Guys, I've decided to shop for a Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk in .44 Mag for Whitetail hunting. I was going to try it with a .357 (earlier post) but decided that maybe something a little more potent may be the way to go. I have two setups at my lease set up for bow hunting. Both have the potential for 50+ yard shots but are more realistically set up for 20-40 yards. My question is this: I would be hunting open sights at the above mentioned yardage. What barrel length would you recommend? I would like to keep it as short as possible and still do the job. Second question: What is the difference between a Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk? Love the site and thanks in advance!

The current model Blackhawk is only offerd in 357,41&45 I think they have just about quit making the others. The super Blackhawk is offered in 44 Mag only. The Blackhawk has a Aluminum gripframe in the blue models and a stailnless gripframe in the stainless version. As far as I know all the Super blackhawks have a steel gripframe both blue and stainless.

The Bisley Blackhawks come in 44&45 and have a steel gripframe. This would be my choice for hunting. (7.5" bbl)

As for Barrel length I would go no less than 5.5" if you shoot a lot you maye be able to make the 4 5/8" work.

Thank you for the response. We have a small shop here in town with very few to choose from. I'll have to make a run to Houston to look at the big stores to see if they carry them. Does anyone know if Bass Pro or Gander Mountain carry these models?

Check the online auctions first. There are always some for sale from NIB on down. Those chain stores will rip you off.

as far as barrel length I would go as long as possible for open sights to get the best sight radius.

Rich

I like the 5.5", but the 7.5" is probably the better choice.

Well here is my 2 cents all of these guys are correct.The longer your sight radius is the easier it is to become profficient.I started with a 7 1/2"bl and am now down to a 4 5/8"bl.The difference?I shoot twice as much to be able to be as profficent.Between 5 handguns last year(season and practice)I shot close to 800rounds.This off season I have only shot 2 a 5 1/2"bl 44mag Bisley and a 4 5/8" 45colt blackhawk and I have fired over 1000 rounds easy between the two and our season hasn't started.Start long and progress short it will save you some headache,again just my 2 cents!WELCOME to the site.

Thanks for the replies guys. Is there any perceived difference in the "kick" between the longer and shorter barrels?

no to hijack the thread but is there a sbh grip that would make it feel more like a srh grip

Sure custom grips can help alot with a better fit for your hand to the gun. Here's a site that might help;

Badger Custom Grips

Amen to that.

I realize you prefer a Blackhawk of some form, but the Super Redhawk is really worthy of consideration too. They do cost a little more, but offer the option of adding a scope, if you so choose, later on. There are some "Hunter" model Blackhawks & Bisleys that offer this as well. The super Red is not the most beautiful revolver out there, unless you count handling qualities, function & durability into the mix. Then it's one of the most beautiful revolvers available.

i have the super black hawk in 44 and the super black hawk hunter in 41 mag but they make it in the 44 all so.. might want to look in to the hunter its nice to be able to scope the gun with out any kind of extra attachments and all so can take the scope rings off and have irons to use

In the eye of the beholder......

X2...


And man can they shoot! 100 yard group

X3

have a 5.5 44 mag sbh and like it just fine as it is also my fishing woods bumming gun. if i was going to buy one for just hunting it would be 7.5 or maybe the 10. dont much like scopes even on my rifles but they can be added with little trouble to all of the but the vaquaro

Damon: To answer your question yes. The Bisley grip does what you ask. As for the difference in felt recoil, I shot a 5.5 inch 45 Colt Bisley and a 7.5 inch BH and the Bisley, for me, was far easier to control with less muzzle jump. These were 255 Grn 8.5 Grn of Unique. Shooting the 300 Grn Hornady XTP is no problem.

Don't forget the Super Blackhawk Hunter. They come in 44 and 45 calibers. This is mine:



I put a 2x Burris scope on and it is a tack driver with my reloads. My favorite load is a 300 gr. XTP loaded with WC820 powder.

Nice rig Raf!

You've received some great advice and I'm gonna agree a lot with cottonstalk. If your gonna use strickly iron sights and are new to handgun hunting, the longer barrel length (7 1/2" or longer) would be the best option. Usually, a BH is cheaper than a SBH. So, if you want to go the cheaper route, I would recommend a .45LC. It can give the same, or better, performance as the .44 mag, with less chamber pressures. In return, can be less felt recoil with like weight bullets. Plus, you get a little bigger hole. Well, just some things to think about.

X2. I've got both, but use the .45 Colt 95% of the time.