Can the ruger old army with a 45 colt conversion cylinder shoot/handle a standard 45 colt smokeless powder load.Something a 255 lead with 8gr of 231? OR must you use black powder only?
In a conversion cylinder in the old army, any SAAMI standard load is fine. I won't go there with the "ruger only" loads, though, not because of the frame, but because of I would worry about the cylinder's strength.
I never bought a conversion cylinder for my ROA. I have a .45 Blackhawk that works fine. I do LOVE shooting cap and ball with that ROA, though. Triple 7 is my favorite substitute.
I shoot SAAMI spec ammo in the conversion cylinder and have had no issues. I have no doubt on the strength of the frame, but the cylinder is an unknown quantity above the low powered factory standard.
The great news is that a factory load is a pretty good performer, its lack of velocity is made up for by the weight of the bullet.
I 2nd the power of the 45 cowboy and they're a lot easier on the wrist and hand for long shooting sessions. Loaded up some Ruger/Contender only loads for my son's BH, gave him 100 rounds, he's still got about 80 of them and that was 2 years ago. Send him 300 to 400 cowboy rounds yearly and he sends me the empties in a short time.
The R&D conversion cylinder is proofed with standard SAAMI proof loads and in and of itself is safe with any factory 45 Colt load. The Ruger Old Army frame has ample strength so I routinely shoot any factory load in it. Other makes of cap & ball revolver are not so strong, so if I had a conversion cylinder for one I would hold it down to cowboy load level.
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