Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: H Rhodes on March 08, 2014, 10:19:49 am
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I must admit that I have been distracted from my archery endeavors lately. I do a bit of canoeing in flooded timber and swampy areas that give me lots of opportunities to shoot hogs. I thought a lot about the perfect firearm for this sort of thing. The shots are usually under 50 yards and shoulder fired arms just seemed to be real unhandy in my little solo canoe. I finally decided on this Ruger 45 convertible with the 5 1/2 barrel. It is convertible in the sense that it comes with two cylinders - one in .45 ACP and one in .45 Colt. So far, I have nothing but good things to say about this revolver. Right out of the box, with cheap reload .45 ACP ball ammo it grouped real nice at 25 yards. The groups shot in the photo are not shot from a bench rest, but just leaned up against a fence post for a barricade. Hot handloads in the .45 Colt (what some folks call a "long Colt") will rival .44 magnum ballistics. It ought to kill anything in my neck of the woods! I ordered some rosewood grips for it and a fine sourdough pancake simply rugged holster which actually makes the big handgun comfortable to carry. I wanted a Ruger Blackhawk for years and finally got me one! I am real happy with it. I know this sight is about primitive archery, but I had to brag on this a little bit. :) I will be making shavings again soon. Here's a couple pics.
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Very nice. I had one of those but in .44 mag. Decent groups at 50 yrds
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Nice gun!
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I considered going with a bit bigger revolver, and thought about the big scoped Redhawk, but I wanted to stay with something that wouldn't pull my britches down, and that I could actually wear with comfort. There are definately handguns that are more effective at longer ranges, but after wearing this one while paddling the other day, I am tickled with it so far. After I put a hog or two down with it I will know more about it.
Thanks O.O.!
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Nice Piece. Have one also. My go to pistol when I am in bear country. Hot .45 Colt will take down anything short of a Mammoth...
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Heck yeah! a 260 grain bullet at 1400fps hollers "STOP!" real loud. :D
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I have a black hawk in .45lc I have taken deer and hogs I just love it and you will to,,,btw you can feed that some real hot .45lc loads and not ever worry about being under powerd good luck JeffW
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Agreed. PMC used to make a really hot round in .45LC...Hornady has about the best I have found at present, with Buffalo Bore coming in real close second..
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Thanks for the advice fellows. I have gotten some good groups with the Buffalo Bore ammo. It seems like it will do for anything I am likely to encounter. When you look at some hot loads that come with instructions that say "For Ruger Revolvers Only" it inspires confidence in the manufacturer. The price of the 45 Colt ammo is going to move me to start reloading it.
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Just out of curiosity how much would a gun like that weigh. Here in Canada the laws are so restrictive that it's pointless to own one.
Don
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Excellent choice, and as the others have said, it can be safely loaded pretty hot, with large chunks of lead. I would use straight wheel weights, for bear. I love the .44 special, the .44 magnum, and the .45lc. It was called the .45 Long Colt, to differentiate between the .45 ACP, and the .45 Colt. I believe the first Thompsons were in .45 colt. (LC). Also the rate of fire was faster, at first. But the.45 LC will do the job as is, or pumped up a bit. Elmer Kieth, did a bit of shooting research on the .45LC, where at a long distance, I forgot now just how far, but it was a long ways for a pistol, and he was shooting at an old out house with inch thick oak boards, and the .45LC was punching neat holes through it. So it has some respectable thump as is. You could also get a Marlin .45-70, carbine, for your canoe, with a nice sling. It is light, and will put down anything in North America. But it do tend to kick a mite. Especially with 405 grain bullets. Haven't tried the 500 grain ones yet. I mainly use 305 grain bullets in it. But it also can be pumped up a bit, coming very close to .458 Win. Mag. The Marlin will hold it. Just get a good reloading manual, and re loader. You don't need to go fancy, with multi round rigs, a simple single bullet at a time rig will do you just fine. I have a multi round rig, and a single rig. When I was shooting a lot, when it was cheaper to do so, I used the multi round rig. I love my Lee, and Dillon makes a fine outfit also, as does many others. Just get a strong unit, and it will last you a life time. Get a good case vibrator, and case / medium separator. Dillon makes a good one. Get a good scale, and funnel. You can make a case block out of a piece of scrap 3/4 inch pine, to place your cases in while you are decapping, priming, and loading. Just be sure to check your powder loads,every so often, if you are using a multi round loader. If you are using a single round loader, you are hand measuring each powder amount. If you are using the multi loader, you have a powder measure, that automatically dumps a measured amount of powder into the primed case, but it is a good idea to monitor it now and then. Enjoy, that is a fine one!
Wayne
As expensive as even reloading has become, it is still much cheaper to reload, than buy factory ammo.
