I picked this up yesterday. I had one in the 90's but it had the lawyer writing and warning label on the barrel. This one's from 1968 # 625. Probably the first month of production. I'll have some fun with it once the hot weather breaks.

Attached Images

	first year Ruger Blakhawk 3 screw in 30 carbine #625 002.jpg (182.7 KB, 39 views)
	first year Ruger Blakhawk 3 screw in 30 carbine #625 004.jpg (134.7 KB, 38 views)
	first year Ruger Blakhawk 3 screw in 30 carbine #625 007.jpg (220.8 KB, 38 views)
	first year Ruger Blakhawk 3 screw in 30 carbine #625 011.jpg (193.0 KB, 46 views)

if you have never shot one before it is VERY LOUD

These things are great, I have an A.M.T. auto that shoots this round.
And as stated above, there very loud.

__________________
John

I have owned two of those, it is fun to shoot. As mentioned, they are very loud and my first one would rattle all the screws loose. I wound up Loc-Titing them all. It was 35+ years ago when I bought my first one and military surplus ammo was cheap back then.

Yes, I owned one in the 1990's and shot it quite a bit. I think it's a toss up between these and the and the S&W model 53's, which I have owned a few, as to which one is the loudest. I enjoy shooting these just before dark. Look's like a fire breathing Dragon.

Try a Remington XP-100 with a 10" barrel in .221 Fireball, if you think the Model 53 is loud. It and the .30 Carbine Blackhawk are the loudest that I've ever heard.............

How about a 6" Mod 28-2 converted to 357/44 Bain & Davis? HUGE fierball!

My buddy and I recently picked up two 3-digit .30 Carbine Blackhawks at a gunshow. SNs 662 and 700.

I have a nephew by marriage whose favourite word is "What?" because of one of those guns.

__________________
Release the Kraken

I use both earplugs and muffs when shooting mine. Plan to load some with cast bullets and a little faster powder (not necessarily top-drawer velocity, either) and see if that tames the noise level a bit.

For many years I have loaded .32-20 level lead bullet loads in .30 Carbine cases with lead bullets for use in my Ruger .30 Carbine. In fact, at one time I used that Ruger for Cowboy Action shooting. 4 grains of Bullseye, Unique, 231, etc. and a cast lead .308 bullet of 100-125 grains makes a fine-shooting load which won't shred your eardrums.