My son just gave me his Ruger New Model Blackhawk 7.5” bbl revolver in .44 mag. I’ve been wanting to get back into a wheel gun, so here I am. I like to get as much accuracy out of my guns as I can. I notice that there is quite a bit of tolerance in the movement of the cylinder; both side to side and rear to front (could be that I’m just not used to slop in gun tolerances??). I know I’ll never make this a Fredon Arms but what are the first things you guy do when getting a Ruger to make it perform? Springs, new thicker bolt, throat?? The tiger is fine as is.

Thanks!

Bill

Belt Mountain Base Pin and cylinder throats are the first things to be done to any .45LC RBH. The pin will help on all guns but not sure if the .44's have throat problem.

My RBH Hunters are capable of 2" at 50yds...which is were I usually zero them. At 100yds I can hit a 8" plate while shooting off hand so I call that good enough.

I've always just taken revolvers for what they are (at least in my hands)...60-75yd guns with irons and a hair over 100yds with optics. After that trajectory is a killer and I have better guns for the job.

The FIRST thing ? Shoot it, with loads proven in other .44's to see what the accuracy level is before fiddling with it.

Your right, I'll shoot it first. I have some loads ready to go from my last .44 mag; a Ruger Redhawk. I was able to get 3 1/2 inches at 100 yards with that one. It had five cylinders that would go about 2" and the sixth was always a flier. I figured out which hole was the problem and just loaded with five in the good ones. I got bored with it and traded it off. It didn't meet my needs for a western hunting gun. I'm ejoying hunting blacktails now in the more dense cover of western OR. My long shots will be 100 yards now and a pistol will be perfect. I still love my xp's and contenders but there is something quaint about a wheelgun.

Thanks! Any other ideas or suggestions?

Bill

Quite simply, as was suggested already, I would shoot it first. If the trigger were unbearable, a trigger job would be 1st in line. Have lots of Rugers, in a variety of calibers. Most will shoot, in competent hands, 3" or less at 100 yards. That is pretty hard to acheive with a trigger pull that is creepy and heavy. Sounds like that is already taken care of for your gun.

Belt Mtn Pins are a nice add on for any Ruger. Cheap. Easy to swap out. Tighten things up a little and usually improve accuracy a little. Or, at worst, they do no harm.

Dan is correct that the 45s usually can be improved by opening up the cylinder throats - almost universally. Haven't found the same to be true with the 44s.

Now, if you are talking about having a taylor throat done in the barrel, that is a different story. I think that the accuracy of any gun will be improved by having this done. The big question is whether or not the accuracy improves to a degree that is significant enough to warrant the expense. In the case you present? Can't really see the need unless you are bent on wringing the last bit of accuracy out of the gun.

Same to be said for having an oversize bolt fitted. Will it remove play and improve the lockup? Sure, but what is cost/benefit? Likely not too significant. Plus, you can lock the cylinder up tighter, but you could still have a hole or two in the cylinder that is not perfectly aligned with the bore. End result? Taking out that little bit of play could actually be detrimental to accuracy to a small degree. I don't often think about installing an oversized bolt unless the cylinder has been line bored in a frame jig, or it is an older gun that has tons of play in the cylinder.

Stush, great to see you posting again. It's been a while.

Thanks Stush,

All great ideas and suggestions. It is bright, clear and 14 degrees here today so the range shouldn't be to crowded. I'll get out and "giver her a go."

Thanks all!
Bill

Bill....Stush does all my revolver work. Ain't seem him in a while (on-line or in person) so that tells you I've not acquired any new wheelguns! I also have a couple lingering around that could use a trip to his shop though.

I have had Stan do some work for me. He does good work.