Post by: jdb on September 30, 2015, 07:27:46 PM
Post by: Encore 280 on September 30, 2015, 07:30:10 PM
Post by: jdb on September 30, 2015, 07:45:07 PM
Post by: jburkett on September 30, 2015, 07:56:29 PM
Post by: T Pearce on September 30, 2015, 08:22:54 PM
Ive often considered the smaller frame in a 4 5/8".
Should carry easy and be plenty of hammer.
T
Post by: fastdam on September 30, 2015, 08:34:08 PM
Post by: T Pearce on September 30, 2015, 08:44:36 PM
Alot of folks have converted early small frame 357's. I wish I had done the same.
The desire for the 44 spl is hard to explain. When carrying one loaded with a Kieth Hard Cast bullet you are not under gunned.
Post by: Bigshooter on September 30, 2015, 11:14:15 PM
Post by: ChesapeakeMan on September 30, 2015, 11:21:20 PM
If we are talking about the same one they are (or were) commissioned by Lipseys. Mine is the 4 5/8" barrel with the bisley grip. The .357 size frame is much more comfortable to pack around all day long. I had a Super Blackhawk Hunter that I was going to modify. But no matter what modifications I may have performed on that gun it still would have been considerably larger and heavier. I now have a Redhawk with a 4 1/8" barrel when a magnum is needed. I have yet to carry the Redhawk afield. I pick the Blackhawk every time.
One problem they have is that the front sight is terrible. It's just a solid black ramp with an integral base that is silver soldered in place. Difficult to change. I opted to install a Weigand DX front base. This base accepts any interchangeable S&W front blade. I chose XS Sights Big Dot tritium front sight. For the rear I went with Hamilton Bowen's Rough Country v-notched sight. For fast acquisition and rugged carry this combo has been hard to beat. After re-blueing and some Wolf springs it was ready to rock.
I haven't had the time to work up any loads for it yet. So I am using Grizzly Cartridges 260 gr hardcast WFNGC at a claimed 1000 fps. I have witnessed what damage HSM's 305 gr hardcast 44 mag load can inflict on a 300 lb bear. I have no visions of the .44 Special being that devastating but I am confident it will perform well at close range.
In the field I carry it in a Galco SAO. This holster allows cross draw or conventional hip carry. I always carry it cross draw because that works for me driving the truck, side by side, riding the motorcycle or just hiking.
I got a little long winded but that's easy to do when you talk about your loved ones. Lol
Post by: thinkingman on October 01, 2015, 07:17:23 AM
For a 'walkin through the woods' gun, I'd pick something lighter.
$0.02.
Post by: Fl0und3rz on October 01, 2015, 07:38:06 AM
Got one. Love it!
Sounds like a sweet setup.
Post by: headshot5 on October 01, 2015, 07:43:01 AM
*Edit to add. There is a reason the factory grips are nicknamed by many as cheese grater grips. Extended shooting sessions will skin your hands a bit. aftermarket grips are good idea if you are planning on shooting a lot at once. They work absolutely fine for a trail gun. You won't regret getting one. If you have any questions let me know.
Post by: HighlandLofts on October 01, 2015, 07:46:12 AM
Every one should have a 44 Special just because you can.
The Rossi 720s sell for under $500
Post by: theleo on October 01, 2015, 08:09:22 AM
The guys that are saying just get a mag are wrong. If you want a gun with 6 shots that can push a 240 grain SWC up to 1200 fps and have it on a lighter 357 frame, there's no better choice.
The Keith load of 17 or 18 grains of 2400 is handful with this gun and I much prefer the lesser recoil of those loads hovering around the Skeeter load performance.
Post by: T Pearce on October 01, 2015, 08:50:39 PM
This time around I went with the 45 Colt. A 270gr Kieth at 1110fps shoots great and hard to stop, the Spl is right there as well and would carry better.
My next after I save more pennies.
http://www.gunblast.com/Bowen-No5.htm
Post by: fly-by on October 01, 2015, 09:07:51 PM
I have a stainless Rossi 720 in 44 special to occasionally use as a carry gun. It is nice shooting, comfortable to carry & shoot and fills the need when used.
Every one should have a 44 Special just because you can.
The Rossi 720s sell for under $500
Love my 720. Heftier than the 44 special Bulldog (I have one of those too) yet still very handy. Great trigger. Real sights.
Another choice is the 3.75" Talo (Plow Handle) or Lipsey's (Bisley) .44 mag. I've got the Talo version and it's my go to woods carry sidearm.
