Heavy frame, long barrel, and a cartridge that has hunted deer, hogs, and black bear: that is the Super Blackhawk in a nutshell. Ruger built the line for people who wanted a strong single-action revolver that could take real loads without loosening up.

The 7.5-inch barrel gives a long sight radius and a bit more velocity than the short-barrel models. It also soaks up some recoil, which matters when you are running full .44 Magnum loads. Many shooters start with .44 Special for practice. It is milder, cheaper to shoot, and fits the same six-round cylinder.

Handgun hunters like this size of revolver because it carries on the hip all day and still has enough barrel to shoot accurately at fifty yards. Out on the place, it is also a trustworthy answer to a bad surprise in the brush. The blued finish is traditional and holds up with regular wiping and a light coat of oil.

Pay attention to which ammunition you load. Magnum rounds are for the Magnum cylinder only, and the revolver is not a toy. It ships to your local FFL dealer for the background check.