I am kind of looking for a hunting pistol, probably in .44.
I was thinking that the black hawk would be nice since it is fairly cheap, and has an sense of nostalgia being single action. Lately what I have been reading suggests that the black hawks are not exactly accurate, is this true or false?

The other gun I am considering is the Taurus raging bull in .44, or maybe the Taurus M44 in .44.

I like the feel of double action revolvers better than single action, but I could buy a separate grip if I got the Black Hawk.

I am looking for a gun with good accuracy for target shooting, and hunting, but I would also like strength, Does the 44 Raging Bull use the same frame as the 454, and if so wouldn't that make it able to take a consistent diet of the heaviest 44 rounds without a problem? I know the Redhawks are an option but I just can't warm up to them, being so heavy and ugly.

If you want strength, the Redhawk is the way to go, but if you don't like it, don't get one. Blackhawks are plenty strong, and have been used in conversions for some pretty heavy calibers. My Blackhawk is reasonably accurate, but its quite old, so things may have changed. The only Taurus guns I've shot lately were rimfire revolvers, but their quality has increased considerably over the years. I don't really know wether or not the M44 can handle a lot of heavy loads, but I'd imagine the Raging Bull can, since it handles the .454 Casull.

I've got a Bisley, a couple of Single-Sixes and many Super Blackhawks. All are accurate if loaded for properly. Some of the Ruger SBHs I have known needed cast bullets to be sized 0.432" for them to be accurate. However, once the proper bullet was loaded, these revolvers were used to shoot silhouette scores in the high 30s. They were not quite so finicky with jacketed bullets. Part of the fun is determining what your firearm likes in the way of loads.

I've been shooting an RB for over a year now. I got the 8 3/8" barrel and a Leupold 2x. I don't particularly like the way the factory scope mount attaches to the rib, but so far it's holding firm. It loves factory hornady XTP 240s and also the bulk SWC 240s in the Cabela's catalog, but they're real dirty. I've also shot some Federal hardcast 300s with good results. The gun shoots better than I can and will hold less than 3" at 100 with any of these loads. I'm sure that when I start rolling my own and I learn to shoot it well, it'll do much better.

As far as heavier loads, Taurus has a lifetime warranty, even transferable if you sell it. I do a lot of shooting, mostly rifle, but realy enjoy shooting my RB the most. There's an overwhelming amount of good info on .44 loads in here so finding one that works in your gun what ever it will be shouldn't be any trouble.

I've shot 1 hawk but don't like the grip either. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Bill

I have a Ruger Bisley in 44 mag and it shoot very good. I also have a Raging Bull in 454 and it is VERY accurate. Some targets have 3 shots in 1 hole at 50yds. I wish they had a better scope mount, but mine seems to be holding also. If you get the regular Super Blackhawk, then I like the Houge Monogrip the best for it. I don't have any experience with the Taurus 44.

I dont know my stainless bisley is the most accurate out of the box handgun I own and my super is pretty close to it. As a matter of fact i dont think ive ever shot a .44 ruger single action that didnt shoot good.

tech, the Blackhawk is very accurate. The secret to accuracy is the loads and bullets used and this holds true for any gun. All the best brands of revolvers today are more accurate then anyone can shoot them. Taurus is very accurate as are S&W's, Super Redhawks, Freedom arms, Magnum Research and so on. My suggestion is to buy the one you like and feels good. You won't go wrong with any of them and this includes the Blackhawk.

I had the day off so I went and handled all of the revolvers, that I am considering. I must say that I am leaning towards the 6" RB .44 for $469.00. That's only about $100.00 more than a black hawk. I like the way the RB feels and points, I also like the Smith and Wessons but for the price I would take the RB. Is the porting on the RB going to put up a cloud of smoke every shot making follow up shots more difficult? Or will the porting make follow up shots more easy because of less recoil? I don't think that the extra noise from porting is a real issue since hearing protection is a must with or without porting.

As you can see this will be my first revolver, so bare with me on this question because it may be a little silly. What rate of fire is practical with a revolver? With my two glocks(21,36) I just blaze away magazine after magazine with very very little time inbetween firings, and they have kept on ticking for over 3,000 rounds so far. My rifles I shoot a string and wait at least 10 minutes before the next string, are revolvers similar to rifles in this respect?

If I get a revolver, I mean when I get a revolver(no auto fells as good as a revolver in the hand) I will have a lot more questions like scopes and hunting loads.

The porting won't throw up a cloud of smoke, or anything like that. If anything, it makes follow up shots easier, by reducing felt recoil. With a .44 mag, you can't blaze away at a target, at least not if you want to hit anything. The muzzle jump is considerable, and you'll be way off target by the third shot. Shooting long strings won't really hurt the gun, but if you're using full-power .44 mags, it will make your hands sore. I'm assuming you want to use this gun to hunt, so rapid-fire strings aren't really want you want to practice anyway. When I practice with one of my big, SA hunting revolvers, I shoot a 5 shot cylinder, deliberately aiming, and concentrating on trigger control (I always like to start with the hammer down on an empty chamber, just like I do in the field).

I agree with LLoyd Smale. I have never seen nor shot a single action 44 that was not accurate. Of course all of them so far have been Rugers. Either regular Super Blackhawks, Hunters, or Bisleys -- all have been quite accurate. I am growing more and more fond of my Bisley each time I shoot it!! It is a 45, but a 44 would shoot and handle the same. My SBH is just as accurate if not more accurate, but the Bisley grip frame is winning me over.

My shooting buddy likes the Hunter model the best. He has the older version 44 Hunter, but has a new version Hunter in 45. (There is a difference in the two versions.) Both are accurate, the 44 may be slightly more so.
I would suggest you give the Hunter and Bisley models a glance before you dish over any greenbacks.
I am partial to single actions. I have no problem with the Superblackhawk grip as long as the grips are fitted to the grip frame correctly and are not too slim.

I have heard, but do NOT claim to know for a fact, that single actions will stand up to more use and abuse than a double action will. I believe I read this in one of Taffin's books and have seen it many other places as well, but I have never shot a double action enough to wear it out.
The triggers on the blackhawks, while pretty bad from the factory, can be slicked up real nice with relative ease.


Good luck picking your sixgun. Try to shoot a couple before you buy if possible.

David