Ruger black hawks

[MOHAA Player]

I love the Ruger black hawk 45 colt.I would like to take one out hunting oneday with some heavy Buffalo bore handloads.

[Wet Dog]

Tell us more. What handloads would you hunt with?

I'm very interested in hunting with a handgun. I've only done it once and enjoyed it a lot. Next year I may hunt exclusively with a handgun.

I have yet to shoot a Ruger Single action that I didn't want to buy...

[Big Bird]

It depends on what you are hunting but I promise that when it comes to deer hunting...anything more than 250 grains at around 1000-1100 fps is unneccessary. In my .45 Long Colts I've found the Buffalo Bore ammo hot indeed...but not one iota better on deer than my mid-weight loads which don't beat you (or your gun) up much.

[jonathon]

I have two Super Blackhawks..

a 4 5/8" that has a normal Blackhawk grip frame and a 7 1/2" that has a Super Blackhawk grip. I love them both ;f

[SDGlock23]

I just love my stainless 7.5" 45 Colt Blackhawk. I too have some 325 gr. Buffalo Bore's and they're stout no doubt, but you only need some 255 gr. cast reloads going about 900-950 fps to hunt pretty much anything in North America.

I want a blued 4 5/8's to go with it.;c

[MOHAA Player]

Click here for hot ammo (http://buffalobore.com)

[CanyonMan]

Big Bird said,

It depends on what you are hunting but I promise that when it comes to deer hunting...anything more than 250 grains at around 1000-1100 fps is unneccessary. In my .45 Long Colts I've found the Buffalo Bore ammo hot indeed...but not one iota better on deer than my mid-weight loads which don't beat you (or your gun) up much.


I completely agree with Big Bird, "in principal," that is to say, fellows, this caliber is a devistating round at 1100fps, (with the right bullet), Most everyone here on GT knows i am a "cast bullet" guy, i have been for over 35 years, AND One of my best friends 'owns Beartooth Bullets,' so that helps too. ;)

I say in 'principal,' because yes, BB is dead right. A 1100fps 45lc, will take Elk, with proper bullet and shot placement, etc, etc.
BUT, i do belive from my experience, that although a good hollow point 'is fine,' a Cast bullet is much better... Not really 'neccessary'on deer sized game, ( i personally choose them most of the time), because of their driving power through the animal, BUT, my Son has dropped deer in their tracks with my reloads of speer JHP's @ 1100fps, OR XTP'S.

And i AM NOT, a fan of the Buffalo Bore, and Garrets, etc, " UNLESS " one "does not" reload, and are 'off this contenent' hunting 'big and dagerous game.' There is NO reason for this on deer/antelope. Elk, hey i can live with it on Elk, but still not truly needed, but again, i still 'suggest a Cast bullet here, at least.'

I see on this board, and others as well, and we hear all the time from folks over the years, "Hey, man i need real power in this Ruger 45LC...." "WHY?"

Again, power junkies, need not apply, and should stick with 454 casulls and the like.

The 45LC, (on game up to and including Elk), does not need more than 1200fps, 1100fps, will work. Again, BB is correct, BUT, i only add, ( humbly ), that i would use the "Cast" for the 'Elk sized game and up for sure,' and (i use it on deer most of the time). BUT the 'super powered thunder loads, are NOT needed,' except on very large dangerous game, and to be honest, Cape Buffalo have fell to the Ruger BlackHawk 45LC, with 'Hard Cast bullets,' and 1200fps... This is a very unique, and potent caliber guys, it does not need "more speed" for 'the use' most everyone will give it! ;)

If you have one, and hunt deer, "and don't reload," man as much as i 'hate corbon ammo,' i will say, that even their SD ammo, at 200gr, and 1100fps, will kill a big buck as dead as a door nail, and if 'you do reload,' for deer, forget the nuclear stuff! Not needed! ;)


FWIW


Stay Safe!


CanyonMan

[spober]

not needed within what distance.75 yards? 100 yards 150 yards.surly the casul rounds are gonna carry the 255 gn sledgehammer farther and retain its leathality well past the 1100 colts?
and back to the origonal post.i too like the BH,SBH even better than the vaquero.sure the BH has ADJUSTABLE SITES but i like the way it feels and being a flattop its a stronger gun!

