I have a beautiful Ruger Blackhawk .44 magnum. It is showing great promise but for one problem. I have the sights cranked down to their lowest elevation, and the darned thing still shoots high at 25 yards with 240gr. bullets which are my favourite.

Can any of you fellas recommend a quick fix? I would hate to have to take a file to the rear sights.

That is odd. Are you shooting a low velocity handload?
The load can very much change POI.
I would recomend a taller front sight over filing down the rear sight.
Cheezywan

Sounds like you have the wrong front sight. Check with Ruger.

Got a few chocices...some will be ruled out for various reasons and others can be used in combination.

1. Aim low.
2. Change loads.
3. Lower rear sight.
4. Higher front sight.
5. Shoot at 50yards.

Guess work here, but it could be that those sights as they are would work out fine for another shooter. May have a stronger grip or use the traditional 6 o'clock hold.

Loose grips can toss shots high...they let the gun rotate a bit more before bullet exit.

Which is what handgunning is all about. The recoil starts before the bullet exits the barrel. With a good straight edge, can see that the sights are aligned with the barrel somewhat angled below that line of sight. (tghis is really easy to see on some guns...the Old .44specail Charter Arms Bulldog for one).

Gun rotates upwards as the bullet moves down the barrrel, exiting after the barrel has rotated up (hopfully to the point were the sights were aligned).

So...to get that barrel to rotate a bit less can do three things.
1. Add weight to the gun (not really a good solution unless added out at the end of the barrel...and it has the bad point that once you do start moving that weight, it tends to rotate longer).
2. Lower bullet weight. that one isn't a good option when standard 240's are shooting high.
3. "Strangle" it. A much harder grip will lower point of impact a bit.


Personally, I'd proably lower the front sight either by changing it or by modification of the existing sight. BUT I would take a hard loook to be sure that there isn't anything keeping that rear sight from it's full range of motion...a pice of curd, grass sead, or a bit of holster material could be keeping it from it's full downward travel.

Got a few chocices...some will be ruled out for various reasons and others can be used in combination.

1. Aim low.
2. Change loads.
3. Lower rear sight.
4. Higher front sight.
5. Shoot at 50yards.

Guess work here, but it could be that those sights as they are would work out fine for another shooter. May have a stronger grip or use the traditional 6 o'clock hold.

Loose grips can toss shots high...they let the gun rotate a bit more before bullet exit.

Which is what handgunning is all about. The recoil starts before the bullet exits the barrel. With a good straight edge, can see that the sights are aligned with the barrel somewhat angled below that line of sight. (tghis is really easy to see on some guns...the Old .44specail Charter Arms Bulldog for one).

Gun rotates upwards as the bullet moves down the barrrel, exiting after the barrel has rotated up (hopfully to the point were the sights were aligned).

So...to get that barrel to rotate a bit less can do three things.
1. Add weight to the gun (not really a good solution unless added out at the end of the barrel...and it has the bad point that once you do start moving that weight, it tends to rotate longer).
2. Lower bullet weight. that one isn't a good option when standard 240's are shooting high.
3. "Strangle" it. A much harder grip will lower point of impact a bit.


Personally, I'd proably lower the front sight either by changing it or by modification of the existing sight. BUT I would take a hard loook to be sure that there isn't anything keeping that rear sight from it's full range of motion...a pice of curd, grass sead, or a bit of holster material could be keeping it from it's full downward travel.

Last paragraph: Don't you mean raise the front sight?

Before doing anything to your gun, I would recommend: 1. trying different ammo; and, 2. having someone else try shooting the gun.

Different types of ammo will shoot to different points of impact. Usually, heavier weight bullets will tend to shoot higher, and lighter weight bullets will shoot lower, all else being equal.

Try to find some experienced handgun shooter, and let him try shooting your Blachawk. It could simply be a really weak grip causing the problem.

Last paragraph: Don't you mean raise the front sight?

I am sure he mistyped. Look to his list higher in his post.
Cheezywan

I am sure he mistyped. Look to his list higher in his post.
Cheezywan


Uep...higher front to lower impact...didn't proof read.

Making a sight higer is bit difficult without a welding. I've brazed on brass then shaped it to the outline of the original sight, making a nice brass topped post for folks whol like that kind of sight. Have also filed a "U" slot in the tip and silver soldiered on round stock for people who want to try a bead.

Thanks for the replies, guys.


I am not a novice shooter, all my other pistols are right on the money. Yes, I have had other shooters try the gun with the same results I have. 240 grainers just hit high. I am thinking that I am only part of the problem at best, and that the gun needs surgery at worst.

Are there makers of replacement front sights that you fellas could recommend?

I have never had a problem gun before. Heck, I once bought a used Auto-Ordnance .45 ACP (for $400 Canukistani) that shot circles around the local guys with Colt Gold Cups. Even they shot better with my pistol than their own....

I tend to be very lucky with the guns I buy, and perhaps this one is just an exception.

240 grain copper or lead?

I noticed that before I reamed my 45 Colt cylinder out, some bullets would shoot high or low. After, I no longer have the issue.

Also, there might be a timing issue with the cylinder, causeing the bullet to deflect funny, and mess up the trajectory.

Does this happen with other rounds as well?

How does the fouling look in your barrel? Does it look uneven?

Skligmund: uniform fouling with lead. Both cast and jacketed bullets are hitting high, regardless of who shoots the gun. No signs of 'key holing' or bullet instability at 25....I will check at 50 and 100 to make sure....

Hey, thanks to all you other fellas for the replies too.