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Post by sixshot on Feb 17, 2017 15:39:52 GMT -5
Killed my last bear with a 10 1/2" blued gun, think it was about 65 yds or so, iron sights. It was a great shooting gun but I think this stainless one I have is a tick more accurate & that's saying something. Dick
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Post by bradshaw on Feb 18, 2017 8:52:18 GMT -5
Killed my last bear with a 10 1/2" blued gun, think it was about 65 yds or so, iron sights. It was a great shooting gun but I think this stainless one I have is a tick more accurate & that's saying something. Dick ***** A memorable photo for your archive, Dick. Foreshortening of the wide angle lens makes the revolver appear larger in proportion to the bear. These are photos that don’t happen once the event has passed. I, too, am content to watch a bear without putting my sights on it. As my friend Ben “Bear Man” Kilham says, people want a competitive predator in their imagination, if not in their life. Many people want bears in the environment, in fact think nothing of encroaching on the bear, yet resent an encroached bear helping itself to the bird feeder and trash. On to the revolver. Can’t tell from photo, but your blue Super looks to a bull 10-1/2” with target blade, which puts it with the Maximum ejector. The prototype for that revolver is pictured in the lead photo of photo essay Vol. XLV (45), with Leopold 4x and target shot @ 132 yards in 1979. Ruger rebarreled that S410N “Silhouette Super” at my request with untapered barrel, long ejector and screw-on blade as a .44 mate to the .357 Maximum. If your pictured Super is the child of that revolver, it is an S411N. Ruger introduced the bull 10-1/2” in 1983 as the KS411N with introduction of the stainless Super Blackhawk in 1983. My Ruger-rebarrel blue Super served as the prototype. As you know, the KS411N “Silver Hornpipe” rose to instant success in IHMSA. 10-1/2” Supers* S410N----Super Blackhawk with 10-1/2” barrel, introduced 1979. Tapered barrel, Backhawk ejector, silver soldered ramp sight. * KS411N----stainless SBK with 10-1/2” barrel, introduced 1983. Bull (untapped) barrel, Maximum ejector, screw-on target sight. * S411N----blue SBK with 10-1/2” bull barrel, Maximum ejector, screw-on target sight. Followed KS411N. Like you, I shaved small differences in accuracy between individual revolvers. Some times we just shoot one better, but the gun has to be there to do it. Any of the above Ruger .44 Magnums with uniform bore od firm groove diameter, with factory short 11-degree forcing cone, .432" chamber exits, and chamber/bore alignment within .006-inch should be capable of 5-shot, 5-6” groups @ 200 meters with the Sierra 240 JHC. (The great Sierra 240 JHC, along with the look-alike Federal 240 JHP, are not the only bullets; they are my benchmark. David Bradshaw
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Post by oddshooter on Feb 18, 2017 12:52:38 GMT -5
OK, I did it, I pulled the trigger; but not on the one you think. The GB auction closed at 1100 without hitting reserve.
I got a Ruger SBH Hunter in 45 colt 7 1/2" that is NIB. I got it from a terrific member here on singleactions.
Couldn't be happier.
Trying to get it paid today and get my FFL to send off a copy of his license. I've already started to look for a high magnification handgun scope. Any suggestions?
More to follow.
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Post by bradshaw on Feb 18, 2017 13:13:42 GMT -5
I got a Ruger SBH Hunter in 45 colt 7 1/2" that is NIB. I got it from a terrific member here on singleactions.
I've already started to look for a high magnification handgun scope. Any suggestions?
*****
Very important when attaching a scope via Ruger rings to the SBH Hunter to “glue” the screw & nut threads. My preference: fingernail polish. Fingernail polish holds and does not defeat the easy-on, easy-off advantage of Ruger rings. Due to insufficient thread engagement, vibration of recoil loosens the screws. The screw needs to be lengthened 1/8 to 3/16-inch to fully engage the slotted nut. I keep fingernail polish in the kit primarily for scope screws.
Soon I get off the phone with Lee, shall continue...
