Ruger Blackhawk Cylinder is way oversized

[SSL]

A second thought, I have a handful of .452 and .453 slugs left. Has anyone tried or can recommend fire lapping? I would think at the very least it would smooth up the forcing cone some.

Problem with fire-lapping is that you will risk continuing to enlarge already over-size dimensions and just making your concerns worse.

 

[rockhound78]

I have a Blackhawk that the base pin would come loose when shooting. Took a round file to the notch in the pin. Swipe lightly and shoot with it. If not, swipe again. Think I had to do it twice on my gun, but pin only came out when I wanted it to after that.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have a Blackhawk that the base pin would come loose when shooting. Took a round file to the notch in the pin. Swipe lightly and shoot with it. If not, swipe again. Think I had to do it twice on my gun, but pin only came out when I wanted it to after that.

Which one is the base pin?

 

[Sniperhandle]

Which one is the base pin?

The "Base Pin" is the pin that holds the cylinder in and that it revolves around.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The "Base Pin" is the pin that holds the cylinder in and that it revolves around.

Ok good. All mine snap in very smartly

 

[nicholst55]

Anyone have experience getting an oversized 45 Blackhawk to shoot well? I'm talking .456 cylinder throats and .487 chambers. It shoots okay-ish, but I want to be able to shoot ~270 grain cast bullets with H110. I tried some today, and other than not having chronograph numbers it went fairly well. I actually thought the recoil was more pleasant than the SBH .44 Magnum. There was some expected leading, probably because the bullets are in the 15 bhn range. Is there anyone that makes an economical cast bullet in the 18-22 range that has a .454+ sizing option?

The other question is about getting a different cylinder fitted. Anyone done this? Would a custom with a minimum spec reamer give the best results for the money, or would asking Ruger be worthwhile? Even if I got a bullet to shoot well as is, it's still going to tear up brass with loose chambers. What kind of pesos would an operation like this run?

I sent a .45 Colt Vaquero to Ruger that I had just had the chamber throats honed to the proper diameter (generally they're too small). Ruger graciously replaced the cylinder for me with a new one with undersized throats, and declared that the tremendous thread choke that I had originally sent the gun in for was 'within spec.' This was around 2014 or 2015.

With chamber throats that large, I doubt that you will ever achieve satisfactory accuracy with cast bullets. The chamber ID is also on the huge side, and will probably cause short case life unless you only size the case mouth just enough to hold a new bullet.

There are a few smiths that can build you a relatively tight chambered cylinder. Gary Reeder is probably the least expensive that I could recommend. His turnaround time is usually pretty quick, too. Ben Forkin on Jack Huntington could also do the job, but their turnaround time is going to be longer. And of course, Ruger will probably replace the cylinder for free, although it will be a crap shoot regarding dimensions. If you can find a good condition used Super Blackhawk cylinder in .44 Mag, you could have it fitted and rechambered, also.

 

[fatelvis]

I used to bring calipers when checking out revolvers...lol. Saved me from buying a few dogs.
Rugers are some of the worst for sloppy cylinders.

Can I ask what measurements you take? That sounds like a good idea

 

[jcm800]

Can I ask what measurements you take? That sounds like a good idea

For a 357... .357 -.358 throat. Bring a jacketed / cast bullet and check each throat from the front of cylinder nose first. A little tight is better than falling through with no resistance. Undersize throats are bad as well although they can be opened up if needed.