Accuracy of Ruger Blackhawk convertible in 45 acp?

[Ed Ames]

Reloading with a single stage press is really quite easy/quick when you get down to it, but don't dismiss the Lee Progressive 1000, especially if you just want to load one cartridge. I'm not saying it is ideal, but once you get over the fact that it ain't a Dillon it does a good job. Mine paid for itself years ago. At under $180 complete with dies (now - I bought back when dollars were worth more) it doesn't take long to break even with current prices on .45C ammo.

 

[greenmtnguy]

I still do all my loading on a single stage RCBS - I enjoy spending the quiet time doing it and I don't have to worry about keeping track of multiple things going on when I pull the lever.
If you're only shooting a box or two per month like I do, I think it is perfectly OK.

These days, the hard part is getting the powder you want, though.

 

[huntsman]

So what constitutes a tight throat? I checked mine and got .450" on both cylinders.

 

[sandmatt]

Both of the cylinders in my Flattop stainless were .450, they just got both back from Cylinderhone.net honed to .452 and it made a huge difference in accuracy.

 

[Airman Basic]

So what constitutes a tight throat? I checked mine and got .450" on both cylinders.

IME, if you can push your preferred projectile through the throat with finger pressure, you're in good shape. In my case, a .452 sized cast boolit.

 

[Airman Basic]

Both of my cylinders in my Flattop stainless were .450, they just got both back from Cylinderhone.net honed to .452 and it made a huge difference in accuracy.

Mine are on the way back from the same place. We're going to work that guy to death.

 

[chiltech500]

Fellas,

What does he charge?

Thanks

 

[Airman Basic]

Fellas,

What does he charge?

Thanks

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cylinderhonenet/756429174391912
should get you there.

 

[sandmatt]

$30 per cylinder plus $10 to ship back, quick turnaround.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

So what constitutes a tight throat? I checked mine and got .450" on both cylinders.

First, slug your barrel (push a soft slug of lead through it and measure it.) The general rule is, a revolver should get smaller as you go forward. For example, a .452 bullet, a .4515 throat and a .451 bore would be ideal. A .450 throat will probably not shoot accurately with a .451 bore, and the throats should be opened up a bit.

 

[Jaymo]

I bought the convertible BH because I can shoot ACP for cheap plinking and Ruger Only Colt ammo for deer/hogs.
I can also shoot .45 Super in the ACP chamber, IIRC.
Versatile gun.

I reload, and have a lot more ACP brass than Colt brass. Colt brass and ammo have been really hard for me to source without feeling like I just got violated.

I reload with an RCBS Partner single stage, a Lee Classic Cast O frame single stage, and a Lee Classic Cast Turret press.
The turret is quickly becoming my favorite.
Especially with the Auto-Disk powder measure. It makes less than max loads quick, easy, and inexpensive.
I can get one for each caliber I load, and keep one installed on each turret.
I believe in having a turret for each set of dies I own.
Makes changing calibers a snap.

I need to slug my bore and my chambers on the BH, and on my EAA BBBH .45.

 

[[email protected]]

.45 lc/acp

"I don't think you can get the full accuracy with acp in a revolver. Jump to the forcing cone is not as good. There is also a reason revolvers have mostly been replaced in Bullseye competition. Shooting them accurately is a different skill set."

Hey Guys, this was my thinking as well. I know we all stray from the topic sometimes, but might some be willing to expand on this idea.

I've thought for years that's why some/many of the .22 LR/Mag convertible weapons aren't as accurate as many auto loaders.
I've been thinking about getting one of each a .22 and a .45 convertible SA.
For example when reloading one needs to measure OAL to eliminate excessive bullet jump. Or is this only most critical with long guns

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The problem with the .22LR/.22 WMR dual cylinder arrangement is that the .22 LR is .223 and the .22 WMR is .224. Hence the .22 LR bullet isn't a good fit in a .224 barrel.

I don't know of any accuracy problems with .45 ACP in a revolver.

 

[rcmodel]

I don't think you can get the full accuracy with acp in a revolver. Jump to the forcing cone is not as good

There is no 'jump to the forcing cone.'

A 45 ACP cylinder has bullet diameter chamber throats in front of the chambers, just like any other modern revolver caliber.

So, as the bullet exits the case, it is perfectly aligned in the chamber throat before it ever gets to the cylinder gap and forcing cone.

Same as any other caliber revolver.

It doesn't just go rattling through a straight bored through, .021" over-size hole.

rc

 

[Sprouticus]

I just was reading through the latest issue of GUNS magazine, they had a review of a Ruger Redhawk in 45 Colt/45ACP.

The jist of the review was the author had great accuracy with 45 Colt loads (factory and hand-loads) But with 45 ACP the groups size was very dependent of the type of factory ammo he used.

Here is a link to the digital version, just click on the link for viewing the April 2016 digital copy.
Go to pages 56-59.
https://gunsmagazine.com/digital-version/

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Originally by Sprouticus
I just was reading through the latest issue of GUNS magazine, they had a review of a Ruger Redhawk in 45 Colt/45ACP.

Different kettle of fish. We're talking about dual cylinder single action revolvers, not a double action revolver with only ONE cylinder and hybrid chambers.

 

[[email protected]]

Yes Sir, I read that after further research. And that goes along with a line of thought that I had, most guns would be more Accurate with one round over the other and probably more than one reason.
From what I've been reading, the .45 acp/LC doesn't suffer that malady. Any thoughts?

 

[[email protected]]

Tried to go to that link with not good results. Is it possible that you can give a synopsis or copy and paste the article here or send it to me directly? [email protected]. tanks.

 

[[email protected]]

That's exactly why I was thinking about a convertible in that cal. Hot loads in LC for a hog or two, and ACP surplus for making noise and less recoil in a defensive situation.

 

[[email protected]]

Hey guys, tanks for the additional info. No one has mentioned gas check bullets for hot loaded LC reloading. Would that be a different thread totally? Anyone using gas checks in .45 LC? Any benifits in accuracy?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Generally speaking, gas checks always help, but as Mike Venturino says, they don't help enough in most handguns to be worth the effort. I have a mould that throws a Keith-type bullet, and I had it modified to produce a hollow base bullet. That more than anything else seems to produce fine accuracy in the .45 Colt.

 

[CraigC]

...but as Mike Venturino says, they don't help enough in most handguns to be worth the effort.

Mike is also not known for using barn burner loads.

 

[Merle1]

Never saw the attraction of having a .45 ACP cylinder for a .45 Colt revolver. Simply no problem downloading the .45 Colt case to produce .45 ACP level loads.

Don

You're forgetting that not everybody reloads.

 

[kBob]

Merle,

Call me nobody......nobody is my name..... (tee-hee)

Vern has it right as usual (I will not argue the few thousands of an inch on the two cartridges we recently bumped heads on any more)

The prevertable BH .45 seems to shoot as accurately with either cylinder.

That was not my experience with the 9x19/.357 but that was no surprise either and both were "Good enough"

Vern, that sounds like and interesting bullet mold.

-kBob

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Vern, that sounds like and interesting bullet mold.

It shoots accurately in both my Ruger Blackhawk and my 1906 Colt New Service -- it is, however a light bullet. The original mould was for a 250 grain bullet, and the hollow base drops the weight to 225 grains.