.357 MAX Ruger Blackhawk

If given a Blackhawk in 357 max and 6 1/2 boxes of factory ammo, would you hunt with it?

I doubt it. It should have a great collectors value since they were produced in low numbers, only about 400. The cartridge was dropped by all manufacturers because of the flame cutting of the topstrap that would develop when fired.

Actually, about 16,000 were produced in total (they were recalled and a number were destroyed, but they are still out there in numbers). These revolvers are good fodder for custom builds. I just bought another a couple of weeks ago. The .357 max is good hunting cartridge.

I have a Handi rifle which was reamed to accept 357 Max it has a 16 1/2" barrel and is a tack driver with about everything I shoot. It like the 158 JHP and Hdy 180 SST. I am pushing both about 2100 FPS. It has a old Tasco Bantam 1.5 x 4.5 and is a great bush gun. I reload and finding brass can be tricky as it appears Remington is the only source.

Ok I stand corrected. I didn't have any idea there were that many. I can count on one hand the number Ive seen.

Have not seen many/maybe any local, but they sell all over the internet fairly common. Id hunt with it n love to have one myself. They were 7 1/2" and 10" models.
They say the flame cutting is caused by the lightweight bullets with heavy loads and only cuts so far n quits by reports ive read several times.

This was using Mag ammo. 158 gr hollow points. This gun already knows how to hunt.

WildShot - my vote, I'd keep it and hunt with it!

Hell, I'd even drill and tap it for a scope ;-)

A guy over at our shooting club had one,he paid $400.00 for it, if it was mine I would use it for deer.

There is a guy that makes a no drill mount for that gun. Works very well. Don't tap that thing

What he said!

The .357 Max frame is required if you want to build a .500 or .475 Maximum aka Linebaugh Long.

Starline puts out brass sporadically. I bought a bunch just this last year.

I do have 130 +/- Remington factory MAX loads to get me started.

Did I mention how much fun this gun is to shoot 38 spcl rounds at tin cans?

Wild,

do you actually shoot the cans at 25 yards, or just extend your arm and poke them with the barrel to make them fall over :^)

I bet they are mild. And you get sight picture, hold and trigger with the actual hunting gun. What's not to like.....

Craig

I have used mine to hunt hogs with, it works very well with the right loads. I stick to 180 gr bullets and up. The top strap cutting issue is a non-issue if you stick to the heavy weight bullets. If you drop below and try to drive light weight bullets as fast as possible then you will run into problems.

Damn good guns had mine rebarreled to 10.5" from 7.5" and had the cylinder gap shorten up. Muzzle brake was spraying metal

Done & done. I regret selling mine. Enjoy!!!