[CanyonMan]

not needed within what distance.75 yards? 100 yards 150 yards.surly the casul rounds are gonna carry the 255 gn sledgehammer farther and retain its leathality well past the 1100 colts?

Those so called nuclear loads for the 45LC, are not needed "period," for deer/antelope. How often have you killed deer at 100yds to 150yds, and beyond? Espesially with a handgun?

I'm not to sure I follow your 'casull' thing there, but if your saying the casull will have more, or better 'down range' vel/energy, sure will, but again, 'sledgehammer loads, and casull's' just aren't needed on deer.

Even at the 100/150yd. range, the 1100/1150fps 45LC with a cast bullet, is enough.

But once again, realistically, how often does one truly shoot deer with a handgun at these ranges?

Can this be done ? I assure you it can. ;) "But," i also "assure you" that 1100/1200 fps, in the 45LC Ruger with a cast bullet is "still enough," at 'that range' as well, to take the buck.

The sledgehammer/buffalo bore rds. etc, in a 45LC, are 'just not needed' for an average deer hunt, at average ranges, and again, even at non-average ranges, (within reason), the above velosity is enough with a good cast load.

I don't know your hunting experiences, i'm sure you are a great hunter, but i can tell you, that there is waaaay to much hype placed on this subject of turning the 45LC nuclear, to accomplish a deer hunt! Complete myth. And hey, sorry, but i thought all this was on the subject! :)




Stay Safe!


CanyonMan

[noway]

Canyonman has it right. Every person I spoken too ,including canyonman ( I had to throw that in ;) )that has taken big game animals have told me time after time, that the heavy pounding 45colt loads aren't need for deer/elk/moose and most of everything in the USA.

One gentleman that I meet that has hunted really BIG game all with a BlackHawk or Redhawk handgun, told me he has yet to load anything heavier than 310grs nor shot anything faster 1150-1200fps and he has a big leather bound photo albums of game animals he has taken in Africa and most of these animals I have never seen nor heard of ;)

I'm loading a simple keith style 310gr bullet or a 360gr bullet at a wimpy 1000fps velocities or less ( guessing ) and these will layout any deer that walks plant earth unless it was on drugs or wearing kevlar ;)

[SDGlock23]

I'd like to meet this guy! Go .45 Colt!:cool:

[CanyonMan]

I'm loading a simple keith style 310gr bullet or a 360gr bullet at a wimpy 1000fps velocities or less ( guessing ) and these will layout any deer that walks plant earth unless it was on drugs or wearing kevlar


LOL !


Noway, you and i have been through enough to know, that your 1000fps, and that 310gr. will field dress your deer for ya! ;f

Even a drug crazed deer! ;)


CanyonMan

[akbound]

Hi all,

Coming late to the thread but just acquired a nice used 4 5/8" Ruger Blackhawk .45ACP/.45Colt that I'm looking forward to carrying while hunting this year. My problem with using it as my sole hunting arm this year is that I'm planning to use a beautiful little 5 1/2 pound, 23" barreled Contender G2 Carbine chambered for .45/70 that I had picked up just before the Blackhawk. I've decided I'll just have to carry them both and see what happens. ;) If the opportunity presents itself within my comfort zone for the Blackhawk it'll get the nod, otherwise the .45/70 will be there.

I haven't set up my reloading gear since we moved back from Alaska, (years ago). We're planning a move within the next several months after which I will put my gear back up. Until I have an opportunity to work up some "working (250-265grains at 950-1150fps) loads" for this gun I'll have to rely on factory loads. I've managed to pick up a few samples of .45Colt to try and plan on trying some others. To this point I've found Corbon +P's 200gr JHP at 1100fps, Winchester 225gr Silvertip HP's, and some Magtech .45Colt 250gr lead cowboy loads. The latter will likely be only for plinking, fun, or small game. I would love to find some factory loaded 250gr Keith style SWC's loaded in the 950-1150fps range to give a try, but will have to keep looking.

Buffalo Bore loads maybe something to try in the future should I ever decide I have a real need for those kinds of energy, but I don't for my current planned uses. When we lived in Alaska I shot, carried, and used 328gr hardcast loads in my .44Magnum loaded to maximum pressures. I had a real need for those kinds of loads in Alaska. Other than "grins & giggles" there is no need for those kinds of loads where I currently live, (unless I'd run into a rougue farm bull;) ). Not only were they more expensive then the more run-of-the-mill hunting loads but they were also hard on my 4" 629. After every box of twenty I'd have to pull out my Chapman's and recheck and/or retighten the frame screws. And I just don't see a need to subject my guns to that kind of "work" when there really is no need for it.

