45 cal convertable

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crooked stripe

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Acquired a Ruger New Model Blackhawk and am quite interested in not just shooting both cartridges but the capability in loading the 45 acp on the low side so I can fire many rounds and not having to suffer from stoved wrist on a daily basis. Would someone like to suggest a round that would fill my request? I can wing it but would like a starting point that is safe not only for me and the revolver. (2) From what I have read high power loads are safe in this pistol (45 colt). I was thinking of a deer round. The revolver has a 6" barrel and came drilled and tapped for a scope. By the looks of the revolver I don't think there has been more than 25 rounds fired through it. Hope this pistol fills my dreams. Lots of opinions would be appreciated, good or bad, don't be shy I can take it. John
 
The risk of going too low is getting a bullet stuck in the barrel.

Minimum published loads should be fine in that regards but some starting loads get pretty light. With the barrel cylinder gap of a revolver, it could lower pressures a little bit versus the same round in a semi-auto.
 
I would start with min loads for the acp. Unique-5.0-670 fps-7700 cup
colt. Unique-8.6-918 fps-8700 cup
I have loaded the colt load and it was very mild so I expect a very weak load in the acp. I will take special precautions with the acp. I am looking int CB action shooting since there is a club not far that sponsors a shoot out just for fun. I guess the acp shells was just a wild idea of mine to keep me shooting a load I love for less money. Haven't talked to the folks at the CB action club yet I just wanted to go prepared to shoot if possible. This event is only held a few times a year. I am hoping some cb action shooters here will through in there 2 cents. Please give me your opinions good or bad. I do come up with some crazy ideas most of the times.
 
I have a 7.5in blackhawk conv. As a reloader i don't place any value in the acp cylinder. 45 colt can be loaded with light clays loads up to hot 2400 loads. Only limit is the number of cases I have laying around. As far as loads, I just go by the book.
 
No standard pressure .45 ACP load in a Ruger Blackhawk ever hurt anyones wrest.

Put your fears to rest by trying it.

rc
 
I have around 250 45 colt cases and you all know how expensive things are getting. I have some friends I can count on buying me a few rounds of 45 colt for Xmas. I am going to let them add up. As far as 45 acp I probably have a couple thousand. Most of the guys at the club just leave them lay sooooo I pick them up. Seems like an endless supply. I may as well put them to use. A good outing at the range I might go through 5-6 hundred rounds. You know how it is, everyone wants to shoot the 45 acp out of a revolver. That is the fun of it, everyone wants to share. I some day will be able to afford a 45 acp of some sort but the times just not right now.
 
I own three types of Ruger revolver that use auto-loading brass. A couple in 45LC/ACP, A couple of 357/38/9MM, and a pair of 30 Carbine. The cylinders work as designed and I got them as a way to shoot a different/duplicate caliber that expanded my options should ammo become scarce for any reason. That said I also reload and can load my rounds down to just pop out of the barrel if I want to (435 fps). With the auto-loading cylinders the biggest advantage is the lower price of ready made ammo and the availability of it also. The only problem that I have run into is after a couple or so cylinders full you begin to have a hard time inserting the rounds. After a thorough investigation I find that the carbon buildup at the case mouth area will interfere with inserting the round fully. Take the cylinder out and swipe a correctly sized cleaning brush around a couple times and you are good to go again for a while. This is why I put my spare cylinders aside for the time being. You may get better results but doubtful.:)

Per your origional request I load 2.8 to 3.0 grains of Trail Boss with 230 grain LRN Missouri Bullet. Also 3.8 to 4.0 grains 700X with the same bullet for good light target loads. I have experimented with Blue Dot some but results have been unpredictable so I will not post the amount here.
 
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JL to each their own. I have arthritis problems in my hands so anything to lighten up the recoil I go for. Either that or sit and watch. You choose! I have experienced the crud build up in my Single 10 so I put a cleaning brush in my cordless drill and a couple revs and it's gone. I suppose that is not according to Hoil but with the hands it works well. Just don't grind the cr*&% out of it. I think I will like the 45 combo. Never thought about the ammo availability.
 
Acquired a Ruger New Model Blackhawk and am quite interested in not just shooting both cartridges but the capability in loading the 45 acp on the low side so I can fire many rounds and not having to suffer from stoved wrist on a daily basis.
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You can do this with the larger .45 Colt round if you handload. Trail Boss is your friend. 5.5 grains and a 230 grain bullet is a cupcake round that's a hoot to play with. My 110 pound wife shoots them like crazy with no issues.
If you don't handload, you'll get more use out of the acp cylinder, as the standard loads will be easily manageable.
 
I shot 6 grains of Unique in mine (.45 ACP cylinder) for years. In such a heavy gun (7 1/2" barrel) it was fun and very pleasant on the wrist. Mine was stolen from me years ago, by someone I thought I could trust, (a nephew) and sold for drug money. He straightened out so if that's what it took, I'm fine with it. I still miss the gun....a lot.:)
 
I was introduced to hand loading when I purchased my 686. There are times I enjoy loading more than shooting. Just relaxing and you are creating bullets that do what you want. More than a lot of people will understand. Between the 45 colt, 38-357 and 32 H&R mag. I keep busy with Trail Boss. I can now add 45 acp if real careful not to stick a bullet. Been there, done that in a 38 sp with 231.. Scared the heck out of me. Good thing I looked after a pop instead of a bang. Now no more rapid fire. Thanks a ton to the folks here, I learn everyday. Learning is more precious the older you get! Great bunch of people here. John
 
I bought a convertible flattop Blackhawk a while ago with the intent of using the 45 acp cylinder in the same way. It's still in the box, I've never use it. Low end 45 Colt rounds are really soft. I normally don't load soft but when I have my favorite was 6.5gr of N320 with a 250gr LRNFP. 741 from my 4 5/8 gun, accurate and clean. If you want a deer round I'd kick it up a notch and aim for 900 fps. 8.3gr of Unique with a 250gr LRNFP gets me 885. 9.0gr with a Sierra 240gr JHC gets me about the same, just under 900.
 
If you are looking for 45 colt brass, Missouri Bullet sells it cheaper than midway, I think they are at 21/ per hundred right now, and thier shipping charges are gonna be way less than midway.
 
crooked stripe said:
JL to each their own. I have arthritis problems in my hands so anything to lighten up the recoil I go for. Either that or sit and watch. You choose! I have experienced the crud build up in my Single 10 so I put a cleaning brush in my cordless drill and a couple revs and it's gone. I suppose that is not according to Hoil but with the hands it works well. Just don't grind the cr*&% out of it. I think I will like the 45 combo. Never thought about the ammo availability.
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So do I. That's why I suggested re-installing the plow handles. It puts the recoil closer to your hand, and reduces what you perceive. The further away from your grip, the more leverage it will impart.

But anyway.. personal preference is yours, as is the revolver.

OK. Reloading.
As has been suggested, Trail Boss would be an excellent choice. VV Tin Star might not be bad either, but Trail Boss is going to be more readily available.

You might even want to invest in a few hundred rounds of Auto Rim brass as well. It's going to last you darn near forever at .45 ACP pressure levels, and you don't have to worry about removing the cylinder to extract brass in a full-moon or half-moon clip. Just flip open the loading gate and pop it out with the ejector rod.
 
Crooked Stripe

My dad had problem's with the magnum handgun's so he tried a pair of padded glove's with the finger's out of them. I believe they are used in gym's as I used to use them when lifting weight's. Really helped my Dad.
 
If oversized rubber grips really softened recoil, everybody would use them. They don't and so the custom grip industry proliferates.
 
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