300gr WFNGC .45 colt in 6 shot Ruger

[aritch45]

My question is what primers are you using?

[Paden]

Oct 9, 2011 13:47:47 GMT -5 wickerbill said:

I've been watching this one sense it started and have resisted entering. My input is this, how fast do you need to drive a sledge hammer.

Ditto. Every time I read phrases like "I'm not seeing pressure signs, so I'm going to go faster (even tho I'm already past book max)" or "...And I haven't blown up my gun, yet" or "Well, this load is safe in MY gun", it makes me cringe, and reinforces my inclination to never shoot at public ranges.

[Encore64]

And NEVER shoot anyone else's handloads.

[jefats]

Nice thread. With 300 grain LBT style slugs, 1100 f/s is my ceiling for the 6 shot OM Rugers. No doubt they can handle more but then that's where the Bowen 5 shot Nimrod comes into play. For it, 22.0 grains of H110 and CCI-350 primer pushes a 300 LBT out the muzzle at 1254 f/s. I haven't had the yen to try more. That's what the 500 Linebaugh is for

[500fksjr]

Nov 16, 2015 15:43:39 GMT -5 jefats said:

Nice thread. With 300 grain LBT style slugs, 1100 f/s is my ceiling for the 6 shot OM Rugers. No doubt they can handle more but then that's where the Bowen 5 shot Nimrod comes into play. For it, 22.0 grains of H110 and CCI-350 primer pushes a 300 LBT out the muzzle at 1254 f/s. I haven't had the yen to try more. That's what the 500 Linebaugh is for

Amen! on the 45 at one step and step up to the 500L for more with less "PAIN & STRAIN"

[450ak]

Not only what primer but how much bullet is in the case. I've got some pressure data from a real lab and I'm pretty sure that a 300 grain at 1300 is over the maximum allowable pressure for a stock ruger. But it's your gun and hands so enjoy until something breaks. And a 300 grain Keith at 1100 to 1200 kills thousand pound bison very suddenly when applied correctly. Oh and they usually exit. Good luck you'll need it.

[diddle]

21.5 grains of H110 behind a Accurate Molds 45-300AG sparked with a Federal Magnum LPP in Starline cases gives me right at 1125 fps from my 5.5" NM Bisley. I was not seeing signs of maxing out. But, it works for me and is fast enough to shoot through anything I am likely to encounter.

[Markbo]

Very interesting reading, that's for sure.

[singleaction]

Erring on the side of caution is always good advise. Throwing in the blown up 44 mag does not seem germane to me. Who knows what loads were fired in that gun before, what unseen ware/damage was already done etc. A lot of different factors could have contributed to failure.

I may be naive, but I have trusted +P "Ruger only" load data presented by Brian Pearce in Handloader magazine for Ruger Blackhawks in 45 Colt. I've found many of his max loads seems to fly in the face of the sound advice given here. His loads are sometimes presented with pressure data and sometimes not.

I've found that the harder I push the heavy LBT's the better accuracy I've gotten, but I've had to put a lot of lead down range with each incremental increase in velocity/recoil to realize improved accuracy. I wonder how often folks settle on a milder load, not because the load is less accurate, but because the shooter is not yet use to the added recoil and can't shoot as accurately. My only heavy 45 Colt Load is a 325 LBT LFN GC over 24 grains of H110 in Starline brass and Federal mag primers. I've used different lot numbers and have never chronied it. I admit that when working this close against the redline, Chronographing loads is prudent. However, I trust the data and MY loading. I might have to invest in a good chrony. Linebaugh says velocity equals pressure.

Here's a bunch of data, mostly from Brian Pearce in Handloader magazine. I'm posting this just to show some very heavy loads from respected sources that seem to exceed th OP's original performance criteria. Please don't trust some random fella on the Internet. Consult the original sources sited, compare them to loading manuals, read some Linebaugh, and make thoughtful decisions. In short, don't be an idiot.

From Rifle magazine #199, Jan 2002. Fired from a Six inch Ruger Blackhawk and safe in Ruger Blackhawks and guns of similar strength.
310 NEI SWC Keith Hodgdon H-110 25.0 1,391
revolver load; primer: CCI 350; extreme spread (fps): 27


The following loads compare pressure with different primers, but do not use H110 or W296. A similar comparison with H110 might prove instructive.
Handloader #269, Aug 2012. For large Frame Rugers. Fired from a 7 1/4" non-vented test barrel and WW cases.
310 Mt. Baldy Keith Ramshot Enforcer 21.0 1352
primer: CCI 350; 35,950 psi
310 Mt. Baldy Keith Ramshot Enforcer 21.0 1238
primer: Remington 2 1/2; 23,990 psi
310 Mt. Baldy Keith Ramshot Enforcer 21.0 1239
primer: Winchester LP; 22,490 psi
310 Mt. Baldy Keith Ramshot Enforcer 21.0 1278
primer: Federal 155; 27,870 psi


Hodgdons book load for a Cast Performance LBT style 325 LFNPB. I shoot the same charge with the gas checked version In a 5.5." SS Ruger Bisley. I've never chronied it.
Hodgdon H-110 24.0 1266fps
max load; COL: 1.680"; 27,400cup

