CrackedBrass45
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Can I shoot the "ruger T/C only" loads with this firearm?
Reloading for ruger new model blackhawk 45 colt
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Sistema1927
Member
Yes.
Clippers
Member
As long as its not a Flattop, and it says New Model Blackhawk, you should be good to go.
CrackedBrass45
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Thank you
LivewireBlanco
Member
It's a blast! 
ShortFatHokie
Member
Load it hot, pull the trigger, and hold on! Most fun gun I have...mild to wild.
Bula
Member
One thing to note if hot rodding, make sure the grip frame screws are snugged down, I blue loctite mine. I find that the heavies are better suited to my SBH in 44 mag. That additional weight of the all steel gripframe makes a big difference in the sting. Have fun and be safe.
35 Whelen
Member
I'm not a timid person by any stretch when it comes to loading handgun cartridges, but to this question I would unhesitantly answer NO.
There are two articles available, with load data, on this very subject. One in Handloader #275 and the other in #283. I remember reading the article in #275 and as I recall the author limits loads for the NM Blackhawk 45 Colt to the 23,000 psi range, or roughly the same as the NM Vaquero in 45 Colt. I think I have #275 at my office and I'll try to find it tomorrow. Lest ye feel slighted, loads in this pressure range will still allow a 280-ish gr. cast SWC run to 1100+ fps and a 300+ gr. cast a little over 1000 fps.
Another source I highly recommend is a subscription to www.loaddata.com . It's only $29.95 a year and there's an unbelievably enormous amount of data there for every cartridge imaginable, even a plethora for the 45 Colt.
35W
ljnowell
Member
The non-flattop New Model Blackhawk can take the hotter loads, much hotter than the New Vaquero. I routinely load with data that's tested to 32kpsi.
GooseGestapo
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Ive got a New Model flat-top.
I think it would handle the loads fine, However, I don't think I wish to endure them.
Smith & Wesson level loads will do anything you need to do with a handgun.
I load the RCBS 270gr SAA bullet over 11.2gr of LongShot for 1,100fps. It has more momentum than a .44mag load and will penetrate a 400lb hog. BTDT.
No need for uber magnum loads.
If you need a .45/70, buy one. I did...
for routine shooting I use a Lee 255gr RFN over 8.2gr of Clays. Gets ~900fps and will completely penetrate a white-tail deer lengthwise... btdt too... And is very, very accurate.
I think it would handle the loads fine, However, I don't think I wish to endure them.
Smith & Wesson level loads will do anything you need to do with a handgun.
I load the RCBS 270gr SAA bullet over 11.2gr of LongShot for 1,100fps. It has more momentum than a .44mag load and will penetrate a 400lb hog. BTDT.
No need for uber magnum loads.
If you need a .45/70, buy one. I did...
for routine shooting I use a Lee 255gr RFN over 8.2gr of Clays. Gets ~900fps and will completely penetrate a white-tail deer lengthwise... btdt too... And is very, very accurate.
Arkansas Paul
Member
The NM Blackhawk will handle some pretty stiff loads.
I've loaded a 250 grain jacketed bullet on top of 26 grains of H110 with no ill effects. Well, not to the gun anyway. I was picking flakes of rubber from the pachmyer grips out of the heel of my hand, but the gun handled it just fine.
That load is WAY above SAMMI specs BTW and should never be used unless your gun is one of the stronger models that can handle it (Ruger/TC/Freedom Arms).
Most of my loads are well within SAMMI specs. I probably shoot more 8.5 grains of Unique/255 grain SWC loads than anything, but sometimes its fun to let the beast loose.
I've loaded a 250 grain jacketed bullet on top of 26 grains of H110 with no ill effects. Well, not to the gun anyway. I was picking flakes of rubber from the pachmyer grips out of the heel of my hand, but the gun handled it just fine.
That load is WAY above SAMMI specs BTW and should never be used unless your gun is one of the stronger models that can handle it (Ruger/TC/Freedom Arms).
Most of my loads are well within SAMMI specs. I probably shoot more 8.5 grains of Unique/255 grain SWC loads than anything, but sometimes its fun to let the beast loose.
CrackedBrass45
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Yikes... I haven't taken possession of the firearm yet. It is the convertible model 45LC/45ACP. Maybe I should start a new post in the proper forum regarding new model vs new model "flat top"
Any help is greatly appreciated
Any help is greatly appreciated
35 Whelen
Member
Please bear with me while I ramble and extrapolate....
I own a Ruger NM Flat Top Blackhawk (.44 Spec.) and a Ruger NM Vaquero (45 Colt) A few minutes ago it occurred to me that if those cylinders are of the same external dimensions and if they would interchange, it'd be fairly easy to figure out a reasonably safe pressure level for the 45 Colt NM Flat Top.
My calipers show the two cylinders to be exactly the same diameter, and FWIW the .44 Special cylinder dropped right in to the Vaquero frame and functioned perfectly. The 45 Colt cylinder wouldn't quite fit in the Blackhawk frame but this was due to it being .003" too long.
So, with that said, it's fairly common knowledge the .44 Special in a Flat Top Blackhawk can safely be loaded to 25,000 psi. So....
(Fact #1)Given the slightly thinner walls of the same diameter cylinder, one could conclude the 45 Colt would be best/safest at around 2,2000-23,000 psi.
(Fact #2)This particular model Blackhawk is available in a convertible model whose second cylinder is chambered in 45 ACP. Of course we know that said cartridge loaded to +P pressures runs in the 23,000 psi range. So it seem reasonable to assume the 45 Colt cylinder could be loaded to similar pressures.
