45LC Ruger only, 44Mag questions.

[PapaGeno21]

Alright so I am trying to figure out what to do here. More so, just need an opinion from people who have shot either one or both.

I have me a Ruger Blackhawk Convertible, 5.5" barrel. It is the 45ACP/45LC model. I really like it. I put on some hogue grips and have been shooting 45ACP through it. I developed a 45acp load that both this gun and my Kimber shoot well with.

However, I want to venture into the side of 45LC. Only for the bang factor. I bought 100 pieces of new starline brass. I will be ordering the rest of the stuff I need to load this caliber shortly. What I want to know is....

Coming out of a 5.5" Blackhawk how will this load feel recoil wise?

250g Hornady XTP - H110 - 25.7-26.5g is the min and max. 1400-1455FPS ish

Now a 44Mag full house load using a 240g bullet is going to be using 23-24g of H110 and moving the 240 at 1400-1430FPS.

Is the 45LC Ruger only load going to have more recoil if they were both 5.5" Blackhawks?


On another note, does anyone here use 230g RN .452 bullets for 45LC? I figure with a light 45ACP taper crimp using a nice soft load that would be a good 45lc plinker?

Also, do I NEED to use Magnum primers? Or will some CCI 300's do the trick? I know I need a firm crimp, as with my 357 I use Mag primers and a firm crimp. BUt for the Ruger only loads, they don't specify mag primers or not.


Sorry if I am all over the place with this post.

Thanks!

 

[JoeDaddy]

One tip I could give you is to try a different powder for the 45 LC. Consider 2400 for your loads as it could be downloaded safely, within reason, unlike the H110. If recoil is a consideration then start at regular 45 colt loads, then venture north as your comfort and needs allow. If all else fails you could use it with your 357 mag. as a fantastic powder.

If you use 2400 you will not need mag primers. Almost all recipes list H110 with mag primers, so yes, you do need them for that powder.

Also be certain that your pistol is capable of handling the "Ruger Only" loads as not all convertibles are.

 

[PapaGeno21]

My convertible is not a "Flat top" so yes mine is able to do them. Thank you for that pointer though, as not everyone knows there are differences. I actually had money down on a flat top and did not know they can't handle it. Had to swap my deposit over to what I have now.

I already own H110 as I use it for my 357's. So I will be sticking with that. Not really too too concerned about recoil, just wondering what you guys think of it.

Thanks!

 

[USSR]

Consider 2400 for your loads as it could be downloaded safely, within reason, unlike the H110.

+1.

...does anyone here use 230g RN .452 bullets for 45LC?

The .45 Colt cries out for 255 - 270gr SWC bullets. These bullets with 18.0 - 18.5gr of 2400 powder will put you at 1000 - 1100fps, and are suitable medicine for all but the big bears.

Don

 

[rcmodel]

Is the 45LC Ruger only load going to have more recoil if they were both 5.5" Blackhawks?

Most likely yes.

The bullet weights and velocities are very similiar.

But the Ruger .45 Colt has bigger holes in the cylinder & barrel & less steel left, so it weighs less.

It will kick harder.

rc

 

[JoeDaddy]

I've been pondering your post PapaGeno and came up with the idea that you probably already have a powder that you use for plinking loads for your 357 mag. There are lots of mid-range powders that you could use in the 45 Colt that would make nice "standard" loads. Try one of these first, get a feel of how much kick they have, then decide if you want to go full house or not with the H110.

I have a 44 mag and use 2400 for the heavy stuff, but use power pistol for everyday plinking. My usual range session includes about 10-25 full mag loads and 50+ or so 44 special equivalents.

As to recoil, I'm guessing that the full house load will kick about 3x what the 45 ACP load does. You will notice a difference but it's kinda fun holding a dragon by it's tail!

 

[JoeDaddy]

Just ran the numbers through this calculator and it looks like about 4x the felt recoil of the 45 ACP, assuming I got the numbers right. Try it with your numbers and see what you get.

 

[Master Blaster]

Like somone hit your hand with a hammer, it will also remove any unwanted nose hair, and give you a slight headache after five rounds especially if fired indoors. 20 rounds and you nose and ears will start to bleed, and all the other shooters on either side of you at the club will pack up and leave.

In other words it will be GREAT FUN!!!!

 

[PapaG]

I shoot a lot of 45 colt and 44 mag loads, in Rugers, mainly. My go to powder is 2400 for the stronger loads and unique for the middle of the road. I load Keith bullets only in the 255 grain range. Lyman 429421 for the 44 and rcbs 45-255kt and rcbs 45-270 in the 45. I won't put down the charge weights but they are below the "Ruger only" loads. There is recoil, somewhat sharper with the 45 Blackhawks, but my chrono numbers with both show ft-lb figures almost identical. The bh is lighter than the sbh due to the aluminum grip frame. Both will shoot through the shoulders of a deer.

 

[FROGO207]

As to the 45 230 grain RN bullets I do use them in my Rugers as the barrel is designed for that size bullet. It will shoot fine but POI will be different than the 250s. I usually load about in the middle between the Ruger only and standard 45 LC loads for my revolvers to keep the range day a bit calm. I agree on using the 2400 as opposed to the H110. I would get some as it will be a lot more versatile for what you are trying to do.

 

[PapaGeno21]

I've been pondering your post PapaGeno and came up with the idea that you probably already have a powder that you use for plinking loads for your 357 mag. There are lots of mid-range powders that you could use in the 45 Colt that would make nice "standard" loads. Try one of these first, get a feel of how much kick they have, then decide if you want to go full house or not with the H110.