The SBH Hunter is not a revolver to limit to high magnification. Thus, a variable. Leupold holds top honors around here. My experience is backed up by old time silhouetters who in modern times have scoped revolvers, and within the past two years I’ve put the question to two: Eric King and Philip Braud. Both advocate the Leiupold 2.5-8x32mm LER (Long Eye Relief). Both King and Braud say this Leopold is top rank among contemporary steel shooters. Yes, both made their names in IHMSA with iron sights, back then the only game in town. I prefer target turrets on mine, which yield consistent 1/2” clicks @ 100 yards.
The Bushnell Elite 3200 is durable, with repeatable clicks good enough to play the half scale (quarter-size) game. For clicks to mean anything they have to repeat. Friendly price.
I’ve had good luck with the Nikon 2x, but cannot vouch for adjustments on their 2.5-8x. Eye relief is shorter than for the the Leupold. Creed moor presents the longest eye relief of any position, freestyle or rest. Especially at higher magnification, you may see vignetting (black ring around field of view. David Bradshaw
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Post by oddshooter on Feb 18, 2017 14:29:41 GMT -5
Should I look to purchase new longer screws? Where?
I keep bright white, triple orange, and gloss clear fingernail polish in my kit for painting front sights. The clear should work well.
After removing scope, do I need to reapply the polish to ensure holding?
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Post by sixshot on Feb 18, 2017 14:34:56 GMT -5
David, you are correct about the blued 44 being a bull barrel & having the pinned front sight. There really wasn't a great deal of difference in accuracy between the two but stainless makes things a little less complicated out here in Idaho in October & November when the weather can get a little rough. When I shot that bear I was in a bit of a hurry, I had been alone for 11 days although my wife was back at the camper but she had no idea where I was at from daylight til dark & when I killed this bear I was in a big rush to get the hide off & get back across the mountain to my 4 wheeler & back to her before dark. That didn't happen, it was 3 am, but another story for another time. Anyway, I only took a few quick photo's & had to work fast to get the hide off in the heat. Here is a photo 5 minutes after the kill. Here's a better photo of my 6 1/2" Cinnamon phase black bear, he was the third bear I had seen that morning in this same meadow & I also saw a 4th bear while I was skinning this one. You said you enjoy seeing them alive as well & so do I. This is my bear about 15 minutes before he developed a severe case of lead poisoning . Might as well show all of you my son's B&C 7 1/2" bear he took as I watched from a distant hillside. Taken with a custom 280 that he built, this is one of the biggest black bears you will ever see & rivals some Grizzly bears. He made a superb shot as the bear whirled to run. Dick
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Post by jdpress on Feb 18, 2017 15:32:03 GMT -5
Dick:
Wow!! Your son's trophy is the largest black bear that I have ever seen!!
Please extend my congratulations to your son for the successful kill and the beautiful rifle too!!
Not to take away from your bear either which was a very nice handgun take!
Thank you for sharing the photographs,
J.D. Press
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cmh
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,745
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Post by cmh on Feb 18, 2017 17:52:45 GMT -5
Beautiful bears 😉
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Post by elvaquero on Feb 19, 2017 0:16:08 GMT -5
Most of my life spent in Washington State before moving to Arizona, I have never seen a Black bear as big as the one your son took! Did you or he have it weighed?
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Post by elvaquero on Feb 19, 2017 0:22:51 GMT -5
For Sixshot or Bradshaw: Another question about the 10/5" SBH: As it comes from the factory, does the .44 version have the longer ejector housing that the .357 Maximum has? And is the ejector button the same small size? I have 2 OM 4 5/8" Vaqueros with the larger Colt style ejector buttons which I like better.
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mic214
.30 Stingray
Colorado
Posts: 109
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Post by mic214 on Feb 19, 2017 1:52:21 GMT -5
Had one but traded it off. Been kicking myself in the butt ever since. Same here. Mine was a blued version that was a great shooter. I would love to pick up a stainless model someday.....
