heavier bullets in SBH
- Thread starter Noreaster
- Start date
2damnold4this
New member
I don't blame you one bit. I can shoot several boxes of +ps from an Airweight without flinching but the .44 magnum's blast intimidates me.
I usually only load two or three cartridges in my SBH and spin the cylinder without looking so I don't know if the hammer will fall on an empty or loaded chamber. It's the only way I can shoot decent groups without flinching. Maybe after more practice, I'll be able to load the cylinder with six.
QuarterHorse
New member
I'm running 325gr bullets over 24gr of H110 on my SBH Hunter and am not having issues with the trigger guard. May just be the differences in holding it? FWIW I'd say the recoil is a bit stiff on my loads but not something awful to me.
325 next to my New Vaquero bullet in 250
325 next to my New Vaquero bullet in 250
Your picture shows a round trigger guard Hunter model...
The 'issue' arises with some people with the Dragoon square back trigger guard...
I personally have never been dinged by it shooting one or two handed, so I can not assist people in avoiding it...
I do believe it has got to be the way they are 'holding' the gun, but whether it is due to a lack of understanding of the roll of a SA grip, or whether the people have humungous fat fingers that ride the back of the trigger guard, I have no clue...
It may be that people are trying for the same 'control' as a DA, and that is simply not the way the SA grip is designed...
full case load
New member
30 some years ago when I first got my SBH I had a problem with the stock slick wooden grips. When I pulled the trigger the grips would slip and rotate in my hand and the bite to the web of my thumb/index finger junction from the hammer/grip junction would hurt, and even draw blood on occasion. My solution was Pachmars(sp?). I never tried the pinky under hold but will next time I shoot it as it may stop the skid marks I now get from the rubber grips.
Personally, I like the Pachmyr grips, and dislike the Hogue.
I ran into the "triggerguard bashing my middle finger" with a Blackhawk in .45 Colt, and heavy loads. Tried the pinky under grip, don't like it with anything that really recoils. While the triggerguard don't bash your finger, the bottom of the grip twists your pinky finger. For me, it was simply trading one problem for another.
The solution to your problem is to get a grip that fills in behind the triggerguard, rubber, plastic, wood, your preference.
The problem can happen with the round triggerguard too. I'd say the main reason QuarterHorse isn't having any issues with that load, other than it being "a bit stiff" might have something to do with the pound, pound & a half, (more?) of scope he has mounted on his SBH. More weight really makes a difference.
I don't shoot the uber heavy bullets. Nothing I do, or have ever done with a handgun required bullets that heavy. SO to me they are just extra lead, extra recoil, and extra cost for no benefit.
I ran into the "triggerguard bashing my middle finger" with a Blackhawk in .45 Colt, and heavy loads. Tried the pinky under grip, don't like it with anything that really recoils. While the triggerguard don't bash your finger, the bottom of the grip twists your pinky finger. For me, it was simply trading one problem for another.
The solution to your problem is to get a grip that fills in behind the triggerguard, rubber, plastic, wood, your preference.
The problem can happen with the round triggerguard too. I'd say the main reason QuarterHorse isn't having any issues with that load, other than it being "a bit stiff" might have something to do with the pound, pound & a half, (more?) of scope he has mounted on his SBH. More weight really makes a difference.
I don't shoot the uber heavy bullets. Nothing I do, or have ever done with a handgun required bullets that heavy. SO to me they are just extra lead, extra recoil, and extra cost for no benefit.
Was not aware of people having issues with the round trigger guard grips...Have always heard people complain about the Dragoon grip...
I do not fire anything heavier than 265gr 'hunting loads' through my .44's...Punishing enough at 1300fps, even with the weight of a 7.5 inch barrel...
Before I started making my own grips, I did like the Uncle Mike's #59001 rubber grips on a Dragoon...
QuarterHorse
New member
Oops, didn't see the OP had the Dragoon model, sorry.
Exactly the reason I went to the Hornady 265gr FP...'Designed' for .444 Marlin velocities, it holds together and punches through...
At .430" diameter with a decent meplat, I don't care about expansion...I want bone crushing and pass-throughs...
With 22gr H110 (Hornady 4th edition under max) I am getting 1300+fps from my SBH, and 1600+ from my Marlin 1894...
I have had the same SBH since the 70's.I cut the bbl to about 5 in so I would not tip over when I sit in the truck.
The 300 gr Laser Casts shoot real good out of it.
Brother gave me some Herret rosewood oversize grips.They were a little massive,but I just sort of "inletted" my hand into them with files and scrapers.
I shot real well with those.
CASS came along and they did not like my grips,so I put the stockers back on.Lost the Herrets somehow.
I grip mine about as tight as some silly macho crushing handshake that is just becoming painful to the recipient.I punch that into my support hand and thumb the hammer with my support hand.The plow handle does not move in my hand,I can bang of 6 controlled full power loads as fast as a Redhawk as I thumb the hammer during recoil..No trouble from the triggerguard.
That pinky hook thing,not for me.If you do that,do not get too close to a bench or other support.It will be painful.Your pinky will get hurt.
The 300 gr Laser Casts shoot real good out of it.
Brother gave me some Herret rosewood oversize grips.They were a little massive,but I just sort of "inletted" my hand into them with files and scrapers.
I shot real well with those.
CASS came along and they did not like my grips,so I put the stockers back on.Lost the Herrets somehow.
I grip mine about as tight as some silly macho crushing handshake that is just becoming painful to the recipient.I punch that into my support hand and thumb the hammer with my support hand.The plow handle does not move in my hand,I can bang of 6 controlled full power loads as fast as a Redhawk as I thumb the hammer during recoil..No trouble from the triggerguard.
That pinky hook thing,not for me.If you do that,do not get too close to a bench or other support.It will be painful.Your pinky will get hurt.