Which Blackhawk?

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Lexthedestroyer

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I've started window-shopping (who am I kidding, I'm ALWAYS window-shopping) for my first revolver. I think I'm pretty much settled on a single action, and as such, pretty much settled on a Ruger Blackhawk. So the conundrum here is this: .357 mag, or .45 Colt? I WILL be reloading for whichever I end up with, but I'm totally torn.
 
Yeah, that's the way I was leaning. A single action revolver really should be in .45 colt. And I have illusions that one day we may be allowed wilderness carry. I could load some of those atomic "Ruger only" loads and rest easy.
 
For your first gun I would go with the 357 as then you can learn with 38 special which is a lot cheaper and easier to shoot.

Just my two cents worth on this matter.

Graydog
 
I would do 45 colt with the 4.5" barrel with swappable acp cylinder if you can find one.
As its your first revolver you can shoot mild to really wild with that caliber.

I have two 6.5" 357 blackhawks which i use for cowboy action shooting which i purchased since i already owned a GP100 already that way i wouldnt have to load for another caliber.
I am thrilled with the revolvers but i have found that the 357 blackhawks shoot any load and feel like nothing at all which is great but i dont really get the ha ha factor out of it which may be what you are looking for. If your reloading your talikng pennies between the calibers so you might as well go 45
 
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I've just started reloading .357 for a new to me Blackhawk. I find it leads up like nothing else in very short order. Do you use cast or plated bullets? I'm loading fairly hot with 2400 right now, just to get some pop. I might have to either go plated or switch to bullseye and moderate them some..

A 45Colt/ACP convertible would be on my list as well, but with a 6.5" barrel. I just don't care for the looks of the short SAA, personally.

But the OP didn't say he was new to handguns, so I stick with the recommendation of 45. Loaded to normal velocities it doesn't beat you up and it's a hell of a hoot handling and shooting those big ol cartridges. If you can shoot 45auto you can shoot 45Colt. I'm shooting moderate loads in a 44magnum super Blackhawk and it is enjoyable and doesn't kick any harder than a 45auto. Reloaders have so much freedom to choose :)
 
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I use mostly factory ammo when shooting 357 as i dont have a lot of the brass which isnt all that often. I shoot 38 special the rest of the time with 158 grn cast bullets with either 3 grns of bullseye powder for cowboy loads and 3.8 of the same powder for +p
 
Thanks. I think plated is going to be the solution here. I already have a nice little open top in .38, and a 9mm cylinder for the Ruger for when I want something milder.

Once fired .357 does seem hard to find, though. I bought some from a local range, but they had to scrape it together to get ~500 rounds
 
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