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Post by bigmuddy on Jan 19, 2020 20:39:56 GMT -5
Ran some rounds through my 7 1/2" FT today. (It was COLD). My load is 240 LSWC's and 9.5 gr. Power Pistol. This one is very accurate in my 44's and does around 1050 fps with low extreme spreads.(9 fps) It has enough power to break ice for the horses. Dan
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bamagreg
.327 Meteor
Woodstock, GA
Posts: 855
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Post by bamagreg on Jan 19, 2020 20:57:30 GMT -5
They CAN handle it, but they're long out of production, won't ever be made again & are highly desirable to many ...So I tend to not hot rod mine too much anymore. I bought a 6-1/2" Flattop from an Old Timer who was carrying it around at a gunshow in 1992, he said he'd bought it new in 1957 & included was 2 boxes of Remington factory ammo he'd bought with the gun, he had fired 5 rounds & put the gun away & never shot it again. I being young & highly enthusiast at the time, fired up all but 5 rounds of that ammo, & I'm here to tell you, that factory ammo was loaded HOT back then! A fact I'm sure some of our older members here can attest to. You are right. The original Remington 240 grain jacketed semi-wadcutter ammo was way hotter than today’s standard ammo. I still have a little of it stashed away.
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Post by CraigC on Jan 20, 2020 12:06:14 GMT -5
Doesn't the .44Mag flat-top share the same frame size, cylinder diameter and lockwork as the Old Model Super Blackhawk? Didn't Linebaugh build at least one .475 on one? I find the XR3 grip frame to be the limiting factor.
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Post by singleaction on Jan 20, 2020 12:13:50 GMT -5
With the metallurgy Ruger went with back then, the cylinder won’t burst, but the ratchets take a pounding over time. David Clements likes to install ratchet bushings on the old models to combat this issue.
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Post by warhawk on Jan 20, 2020 15:14:31 GMT -5
Mine was made the same year I was, 1960. I have shot some full bore magnum ammo in it, I don't see any reason to do that again. I have followed JT's advice and use mid range handloads with Keith bullets in mine.
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Post by bullseye on Jan 20, 2020 18:27:41 GMT -5
Nice Shorty 44 Flattop warhawk. I found a well used but solid 56 Flatttop & chopped it a couple of years ago. It's become one of my favorite Ruger's...It could really use a good refinishing, but I kinda like it just the way it is...It has what many would call "character"...Time will tell?
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Post by ddixie884 on Jan 20, 2020 18:37:53 GMT -5
I've got one just like that. I bought it off of GB. It was already cut and really looked like it was factory. Of course I knew it wasn't. I was really glad to get it, as I have wanted one for a long time. I cut an old model SBH one time and put a XR3Red gf on it. I let it go years ago....
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Post by Aeroscout on Jan 20, 2020 20:13:37 GMT -5
I bought one 10 years ago that had been refinished / over buffed for cheap. I wanted a 7.5" flattop 44 mag so I installed the longer barrel on it with minimum gap. It's just a little more nose heavy. I like it. No heavy loads though. 240 lswc pushed by 10.5 grains Unique. Softball size groups @ 50 yards.
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Post by bullseye on Jan 20, 2020 20:23:57 GMT -5
I've got one just like that. I bought it off of GB. It was already cut and really looked like it was factory. Of course I knew it wasn't. I was really glad to get it, as I have wanted one for a long time. I cut an old model SBH one time and put a XR3Red gf on it. I let it go years ago.... I've seen so many Flattop's & Super Blackhawks cut down to 4-5/8" & 5-1/2" over the years...A lot of them were done a long time ago. I honestly don't know why those barrel lengths weren't offered by Ruger back in the day? They obviously would have sold well.
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cmh
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,745
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Post by cmh on Jan 20, 2020 20:42:59 GMT -5
BILL RUGER.......
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Post by warhawk on Jan 22, 2020 16:09:21 GMT -5
Nice Shorty 44 Flattop warhawk. I found a well used but solid 56 Flatttop & chopped it a couple of years ago. It's become one of my favorite Ruger's...It could really use a good refinishing, but I kinda like it just the way it is...It has what many would call "character"...Time will tell? Very nice, and an early 44 too. Mine was customized by a previous owner. All I added were the elk stag grips and a Belt Mtn base pin. I also has a stainless grip frame from an Old Army and a Super Blackhawk hammer.
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Post by DiamondD on Jan 23, 2020 8:27:06 GMT -5
Mine was made the same year I was, 1960. I have shot some full bore magnum ammo in it, I don't see any reason to do that again. I have followed JT's advice and use mid range handloads with Keith bullets in mine. That is a beauty!
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Post by jringo8769 on Jan 23, 2020 8:31:38 GMT -5
Nice Shorty 44 Flattop warhawk. I found a well used but solid 56 Flatttop & chopped it a couple of years ago. It's become one of my favorite Ruger's...It could really use a good refinishing, but I kinda like it just the way it is...It has what many would call "character"...Time will tell? That is gorgeous Love these early ones with short barrels Bill should have done this from the start God Bless,John Thank u for sharing it with us
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Post by reflex264 on Jan 23, 2020 8:33:04 GMT -5
I have one and I hunt with it but never felt the need to hot rod it. 250gr Keith bullets are easily launched at 1250fps and will kill any deer or hog in the world. If I need more horse power from a 44 I just grab my Bisley Hunter. Mine needed some help. My son sent it to Alan Harton for a makeover. That was a nice Christmas present.
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Post by singleaction on Jan 31, 2020 7:01:48 GMT -5
If I recall, the whole reason for Ruger’s large frame 44 mag design was because they trashed a mid/357 size gun(s) while in development, I would guess, with proof loads. Since then SAAMI lowered the pressure from 40k to 36k psi. There are some +p loads out there designed for the redhawk. I would not use them! The +P redhawk loads that I have ran across were too long for standard Blackhawk cylinders, and would likely stick far enough out the end of the cylinder to not allow it to go into battery. All generations blackhawks and superblackhawks can handle standard pressure factory loads from both the 40k and 36k era. Like others have stated, I like 250 grain Cast and Jacketed bullets at no more than 1200 fps.
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