I've been eyeballing a Ruger Blackhawk in .30 carbine. Anybody have an opinion on this gun?

Got one! shoots great with full power loads of AA9 and hornady half jacket bullets, very accurate but loud. I'm working on trying to get cast bullets to shoot well at low velocities ( like 900fps). I am also thinking of getting a cylinder reamed for it to shoot the 327 cartrige. Have found that it will also shoot 32-20 cart. if they are trimmed back about .090.

Fatherinlaw has one and it is sweet! But you better have ear protection on. It has one hell of a ear breaking crack to it.
He also has a AMT super mag looking pistol in 30carbine. I don't think he has ever fired it.
MM

quote:

It has one hell of a ear breaking crack to it.

That's what everyone says, they must be loud as hell.

I experienced one when they first came out ! For a group of shooters all used to cartridges from 22 to 44 mag, they ALL stopped shooting and said 'what was that ?' Even with ear protection that very sharp muzzle blast seemed to go right through your brain !! Not for me.

Bought it last weekend. It is indeed very loud but recoil is manageable. Have only tried 110gr half jackets so far. Shoots excellent

try the 110 gr sierra soft points - they work great in all my 30 carbine guns

I had one when they first came out. Very LOUD indeed! But very accurate mucho fun.

Telly

I found it was not very ergonomic mainly because the grip seemed really small. Maybe there are different sizes, but I doubt it. Easy enough to check out without shooting it.

The Ruger 30 Carbine is really loud because the shooters are using heavy loads or loads intended for the rifle. Those loads do not burn all the powder in the typical 7-1/2" barrel causing a heck of a muzzle blast. Try shooting one in the dark, but be prepared to be blinded by the flash.

Those that reload can use the faster burning pistol powders including Winchester 231, and Unique. These burn more completely and muzzle blast is at a minimum.

My favorite load for my Ruger Blackhawk 30 Carbine is a Lyman 130 grain cast bullet sized .310" over 5.0 grains of Unique. Very mild and very accurate.

If high performance is what you are after, then the slower powders and probably jacketed bullets will be the choice, and it will be very load.