Ruger Old Army conversion
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robhof
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I load a 250gr cast bullet and either Bullseye or Unique at the starting loads for 45 Colt. This is the same loadings I load for my sons Blackhawk and they are very accurate and relatively mild recoil. Most powder companies post load recommendations on their websites and the most current data is usually the safest to use. Avoid any loadings that specify Ruger only as these are for the Blackhawk only and approach magnum power, exceeding the safe limits of the ROA.
I have an R&D conversion cylinder that I use in one of my ROAs. I load .45 Colt using 0.452 sized bullets in weights of 150, 200, and 250 grains. These bullets are all of the BigLube family that have the large groove suitable to hold BP lube. I generally start anywhere from lower loads on up to 40 grains of Goex FFFg. It just depends on how much smoke-n-boom you want.
In addition I load .45 Colt smokeless loads with Unique and a standard 250 grain lead RNFP also sized to 0.452 with smokeless lube. I can't recall off hand how many grains of Unique I use for the ROA. You'd want to start with a load that gives you about 800 fps or so.
In addition I load .45 Colt smokeless loads with Unique and a standard 250 grain lead RNFP also sized to 0.452 with smokeless lube. I can't recall off hand how many grains of Unique I use for the ROA. You'd want to start with a load that gives you about 800 fps or so.
hongrn
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Sorry equalizer, didn't intend to hijack your thread.
Clembert, I saw 2 used ROAs at my local gunshop, one marked .45 and the other .44. Is that correct, or is that a misprint? I thought it only came in .44. Thanks.
Hong
Clembert, I saw 2 used ROAs at my local gunshop, one marked .45 and the other .44. Is that correct, or is that a misprint? I thought it only came in .44. Thanks.
Hong
dogrunner
Member
Did a conversion cylinder install for a buddy several months past. He finally got around to trying it out last Fri......thing shot surprisingly well, even tho the bore truly looks like a coal mine.
Externally, the gun is mint but the previous owner must have just put it up less even a minor internal wipe! Fact is it was so bad I really did not think it'd even stabilize a standard .45 lc bullet..............was I wrong! That gun shot tiny cloverleaf groups with both the Lee .45....255 gr. bullet sized to .452 and lubed with Javelina brand alox. It shot the Lyman SWC 250 even better. Anyway, it's truly good to see that something that neglected can be made to work.
I'd comment that the singular turn off relative to the Ruger design is that monkey puzzle of a loading lever assembly. Believe if the gun was mine I'd opt for one of the single piece cylinder rod inserts. Still, it's doggone hard to criticize such good results and I'm glad it worked out.
Forgot......load was 8.0 Unique.........standard LP primers, no filler in the case & all bullets seated at the normal crimp location..
Externally, the gun is mint but the previous owner must have just put it up less even a minor internal wipe! Fact is it was so bad I really did not think it'd even stabilize a standard .45 lc bullet..............was I wrong! That gun shot tiny cloverleaf groups with both the Lee .45....255 gr. bullet sized to .452 and lubed with Javelina brand alox. It shot the Lyman SWC 250 even better. Anyway, it's truly good to see that something that neglected can be made to work.
I'd comment that the singular turn off relative to the Ruger design is that monkey puzzle of a loading lever assembly. Believe if the gun was mine I'd opt for one of the single piece cylinder rod inserts. Still, it's doggone hard to criticize such good results and I'm glad it worked out.
Forgot......load was 8.0 Unique.........standard LP primers, no filler in the case & all bullets seated at the normal crimp location..
I checked and I see I'm using 8 grains of Unique with my standard 250 grain RNFP lead bullets. I should mention that you will want to use lead bullets and skip the jacketed bullets.
My Lyman's Reloading Manual has the following data for Unique:
Lyman 250 grain 0.452 RNFP #452664 bullet
6.3 gr (min load) 754 fps
8.2 gr (max load) 917 fps
So there you have it.
My Lyman's Reloading Manual has the following data for Unique:
Lyman 250 grain 0.452 RNFP #452664 bullet
6.3 gr (min load) 754 fps
8.2 gr (max load) 917 fps
So there you have it.
Erich
Member
I've just been using the regular .45 Colt loads that I run in other guns - I don't run "Ruger-Only" loads, but I don't wuss it down, either. I mean . . . it's a Ruger . . .
andrewstorm
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45 colt cowboy loads
37 grains pyrodex p 255 gr hornady cowboy 900 fps-7.5 gr bullseye 255 gr hornady .454 cowboy bullet 932 fps-any load under 1,000 fps with a 250 gr lead bullet is considered cowboy,(see john taffin 45 colt loads)for more info,or if you use black powder,as much as you can fit under the bullet with mild compression and a heavy crimp.if using smokeless powder reduce published loads by one grain for cowboy load only revolvers also only rely on a printed in hand reloaders guide published by the propellent manufacturer-alliant powder lists 230 gr lfp over 6 gr bullseye at 815 fps cowboy -or 8.5 gr unique over the same bullet at 850 fps mv
37 grains pyrodex p 255 gr hornady cowboy 900 fps-7.5 gr bullseye 255 gr hornady .454 cowboy bullet 932 fps-any load under 1,000 fps with a 250 gr lead bullet is considered cowboy,(see john taffin 45 colt loads)for more info,or if you use black powder,as much as you can fit under the bullet with mild compression and a heavy crimp.if using smokeless powder reduce published loads by one grain for cowboy load only revolvers also only rely on a printed in hand reloaders guide published by the propellent manufacturer-alliant powder lists 230 gr lfp over 6 gr bullseye at 815 fps cowboy -or 8.5 gr unique over the same bullet at 850 fps mv
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