45 colt pressures with universal and unique?

[Trikerider]

What are the pressure levels for the medium frame vs large frame blackhawks? I see 14,000, 20,000 and upwards of 25,000 for the large frame. Where is the limit for the medium frame, 14,000 or 20,000? The older revolvers have 14,000 and newer ones have 20,000 limit? I have a new Lipseys flattop, good for 20,000? Not that I plan to shoot it there much. What weight of unique or universal will get to those pressures? 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, anyone have idea? Lyman 49th gives 6.0-8.5 with unique, but no pressure level. Says 8.5 is max, but I "assume" that is 14,000? I see guys shooting 9.0 in medium frame, that still under 20,000? Sorry for my ignorance, but fairly new to the Ruger Blackhawks. thx trikerider

 

[USSR]

Trikerider,

FWIW, since your revolver is good for .45 ACP+P ammo which has a 23K psi rating, I would limit yourself to that. That's what I do with my S&W 25-5, and there are some awesome loads available to you. I use 9.0gr Unique loads with a 265gr SWCHP bullet all the time. Other good loads that keep you under 23k psi for 255gr - 270gr SWC's are: 8.0gr W231/HP38 (mild), 13.0gr of HS-6 and 18.0gr of 2400. I don't use Universal, so can't help you there. Good luck.

Don

 

[boommer]

hodgdon powders has loads for black hawk in the 30.000 cup range. Unique 9grs with 255gr cast bullet is a mild load for a black hawk in 45 LC. I load 27.5 grs of H110 with 240gr JHP Sierra and that's a 30.000 cup load.

The Black hawk is chambered in 44 mag the pressures are up 35.000 cup. The black hawk is a mag framed revolver. The problem is with 45 Lc there is so many variables in frame and cylinder strength the load data is all over place. Black hawk in 45 LC is a bigger bore 44 mag.

 

[USSR]

boommer,

This Blackhawk is different from the one you are referring to. This Blackhawk is built using a smaller .357 frame, and would not be suitable for the loads you suggested.

Don

 

[zxcvbob]

I would be comfortable loading any Ruger .45 Colt to about 16000 psi regardless of the frame or cylinder size. That's the European standard (CIP) for the cartridge. Actually, I would load that for any well-made postwar gun. For a Ruger I'd probably go a little higher but you need to decide that for yourself.

I load my large-frame Ruger to about 25000.

 

[BossHogg]

The older revolvers have 14,000 and newer ones have 20,000 limit?

I think you have that backwards. The older models were built on the large frame with newer models built on the medium frame. I think you should be OK with 7.5 to 8.5 Universal clays. I would stay away from any over 9 gr.in the medium frame.

 

[Trikerider]

BossHogg, by the older ones I meant ones like the original Colts that can't take very hot loads, 14000 range. My Lipsey is mediun frame, the 357 frame, which I thought could go to 20,000 or close to it. I also have a large frame Blackhawk if I want to shoot the hotter loads, over 20,000. thx trikerider

 

[BossHogg]

SAAMI pressures for STANDARD .45 Colt is 14,000 PSI MAXIMUM, but
for Ruger Blackhawk and T/C, levels in the 20,000 to 25,000 range are
considered more the norm. Make sure your gun can handle it before
you use any of these loads listed below with STARS (*).
Note that the "Ruger New Vaquero" uses a smaller frame and cylinder
like original Colts. Treat it like one.

Hard to keep everything sorted out with Rugers.

 

[Hammerdown77]

I would consider 25k psi MAX in the flat top Ruger 45s. Those are mid frame, mid cylinder guns. As already mentioned, they are rated for 45 ACP +P, which is 23k, so they'll safely do that all day long.

The large frame 45 Blackhawks (the ones without the flat top, and the bigger cylinders), are 30-32k psi guns. Those, and the large frame original Vaquero, are the only ones in which reloading manuals' "Ruger and T/C Only" loads will be safe.

Standard SAAMI 45 Colt is for the old 1st Gen Colts that were made for the lower pressures of blackpowder. Even the modern replicas can take more than the 14k limit, as many of them have been chambered for 45 ACP +P in the convertible models.

 

[boommer]

The diff in new model and super new model is the super has steel back strap grip and chouse of fluted or not cylinder and new model has aluminum back strap grip.