GSSP
.30 Stingray
Posts: 109 
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Post by GSSP on Mar 6, 2024 8:00:18 GMT -5
I recently got the bug to buy a BH 357 Mag. I've never owned one. Need one to sort of fill out my stable, of larger bore Bisley's, a bit more. Ordered a blue, 4-5/8" flat top model from Zander's. I'm hoping to shoot plenty of factory Barnes Bullets Vor-Tx ammo loaded with the 140 gr XPB bullet as well as their Pioneer line loaded with the 180 gr Original bullet. I also cast and since Verl Smith is no longer making molds i'll be looking to, hopefully find one, or several, of his molds on the used market...."hint".
What advice on would anyone like to share about a new BH in 357?
Thank you,
Alan
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Post by Encore64 on Mar 6, 2024 8:10:40 GMT -5
Are you sure that's a Flattop 357?
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Post by bula on Mar 6, 2024 8:58:29 GMT -5
Intended uses ? Will you hunt with it ? What ?
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Post by rjm52 on Mar 6, 2024 9:07:03 GMT -5
Are you sure that's a Flattop 357? Ruger has several FT .357 Magnum models available in blue and stainless with a couple different barrel lengths...they are all Distributor Exclusives. |
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GSSP
.30 Stingray
Posts: 109
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Post by GSSP on Mar 6, 2024 9:13:13 GMT -5
Are you sure that's a Flattop 357? Well, I thought I was. Model 0306, on the Zander's website has a picture of a flattop but going to the Ruger website I see the heavier frame with the rear sight hump. Just off the phone with Zander's CS and I can return the revolver w/in 30 days at their cost. I now need to decide to either keep it or send it back.....then wait to find a flattop. Guess I need to find out the differences. Alan |
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GSSP
.30 Stingray
Posts: 109
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Post by GSSP on Mar 6, 2024 9:14:37 GMT -5
Intended uses ? Will you hunt with it ? What ? Mostly plinking. Some self defense if trapsing around the Utah mountains. If I feel if i'm in grizzly country i'll be packing one of my larger bore Bisley's. |
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GSSP
.30 Stingray
Posts: 109
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Post by GSSP on Mar 6, 2024 9:22:35 GMT -5
Are you sure that's a Flattop 357? Well, I thought I was. Model 0306, on the Zander's website has a picture of a flattop but going to the Ruger website I see the heavier frame with the rear sight hump. Just off the phone with Zander's CS and I can return the revolver w/in 30 days at their cost. I now need to decide to either keep it or send it back.....then wait to find a flattop. Guess I need to find out the differences. Alan Wow! Taking a closer look at the Ruger website break down of 4-5/8" models in 357 Mag; 7 models varying in weight from 36 to 46 oz. Five of which have the hump rear sight and two, both via Lipsey's, with the flat top; one blue and one SS. |
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Post by bradshaw on Mar 6, 2024 9:47:44 GMT -5
I recently got the bug to buy a BH 357 Mag. I've never owned one. Need one to sort of fill out my stable, of larger bore Bisley's, a bit more. Ordered a blue, 4-5/8" flat top model from Zander's. I'm hoping to shoot plenty of factory Barnes Bullets Vor-Tx ammo loaded with the 140 gr XPB bullet as well as their Pioneer line loaded with the 180 gr Original bullet. I also cast and since Verl Smith is no longer making molds i'll be looking to, hopefully find one, or several, of his molds on the used market...."hint". What advice on would anyone like to share about a new BH in 357?
Thank you,
Alan***** Alan.... my odyssey into revolver marksmanship, including live ammo fast draw began in my teens with a Ruger Blackhawk .357 Mag with 6-1/2” barrel. I got into bullet swaging and DEEP SEATING at that time. Hercules (now Alliant) double-base Bullseye and Unique accounted for the .38 Special propellant, while Hercules double-base 2400 propelled .357 Mag loads. This was a couple decades before Ruger introduced the New Model single actions, featuring a transfer bar system which allows for safe carry with all chambers loaded. Thus, the revolver was what is now called an “old model.” Bill Ruger and Bill, Jr., would come to refer to the Peacemaker-type lockwork as “old models.” The term was never official and is not capitalized. There are no shortcuts to proficiency with a revolver. Once the COORDINATIONS of marksmanship are understood, I make a few conditional exceptions: * DRY FIRE.... beaucoup dry fire. No gun takes dry fire better than a Ruger. * MARKSMANSHIP only.... no plinking. * LIGHT LOADS advance marksmanship faster than heavy loads. No point shooting expensive ammo for basic training. For shooting out to 50 yards, wadcutters are fine (don’t push em hard). A 160 SWC does better @ 100 yards. There is no point driving a .357 hard until developing consistency----marksmanship. David Bradshaw |
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GSSP
.30 Stingray
Posts: 109
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Post by GSSP on Mar 6, 2024 10:10:02 GMT -5
David,
Took my reading your post about 3x before the light bulb came to full glow.
