.45 Long Colt recoil. How bad is it?

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The original 7.5" SAA would just make 1,000 fps with 40gr bp under it's 250gr LRNFP bullet. Guns today must be made to the appropriate SAAMI spec, which is ~14 kpsi CUP for .45 Colt. For .45 ACP, it is nearly 22 kpsi CUP; .44 Magnum - and Ruger .45 Colt RH's, older BH's - approach 40 kpsi CUP. The latest variation of the BH in .45 Colt is downsized - and not up to the high pressure loads of the previous models. If you want that kind of power in .45 Colt, look for some older stock.

Today's Rugers, and the clones, are certainly capable of producing many hours of shooting fun - with from nearly zilch recoil up to slight recoil, depending on your loading. The .45 Schofield cases with 4.5gr Titegroup and a 250gr LRNFP atop would make 700 fps from my 4" 625MG. Sporting recoil-enhancing wood stocks, Ahrends square conversion finger-grooved cocobolo's, actually, they are an all day shooter load. Going up to 6.1gr in a .45 Colt case (same bullet) would break 850 fps with a SD of +/-16 fps - nice load - and still within SAAMI spec's. Of course, the heavier 5.5" Redhawk I have eats up the recoil, while my Bird's Head Grip 4.6" Vaquero just rolls in your hand. My wife replaced the 2" 10 I had for her home defense piece with that RH, because she likes shooting it more - 'pity the fool' who bothers her when I am not here.

I started reloading because of the .45 Colt cases I had amassed... it seemed like it would make shooting 'cheaper'. It doesn't - you just shoot a lot more! Seriously, it becomes a hobby in and of itself - and, yes, that will soon be you dumpster-diving at the range for brass and boxes. The best part is that you can make 'what you want'. Besides, try to find .45 Colt ammo on a Sunday afternoon...

Stainz
 
Congrats on your new toy. I find off the shelf .45 Colt to be baby poo poo in comparison to .357 and .44 Mag loads. Although as others have said, you can make them monster poo poo if you have a hankerin to do so. Cor Bon and Buffalo Bore offer some pretty heavy stuff. Do a search, Mr Camp did a write up of some new Cor Bon DPX that performs at 1200 FPS/720FTLBS. Not heavy but not your dads .45 Colt load either. ;)
 
Quoting:

The latest variation of the BH in .45 Colt is downsized - and not up to the high pressure loads of the previous models. If you want that kind of power in .45 Colt, look for some older stock.
Click to expand...

Not so!

Any Blackhawk that shipped as a 45LC since 1973 is on the large frame.

IF you were to convert the new 50th Anniversary 357 to 45LC, you'd have a small-framed Ruger 45LC. Something Ruger never made in a Blackhawk, but is now making in the "New Vaquero" in 45LC.

By using a barrel and cylinder in 45LC from a New Vaq, you could convert the 50th 357. Or use a custom barrel, ream the 357 cylinder up.

I would not recommend it.
 
You are correct re the BH. I miss-spoke... I meant the new down-sized Vaquero. In .45 Colt, it certainly isn't up to the capabilities of the original Vaquero's - or the 'New Model Blackhawks', which have been around for a while.

Odd thing about that BHG, it grows on you. Several years ago I converted a brand new 4.6" SBH to a BHG - that is a fun .44, from Russians to Magnums. I even bought a .32 H&RM earlier this year. The only one I don't currently have is in .357M - I sold it. It weighed more than the same size .45 Colt variant - and was boring as heck to shoot. Oddly, the pipsqueak .32M is more fun - probably the newness has worn off here for that cartridge. Still, it started for me with a .45 Colt in that BHG format. It is still a hoot to shoot.

Stainz
 
Right before my fall I was looking at trading my 1977 29-2 for a 1999 Birds-Head Grip 3½" .45 Vaquero Sheriff's Model with an extra ACP cylinder.
But it's long gone now. :(

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I know it's not as strong but I am really impressed with the Beretta Stampede Marshall. The grip is more like a Colt 1877 Double Action (aka The Thunderer).
It feels perfect in my hand and the balance is superb.

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The proportions of the grip actually makes the Beretta recoil seem less than the bigger heavier old model BHG Vaquero.
 
Sometimes Shooters Choice during my lunch hour, but on the weekends I drive up to Elgin. Close friend has about 140 acres we hunt/shoot & fish on. His Dads a little contankerous, but he's easy to get along with as long as you follow his rules.
 
You mean .45 LC has recoil? Thanks for the warning. I thought they must have been blanks when I tried them in my .460 S&W. Which goes to show that Issac Newton was right and a 64 ounce revolver soaks up all the .45 recoil before it even gets near your hand. 495gr .460 @ 1,300 fps will get halfway to your shoulder before it dissipates and leaves you tingly all over.

JL
 
I carry and shoot a Taurus 450, a shade over 17oz, two inch ported barrel and find it quite comfortable to shoot with 225gr Silvertips and only slightly less so with 260gr LSWC handloads (850-900 fps).
The 45 LC has long been my favorite HG round.
Good luck and enjoy!

Biker:)
 
My New New Vaquero

About a month ago I bought a brand spanking new New Vaquero in 45 colt with 7 1/2 inch barrel, stainless steel. Man, I love that gun. I have small arms and hands and I am completely out of shape and non-muscular. I am age 63 so not what I was at 40. However, I find the recoil not unpleasant at all and though I am a rank amateur with a handgun I am not doing badly at hitting somewhat close to the bull. I look forward to many years of shooting it. I am not a reloader so I have been looking around for reasonably priced 45 LC ammo. The price is shooting up on it rapidly. (For those who do not know, there is presently a greatly increased demand in the world for raw materials like brass and lead and copper.) In any event this Ruger Hog Leg is a really great gun IMHO. It is beautiful to look at, a joy to hold, and seems to be a natural pointer. MOE
 
[Curley voice on] Hey Moe! [Curley voice off]
Check out Georgia Arms. You can get 50 rds for $18.00 Not sure what shipping would add, but it's about the best price I've seen for Cowboy Loads. I now roll my own, so I'm not sure what I'm spending :D But I picked up the dies, powder and brass at the same show I bought my Ruger at. Now I'm looking at getting some Eagle Grips, Ultra Ivory Gunfighter Grips for mine. At $155 though, it is going to be a hard pill to swallow, but I too truly love this new design Ruger.
 
I have a Blackhawk 7.5" .45 Colt. I haven't shot any of the allegedly hot ammo in it yet, but overall the recoil and noise seems much less than my other one of the same model and size in .30M1
 
To Dacula Kid

I know I am being presumptuous but have you considedered the 7 1/2 inch barrel in the 45 LC? I just bought one, a stainless Ruger New Vaquero, and I am a rank amateur so my opinion ain't worth a lot but that long barrel helps keep the recoil in check and I really like how it shoots. As a trivial thing I think the grace and beauty, in short the aesthetics, of the 7 1/2 is much more attractive than the shorter barrels. But, of course, you have your reasons. So, the message here, to the original question, is think in terms of the dampening of the recoil with a longer barrel. Moe US Navy 1960-67 (Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club 1965)
 
When you get up to about 950 to 1000 fps with a 250 LRNFP or a 255 gr LSWC, the recoil of this 4 5/8 Blackhawk begins to to let you know it's there. Not really uncomfortable yet but it is right snappy.
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