Questions on Bisley Vaquero, and Black Hawk

charlie brown · 05-23-2004, 02:37 AM

I am wanting to get a backup handgun to carry while deer hunting, as well as for mountain lions, etc. The caliber will be 44 mag so I can shoot 44 specials for practice. I see in reloading manuals for loads intended for the TC and Rugers only. I am not sure if this is referring to the Redhawks, etc, or if it includes the Vaquero and Blackhawk line also?

I have looked at the two closely, am I right the big difference between the two is the sights, and availability of scope mounts on the Black Hawk?

Can someone clarify this a little more for me? Thank you.

driftrider · 05-23-2004, 08:52 AM

You are correct about the sight differences. The Vaquero had a fixed sight groove machined into the top strap, while the Blackhawks have adjustable rear sights. The Blackhawk Hunter model has the (very good) machined scope mounts and comes with a set of Ruger rings. I saw a used Super Blackhawk Hunter at my local dealers shop in I'd guess 98%+ condition that was selling for $400, and the standard Blackhawks run a very reasonable $375-425 NIB. The Super Blackhawks are a little bit more.

I just bought a revolver for hunting, and while I looked at the SA revolvers I've always preferred double action revolvers to SA. I think I'm the only person on Earth that thinks that the SA grip shape feels unnatural, but that's the way I am. As such I went ahead and saved a little extra and bought a Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Casull. It's an outstanding handgun, and is versatile enough to be both an inexpensive plinker (w/ .45 Colt shooting cast lead bullets at moderate velocities) to a full tilt, no-holds-barred hunting gun capable of taking any game on the North American continent with confidence.

As far as the "Ruger and T/C only" loads, I'd think that they are definately referring to the SRH and SBH revolvers. As for the standard Redhawk, Blackhawk, Bisley and Vaquero revolvers, I honestly don't know and would advise caution.

I will say that the one constant I discovered was that ALL Ruger revolvers are excellent handguns and offer great value for the money.

Mike

Ruger-Redhawk · 05-23-2004, 11:06 AM

My suggestion would be contact RCBS.They have a great customer service and techincal staff.I'm sure they'd be happy yo answer your questions.I personally think all the Ruger's will handle those special loads. Basically the only difference in the frames is fixed sights vs the adjustable sights. My thinking would be Ruger wouldn't make a weaker frame when they know there are special loads for their guns and the T/C's.This would open them up to liability lawsuits.There's no doubt in my mind that the RH's, SRH's and SBH's will handle most anything you feed them.I'm sure the Vaquero's, Bisley's and BHK's will too.The only difference I see in the Bisley's and BHK's is the grip frame.Other then that they are the same gun.
Ruger Redhawk

Vapodog · 05-23-2004, 12:22 PM

My Hornady book shows two loads for the .44
magnum....one for the Ruger Blackhawk and one for the TC with a 14" barrel.

The max loads are within a grain of identical to each other and I personally wouldn't hesitate to load the loads in the Vaquero as well.

The guns are very well built and strong enough for serious loads.

charlie brown · 05-23-2004, 03:46 PM

Thanks for the replies guys! I just was not sure about how it worked out with them. I don't know when I will be able to get a new pistol, but just one of those things that got added to my never ending and constantly expanding "wish list."

I have no doubts in Ruger, either. The reason I was wondering about the different loads, etc., is because I like the look and feel of the Single Actions. I just would want to know that I could put full power loads in one and not worry about it.

Nomercy · 05-24-2004, 10:43 AM

The big difference is the sights, there are other differences, of course, especially between the .44mag's (Super Blackhawk and Vaquero). The internals are all the same, except the externals are a bit different based on what they're going to be used for...the Vaquero is made for fun shooting and with CAS in mind, the SBH is made with hunting with HOT loads in mind.

I absolutely HATE bisleys, they just DON'T work for me at all, I love the hammers, but the grip frames are awful.

One thing I'd ask YOU to clarify, are you wanting one for HUNTING mt.lion or for defending yourself from mt. lions? If you're thinking of defense, I'd recommend the Ruger Redhawk in .44mag instead, the grip frame is more angled like the bisleys, but you get DA quickness and simpleness.

charlie brown · 05-24-2004, 09:54 PM

Well, I guess I should have clarified that also. It will be used to carry while deer hunting. My dad and I have had a couple of experiences (one of his, and one a friend's) where the deer was incapable of moving, but still alive, a handgun would have been nice to have in such a situation. I would like to use the Handgun also to hunt mt lions behind hounds. The chances of running into a big cat around here in a defense situation are pretty slim, although not out of the question, but not a big concern. I do like the Super Black Hawk, and I think with the 5 1/2" barrel would do quite nice. Thanks for the input and clarification.

driftrider · 05-24-2004, 10:17 PM

Have you ever thought of hunting deer with just a handgun? That's what I'm planning for this year and to me it's a very exciting proposition. The extra challenge will be great, and the convienience of a 3lb. pistol over an 8lb. muzzle loader with another 3-5lbs of "possibles" is more than welcome. If you think that you may want to also hunt deer then the SBH .44 would be a great choice, as would the SRH 454.

Hunting mountain lions sounds exciting, expecially at pistol ranges. Probably gets your adrenaline pumping I bet!?

Mike

charlie brown · 05-25-2004, 05:59 AM

I would like to hunt mule deer with a handgun, not just as a backup, but there is no set season just for handguns. We have three seasons here, archery only, Muzzleloader only, and "any legal weapon," which includes archery, ml, handgun, shotgun, and rifle. Most people use rifle during that season. I could use a handgun excluseively, if realy wanted a challange.

Nomercy · 05-25-2004, 11:02 AM

I'm assuming you take advantage of your archery and muzzle loader seasons too? If so, then you're fully capable of swapping up to a scoped handgun to hunt with...you know the limitations of your weapons already and aren't spoiled by a rifle. The year I started archery hunting, I saw more deer when I had a bow in my hand then I had ever seen in years prior (archery season actually covers our rut, rifle does not), but I still only took one archery deer because I only got one good shot--and I had to stalk 80yrds laying on my belly down a water run-off cut on the edge of a wheat field to get it, took me 45min to make 80yrds to get in range of grazing deer, then took nearly a half hour to get myself into shooting position and wait for THE one to turn to me right...if I'd have had a rifle, it'd have been over in seconds, no crawling, no waiting, just BOOOOOMMMMMMM.

With my Super Blackhawk Hunter .44mag with a 3-9x scope, I'd be willing to take a supported shot out to 125yrds no sweat. I shoot it A LOT, and a beginner handgunner should take it slowly, but getting 80yrds from a supported glassed .44mag or .454Cassul isn't very difficult...shooting sticks work for handguns too.

Moral of the story, there's nothing wrong with taking a handgun ONLY hunting in seasons like your own, yes it makes for a bit more of a challenge, but it wouldn't be as great a challenge as what you've already done in your other two seasons!!