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Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk #201334 08/22/2019 5:06 PM
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Ron K Offline OP
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I'm interested in buying an old 3-screw 44 in either the earlier flat-top or super Blackhawk version for deer/hog hunting. I'm wondering which model was typically "more accurate"? I've been told the super Blackhawk was a "stronger" frame which could handle "hotter" loads than the flat-top. My Dad use to have a 3-screw 44 SBH which I loved. It had a very smooth action but unfortunately it was stolen. I prefer the look of the flat-top but haven't had any experience with them.

Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: Ron K] #201471 08/27/2019 1:14 AM
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Muddy Offline
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delete

Last edited by Muddy; 08/27/2019 1:20 AM.
Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: Ron K] #201473 08/27/2019 1:19 AM
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Muddy Offline
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Other than caliber its almost an apples and oranges comparison. The SBH is heavier with its steel grip frame vs. the FT's aluminum frame. Neither gun is stronger but there is a big difference in the feel of each gun. The SBH has the larger dragoon grip frame and the FT has the smaller XR3 which is near identical to a Colt SAA grip. Many feel the the SBH handles recoil better.

The SBH came with a 7.5" or 10.5" barrel. Most of the FT's had a 6.5" with the 7.5" and 10" being rare.

I have both models in 7.5" and prefer the flat top but its just a matter of preference. There is no difference in accuracy and both guns shoot quite well.

Dan

Last edited by Muddy; 08/27/2019 1:23 AM.
Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: Muddy] #201475 08/27/2019 1:42 AM
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Ron K Offline OP
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Thanks for the good info Dan.

Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: Ron K] #201478 08/27/2019 1:09 PM
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reflex264 Offline
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I like them both but love the flat top. This is my 1961 44 mag. It is a great shooter. I can offhand 5 shots under an inch at 25 yards. Good enough. Much more trim and handy than the super.


"A quiet hit in the right place is better than a loud miss in the wrong place followed by 10 more shots on the run"

I was a handgun hunter, when handgun wasn't cool.....
Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: reflex264] #201489 08/27/2019 10:20 PM
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Ron K Offline OP
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Reflex264, that's impressive shooting. Thanks for the response and nice pistol.

Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: Ron K] #201510 08/28/2019 12:33 PM
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reflex264 Offline
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I should have said when I practice! lol
The gun will shoot. That load that does that is a Magnus Keith bullet over 20.0grs 2400 with a 150 Primer.
It also shoots 240gr XTPs about that good with 21.0grs H110 and a 155 primer.


"A quiet hit in the right place is better than a loud miss in the wrong place followed by 10 more shots on the run"

I was a handgun hunter, when handgun wasn't cool.....
Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: reflex264] #201515 08/28/2019 2:27 PM
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Muddy Offline
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That 2400 load is the same that my FT likes.

Just to emphasize that it's a "personal preference", Elmer Keith wrote in Sixguns that he thought the SBH was the finest single action ever built. Skeeter Skelton had a different view saying it was no improvement over his favorite, a 7 1/2" FT.

Dan

Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: Muddy] #201520 08/28/2019 7:19 PM
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jamesfromjersey Offline
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reflex...a fine lookin OM Ruger....


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Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: jamesfromjersey] #201525 08/28/2019 11:28 PM
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reflex264 Offline
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Thanks James!


"A quiet hit in the right place is better than a loud miss in the wrong place followed by 10 more shots on the run"

I was a handgun hunter, when handgun wasn't cool.....
Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: Ron K] #201526 08/28/2019 11:30 PM
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reflex264 Offline
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 Originally Posted By: Ron K
Reflex264, that's impressive shooting. Thanks for the response and nice pistol.


Thanks. It's my favorite.


"A quiet hit in the right place is better than a loud miss in the wrong place followed by 10 more shots on the run"

I was a handgun hunter, when handgun wasn't cool.....
Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: reflex264] #201531 08/29/2019 1:18 AM
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Ron K Offline OP
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Reflex264, what's the bullet weight of the Magnus keith-style bullet? Also, what's the velocity?

Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: Ron K] #201566 08/29/2019 10:49 PM
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reflex264 Offline
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250 grs. 1278fps


"A quiet hit in the right place is better than a loud miss in the wrong place followed by 10 more shots on the run"

I was a handgun hunter, when handgun wasn't cool.....
Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: reflex264] #201589 08/30/2019 5:08 AM
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Ron K Offline OP
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Sounds perfect. Thanks again.

Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: Ron K] #201604 08/30/2019 3:49 PM
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As was stated, there is no strength difference. A lot of people assume there is but all the important dimensions are the same. Cylinder diameter, frame dimensions, etc.. The only significant difference is the grip frame and the weight it brings and that has a drastic effect on feel and how it handles recoil. For me, the Colt SAA/Navy/XR3 grip frame is good up to 250/1200fps and then only sparingly. The SBH works well with heavy loads as long as it's fitted with custom grips. I shoot this one with the Buffalo Bore 340gr load no problem.


Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: Craig44] #201654 09/01/2019 4:19 AM
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Ron K Offline OP
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I was told, by Buffalo Bore, not to use their 44mag 340gr.. load in a 3-screw flattop due to its weaker frame. He said the SBH it was safe.

Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: Ron K] #201665 09/01/2019 8:40 PM
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Ron K Offline OP
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Craig44, very nice pistol and great stag grips.

Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: Ron K] #201688 09/02/2019 2:45 PM
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Craig44 Offline
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In the early days, Linebaugh built .475's on the .44 flat-top frame.

People commonly believe the flat-top is a smaller, weaker frame than the Super Blackhawk but it simply isn't true. Just like many believe the Super Redhawk is more massive than the Redhawk. Not true either.

Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: Craig44] #201701 09/02/2019 7:30 PM
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Ron K Offline OP
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Craig44, great info. I'm guessing the only difference between the 3-screw flattop and SBH cylinders is one's fluted and the other isn't with no strength differences?

Re: Ruger 3-screw 44's: Flat-top vs Super Blackhawk [Re: Ron K] #201711 09/03/2019 4:53 AM
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Correct.


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