Ruger blackhawk in 45lc/45acp
- Thread starter super7
- Start date
Any particular reason why?
Dexter Morgan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
" Any particular reason why? "
I was looking for something larger caliber. Something that makes a big bang, and produces a large hole in the target.
I was going to get the 45LC/45ACP, but then realized I could get a Super-Blackhawk in 44-Magnum for the same price.
From the 4 5/8" barrel, the 44 Magnum is a beast. It's a ton of fun to shoot.
If you don't reload;
45LC is a complete ripoff. You will end up shooting only 45ACP through it. 45LC is twice the price of 45ACP, and can be difficult to find. Most of the stuff available is reduced load cowboy action ammo.
I will also add that the 44-Magnum can also shoot 44-Special ammo. But 44-Special is in the same boat as 45LC, in that it is a rip-off and very difficult to find. And again, most of what is available is reduced load cowboy action ammo.
If you do reload;
44-Magnum can be loaded to ridiculous wrist-breaking levels, especially in a Super Blackhawk. It can also be lightly loaded using 44-Special loading data. When loaded at 44-Special levels, it will give you similar recoil to the 45LC or 45ACP.
I was looking for something larger caliber. Something that makes a big bang, and produces a large hole in the target.
I was going to get the 45LC/45ACP, but then realized I could get a Super-Blackhawk in 44-Magnum for the same price.
From the 4 5/8" barrel, the 44 Magnum is a beast. It's a ton of fun to shoot.
If you don't reload;
45LC is a complete ripoff. You will end up shooting only 45ACP through it. 45LC is twice the price of 45ACP, and can be difficult to find. Most of the stuff available is reduced load cowboy action ammo.
I will also add that the 44-Magnum can also shoot 44-Special ammo. But 44-Special is in the same boat as 45LC, in that it is a rip-off and very difficult to find. And again, most of what is available is reduced load cowboy action ammo.
If you do reload;
44-Magnum can be loaded to ridiculous wrist-breaking levels, especially in a Super Blackhawk. It can also be lightly loaded using 44-Special loading data. When loaded at 44-Special levels, it will give you similar recoil to the 45LC or 45ACP.
Yeah factory 45lc can be crazy expensive. If you reload, can't you load 45lc to equal or even greater energy as 44 mag ?
Plus you'd have 45acp which is another great round........?
mudgunner49
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
45LC rocks - but you HAVE to handload!!! Non-handloders are better served with a suitable .44 Mag...
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
What you speak of is one of my more recent acquisitions
. I spotted it at the opening of the last gun show in Naniamo and I couldn't resist.
And a friend made up a copy of the Bianchi Lawman holster for it.
. I spotted it at the opening of the last gun show in Naniamo and I couldn't resist.
And a friend made up a copy of the Bianchi Lawman holster for it.
Halger280HVMag
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- B.C. XMU Local .454
Yes you can. And in a Ruger SA revolver the .45 Colt handloads can easily surpass .44 Mag. levels.
And make a bigger hole to boot Eh!
I owned a Ruger 4 5/8" Convertible in .45 cal. for many years.
Sold during a time of monetary need.
It was a solid, reliable and accurate revolver, in both chamberings.
My favourite for the last few years has been my Ruger SRH in .454 Casull.
I shoot the SRH mostly with hand-loaded, .45 Colt level loads.
Old and Arthritic hands, will not tolerate more.
Hand-loading is the ultimate answer I believe. For any caliber/firearm.
Loading the big .454 case to any level I need, saves the need for .45ACP cases. Saves money and storage space.
2 cents Eh!
And make a bigger hole to boot Eh!
I owned a Ruger 4 5/8" Convertible in .45 cal. for many years.
Sold during a time of monetary need.
It was a solid, reliable and accurate revolver, in both chamberings.
My favourite for the last few years has been my Ruger SRH in .454 Casull.
I shoot the SRH mostly with hand-loaded, .45 Colt level loads.
Old and Arthritic hands, will not tolerate more.
Hand-loading is the ultimate answer I believe. For any caliber/firearm.
Loading the big .454 case to any level I need, saves the need for .45ACP cases. Saves money and storage space.
2 cents Eh!
Halger280HVMag
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- B.C. XMU Local .454
Pretty much ALL the loading manuals have a section for heavy loads to be used only in guns like the Ruger SA and TC pistols.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Pretty much ALL the loading manuals have a section for heavy loads to be used only in guns like the Ruger SA and TC pistols.
How about the newer model Ruger Vaquero? I have an earlier model 5 1/2" Vaquero in 45LC but as I understand it, the newer model is somewhat smaller. Apparently it's about the same size as a Colt SAA.
Good point. The "Ruger Only" loads are only good for the big Blackhawk frames. The original style Vaquero used the bigger Blackhawk frame from what I've read so it should be fine. The New Model Vaqueros though are a lot more lightly built with the focus on Cowboy Action shooting. I'm sure that they are OK for up to the SAMMI spec load. A steady diet of such may knock it out of time after a while but it certainly shouldn't KABOOM! on anyone. But Ruger Only loads should be avoided with those models.
Something that was pointed out to me on another forum was that with the extra bore area of the .45Colt for a given weight of bullet not as much pressure is needed to accelerate to the same speed. So a .45Colt can be loaded to a lower pressure but when matching weights of bullets are used compared to .44Mag the speeds can match and thus the muzzle energy matches. When matched this way the chamber pressure for the .45Colt is quite a bit less than that in the .44Mag.
#1bcshooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- North Of The DMZ (US border)
What you speak of is one of my more recent acquisitions
Too bad they don't make them any more.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
BCRider, years ago I had an older model Super Blackhawk. The trigger guard was a different configuration and the cylinder wasn't fluted but was the older Super Blackhawk frame different in size compared to the Blackhawk frame? Any frame size difference compared to the latest model 44 Blackhawk of any other Blackhawk? I have a few, the older model Vaquero in 45LC, SS Blackhawk convertable 45LC/45ACP and an old 'Flattop' model Blackhawk in 44 Mag. Looking at them fairly closely, the frame size appears to be the same.
Halger280HVMag
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- B.C. XMU Local .454
Sorry, I should have been more specific.The old Vaquero is quite strong. The New Vaquero, while still a strong gun, is not as sturdy as the older gun.
I just looked at my old Speer #9 handbook. Same era as the revolver.
The special part of the handgun section in the handbook, states that the loads are safe for the Ruger Blackhawk, and Thompson Center Contender ONLY.
Even though the Super Blackhawk does have a heavier frame, these hotter loads are still safe in the Blackhawks.
I suppose that a brave soul might want to push the Super Blackhawk, just a little bit more.
But that would not be me.
I'm old. To me, an accurate gun that I can shoot for a long time. Holds way more interest, than a gun that bucks like a wild thang, and bellers like a howitzer.
The paper target can't tell, and the tin can does not jump much higher.
2 cents Eh!
There is quite a bit of difference between the BH .45 and the SBH .44Mag., when it comes to cylinder wall thickness, and that's why they shouldn't be loaded to the same pressure levels. For that, one would be best with an aftermarket 5 shot cylinder.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
True, but comparing the BH wall thickness of a 45 to that of a 44 isn't that a little like comparing apples and oranges? Go to a 357 BH or further to a 30 M1 carbine BH cylinder and the cylinder wall thickness is even greater yet. Loaded to safe established levels for 'specific' firearms and there shouldn't be problems. Explains the hotter loads listed for some makes and models.
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