45 Colt load info. needed

[madhatta]

Hello all
I recently got a Ruger Blackhawk, old model, 3-screw. My question concerns Corbon's 45 Colt 'magnum' loads. Corbon's website shows their 265gr. bullet @1350 fps, and a 300gr. bullet @ 1300 fps.
Would occasional use of these be ok in my old model Blackhawk.

Thanks in advance for the info!

 

[Jim March]

I'm not 100% sure so I'm not going to comment directly. Hopefully somebody will know for sure.

I will say that Buffallo Bore is working on a project to do a hunting load that will maximize what a Colt SAA, Italian non-break-top SAA/Remington clone or Taurus/S&W mid-size DA revolver can handle. Planned specs call for a 260 flat-nose hardcast moving at 1,000fps from a 4" tube. They think they can get there at modest pressures using the newest powders.

I think you should take a look at what Linebaugh has to say on the 45LC, here:

http://www.sixgunner.com/linebaugh - except it's DOWN, dangit! Sigh. Basically, he's been handloading that sort of thing for years for his "less than Ruger" guns and taking all sorts of critters, he makes a good case for these being about all you need in the lower 48, barring VERY unusual circumstances.

If you want to find Linebaugh's page, EMail the admins at http://www.sixgunner.com or enter a query in one of the forums, somebody should know what's up. John Linebaugh posted a TON of info on that page including load data.

I did find this:

http://www.sixgunner.com/FAQ/fav45.htm

 

[J Miller]

Old Model .45 Colt Blackhawks and New Model .45 Colt Blackhawks are equally strong. They share the same frame size, barrel size, cylinder size, and manufacturing methods. About the only difference is the action.
I have fired the Corbon 300gr JSP's in mine and other than more fire and noise, and more recoil I saw nothing to cause me concern.

 

[Jim March]

Cool. So...I guess the 357 Old Model Blackhawks must be on a smaller frame?

Sidenote: I found Linebaugh's page, good info (everything under "Gunnotes") for the 45LC/45LC+P:

http://www.sixgunner.com/linebaugh/Default.htm

 

[Cherokee]

Jim: Yes, the OM 357 is a smaller frame. I have two OM 45 Colts and they will take anything in the magnum range, but they are not a 454C. Many loading manuals have loads specifically for the Ruger guns. Enjoy.