On the other hand I am looking forward to experimenting/playing at the other end of the power spectrum. I can't wait to work up, or acquire, a bunch of loads in the "cowboy power spectrum" to play with and see what all I can use them for playing with. Also looking forward to considerable plinking with the ACP cylinder using vast quanities of the cheap ACP ammo that is available, (particularly some of the little lead SWC target stuff), and with the slightly heavier SWC loads mimicking the .45Auto Rimmed loads that use to be available. I think these would be great loads for turkey, coyotes, and such and plan to give them a try.

Any way I'm excited about the opportunities for putting this neat little Blackhawk to use!

Dave

[CanyonMan]

Dave,

You will really like your new toy. The "factory" loads you named are really about it, (for the most part), until you can set up your reloading operation for the 45. I can't stand cor-bon ammo, but it will work, and the silver tips would get the nod (for me), if i had to choose between the two. I don't know what your hunting, but if it is deer/blk. bear, either one of those loads will work, and again, personally i would go for the silver tips. I am not personally aware of any "Keith style factory loads," that would give hunting velosity.
If their out there, it would surprise me. And i'm not talking about Buffalo Bore, Garrets etc,.. but nominal velosity loads with a Keith bullet. Some one ought to make these for the guys who don't reload.

Welcome to the world of .45LC and Rugers.


Be Safe.
Good hunting.


CanyonMan

[SDGlock23]

To add to the factory ammo part, Speer has a 250 gr. Gold Dot (pictured at right). It has one MEAN hollow cavity and it's also available to reload. The Winchester 225 is pretty darn good too. Enjoy that new Blackhawk!

(Corbon 200gr on left)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a289/sdmf69/GoldDot250_CorBon200_3-8-05JY.jpg

[akbound]

Hi CanyonMan,

Living in Pennsylvania at this time I'm pretty much limited to whitetail and black bears locally. Neither being particularly heavily boned animals I think either of the above jacketed loads will work for now as you've stated. If my blackhawk shows a noticable preference for one or the other it will likely get the nod. I can't wait to get out and give it a try.

It seems unless I can find a reputable "remanufacturer" that loads the Keith stlye bullets I won't be giving them a try until my press is set up!

Dave

[CanyonMan]

Living in Pennsylvania at this time I'm pretty much limited to whitetail and black bears locally. Neither being particularly heavily boned animals I think either of the above jacketed loads will work for now as you've stated. If my blackhawk shows a noticable preference for one or the other it will likely get the nod. I can't wait to get out and give it a try.


Well, sound wisdom! ;)


Any of these will be fine for the deer, the Silvertips, and the Goldot (destroyer), that "SDGlock23" showed you in his post, both run about 900/925 fps, at the muzzle, this is fine for 'close range deer,' but i would lean toward the cor-bon for the bear, and anything 'past 25yds or so on even the deer.' Even the Cor-bon SD loading is 1150fps, which would place you in a litle better position than the other two, 'for the bear anyway.'

If you find a Keith bullet in a 'factory load,' again, it would be news to me. You will probably have to wait till you set up the reloading process for it.

Sounds like you are on the right track!

Be careful
Good shooting!

CanyonMan

[epsylum]

Anyword on DT doing .45colt loads. His .44mag loads are BAD! Plus he is significantly cheaper than BB.

He also loads up Beartooth bullets in some of his, so he has stuff for everybody.

[SDGlock23]

I've heard he's supposed to be coming out with some. While it won't really offer anything to the reloader, it would be a good option for those who don't.

[epsylum]

Originally posted by SDGlock23
While it won't really offer anything to the reloader,

Sure it would. You wouldn't have to develop a hunting or woods defense load, DT would already have them. You could focus your reloading on making cheap and effective practice and plinking loads.

McNett said he spent 6 months developing just one of his .44mag loads. That's 6 months of tinkering saved.

[noway]

{McNett said he spent 6 months developing just one of his .44mag loads. That's 6 months of tinkering saved.}


And I've spent over 10months developing just a handfull of 45colts loads for me and more importantly my guns. Some other people I know that has beening shooting the 45colt since I was in diapers ( hint over 37+ years ).