Thank you,
Alan
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Post by contender on Mar 6, 2024 10:13:03 GMT -5
Ok, I'll see if I can offer a bit of info.
Looking at the Ruger factory site,, the model 0306 is a full sized Blackhawk with the protected rear sights.
It's not a Bisley. (That can be swapped out easily,, the frame screw holes are all the same.)
It's not a Flattop model. This is where it can be interesting. In the .357 line,, the FT models are built on a slightly smaller main frame than the full sized Blackhawk. They replicate the original sized Blackhawks from 1955-1963. If you plan on using top tier loads in it,, you may want to consider getting (or keeping) the protected rear sighted one. That model is the one where you get loading data that says; "Ruger, T/C only" in their info.
Many find the look of the FT to be better than the protected rear models. And then there's the slight differences in weight. Many feel a lighter gun packs better, or feels better in the hands. This is a personal feeling thing. I own both sizes & honestly, can't tell the difference in all day wearing of one over the other when placed in a GOOD leather holster. However,, in the hads,, shooting,, this is where each person has to evaluate what feels the best for them.
And now for the item so many of us here are accused of,, being enablers. Buy one of each size. That way you can truly figure out what you like. And you may find a use for each of them.
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GSSP
.30 Stingray
Posts: 109
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Post by GSSP on Mar 6, 2024 10:44:08 GMT -5
Ok, I'll see if I can offer a bit of info. Looking at the Ruger factory site,, the model 0306 is a full sized Blackhawk with the protected rear sights. It's not a Bisley. (That can be swapped out easily,, the frame screw holes are all the same.) It's not a Flattop model. This is where it can be interesting. In the .357 line,, the FT models are built on a slightly smaller main frame than the full sized Blackhawk. They replicate the original sized Blackhawks from 1955-1963. If you plan on using top tier loads in it,, you may want to consider getting (or keeping) the protected rear sighted one. That model is the one where you get loading data that says; "Ruger, T/C only" in their info. Many find the look of the FT to be better than the protected rear models. And then there's the slight differences in weight. Many feel a lighter gun packs better, or feels better in the hands. This is a personal feeling thing. I own both sizes & honestly, can't tell the difference in all day wearing of one over the other when placed in a GOOD leather holster. However,, in the hads,, shooting,, this is where each person has to evaluate what feels the best for them. And now for the item so many of us here are accused of,, being enablers. Buy one of each size. That way you can truly figure out what you like. And you may find a use for each of them. I hear ya! Buy one of each. I'm leaning towards keeping the 0306 model once it arrives in a few days. This "It's not a Bisley. (That can be swapped out easily,, the frame screw holes are all the same.)" is intriguing. Please, point me in the direction I might go would I want to swap it over to a Bisley frame? |
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Post by bradshaw on Mar 6, 2024 12:58:27 GMT -5
Alan.... before you swap grip frames, dry fire & shoot what you have. Once you begin to form an impression----no introduction is complete without shooting, yet dry fire helps big time----report back.
David Bradshaw
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GSSP
.30 Stingray
Posts: 109
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Post by GSSP on Mar 6, 2024 14:10:39 GMT -5
Are the 50th annivesary flat top versions any good?
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gnappi
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,408
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Post by gnappi on Mar 6, 2024 14:33:44 GMT -5
I hear ya! Buy one of each. I'm leaning towards keeping the 0306 model once it arrives in a few days. This "It's not a Bisley. (That can be swapped out easily,, the frame screw holes are all the same.)" is intriguing. Please, point me in the direction I might go would I want to swap it over to a Bisley frame? For Rugers the standard frame is too small to fit my hand, and that's one reason I like their Bisley or SBH/Dragoon grips. For less felt recoil on the larger calibers I also prefer the Bisley frame. Before you swap out frames you should see if what is delivered works for you because for the vast number of shooters what comes out of the box from works. |
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Post by z1r on Mar 6, 2024 14:34:42 GMT -5
Are the 50th annivesary flat top versions any good? Mine is nice. Compared to an "old model" they are heavier seeing as they have a steel grip frame. That said, mine is a solid, well built, revolver with tight tolerances. For plinking, I find heavier can be beneficial in off hand shooting. To each their own however. Both lightweight and heavier revolvers have their place. |
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