I have a 44 mag and use 2400 for the heavy stuff, but use power pistol for everyday plinking. My usual range session includes about 10-25 full mag loads and 50+ or so 44 special equivalents.

You are right. I do use W231 for just about everything. Been reading that it is a great powder for the 45LC for just plinking loads.. Then I could run some H110 which I have on hand as well and run the full house loads with that. I use the 231 to make 9mm, 38 special, and 45ACP. So it is by far my favorite powder. Extremely versatile.

 

[ljnowell]

I have sang the praises of 2400 in 45 colt to anyone that will listen for a long time. It is a fantastic choice in ruger only 45 colt loads. It can really make some thumpers too.

 

[Seedtick]

I have sang the praises of 2400 in 45 colt to anyone that will listen for a long time. It is a fantastic choice in ruger only 45 colt loads. It can really make some thumpers too.

I'm in complete agreement with Mr. Nowell.

Your H110 will work fine. It's just a bit to, ah, let me see.........
...obnoxious, yeah that's it, it's a bit to obnoxious for my taste.

Seedtick

 

[PapaGeno21]

Is there really that big of a difference from the H110 to the 2400?

 

[zxcvbob]

I use 255 grain SWC's with Herco to push them about 1300 fps (7.5 inch Ruger Bisley.) That's a powerful enough load that the fun wears off really quick shooting it. (maybe because the gun has checkered grips, or maybe I'm just a wuss) Dropping back to about 1100 fps is much more enjoyable, and it will still get your attention. It only takes half as much Herco as 296 or H110.

If you insist on using the H110, you need to use a strong crimp and magnum (or Winchester) primers. Unlike other powders, start at whatever the book says is a max load and work backwards in small increments, and do not reduce below 95% of the maximum. 97% would be safer.

 

[PapaGeno21]

Yeah, I have experience with the H110. Strange things happen below the min listed start load.

I am going to have to get me a box of LP Mag Primers. That is something I do not have on hand.

 

[D Rudd]

PapaGeno21
Them CCI 500 primers you asked about ain't going to work in .45Colt as they are small pistol primers.

I use a lot of H110 on .45Colt always use CCI 350 and use Winchester WLP for all other powders. A little more spark for the colder winters here in Wyoming. I'm sure the WLP primer will light off H110 in Rhode Island.

The recoil will about the same using comparable gun and bullet wight between the .45 and .44.

I don't use anything less than 255 grain or more than 335 grain for my .45's and always roll crimp.

Twelve .45Colt Ruger Blackhawks and Vaquero's and a Marlin 1894 plus a Winchester 94.

Great round.

A good medium load is the RCBS-270SAA with 13.0 gr of HS-6.

I use 26.0 grains of H110 for the XTP 250

Dana

 

[PapaGeno21]

I screwed up. I meant CCI 300. For some reason I always have those backwards in my head.

 

[USSR]

A good medium load is the RCBS-270SAA with 13.0 gr of HS-6.

+1. Another is 18.0gr of 2400 with the same bullet.

Don

 

[squarles67]

26.3g of H110 under a 255g LSWC with a WLP primer gives me 1260 fps out of my Blackhawks 4 5/8" bbl. It has significant recoil and muzzle blast and is a hoot to shoot. (just not too many )

A good midrange load is 8g of Red Dot under the same 255g LSWC for 950fps. 8.3g of Titegroup is another that yields 997fps.

 

[GCW5]

My 2 main loads for the 45 Colt are real thumpers in a 5 1/2 Black Hawk.

21 gr of H4227, WLP's, under a 270 gr Keith bullet (Leadhead) 1200fps

24.5 gr of H4227, WLP's, under a 250 gr XTP. (1250 fps)

Always put a hard crimp, as they might come loose and keep you're cylender from turning.

Good Luck!

 

[Clark]

PapaGeno21
What I want to know is....
Coming out of a 5.5" Blackhawk how will this load feel recoil wise?
250g Hornady XTP - H110 - 25.7-26.5g is the min and max. 1400-1455FPS ish
Thanks!

I been shooting a Uberti 4.75" Cattleman load for 8 years: 24 gr H110 250 gr XTP. QL predicts 21.4kpsi chrono 1220 fps

That load kicks so hard in the 4.75" barrel Ruger Blackhawk that I have only fired it once in 2004.
The problem is the Blackhawk is sharp on the rear of the hammer and the rear of the frame.
I paid $300 for that revolver and only shot it once.
I should take it apart and break those sharp edges.

 

[PapaGeno21]

I ordered the dies and shell holder etc for my press. Will be setup to load this beast sometime next week. I will keep you all informed. I plan to pick up some magnum primers tomorrow morning as I don't have any on hand.

 

[kelbro]

So where did you read that you can shoot 'Ruger Only' loads in a Blackhawk convertible but not in a Flattop? Is there a frame or cylinder difference between the two?

 

[USSR]

21 gr of H4227, WLP's, under a 270 gr Keith bullet (Leadhead) 1200fps

Highly unlikely you're getting 1200fps with that load. I have shot 22gr of H4227 behind a 270gr SWC in my S&W 25-5, and it wasn't a particularly stiff load. See John Linebaugh's article below, where he states 24gr doesn't quite reach 1200fps.

Don

http://www.customsixguns.com/writings/dissolving_the_myth.htm