Hodgdons book load for Cast performance 335 LFNPB
H-110 23.5 1240fps
max load; COL: 1.680; 28,000 cup

Hodgdons book load for Cast performance 360 LFNPB GC
H-110 21.0 1151fps
max load; COL: 1.680"; 28,300 cup


Comparing velocity of factory constricted .450" throats vs Manson reamed to .453" in a Ruger Blackhawk. Handloader #238, Nov 2005
7.5" Blackhawk:
H110 24.5 1,465
.450-inch throat
325 Cast Perf LFNPB Hodgdon H-110 24.5 1,441
.453-inch throat

4 5/8" Old Vaquero:
Hodgdon H-110 24.5 1,361
.449-inch throat
325 Cast Perf LFNPB Hodgdon H-110 24.5 1,346
.453-inch throat


Large Frame Rugers only CCI 350 primers
Handloader #270, Feb 2011
Hodgdon H-110 24.5 1346
4 5/8-inch barrel
325 Cast Performance LFNPB H-110 24.5 1441
7 1/2-inch barrel
325 Cast Performance LFNPB H-110 24.5 1359
7 1/2-inch barrel cut to 4 5/8 inches


Oregon Trail Trueshot 360 WNFP GC loads fired from a 5.5" SS Ruger Bisley. Handloader #284, June 2013. Brian Pearce said accuracy at 200 yards was outstanding.
360 TrueShot WNFP-GC H-110 22.0 1219fps
primer: CCI 350
360 TrueShot WNFP-GC H-110 23.0 1267fps
primer: CCI 350
360 TrueShot WNFP-GC Alliant Power Pro 300-MP 23.0 1278fps
primer: CCI 300
360 TrueShot WNFP-GC Alliant Power Pro 300-MP 24.0 1298fps
primer: CCI 300
360 TrueShot WNFP-GC Accurate AAC-9 19.0 1189fps
primer: CCI 300
360 TrueShot WNFP-GC Accurate AAC-9 20.0 1255fps
primer: CCI 300

[jefats]

At 1162 f/s the 340 Keith SWC-GC is not a problem for the beefy Bowen 5 shot Nimrod.  I wouldn't recommend it in a 6 shot Ruger.    Shot at 50 yards from bench.

[singleaction]

If that load falls in the under 32k "Ruger only" category, I would not hesitate to shoot it in a large frame Blackhawk. It would be more pleasant in a heavier gun though.
Matt

p.s.

Nice shooting btw!

[dougader]

I worked up the 335 grain WLNGC Cast Performance bullet to 22.0 grains WW296 in new Starline 45 Colt brass. I believe that's about 1.5 grains under max Hodgdon data. It ran 1196 fps in a 7.5" SRH, and 1211 fps in cut down FA 454 cases in a 5.5", 6-shot Ruger Bisley.

It's a good load, into stout territory but not punishing and can take any game available in this area.

[9x23w]

I've been using 22 grs (all weighed) 296, 325 gr Cast Performance bullets, CCI Mag primers in Starline brass in my 7-1/2" Blackhawk. Very similar to what others have been using. Beyond the limits for me with any type of stock grips. Experimenting with larger grips now that fill the area in back of the trigger guard. I agree with most of the others, you can probably go higher but moving to a 454 would be a lot wiser.

[lobo]

Nov 27, 2015 14:57:43 GMT -5 singleaction said:

If that load falls in the under 32k "Ruger only" category, I would not hesitate to shoot it in a large frame Blackhawk. It would be more pleasant in a heavier gun though.
Matt

p.s.

Nice shooting btw!

What is the difference between a large frame and small frame Blackhawk? I have old model .357 mags, .41 mags and a .45 Colt. Are these large frames?

[singleaction]

Sept 28, 2023 17:12:35 GMT -5 lobo said:

Nov 27, 2015 14:57:43 GMT -5 singleaction said:

If that load falls in the under 32k "Ruger only" category, I would not hesitate to shoot it in a large frame Blackhawk. It would be more pleasant in a heavier gun though.
Matt

p.s.

Nice shooting btw!

What is the difference between a large frame and small frame Blackhawk? I have old model .357 mags, .41 mags and a .45 Colt. Are these large frames?

The old model 357 mags are similar in size (but slightly larger) to the Colt Single Action Army. These, and their New Model equivalents, are commonly referred to as mid-frame revolvers to differentiate them from the large frame Blackhawks and the smaller single six frame sizes. All other center fire calibers of old model guns were build on Ruger’s larger frame, which was originally developed for the 44 magnum. Your old model 41 and 45 should be built on the large frame. Please read this article by John Linebaugh, as it will explain all you need to know about the strength of factory large frame Blackhawks in 45 colt:

www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com/writings

Beginning in about 2005, Ruger came out with the mid-frame size “New Vaquero”, and Ruger has made a few special run mid-frame flattops in 357, 44 spl, and 45 colt. None of these new model mid-frame guns are as strong as the large frame guns. Those made in 45 should not be loaded to exceed 23k psi, where the large frame Blackhawks and old style Vaqueros in 45 Colt, can be safely loaded to 32k psi.