Posted: 2/25/2015 6:33:19 PM EDT
| I just bought two new revolvers, a Ruger Blackhawk and a Colt SAA. I know the Ruger can handle heavy loads but what about the Colt? It's a current generation and new. |
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Quoted:
Regular 45 Colt loads using quality bullets coupled with you doing your part to get good hits will do just fine. Sounds good to me. I know the Ruger can handle hotter loads and has better sights but I want the satisfaction that will come by using the Colt. I'll remember the 9 grains of Unique, too. Thanks guys for the suggestions. |
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Sounds like you will be loading on two different levels . I might suggest early on you pick something to define the loads like putting heavy loads in nickel cases only.
Somewhere in this discussion somebody will talk about running a hotter load in the Colt with no problems and perhaps that was the case for them but it isn't just about blowing up the gun , it is about knocking it out of time and being hard on it while not leaving yourself much of a safety margin. The standard 45 Colt loads seem weak compared to the hot Blackhawk level loads but that load has taken lots of game over the years. I recommend standard loads in the Colt |
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Quoted:
Sounds like you will be loading on two different levels . I might suggest early on you pick something to define the loads like putting heavy loads in nickel cases only. Somewhere in this discussion somebody will talk about running a hotter load in the Colt with no problems and perhaps that was the case for them but it isn't just about blowing up the gun , it is about knocking it out of time and being hard on it while not leaving yourself much of a safety margin. The standard 45 Colt loads seem weak compared to the hot Blackhawk level loads but that load has taken lots of game over the years. I recommend standard loads in the Colt Good points for me to know. These are my first single actions. I'm more familiar with the Ruger than the Colt. |
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I agree, no spherical powder for the Colt. I also think that the Ruger only needs "tier two" loads for your use.
IMO, just because the Ruger can handle thermonuclear loads, there is no reason to use them for deer. If the load has enough power for the bullet to pass entirely through a deer from a quartering angle the load is perfect. A hotter load will only cause more blast and recoil, and cost more to load. Loading a case with 30 grains of H110 is counter productive unless you need to shoot something like a cape buffalo. Take a look at Linebaugh's pet loads at the bottom of this page. They are reasonable and have proven sufficient to kill anything Linebaugh FYI, Penn Bullets has a 255 grain SWC that I really like. It has an extra wide meplat. |
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Quoted:
I agree, no spherical powder for the Colt. I also think that the Ruger only needs "tier two" loads for your use. IMO, just because the Ruger can handle thermonuclear loads, there is no reason to use them for deer. If the load has enough power for the bullet to pass entirely through a deer from a quartering angle the load is perfect. A hotter load will only cause more blast and recoil, and cost more to load. Loading a case with 30 grains of H110 is counter productive unless you need to shoot something like a cape buffalo. Take a look at Linebaugh's pet loads at the bottom of this page. They are reasonable and have proven sufficient to kill anything Linebaugh FYI, Penn Bullets has a 255 grain SWC that I really like. It has an extra wide meplat. Thanks eightring. |
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Seems most folks think where the 45 Colt is concerned if you run a 250-ish gr. bullet over 850 fps or so, you're going to wreck the revolver. Simply isn't so. The 45 Colt, with modern powders, is capable of some very impressive velocities while staying within the 14,000 psi standard.
The most accurate bullet I've fired in my USFA, Uberti and NM Vaquero 45 Colts has been cast a copy of the RCBS 45-270 SWC mould. These bullets usually weigh in the 285 - 290 gr. range and can be run right up to 1000 fps while keeping chamber pressures in the 14,000 psi range. Here you'll find an article over this bullet along with data for your Colt and Ruger. But like someone else said, 9.0 grs. of Unique under a 255 gr. bullet will work for any deer. Good luck! |