So what's the point your trying to make ?

[akbound]

Just returned from a range session today. The bad news is, the 23" TC Contender G2 in .45-70 has a problem, it would not consistently fire. :( Sometimes it would strike the primer with a sufficient blow to fire the cartridge and sometimes it wouldn't. I tried both Winchester and Reminton factory loads and had the same results, so I seriously doubt it is ammunition related. Now I have to contact TC and see what they'd like to do next.

The good news is I shot the 4 5/8" Blackhawk using the .45 Colt cylinder. After adjusting the sights to be in the black at 15 yards I went to 25 yards and confirmed the setting. Then it was on to a 50 yard target. I was mildly surprised and happy to see the impact of the Winchester 225grain Silvertips and the 200grain JHP Corbons overlapped on the bulleyes.

I was shooting at a 3" black bullseye using a portable bench for all the sighting shots. The little Blackhawk was capable of keeping all of its shots in the black when fired with my wrists resting over the bags. For such a short barreled revolver I'm satisfied with that level of accuracy for the upcoming whitetail/black bear hunting seasons. From a sitting position at 75 yards an 8" paper plate contains all the shots.......I'm more than satisfied!!! If I expect to do any better than that with my eyes I'll need either a longer sighting radius or a scoped handgun; neither of which I'm interested in pursuing at this time.

All that's left now is to solve the problem with the Contender, and finish getting ready for deer season. ;)

Dave

P.S. No, this is not my only rifle that's ready for deer season.......that's why I could afford to wait so late. :)

[CanyonMan]

Sounds good there Dave, the ST seem "for me," to have the accuracy edge, orver the others mentioned. I am glad you are having good results with these two, until you get set up for reloading. The 4 5/8" will do far more than folks think it will. I like the shorter barrel for sake of staying more compact in the field, with ease of carry. As you stated, hitting your pie plate at 75 yards, consistently, shows the 'potential accuracy' of these shorter barrels. Now, get out there and get that deer/bear. ;)


CanyonMan

[epsylum]

Originally posted by noway
{McNett said he spent 6 months developing just one of his .44mag loads. That's 6 months of tinkering saved.}


And I've spent over 10months developing just a handfull of 45colts loads for me and more importantly my guns. Some other people I know that has beening shooting the 45colt since I was in diapers ( hint over 37+ years ).


So what's the point your trying to make ?

Sounds like you took me wrong. I am not trying to say he is better than anybody. My whole point is, if you want to load your own hotdog rounds, I understand and go ahead, I plan to be loading .45super here soon just for that reason. But that you can buy a well loaded hunting round from DT for a good price (almost half that of BB) and focus your attention on other loadings if you wish too.

I was in no way trying to say loading or re-loading was a waste of time. If I came off that way, sorry. Like I said, I am going to be loading myself here soon.

Just that some people can't, or don't want to get into re-loading, so DT offers rounds that they cannot buy or make on thier own. Hence his 10mm popularity.

Just saying DT serves a purpose.

[noway]

Point taken ;)

What mike is doing is great but remember alot of other people have been doing the 45colts for many many years. A great caliber that truely serves a wide range

[akbound]

Looking forward to other range sessions with the little Ruger before opening day. As if I'm wasn't excited enough with prepping the 45Colt I also just found an old three screw 7 1/2" .44Magnum Super Blackhawk, (I have to start staying away from gun stores)! It is serial numbered 7XXX and even though it's been factory fitted with the new components it also included all the original parts. However it did not include the box, though it came with the Ruger buckled flap holster made by Bianchi. Got them both for $350, I couldn't just walk away from it! :)

Dave

[CanyonMan]

I also just found an old three screw 7 1/2" .44Magnum Super Blackhawk, (I have to start staying away from gun stores)! It is serial numbered 7XXX and even though it's been factory fitted with the new components it also included all the original parts. However it did not include the box, though it came with the Ruger buckled flap holster made by Bianchi. Got them both for $350, I couldn't just walk away from it!



Man you did real well on that deal! ;)
Anytime you can find an older Ruger, and have the $$$, go for it.

My first SBH 44mag, NIB, cost me $189.00 in 1970. ;f

Ya did good!
Have fun!


CanyonMan