Wayne
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Don, it weighs about 40 ounces unloaded, so it is about as hefty a pistol as one would be comfortable with carrying all day on a belt holster. That said, this holster that I bought really does a good job in supporting the weapon and keeping it close to the body and concealable. Simply Rugged makes a good holster. What are the rules for carrying a handgun there? You guys have those big ass white bears up there right? :D I guess a pistol would only make them mad huh? I would still rather have one on my hip than chuncking rocks. Seems like the law ought to take into account a man's need to protect himself.
Wayne I appreciate the tips on reloading. I have a buddy of mine that is a real gun guru that is going to help me along. I thought about the Marlin, and I looked at lots of variables. For me, it was just unhandy to put the paddle down, reach for and shoulder the long gun. I'm going to give the handgun a try for a while. I will give y'all an update when I get to put it to use.
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I reload for all my flintlocks, never buy store-bought ammo!
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I hear you JW. I have never fooled around with muzzleloaders too much. If I take up one more hobby the wife and MINISTER OF FINANCE at the Rhodes place might kick me to the curb.
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Let us all hope and pray that our significant others NEVER get mad and sell our guns for what we told'em we paid for 'em!
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lmao!!!
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What are the rules for carrying a handgun there? You guys have those big ass white bears up there right? :D I guess a pistol would only make them mad huh? I would still rather have one on my hip than chuncking rocks. Seems like the law ought to take into account a man's need to protect himself.
Wayne I appreciate the tips on reloading. I have a buddy of mine that is a real gun guru that is going to help me along. I thought about the Marlin, and I looked at lots of variables. For me, it was just unhandy to put the paddle down, reach for and shoulder the long gun. I'm going to give the handgun a try for a while. I will give y'all an update when I get to put it to use.
Unfortunately the rules are quite simple, it's against the law. Polar Bears are quite a ways North of most people up here. Black Bears are quite common through most parts of Canada.
I reload all my amo and used hard cast wheel-weights in my .44's, the Ruger when I had it and my lever action.
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I am interested in getting into reloading too Marc. It looks like after the initial expense of buying the equipment, I could save myself a little money. I paid 34.00 for a box of .45 Colt ammo the other day. That really had a sting to it. One good thing about having the extra .45 ACP cylinder is that I have access to lots of ammo for not so much money. Having the two cylinders and the weapon being such a solidly built platform opens up lots of options in the loads that I can develope. I am stoked about this purchase! Usually when I buy a toy that I have been coveting, as soon as I get it home, I see something about it that rubs me the wrong way. Not so this time. I like everything about this Ruger.
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Ya done good pilgrim 8) My duty gun was a S&W Model 25 converted to the 45 Colt and loads that make ya proud to be an American (Elmer Keith was my hero for gun control) The hot load Colt round and 35 Whelin still my 2 favorites.
Good Huntin Brother!!!!!
rich
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Thanks Rich. Our issue weapon is a .45 and I have carried one for a long time. I was missing the old wheel guns that I first trained on, so this bad boy scratches two itches. The Model 25 is fine weapon too. Without having to fool with those half-moon clips, you got yourself a real dandy. That 35 is a bad ass round too. Reckon why it never really caught on with folks?
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I have a Ruger Blackhawk Bisley Model 41. Mag I really like it. Its pretty heavy after carrying all day also. I think you will like the Ruger. Reload my own ammo also.
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Reloading??? somebody stop me before I talk too much!!! but I love love reloading!!! but really for that .45\.45lc just get a couple lee loaders new about $40.00 bucks each! now this will start a fight, but just remember one thing......... the tightest group ever patterned was done by loads made on a lee loader! I have all kinds of stuff but I just enjoy the heck out of pounding out a couple dozen match grade rounds with my lee loaders good luck jeffW
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Last time I looked(30 years ago) in Canada handguns are for target shooting at ranges only. To buy one you have to jump through more hoops than a circus dog. Once you get it you can only transport it to and from the range, no stopping, not for gas or anything. If you need milk go get it first. I don't know what they'd do if you got a flat, probably shoot you and throw you in the ditch. I have a .22 Crosman CO2 pellet pistol. I'm not even sure if that's legal any more. Oh, there's someone at the door
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Well darn it, why did you have to post this? I'd had my eye on one like that for awhile and had almost convinced myself I didn't need it. ;)
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Last time I looked(30 years ago) in Canada handguns are for target shooting at ranges only. To buy one you have to jump through more hoops than a circus dog. Once you get it you can only transport it to and from the range, no stopping, not for gas or anything. If you need milk go get it first. I don't know what they'd do if you got a flat, probably shoot you and throw you in the ditch. I have a .22 Crosman CO2 pellet pistol. I'm not even sure if that's legal any more. Oh, there's someone at the door
You just have to watch out for those white vans on the side of the road. ;) I've got the Super Redhawk in .44 in a shoulder holster, love it.
