A handgun hunter's holy grail, I found my 45 Colt Unicorn!

[Rifleman200-10X]

After years of searching, I've finally found my holy grail hunting revolver. At a local GS, no less, and at about half of it's estimated worth. Box, papers,et all. A Ruger Blackhawk Hunter in 45 Colt. They made a ton of these in both 44 and 41 Magnum, but in 45 Colt, the most reliable source I can find states that only 431 were made with the standard grip frame, as mine is, and 392 with the Bisley grip frame. First day at the range this morning, a balmy 13 degrees out, outstanding accuracy with some heavy cast bullet loads worked up for my standard 45 Blackhawk, shot from a rest at 50 yards. 305, 320, and 335 gr bullets from a custom Accurate mold, over some 2400. I have a bunch of Blackhawks in many calibers, shot my first handgun deer in 1977 with a 44 Super Blackhawk, but after years of shooting, and hunting with them, the 44 Mag pales in comparison to the versatility of the 45 Colt in a super strong revolver like a Blackhawk or Contender. I see venison, and wild hogs in it's future.

 

[Erocksmash]

Thats awesome I love to hear a good find story ! Congrats!

 

[The Norseman]

Pony of another kind

Congratulations. Great story! That is one nice
Ruger and accurate to boot.

My go to 45Colt reload is 250gr Lead RNFP/Alliant
Red Dot/CCI LP/Win, R-P, Starline cases/850fps.

Thanks for sharing and the pictures.

 

[moosedog]

Great gun and some excellent shooting.

 

[Rifleman200-10X]

Congratulations. Great story! That is one nice
Ruger and accurate to boot.

My go to 45Colt reload is 250gr Lead RNFP/Alliant
Red Dot/CCI LP/Win, R-P, Starline cases/850fps.

Thanks for sharing and the pictures.

These 305, 320, and 335gr loads shown were in the 1100 fps range, with 18 to 20 grs 2400. Recoil no doubt noticeable, but not terribly unpleasant. The weight of the gun with the ribbed barrel and scope makes a huge difference. I have a 480 Ruger Blackhawk Bisley, and with 420 gr cast bullets and H110, it's way more than most shooters can handle, downright painful if not held correctly. A range officer at my club came up to me after watching me shoot a cylinder through it, and said: "Charlie, you ain't quite right...."