Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Ruger .44 Special Questions - Suggestions

Will be purchasing a Ruger Blackhawk .44 Special 4 5/8. I want to try the classic load of 7.5g Unique with a 250g Keith SWC.

Where do I find the 250g bullets? Local sources only have 240g SWC such as Oregon Trail.

What are your suggestions for a field carry holster? I was thinking Bianchi 1L Lawman or a Galco SAO Outdoorsman.

Thanks,
Jeff

I use the 240gr Oregon Trail bullet with that load, I also have used that same load with a Montana Bullet Works www.montanabulletworks.com 250gr Keith bullet (Lyman 429421) and they hit to the exact same point of impact as the 240gr OT's. I consider them interchangeable; I use the OT's for practice and the Keith's for hunting.

As for a holster, I'd order (and have ordered) a Simply Rugged Model 120 holster. www.simplyrugged.com. Won't be delivered overnight, but they're much better than Galco or Bianchi--in my opinion, and I've owned both at one time or another--for field carry.

FWIW, I have three Ruger Flattop's in 44spl; one of which is a 4 5/8" Bisley.

I use Leadheads bullets proshootpro.com for keith bullets, and also dry creek bullets. I've used both with good success in my 44 specials. For plinking loads I prefer the swaged 240 hornady bullets.

Is casting your own out of the question? Not difficult, light learning curve but a minimal cash outlay required.

Dan

I liked my Ruger flat Top so much I had it modified a bit by Hamilton Bowen. Better sights, trigger/action job, case hardening by Trumbull.

I still use Keith type semi-wadcutters (mostly .429421), but have switched from Unique to about eight grains of Power Pistol. Cleaner burning, lower pressure and a bit, more accurate in my gun.


Prior to customization, I took this little button buck with the above load. Since then, it has taken two does.

I use Montana Bullet Works or Mt. Baldy bullets (250 gr. Keith). I like El Paso Saddlery or Simply Rugged for holsters.

FWIW I received an e mail from El Paso Saddlery. %20 off this week. Great leather.

Ernie

KyWindageII,

Thanks for the eye candy... nice revolver.

Jerry

My 4 5/8 Flattop shoots the Mt. Baldy 250 Keith bullet over 7.5 of Unique very well.

I have a Simply Rugged pancake holster and an El Paso Saddlery 1920 crossdraw. Both are high quality and would serve you well. The Simply Rugged pulls the little Flattop in to the body very well for me.

Now that is a nice looking Ruger

Thanks for all the information. Regarding brass, I was thinking about Winchester or Starline. Any reason to stay away from either one of these?

I've got cases from both and they both work fine.

The easiest load development I've ever encountered was with the Flattop .44 spl. Ordered 500 Starline cases, found a used set of RCBS dedicated .44 spl dies on consignment at the local store, ordered 500 250 grain Mt Baldy bullets, and loaded them to 900 fps over an appropriate charge of Power Pistol and Federal or CCI large pistol primers. Groups well, no leading, clean burning, and fun to shoot. Never looked back, except to try some 2400. But at the 900 fps range, the Power Pistol is way cleaner burning.

I use BearTooth Bullets 250 grain WFNGC bullets. Very hard and excellent quality. They do 1060 fps with 2400 powder.

If you don't get a holster with a flap that covers that rear sight --- it'll open up your arm. I modified an old Bucheimer that I had around.

Hard to go wrong with a 44 special, they will handle 90% of what most of us do. I have 3 Rugers.....actually 2, my oldest son got my 4 5/8's gun, I'll probably end up hating him! I've used all 3 to take deer using a 250 Keith & 7.5 grs of Unique.
Rob Leahy at Simply Rugged makes a very nice holster in 2-3 options. I bought my first one almost 10 years ago when he was still in Alaska, its one of my favorites.
Mike Barranti makes an extremely nice rig thats a Hank Sloan copy, it has a small flap that covers the hammer so you don't dig your arm into it or wear out the inside of a jacket if carrying concealed. You can get them either cross draw or strong side from either of these 2 gentelmen, nice guys to deal with & a great product.

Dick

+1 on the Simply Rugged; I have one for a single-six, 120/Keith style, and it is great. For the flattop, I ordered the same style from Alaska Leatherworks, and it is also a quality holster.

I decided on leather and placed my order last night. I went with El Passo Saddelry 1920 Tom Three Persons in russet, button strap and border stamping. I also ordered a six-round pistol slide to match. My flattop should be in early next week. I've got dies and primers already (.44 mag). I've been back and forth on powders -- Unique verses Power Pistol. I think have to try the 7.5g Unique Classic load to start. I'll pick up powder and brass today. Still undecided on bullets. Western Bullet sure seems to have good pricing on their 250g Keith #429421.

I'm also thinking a set of fiddle back maple grips from Don Collins might look real nice on my new companion? http://www.collinscraftgrips.com

Thanks again for all the suggestions and ideas.

Decided on the lower pressure Power Pistol to start. Purchased some Mt. Baldy bullets; Ballisti-Cast #1103. Weather permitting, will shoot for the first time tomorrow. Anxious for the 1920 to arrive.

Jeez, I fell asleep on this thread. I've got a pair of .44spl Flattops that need 1920s, and could have used 20% off!

This is the best deal I have found for the Keith bullet as long as the diameter works for you. I am a big fan of Montana Bullet Works.

http://www.westernbullet.com/ly4gr3.html