really looking forward to the loads the gun was designed for. Thanks for the Heads up on powder. As I said, this strap is in great shape.

What holster set up did you guys use in the field? I'm looking for something in a shoulder type rig, probably leather, that works well.

I'm looking at the spring sets too. That should help smooth out the accuracy when added to good grips.

Slufoot · « **Reply #16 on:** November 21, 2008, 11:45:50 PM »

I had a 7.5" SRM and all I ever shot in it was 180 grain bullets and 4227. My gun would max out at 1400 fps with this combo. I got two whitetails with the SRM and Hornady 180 HP/XTP bullets. Both were does and and the Max did a fine job on them.
I also shot a groundhog at 100+ yards with it.
I have done several trigger jobs on Ruger single actions and they have all turned out great.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #17 on:** November 22, 2008, 02:05:14 AM »

littlecanoe,
My SRM and DW Supermags were used as silhouette guns, and I never bought holsters for them. However, I think that any of the nylon rigs for a Super Blackhawk in the appropriate barrel length, could be made to work despite the longer cylinder of the SRM.
I stone my Ruger hammers to remove creep if necessary, and bend the trigger springs in a manner I learned many years ago. I would NEVER lighten the hammer fall with a lighter hammer spring.

littlecanoe · « **Reply #18 on:** November 22, 2008, 02:00:42 PM »

Are there other sight combinations that work well for hunting, other than the standard sights? I'm trying to think of all the angles and want to stay with steel rather than glass. What have you guys seen that works well?

Slufoot · « **Reply #19 on:** November 22, 2008, 02:27:47 PM »

Quote from: littlecanoe on November 22, 2008, 02:00:42 PM

Are there other sight combinations that work well for hunting, other than the standard sights? I'm trying to think of all the angles and want to stay with steel rather than glass. What have you guys seen that works well?

I replaced my rear sight blade with one for a redhawk which was a white outline sight. I then painted my front sight blade with some sight paint that I bought that would glow in the dark. This combination proved to be great as the first doe I shot with it was shot in the last few minutes of light and I was able to place the bullet right behind her shoulder. I don't think I could have made the shot with the standard sights in the very poor light.

Quote from: littlecanoe on November 21, 2008, 02:01:27 PM

What holster set up did you guys use in the field? I'm looking for something in a shoulder type rig, probably leather, that works well.

I used an Uncle Mikes shoulder holster for a 7.5" barrel SBH and it was a perfect fit for the SRM. This rig is a camo nylon but it worked very well.

Quote from: Ken ONeill on November 22, 2008, 02:05:14 AM

I stone my Ruger hammers to remove creep if necessary, and bend the trigger springs in a manner I learned many years ago. I would NEVER lighten the hammer fall with a lighter hammer spring.

These are words of wisdom! This is exactly the way I do trigger jobs on Rugers. A lighter hammer spring will make the gun feel better but you could get into misfires and you ARE slowing down the lock time which is not conducive to good accuracy.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

blhof · « **Reply #20 on:** November 23, 2008, 01:50:50 AM »

I 2nd the Uncle Mikes; I use them for my Contender and my DW 357max. I've been feeding mine a steady diet of 180 and 200 gr cast bullets since 1992 and it still rings the gong at 200 yds consistantly and has taken a few deer and groundhogs. The LBT 200gr LFN gc bullets are the most accurate in my pistol. The topstrap burn was definitely most severe on the pistols that used the 90 to 120 gr jacketed bullets pushed to mach speeds, it also destroys the forcing cone. 357 mags and 38's will leave a carbon ring in the cylinder and the long jump is hell on accuracy.

WL44 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 01, 2008, 12:33:10 AM »

I've had good terminal results on both warthog and impala with 180gr XTP's in a FA 357 Mag (running around 1350, so close to where a 7 1/2" Max would be I'd guess). Worked fine and weight retention on what was recovered was good. Penetration was good too. I may try 158's for more mushroom to make up for the smaller caliber. Maybe next year I'll get to try that.

In a TC or maybe your 10 1/2" it's a longer range proposition, but I'd view my load as extremely marginal on something like impala (and therefore deer too) at 150 yards. I've taken shots about as far as 75 yrds (it's scoped). At that range expansion was virtually non-existent.

I have used a Bianchi Ranger HUSH (hunter shoulder holster) for a heavy revolver and quite liked it. Leather is prettier. I like the look of the bandolier style rigs.

Ask Fowler to post a pic of his rig over in the handgun hunting section - I think it's a Von Ringler combination. Looks nice.

Steve P · « **Reply #22 on:** December 01, 2008, 08:55:21 AM »

The patridge style front sight made for the Ruger Mark II semi auto bull barrel .22s will fit the 357 Max if you have the screw on front sight. I heard some of the 7.5" barrels had the sweated on front sight. Only thing you can change here is blade itself which isn't too hard.

My max has the Bomar rear sight and Lansing globe front sight. They don't make them anymore and they are hard to find. Well worth the $s tho.

Good luck in your choices.

Steve

littlecanoe · « **Reply #23 on:** December 02, 2008, 12:19:25 PM »

Steve,

I like the sound of the setup that you describe on your Max. Have you ever hunted with it? If so, how was the globe in hunting conditions?

I have the screw on sight so I'll look at the Mark II barrels.

lc

Steve P · « **Reply #24 on:** December 03, 2008, 08:43:46 AM »

I have spent so many years behind a globe front sight I don't even notice them anymore. I don't have a problem.

Steve