(Fact #3) Probably the most convincing argument was put forth by Brian Pearce in Handloader #234 where the subject was safe pressures in Rugers NM Vaquero (which we now know uses the same size cylinder as the Flat Top Blackhawk). He said:
"This raises the question: What loads are safe in the New Vaquero? The weak link, so to speak, is the cutout for the locking bolt notches that leaves between .030 and .035 inch actual chamber wall thickness (which varied some from chamber to chamber). Considering the steels Ruger is currently using and with the above cylinder measurements, indications are that the gun is absolutely safe with loads that generate 22,000 to 24,000 psi. Certainly the gun will take even greater pressure than this, but with safety first priority, as well as longevity, I would advise against using loads that exceed that limit."
On the subject of 45 Colt loads, lately I've been working rabidly with my NM Vaquero 45 Colt. First having the cylinder throats reamed by the Cylindersmith, then installing the Bisley hammer, and fire-lapping it here at the house. Now I'm in search of a good day-to-day "working" load as well as a load for deer season next year. This evening just before dusk I loaded a dozen rounds consisting of 14.0 grs. of AA#7 under a 283 gr. cast SWCHP. It was too dusky for the chronograph, so I fired the last 5 rounds at one of my 50 yd. targets from a sitting position.
The cluster of four shots to the right were the last four consecutive shots. I was delighted, as they say. I've found that you don't "accidentally" get good groups at 50 yds. so I have no doubt this load is a keeper. I'll chronograph them in the morning, but I estimate they'll be running right around 1000 fps.
Hope some of this rambling helps....
35w
I own a Ruger NM Flat Top Blackhawk (.44 Spec.) and a Ruger NM Vaquero (45 Colt) A few minutes ago it occurred to me that if those cylinders are of the same external dimensions and if they would interchange, it'd be fairly easy to figure out a reasonably safe pressure level for the 45 Colt NM Flat Top.
My calipers show the two cylinders to be exactly the same diameter, and FWIW the .44 Special cylinder dropped right in to the Vaquero frame and functioned perfectly. The 45 Colt cylinder wouldn't quite fit in the Blackhawk frame but this was due to it being .003" too long.
So, with that said, it's fairly common knowledge the .44 Special in a Flat Top Blackhawk can safely be loaded to 25,000 psi. So....
(Fact #1)Given the slightly thinner walls of the same diameter cylinder, one could conclude the 45 Colt would be best/safest at around 2,2000-23,000 psi.
(Fact #2)This particular model Blackhawk is available in a convertible model whose second cylinder is chambered in 45 ACP. Of course we know that said cartridge loaded to +P pressures runs in the 23,000 psi range. So it seem reasonable to assume the 45 Colt cylinder could be loaded to similar pressures.
(Fact #3) Probably the most convincing argument was put forth by Brian Pearce in Handloader #234 where the subject was safe pressures in Rugers NM Vaquero (which we now know uses the same size cylinder as the Flat Top Blackhawk). He said:
"This raises the question: What loads are safe in the New Vaquero? The weak link, so to speak, is the cutout for the locking bolt notches that leaves between .030 and .035 inch actual chamber wall thickness (which varied some from chamber to chamber). Considering the steels Ruger is currently using and with the above cylinder measurements, indications are that the gun is absolutely safe with loads that generate 22,000 to 24,000 psi. Certainly the gun will take even greater pressure than this, but with safety first priority, as well as longevity, I would advise against using loads that exceed that limit."
On the subject of 45 Colt loads, lately I've been working rabidly with my NM Vaquero 45 Colt. First having the cylinder throats reamed by the Cylindersmith, then installing the Bisley hammer, and fire-lapping it here at the house. Now I'm in search of a good day-to-day "working" load as well as a load for deer season next year. This evening just before dusk I loaded a dozen rounds consisting of 14.0 grs. of AA#7 under a 283 gr. cast SWCHP. It was too dusky for the chronograph, so I fired the last 5 rounds at one of my 50 yd. targets from a sitting position.
The cluster of four shots to the right were the last four consecutive shots. I was delighted, as they say. I've found that you don't "accidentally" get good groups at 50 yds. so I have no doubt this load is a keeper. I'll chronograph them in the morning, but I estimate they'll be running right around 1000 fps.
Hope some of this rambling helps....
35w
Last edited:
35 Whelen
Member
SURELY, you mean Universal Clays and not Clays. 8.2 grs. of the latter would be roughly 50% over maximum.
35W
dagger dog
Member
Paul,
Do you find that the recoil twists your wrist my 4.60" Bishawk 45 Colt bucks up and the bottom of the grip twists to the shooters right ?
I stoked it hot for a while with 260-300 grain cast boolits, and 110, 296,2400, Lil'Gun and the likes and just about like everyone else have tamed it down to a reasonable compromise between sane and insane !
Do you find that the recoil twists your wrist my 4.60" Bishawk 45 Colt bucks up and the bottom of the grip twists to the shooters right ?
I stoked it hot for a while with 260-300 grain cast boolits, and 110, 296,2400, Lil'Gun and the likes and just about like everyone else have tamed it down to a reasonable compromise between sane and insane !
Arkansas Paul
Member
I haven't noticed that, but mine is the 7.5" model. My dad has a 5.5" Blackhawk that I've fired the same loads in as well.
Now, mind you I wasn't looking for it. I'll pay attention to it next time I'm at the range.
ljnowell likes to amp his Blackhawk up too. Maybe he'll chime in on that.
Now, mind you I wasn't looking for it. I'll pay attention to it next time I'm at the range.
ljnowell likes to amp his Blackhawk up too. Maybe he'll chime in on that.
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