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Post by bradshaw on Feb 19, 2017 9:14:25 GMT -5
For Sixshot or Bradshaw: Another question about the 10/5" SBH: As it comes from the factory, does the .44 version have the longer ejector housing that the .357 Maximum has? And is the ejector button the same small size? I have 2 OM 4 5/8" Vaqueros with the larger Colt style ejector buttons which I like better. ***** The first .357 Maximum was built on a Super Blackhawk frame. Don’t remember whether the window was opened, but it had a longer cylinder. It had the standard ejector assembly. The experimental ammo loaded by Remington had a 158 JHP in in 1.490-inch case and it was good and warm. After the first day’s shooting we met for cocktails and dinner in Bill’s house, a converted barn, in Croydon. It was evident to Bill that a longer frame would better accommodate this development. Bill and Bill, Jr., were thinking on their feet. I threw in for an ejector that would completely clear fired brass. I was just the shooter, albeit adamant that testing must be done at silhouette distances, which are measured in meters. Bill, Jr., said why don’t we settle on yards. O.K. One hundred and two hundred. Fifty yards to start sight dope. At that point I was reluctant to ask for anything. Bill and Bill, Jr., liked the idea of a full extractor stroke, so that was in. It shortly became clear that with the pressures and with the 180 and 200 grain rifle bullets I loaded in the experimental brass, that a longer case would be better. I’ll jump ahead here to the need for a longer frame. My apprehension was that this detail might sabotage the whole project. Bill said, “No. We have reached the stage in our development [from wax to pour to machining] where we can make this transition in slide, practically a lateral step.” So I pressed for a long extractor. The next frames I would see were the seven long-frame SRM prototypes Bill, Jr., brought up from Southport, two 7-1/2” and five 10-1/2”, all equipped with the long extractor. Bill Ruger, Jr., referred to it as "the Bradshaw ejector,” while I called it the Maximum ejector. We got into more high pressure ammo with some all-day firing sessions, Bill, Jr., and his father settling on a case length of 1.605-inch. The Maximum ejector proved indispensable throughout testing. This was in 1981. The .357 Maximum extractor rod is hardened. The KS411N Super Blackhawk----a.k.a. Silver Hornpipe----arrived in 1983 as the vanguard stainless steel SBH. Configured for silhouette, it carries a bull 10-1/2” barrel, the Maximum ejector, and a screw-on target front sight. Sturm, Ruger did not inconvenience itself to add a larger extractor button. You can screw or weld or rivet a large button to the long rod. David Bradshaw
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Post by oddshooter on Feb 19, 2017 12:09:11 GMT -5
I think the History lessons you provide are a unique link into the past. There is no way for most of us to ever get into the inner circle that made up Ruger development. The stories make it human.
The personal descriptions are my favorite. Very few writers have the ability, and almost none of them have the experience, to let us share a tiny bits of insight into the master's personality and how that affected engineering decisions.
Love it, Prescut
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Post by sixshot on Feb 19, 2017 19:01:04 GMT -5
Great info as always David & as mentioned probaably only available from David & perhaps 1-2 other people so we are very lucky to even know how the birth of the 357 Maximum came about, great stuff! Thanks! Also given in a unique writing style that I very much enjoy although I'll admit it's sometimes hard for this Idaho country boy to keep up with.
As for that huge bear of my son's there was no way possible to weigh that thing, we were on a remote mountain & all I can tell you is that both me & my son are both close to 300 lbs. on the hoof! Shane is sitting as close as he can get to the bear so no photo trickery here, it is what it is, a monster! I had spotted the bear earlier in the day & after locating my son we quickly worked out a game plan from years of practice & he headed down the mountain we were on, crossed a stream & then climbed the mountain on the other side, making sure he was up wind of the huge bear that was busy grazing on fresh new grass, some wild spring berries & turning over rocks looking for insects. I stayed on my side so I could give hand signals to Shane in case the bear made a sudden change in direction or maybe another bear appeared, or some or animal came out into the meadow. I was nervous about something happening because with a bear of a life time in view you only get one chance & Shane had been out of sight for 45 minutes. Finally he got in a spot where I could see him but I could tell he couldn't locate the bear, it was a nerve wracking 15 more minutes before he finally got high enough to spot it & then I think it heard him or heard something because I saw it's head come up, it didn't move, it was just listening, something had got it's attention & then I watched it raise one foot, it was getting ready to bail! Just at that time I saw it slump & after the slump I heard the shot. Keep in mind this is a spring bear that had been sleeping for 4-5 months, I have no idea what he would have weighed in late fall.
Dick
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robrcg
.30 Stingray
Posts: 301
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Post by robrcg on Feb 19, 2017 20:23:51 GMT -5
Don't mean to hijack but sixshot, the 280 you son built looks beautiful.
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