Post by: Rich_S on October 14, 2015, 10:03:03 AM
I have a stainless Rossi 720 in 44 special to occasionally use as a carry gun. It is nice shooting, comfortable to carry & shoot and fills the need when used.
Every one should have a 44 Special just because you can.
The Rossi 720s sell for under $500
Love my 720. Heftier than the 44 special Bulldog (I have one of those too) yet still very handy. Great trigger. Real sights.
Another choice is the 3.75" Talo (Plow Handle) or Lipsey's (Bisley) .44 mag. I've got the Talo version and it's my go to woods carry sidearm.
:yeah:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi256.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh171%2FClark_Savage_Jr%2F2012-10-06_13-21-58_19_zps6dgsmcvg.jpg&hash=cf17777befabd7522eec631398580f50a0d6f8a1) (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/Clark_Savage_Jr/media/2012-10-06_13-21-58_19_zps6dgsmcvg.jpg.html)
Post by: HighRoad on October 24, 2015, 10:32:04 AM
So I have a hankering for a new pistol to carry whilst bumming around the woods. I'm really leaning towards a ruger Flattop Blackhawk in .44 special. Anyone have one? I'm thinking a 240ish grain bullets at 900 or so fps. Thoughts?
I had the same thoughts a couple years ago. I bought one and am glad I did. I have a couple .44 DA Mags, but there's something fun and cool in carrying a single-action SPL.
Factory Grip
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi443.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq156%2FJeffMacey%2FIMG_2611.jpg&hash=730e4a96eaff839ade5e3fda2267da09c0b5345d) (http://s443.photobucket.com/user/JeffMacey/media/IMG_2611.jpg.html)
Custom Grip and Tom Three Persons holster from El Paso Saddlery
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi443.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq156%2FJeffMacey%2FIMG_1132_zps59e0d78d.jpg&hash=b344c94a0f955437a8c7c4bd91908dd3a9109c96) (http://s443.photobucket.com/user/JeffMacey/media/IMG_1132_zps59e0d78d.jpg.html)
Post by: Smokepole on October 24, 2015, 10:58:25 AM
I have a blackhawk .44 mag with 5 1/2 barrel. I load and shoot a LOT of 44 special loads through it. The problem you might have is accuracy. Some guys say they have trouble grouping specials out of the long magnum cylinder. I do notice some leading in the cylinder when I shoot my hand cast Keith bullets, but I get some decent groups.
If you can find a Ruger 44 special flattop, buy it. You can load some nice Skeeter loads that will drop most Washington game. I carry mine as a side arm while muzzle loading. Plus, I just enjoy shooting it. I cast a load of lead bullets and load both 44 mag & 44 special.
IMHO the advantages of 44 special revolver are:
1. Less recoil means a quicker, more accurate second and third shot.
2. Less recoil is easy on guys with smaller hands.
3. More accurate than shoot specials from a magnum cylinder.
4. Less leading in the cylinder throats than using a magnum.
5. Nostalgia, man. Elmer and Skeeter loads are the most fun to shoot.
Yeah, I'd buy a 44 special flattop in a heart beat.
Post by: theleo on October 26, 2015, 07:15:28 AM
I run around with about the same setup except stainless with elk horn grips and an El Paso Saddlery cross draw holster, same leather shell holder. Pretty comfortable kicking around the woods setup.So I have a hankering for a new pistol to carry whilst bumming around the woods. I'm really leaning towards a ruger Flattop Blackhawk in .44 special. Anyone have one? I'm thinking a 240ish grain bullets at 900 or so fps. Thoughts?
I had the same thoughts a couple years ago. I bought one and am glad I did. I have a couple .44 DA Mags, but there's something fun and cool in carrying a single-action SPL.
Factory Grip
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi443.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq156%2FJeffMacey%2FIMG_2611.jpg&hash=730e4a96eaff839ade5e3fda2267da09c0b5345d) (http://s443.photobucket.com/user/JeffMacey/media/IMG_2611.jpg.html)
Custom Grip and Tom Three Persons holster from El Paso Saddlery
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi443.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq156%2FJeffMacey%2FIMG_1132_zps59e0d78d.jpg&hash=b344c94a0f955437a8c7c4bd91908dd3a9109c96) (http://s443.photobucket.com/user/JeffMacey/media/IMG_1132_zps59e0d78d.jpg.html)