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you did real good on that one.i am a big Ruger fan.mine is a super blachhawk 7 1\2 inch 44.i would really like to own one like yours.fine weapon indeed.i have a box of buff bore 340 grain plus p plus.i haven't shot one yet,but I am sure they are a handful.they list like 5 guns they are safe for.like you said,that says a lot about Ruger handguns.post pics of your hogs and good luck.
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If you aren't the nostalgic type and just have to have the cowboy look then you should look at the Hogue monogrips. I was having a hard time holding onto my .44 mag Superblackhawk with the factory wood grips in the summer time when my hands would get a little sweaty. Also my hands were a little big for the handle and my little finger would hang off. The Hogue monogrip is rubber, ergonomic, and extends down to include your pinky. It is wider so so it helps spread out the recoil. I love mine. Wouldn't consider going back to the old style. They are cheap too.
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Last time I looked(30 years ago) in Canada handguns are for target shooting at ranges only. To buy one you have to jump through more hoops than a circus dog. Once you get it you can only transport it to and from the range, no stopping, not for gas or anything. If you need milk go get it first. I don't know what they'd do if you got a flat, probably shoot you and throw you in the ditch. I have a .22 Crosman CO2 pellet pistol. I'm not even sure if that's legal any more. Oh, there's someone at the door
Yes, this is the unfortunate truth. You can own handguns in The Great White North (and I do), but that's about all. To and from the range via the most direct route, in a locked hard case in a locked trunk. No stopping at the 711 for a slurpy.
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Nice gun, by the way.
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Caveman2533 - that .41 is fine weapon too. That's another caliber that I am surprised never caught on like it should have.
Jeffhalfrack - talking about reloading, the little Lee loader will probably do what I want to do. I am interested in developing the best 45LC load for my gun, and probably won't be shooting them just to hear the gun go off. It would suit me to save a little money on ammo, but actually focus on dialing in for the best hunting load that I can load. Thanks again for the advice. I may pm you later on for somemore tips.
Fellows it is amazing the differences in firearms laws. Down here in Alabama they practically issue them to school kids ;D
Adam, you do NEED one of these. :D
The Redhawk was really on my mind, and I would have gone with it except for my access to 45ACP ammo.
I agree with you Marks, that rubber grip is nice, but I am the nostalgic type. Love some wood grips.
Thanks adb.
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(http://i1038.photobucket.com/albums/a470/marks1018/IMAG0329_zps02eb6aad.jpg) (http://s1038.photobucket.com/user/marks1018/media/IMAG0329_zps02eb6aad.jpg.html)
(http://i1038.photobucket.com/albums/a470/marks1018/IMAG0330_zps51e1889e.jpg) (http://s1038.photobucket.com/user/marks1018/media/IMAG0330_zps51e1889e.jpg.html)
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That is a fist full of gun! Those grips really do give you more purchase on the weapon. I replaced the black plastic grips on mine with the rosewood and they gave it a slightly beefier handle than what it came with. It still has that little finger sort of dangling half on and half off the handle. Agreed your grips would settle that, but it isn't a real issue for me. Don't you love how "pointable" these revolvers are? It is no wonder this style of handgun has been alround so long.
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The .44 with the woods grips made me feel like a was trying to hold a pit bull back leashed with yarn. I'm a function over fashion kind of guy. To each his own.
It is a fun gun to shoot especially late afternoon as the light begins to fade and big fire balls come out of the end and sides. I haven't killed with it yet other than finishing off a doe that had already been shot. Missed 1 hog right after I got it but I'm blaming that on the sights being off still. ;) Had a small buck dead to rights at 25yds but he didn't meet the standards of our hunting property.
I've had one "idiot" moment with mine so far which made be glad I practice always pointing in a safe direction. Mine has somewhat of a hair trigger and I was sighting it in one afternoon while sitting down. I pulled up for a 1 hand shot and chickened out because it was my first shot of the day and I was a bit intimidated. I brought it down to let the hammer back down and as my arm came to rest on my leg it caused my finger to squeeze involuntarily. Next thing I knew the gun went off and I had taken the front sight right to my left eye. Luckily it had closed first but I thought I had literally lost my eye for a few minutes. I hit the ground covering it for a while. The pain was terrible. Luckily I came out with only a good cut on my eyelid. I was shooting again 20 minutes later. I felt so stupid.
The moral is always point it in a safe direction and KEEP YOU FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER unless you are pulling it. A gun like that can change your life in a quick second.
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Let us all hope and pray that our significant others NEVER get mad and sell our guns for what we told'em we paid for 'em!
Well - IF they do - Just start doing the same with their shoes and they will NEVER do it again >:D
You get what you give ;D