Accurizing super blackhawk

**rkrcpa** · November 7th, 2018, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by 98Redline

It really sounds like the issues you have with your Blackhawk are ones that you could easily correct with firelapping. In fact the issues seem so common as to be almost cliche.

Here is a great guide on the process: http://www.gunblast.com/FerminGarza-Firelapping.htm

When I purchased my Super Blackhawk Bisley Hunter, it had exactly the same issues you are describing.
- Groups that started off acceptable but quickly opened up with continued shooting
- Leading in the first couple of inches of the barrel
- A slight constriction about mid way down the barrel, under the warning label rollmark.

After reading the above linked article I purchased a firelapping kit from Beartooth bullets.
I would shoot 6, pull the gun apart and scrub the heck out of the bore to ensure I had removed any lead that was deposited and repeat with 6 more rounds.
Every 25 rounds I would slug the bore again and check the constriction.
That process continued for 100 rounds at which time I could no longer feel the constriction when pounding through a pure lead sinker.

After lapping the bore looked like a mirror when you looked down the barrel.
Leading was non existent (with properly sized bullets), regardless of how many rounds were put downrange.
Cleanup required 2-3 patches total. Literally nothing is left in the bore but a hint of unburnt powder flakes and a bit of soot.
Best of all this gun will now shoot sub 3" groups off the bench.

As for a source for bullets, my go to is Beartooth in .432". I am a fan of heavy for caliber bullets and have been very impressed with their 300g WFN GC bullet although the 280g WFN GC and the 250g SWC have been decent performers as well.

You can buy individual pin gagues on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Vermont-Gage-...age%2Bset&th=1

Fermin knows his stuff for sure and for certain. If your cylinder throats need reaming he can help you out on that too. I went the individual gage route for myself, didn't see the need to buy a lot of gages I would never use, others buy a whole set. As far as bullets go I tend to favor standard weights but never a bevel base bullet. All of mine are a true Keith bullet whether it is a 41 or 44. I have had good luck with Montana Bullet Works for both 44 and 41 bullets, thay can size the bullet to the diameter you need.

**03machstock** · November 8th, 2018, 04:25 PM

Ok so iv ordered a bunch of pin guages, and I plan on firelapping but first I will measure my throats and report back, that’s a good article as well on fire lapping, thanks!

**knight0334** · November 9th, 2018, 03:38 PM

As others have mentioned:

1. Make sure your cylinder's throats are NOT smaller than either the land or grooves of the barrel. (if the throat swages the bullet down smaller, then the bullet will just "rattle" down the barrel) You may have to have all chambers reamed with a properly sized throat reamer.
2. Size your bullets appropriately for the proper bore (after #1 above).

Something I haven't seen mentioned:
1. Get a Belt Mountain base pin. The Ruger base pins tend to be a little small in diameter, which causes the cylinder to be sloppy. I added one to my Vaquero and it made a noticeable difference

**03machstock** · November 14th, 2018, 08:24 PM

Ok so my pin guages came in. They are minus guages, the .431” falls through, but the .4315” will not go through, so it measures .431”. This is the same for all 6 throats.

**rkrcpa** · November 14th, 2018, 10:58 PM

Well, there you have it. Get some .431 bullets no harder than 15 bhn and see how they do. Something with a plain base would be best. I prefer a Lyman 429421 myself. What powders do you have?

**03machstock** · November 15th, 2018, 06:11 AM

On hand I have 2400, red dot, unique, h110, aa #9, 800x.

**rkrcpa** · November 15th, 2018, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by 03machstock

On hand I have 2400, red dot, unique, h110, aa #9, 800x.

Those are perfect. I would start with either Unique or 2400 and try for medium velocity loads, somewhere in the 1000-1200fps range.

BTW, do you need any brass? I have 120 pcs of 44 mag I'll never use.

**03machstock** · November 22nd, 2018, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by rkrcpa

Those are perfect. I would start with either Unique or 2400 and try for medium velocity loads, somewhere in the 1000-1200fps range.

BTW, do you need any brass? I have 120 pcs of 44 mag I'll never use.

Good deal, I’ll give that a shot, I’m also going to order a Bowen sight and firelapping kit from beartooth. I have a ton of brass for 44 mag, but where are you located? You can send me a pm if you’d like.